Ma Cuisinette: French-Owned Hawker Stall With Hearty Western Mains Under $15

Ma Cuisinette has affordable Western food in Chinatown

Amongst the plethora of Chinese food offerings in Chinatown, not all options there will suit every palate. For those who prefer something a little different from the usual spice-laden fare, this is where stalls such as Ma Cuisinette step in, offering a hearty alternative with their Italian and Western fare.

Nestled in a corner coffee shop near Chinatown Complex, Ma Cuisinette is an extension of its main outlet at Greenwich V, which shares the same name and is known for its affordable French bistro dishes. The brand was founded by Laurent, a French native who has lived in Singapore for close to 35 years, along with his son.

According to Laurent, the decision to open another outlet stemmed from a desire to make their dishes more accessible and better suited for the masses. All dishes are prepared without pork or lard, and Laurent draws on his experience as an executive chef in hotels to deliver authentic French flavours.

It is hard to miss the giant red signboard reading “Ma Cuisinette,” which loosely translates to “My Little Kitchen.” The eatery keeps things simple with a no-frills, compact menu, a clear sign of its focus on doing a few dishes well.

That French influence is still evident in some of their dishes, such as Mussels in Cream with Rice ($10) and Bouillabaisse ($11), AKA a classic French fish stew that is served with rice. Although some of their signatures were unavailable during our visit, there were still plenty of options to choose from. 

For dishes prepared fresh from scratch, our food did not take long to arrive. The first dish we opted for was the simple Ham Carbonara ($8.90), which looked vibrant and visually appetising, topped with a runny egg. 

The pasta was cut into short strips, and although that took away the fun of twirling it, it made the dish especially easy to eat. Each bite was rich and creamy, complemented by a generous amount of ham slices and a sprinkle of cheese on top. 

We learned that their range of pizzas is a popular hit at their main outlet, so we decided to try the Pepperoni ($13.90). It came with a golden crust that struck the perfect balance between fluffy and crisp. The pepperoni slices were of good quality, and we loved the layer of tomato sauce tucked beneath the pizza, adding a delightful tang to each bite.

However, the Sizzling Beef Cheese Burger ($12.90) did not quite live up to the first two dishes. The hotplate wasn’t exactly sizzling when it arrived, and while we could taste the flavours of the beef flank patty, it was slightly chewy and a little dry, lacking the savoury lift that a sauce could have provided. That said, dipping the burger pieces into the thick layer of cheese was rather satisfying.

The burger came with a side of French Fries, which were served crispy and well-seasoned.

Overall, the dishes at Ma Cuisinette stay true to their purpose—to serve simple, authentic cuisine at wallet-friendly prices. Though we did not manage to try some of the other menu items, based on what we had, we’re confident that the eatery can consistently deliver comforting fare that definitely deserves more recognition.

For other affordable Italian eats, check out our guide to the best pasta restaurants under $30. You can also read our best Western food stalls guide, which features prominent names including Seletar Western and Wow Wow West. 

Address: 5 Banda Street, #01-52, MR1, Singapore 050005
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 8pm
Website
Ma Cuisinette is not a halal-certified eatery, but uses no pork or lard. 

Photos taken by Heather Ng.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg.