This Muslim-Owned Restaurant Has Been Serving Sub-$40 Steak Since 2020—Is Their Food As Good As Their Prices?

Picanhas’ has value-for-money steak in the CBD

I love a good steak, but the guilt that follows a splurge is real. So when I found out about Picanhas’ (pronounced “pee-KAHN-yahz”), a Muslim-owned steakhouse in Chinatown, I was intrigued. It’s one of those places I’d walked past plenty of times without ever stepping in. A quick Google search later, and I found out it was opened by former staff from The Feather Blade, which explained the similar vibes, prices, and dishes. The restaurant offers sub-$40 steak, and I had one question: does the price come at the cost of quality?

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Food at Picanhas’

The menu is concise with just five mains, and the two steak dishes are the star attractions: the Queen of Steak ($36++) and Picanha Don ($25++). If you want to explore beyond these offerings, the menu also includes a Mentaiko Pasta ($25++), Duck Steak ($28++), and the People’s Burger ($25++), a beef burger featuring 200g of their Picanha patty sandwiched between two charcoal sesame buns.

The Queen of Steak was served simply on a flat griddle, as if gutsy enough to be judged by its taster even when it is plain and bare. Seasoned lightly with salt crystals, the steak can also be paired with an extra serving of house sauces such as Chimichurri, Wasabi Cream, and Sze Chuan at $2++ each.

Also known as the rump cap, the picanhas cut might not be as tender as the ribeye or tenderloin, but here at the restaurant, it is salt-brined then sous-vide—to make sure the protein strands are broken down as much as possible without the steak drying out. It is then finished with a touch on the grill for a much-needed Maillard searing before serving. 

Finished with charcoal-infused butter, each slice was undeniably juicy and packed with beefy flavour. The ends of the cut ran a little chewy, particularly that tougher, sinew-like part that comes with the picanha, though the rest of the slices were tender enough to enjoy. At $36++, it’s solid value, even if a little more tenderness across the board would have made it even better.

The Wasabi Cream that came alongside was a good pairing. It was creamy and tangy, with more of a sharp, pungent edge than an outright spicy kick. Made with honey, sour cream, mayo, and real wasabi, it had enough brightness to cut through the richness of the beef without overshadowing its flavour.

The next main was their Picanha Don, which comes with the same picanha steak, caramelised onions, pickled purple cabbage, golden-brown fried garlic bits, an onsen egg, and a bed of beautiful blue rice. 

I recommend ordering this dish over the Queen of Steak as the picanha is sliced more thinly, and thus more tender than the latter. The sweet onions, tangy cabbage, and aromatic garlic bits also made for a more complete dish, as it felt more like a well-rounded meal for me.

The rice was on the dry side, and mixing in the egg didn’t do much to soften or creamify it, but the flavours were there. This is just a minor nitpick in the grand scheme of things.

You can also order from an array of sides such as potatoes, mushroom, couscous, and spinach at $8++ a pop. Go classic with their steakhouse-style creamed spinach, or get a serving of double-cooked smashed potatoes. These are perfumed with an aromatic char, along with a drizzle of piquant Sriracha mayo. 

Those feeling spendy can also try out some additional toppings such as Hokkaido scallops and French foie gras that will set you back a hefty $12++ apiece. These torched babies might not be 100% essential, but will surely elevate your experience when paired with the mains.

One thing that sets Picanhas’ apart from other steak places would be their range of alcohol-free mocktails at $12++ each. These drinks are thirst-quenching and unique to the restaurant, as they are specially crafted by their in-house bartender. 

We tried Rose, which sported a pink tuile and a delicate bubble which disappeared in a blink of an eye. It is slightly milky yet floral, a drink my colleague coined as a “zhnged-up bandung”. For something more full-bodied, try the Kyoho Sangria that is made with halal wine. The fruity and slightly tart drink makes for a good end to a heavy meal at Picanhas’.

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Ambience at Picanhas’

Picanhas’ carries a moody, industrial aesthetic decked out with dark grey walls, bold red accents at the bar counter, and Edison bulb pendant lights hanging overhead. A chalkboard menu behind the counter keeps things casual and unpretentious, while the open kitchen adds a lively buzz to the room. The staff made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in, and the vibe was relaxed enough for a long, unhurried lunch. Reservations are highly recommended; the first seating was already packed when doors opened at noon.

Picanhas’ is a nine-minute walk from Chinatown MRT Station.

The verdict Picanhas’ – Eatbook Review

In this economy, finding a steakhouse that doesn’t make your wallet cry is worth celebrating, and Picanhas’ delivers exactly that with good cuts, solid flavours, and prices that won’t have you doing mental calculations mid-meal. There’s a reason they’ve stuck around, and after this visit, the answer was clear. Head down if you’re tired of the usual mainstream—and expensive—steakhouses and want to try a secondary cut like the Picanha!

For more good food around the area, read our list of cheap food places in the CBD. We also have a guide to affordable business lunches in the CBD from $18++ per person.

Address: 90 Club Street, Singapore 069458
Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 12pm to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm, Fri 5:30pm to 11:30pm
Website
Picanhas’ is Muslim-owned.

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Photos taken by Nathania Tay.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg