New to the stretch of eateries around China Square Central that bustles during weekday lunches, What’s Pide stands out with its bright orange entrance that lures you in with the promise of piping hot pocket pides. From 11 outlets in Seoul to its first flagship in Singapore, the casual chain boasts of its hand-kneaded breads that are baked fresh in-house daily.
Apparently, a “secret mix” of dry ingredients that are formulated using flour from Korea is what gives the flatbread its spongier texture. The generously stuffed pides are best eaten hot, so grab a chair in the small seating area to down your meal instead of toting it back to your office.
From the small selection of options, each stuffed with romaine lettuce, shredded cabbage, and tomato slices, Prawn Star ($8.50) and Eda-San ($7.50) are some of the more unusual picks. The former features soft shell prawns (including the heads) that are crisp and lightly battered, doused in creamy kimchi mayo, while the latter is a vegetarian-friendly creation of chewy edamame mushroom balls liberally slathered with wasabi mayo.
But if you can’t live without your meats, go for Hey! Lu Lu ($6.50), with Sarawak black pepper chicken thigh and pineapple chunks, Sofia’s Meatballs ($7.50), made of beef balls and an herby tomato sauce, or Mrs. Park ($9), with a filling of bulgogi beef, pickled jalapeños, and caramelized onions.
Sides like herbed and spiced shoestring fries ($3) are available as well, or you can make it a combo meal by adding $4 to your bill for those fried potatoes and either nitro-brewed tea, Coca-Cola, or Aka Cola (infused with nutmeg.) Beers and coffees also feature on the menu, which switches thing up a little in the morning. Think rosemary pides ($2) that you can dip in wild Greek honey ($1) or extra virgin olive oil ($1), or stuffed ones that come with avocado and scrambled eggs ($5.50) or Muar otah and cucumber ($4.50).
Oh, and each pide order comes with a tiny sticky note bearing random quirky or feel-good handwritten quotes, such as “friends buy you lunch, best friends eat your lunch.” It’s a sweet personal touch, and as far as stuffed breads go, we’d be happy to return to What’s Pide for more carb-y goodness.
FIND IT:
What’s Pide is at #01-63 China Square Central, 22 Cross St.
Mon-Fri 8am-9pm.
MRT: Chinatown/Telok Ayer
