Curry puff stalls are sprouting up all around food centres in Singapore, and it is becoming harder to decide which one is worth your calories.
Homegrown brands like Heritage Tanglin Puff Since 1952, What The Puff!, and Hong Lim Curry Puff are certainly making their presence felt.
I also noticed Gold Xiang Curry Puff, which has been expanding recently and you can now find their outlets at Chinatown Complex Food Centre, Albert Centre Food Centre, Bukit Merah View Food Centre, and Chong Pang Food Centre.
The first thing I realised was the variety of puffs, from curry chicken, sardine, otah, to more interesting ones like yam, black pepper chicken, chilli crab and even durian. DURIAN!
Each is priced at $2 to $2.40.
Unlike the thick and doughy crusts found at some other stalls, Gold Xiang uses a lighter and flaky shell.
The pastry has distinct layers that give it a crisp texture. The skin is also quite thin and tends to crumble quickly.
I thought it felt clean and lacked the heavy grease often associated with deep-fried snacks. While health-conscious customers may appreciate the lack of oil, the puff can feel a little dry in the mouth.
Some people might actually prefer a bit more greasiness to provide a better mouthfeel and a richer taste.
The signature Curry Chicken Puff ($2) is the standard by which most people judge these stalls.
The filling contains a mix of chicken chunks and potato cubes simmered in a local spice blend. The taste is nostalgic and mild, which makes it a safe choice for most people.
However, I found myself wishing for a more generous amount of filling. The puff feels a bit airy inside, and a more packed interior would have made the snack more satisfying.
I actually enjoyed the Otah Puff ($2) more than the classic chicken version.
The spicy fish paste provided a more robust flavour that paired well with the flaky crust. It was a more complete bite, even if the amount of filling still felt a bit sparse.
In terms of value, Gold Xiang is priced slightly higher than your average neighbourhood stall but remains affordable.
The puffs are generally smaller than those from the bigger chains, so you might need two to feel full.
Gold Xiang Curry Puff
Bukit Merah View Food Centre #01-12, 115 Bukit Merah View, Singapore 151115 (Near Tiong Bahru MRT)
Opening Hours: 7am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)
Gold Xiang Curry Puff
Chong Pang Market & Food Centre #01-156, 105 Yishun Ring Road, Singapore 760105 (Near Yishun MRT)
Opening Hours: 7am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)
Gold Xiang Curry Puff
Chinatown Complex #02-127, 335 Smith Street, Singapore 050335 (Near Chinatown MRT)
Opening Hours: 7am – 7pm (Mon – Sun)
Other Related Entries
Heritage Tanglin Puff Since 1952 (Hong Lim Food Centre)
What The Puff! (Bedok 216 Food Centre)
Hong Lim Curry Puff (Old Airport Road Food Centre)
Rolina Traditional Hainanese Curry Puffs (Tanjong Pagar Food Centre)
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