Last night, I decided to make a small but meaningful change to my dinner routine. I have been trying to balance my meals better lately and include more variety in the proteins I eat during the week. Chicken is still probably the one I consume the most, so I felt like it was time to go for something different. That was how I ended up choosing saba fish for dinner, and honestly, I was very happy with that decision. Not only is saba a good source of healthy fats and minerals, but it is also one of those fish that can be incredibly enjoyable when cooked well. I especially like the fried version because the outer layer turns slightly crisp while the meat inside stays soft and flaky.
Whenever I crave saba fish, I already have a stall in mind. I tend to be quite particular when it comes to seafood, and for me, freshness is everything. I have tried saba fish from other stalls before, but sometimes the fishy taste is just too strong, and once that happens, even lime or other seasonings cannot really rescue the dish. That is why I keep coming back to this stall at Geylang Bahru Food Centre. I trust the freshness of their ingredients, and that trust makes a big difference when deciding where to eat.
One reason I feel more confident eating seafood here is because Geylang Bahru Food Centre is located right beside the wet market. In my mind, that always adds to the sense that the ingredients are likely fresher, and freshness matters so much with fish. I always believe that if the ingredients are fresh, then the dish is already on the right track as long as the cooking is done properly. But if the ingredients are not fresh, no amount of sauce or seasoning can truly fix that. That is why I do not mind returning to the same trusted stalls again and again.
This time, I ordered the Fried Saba Fish Set, and for SGD 7.50, I thought it was a really satisfying meal. What I liked immediately was that the plate looked thoughtful. Some stalls just focus on the main item and keep everything else very plain, but this stall clearly puts care into how they serve the food. It may still be a humble hawker meal, but the little details made it feel more complete.
The plate came with a generous serving of rice, a fried saba fish, a sunny side egg, chilli paste, tomato slices, lime, and a bowl of clear soup on the side. There was also dark sauce drizzled over the fish and egg, which added a glossy, savory touch to the whole dish. I really appreciated the balance of the plate. The rice made it filling, the egg added comfort, and the tomato and lime gave a bit of freshness to cut through the richness of the fried fish.
As for the saba itself, it was exactly what I was hoping for. The fish tasted fresh, which is the most important thing for me. The meat was flaky and tender, and the fried skin gave it that extra texture that makes saba so enjoyable. With a little bit of chilli paste and some of that dark sauce, every bite became even more satisfying. I also liked that the sunny side egg was freshly cooked rather than just thrown onto the plate as an afterthought. Small things like that matter because they show that some care went into preparing the meal.
The clear soup on the side also helped round out the dinner nicely. It gave the tray a more balanced feel, especially alongside the richer flavors of the fried fish and sambal. And of course, I also had an iced tea to go with the meal, which made everything even more refreshing.
Overall, this was a simple but very satisfying dinner. It reminded me that a humble hawker meal can still feel top-notch when the ingredients are fresh and the dish is prepared with care. For SGD 7.50, I thought this Fried Saba Fish Set delivered great value, good balance, and the kind of comfort that makes me want to come back again.
Bon appétit.
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