Kawan Bowl first landed on my radar during one of our usual pickleball nights at Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre. We’d just wrapped up a game, drenched in sweat and ready to eat, when someone at the next table ordered this hearty-looking Chicken Luncheon bowl that looked pretty shiok. That was enough to get us curious.
Fast forward to our next visit — we finally gave Kawan Bowl a proper try.
What’s Kawan Bowl All About?
Kawan Bowl is a halal-certified stall serving scrambled egg rice bowls topped with different proteins. Think Ayam Panggang, Ayam Berempah, Taliwang Chicken Cutlet, Chicken Luncheon — you get the idea.
But let me set expectations right. This isn’t Instagram food. Presentation’s a bit messy with sauce splattered everywhere. It’s hawker centre grub through and through.
The Ayam Panggang — Pretty Solid
We ordered the Ayam Panggang. The chicken had this sweet, peanutty flavour that reminded me of satay. The meat was juicy, which was a win. Only gripe? I wished there was some char on the skin to give it that smoky kick. Would’ve taken it up a notch.
The Ayam Berempah — Bit of a Letdown
The Ayam Berempah didn’t quite match up to the menu photo. Instead of a whole chicken leg, we got a leg that was chopped up and looked like it’d been fried multiple times over. It was dark — way too dark — and the meat was hard and dry. Plus, it came out at room temperature. Not even warm.
Flavour-wise though? Decent. Aromatic spices came through nicely. If only it wasn’t so over-fried and cold.
The Scrambled Eggs Need Work
Both bowls came with scrambled eggs, but they were a touch overcooked for my liking. Could’ve been silkier, creamier. Small detail, but it matters when eggs are literally in the name of the concept.
Pricing and Value at Kawan Bowl
Prices range from $5.90 to $7.90, which feels reasonable for what you’re getting. Not cheap, not expensive. Fair.
The Anchorvale Village Reality Check
Here’s the thing that got me thinking. Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre isn’t even that old, but already quite a few stalls have shuttered. Makes you wonder how these newer hawker concepts survive — rent, competition, people’s changing eating habits. The novelty wears off fast sometimes.
Final Thoughts on Kawan Bowl
Kawan Bowl isn’t going to blow your mind. It’s not the prettiest bowl. Not the most amazing meal either. But it fills you up after a game, and sometimes that’s enough. When nothing else catches my fancy, I’d eat it again without complaints.
Besides Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre, Kawan Bowl has outlets at Kopitiam @ Sunshine Place (475 Choa Chu Kang Ave 3), Cantine @ Jurong Point, and Cantine @ Pasir Ris Mall.