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This Muslim-Owned Eatery In SG Is Our Answer To The Halal Guys

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Shasha Dania •  Jun 11, 2020

[Update 29 Oct 2020] We've just heard that Overrice will be opening a physical store on 30 October 2020, Friday! ? The store will be located at 48 Arab Street, with opening hours 11.30AM - 9.30PM daily. They've also added new items to the menu to look forward to. From light snacks like Beef FriesSpicy Popcorn Chicken, and Overrice Fries drizzled with their signature house sauces - to desserts like Okieco's Banana Pudding and cheesecake shots and so much more. ? In the meantime, read on to find out about their signature bowls and start planning out the first thing you're going to order once you get there!

If you've been searching for a halal snack pack to tide you over, look no further because Overrice is Singapore's very own answer to the famous chain The Halal Guys! ? I've been craving The Halal Guys for weeks so when I found out about Overrice and its rave reviews I knew I had to try them out! I've been able to eat The Halal Guys in Seoul and London so far (though I haven't dined at their original Manhattan location yet) so I was super excited to see how Overrice matched up.

The founders of Overrice were actually influenced by the original The Halal Guys pushcart in Manhattan, New York and they've brought this beloved chain's signature 'halal snack packs' to Singapore's shores. Consisting of basmati rice, lettuce, tomatoes, pita bread, and a choice of protein, they're a hearty and wholesome meal that will fill you up. Overrice's bowls currently only come in 1 size and they have 3 protein options - beef, chicken, and falafel.

The first thing I had to try? The white sauce. The Halal Guys' white sauce is one their signature ingredients so any tribute to The Halal Guys needs to have good sauce too. The moment I tasted the sauce I was taken aback - in a good way!

The garlic taste is strong but not overpowering, and the flavours reminded me of sour cream and tahini. There's a really subtle taste of pepper but overall it's fragrant, cool, and savoury without being too strong. There's even a bit of sweetness to really bring the garlic taste forward. ? It tastes really similar to the real thing, and is an amazing sauce on its own. I wanted a whole bottle of it by the time I was done.

Next up: the main meal. The moment the lid was lifted off the bowl, I instantly could smell the spices used in the basmati rice and meat. ? The rice was flavourful though a little dry. The dryness actually made it go really well with the sauce and the meat once it was all mixed together. I snuck a piece of chicken from my sister's bowl and was quite pleased to find that it was nice and tender! Overrice marinates their chicken for at least 12 hours, and it shows in the texture and sweetness of the meat. ?

Finally, it was time to dig into my own beef bowl. On Overrice's website, they describe the beef as "juicy overnight marinated pulled beef slow-cooked to perfection" - and I agree! ? The beef was soft, sweet, and savoury. You could taste the marinade and it was so tender it felt like it was melting in my mouth with every bite. I honestly think it's the tastiest pulled beef I've ever had. ? I'm not a big fan of red meat but I'd definitely buy this again.

To top it off, they also include their signature red sauce. The website says it's "made from 4 types of chilli" and if you're a fan of spicy food I can promise you'll love it. ? My mouth and tongue were on fire from even a little nibble. The chilli itself had several layers of taste, but none that particularly stood out. Overall its subtle sweetness and texture brought out the savoury spices of the rice and beef. Throughout the meal, I could feel my face getting warm and my throat starting to itch but it was just too good to stop. I would actually rank the chilli a cut above The Halal Guy's chilli because the spice level was so good. ?

Overall, if you've tried The Halal Guys before I would recommend giving Overrice a shot. They come really close to duplicating the taste, and their ordering process is super convenient! If you've never had a chance to try The Halal Guys yet - make sure to try out Overrice first. It's a great meal on its own and definitely value-for-money. ?

Halal status: Muslim-owned

Average price: $6.90

Opening hours: Daily; 11.30AM - 9.30PM (Official opening on 30 Oct 2020)

Address: 48 Arab Street, Singapore 199745

Contact: 97361671 or 88771827

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