Uncle Sam's Claypots, Robinson Road

January 30, 2012

Uncle Sam's Claypots have come quite a long way since they first set up shop along Robinson Road back in 1995. They now have 3 outlets, at City Square Mall near Little India and the Clementi heartland, in addition to the original at AfroAsia Building. The menu's now a lot more extensive, as they've included crab specialties in their repertoire of claypot dishes. I've also noticed that their prices have risen significantly since my last visit almost 2 years ago. While I don't think their food has improved as much as their prices have increased, their portions are generous and there's air-conditioning, always a plus in our heat and humidity. A warning to the wise though, be prepared to leave the restaurant smelling of lunch, the ventilation here is quite a throwback to the past.

The Seafood Claypot Rice ($9) was loaded with head-on shelled prawns, crabstick, fishcake, mushrooms and greens. Seafood was generally fresh, and the rice had a nice charred element to it. I appreciated that each scalding hot claypot was served on a wicker basket to prevent diners from scalding themselves.

The Sliced Fish Soup Claypot Noodles ($9) was a milky concoction of rich seafood based stock, and laden with sliced mackerel and a large freshwater prawn. Quite the MSG bomb and cloyingly sweet with the use of condensed milk.

The classic dish that made Uncle Sam's so successful, the Boneless Chicken Rice Claypot ($9) is the only thing I'd eat here and not feel ripped off. Lots of tender, well-marinated, chicken chunks abound in this dish and the rice is flavoursome with plenty dark soy sauce.