Nando's, Bugis Junction

Nando's introduced Singapore to the concept of peri-peri chicken. This world famous casual dining chain, with outlets spanning every continent, serves cuisine centered around the deceptively tiny but potent African peri-peri chilli. The peri-peri sauce, comprising different grades of spiciness to cater to every tastebud, is a proprietary concoction of aromatics such as onions, garlic, acids such as lemon juice, citrus peel, herbs such as paprika, bay leaves, tarragon, oregano, basil, pimento, and of course, peri-peri chillis. The distinctive and versatile sauce is an explosive balance of the sweet, sour, piquant and spicy flavours, which complements and never overwhelms the flavour of the dishes.

Although the menu isn't that extensive (everything on the menu is chicken, even the burgers, and the sides are a little limited and honestly, quite forgettable), they do their chicken right. Very right. Yums. Also, the restaurant's air-conditioning was way too cold. The food turned tepid very quickly, especially the sides (because we were busy eating the chicken first), and we didn't finish the sides because they were just nasty when cold. 

Bear in mind the restaurant doesn't accept reservations, so you'll have to eat early to avoid queuing. The weekends will find this restaurant a bustling full-house with a long queue, and while service is pleasant and generally friendly, they can be a bit harried and inconsistent (2 of our quartered chickens didn't arrive until we were finished our meal and checked in with the waiter). Maybe that's why we usually do takeaways from Nando's instead. 

As there were 4 of us, we ordered the Full Platter ($85) set consisting 6 quarter chickens, i.e. one and a half chicken, 4 large side dishes, 2 salads and 2 pieces of bread. Best to order the platters if you have a bunch of boys eating with you. Nando's grilled chicken is the best of the best, and the juiciness of their chickens are unparalleled anywhere on the island. I dare you to find another place that does chicken breast as moist as Nando's (but must be of the same price or less). We do feel that the lemon-and-herb flavour is the nicest, it's got a very light, fresh, herb-y taste that's so mouthwateringly yummy. Besides, you can always customise your preferred level of spiciness with the various bottles of peri peri sauces at your table.

I loved the aromatic herbs-and-olive oil Portuguese vinaigrette accompanying the Portuguese Salad ($7.90 from ala carte menu) which was a mix of rocket and mesclun leaves, romaine lettuce, tomato wedges, green and red coral, green olives. Simple and uncomplicated but the fragrant dressing has gotta be the star.

The Peri Potato Salad ($5.85 for large from ala carte menu) utilised baby potatoes with skins on, creamy but not too rich and with a hint of spiced pepper providing a lift to the creamy potatoes. I don't usually like potato salads but this was done well.

The Peri Chips ($5.85 for large from ala carte menu) were very commendable. Thick and crisp, the peri spiced powder lent a nice savoury kick. Please make sure you eat this before it turns cold, it's awful when cold.

The Mediterranean Rice ($5.85 for large from ala carte menu) was a little lacking in flavour even though it was fragrant. I wanted a little more kick, a little more zing, a little more richness to this.

The Grilled Vegetables ($5.85 for large from ala carte menu) were, despite the lack of salt, was a very low-sodium way of getting some greens to even the picky vegetable-haters. I liked the softened zucchinis.

The Peri Corn ($5.85 for large from ala carte menu) was just alright. It can't beat the really sweet ones at Chili's but this was juicy enough.

The Bolo Bread, a Portuguese crunchy and crusty wholewheat bread was very very plain and needed a lot of butter to get through. This was pretty much left alone mostly because we were stuffed by the time we got to this.

Nando's
200 Victoria Street
Bugis Junction #01-85
Tel: 6338 6555
Open daily from 10am to 10pm
Website: www.nandos.com.sg