Big Fish Small Fish

Big Fish Small Fish
50 Punggol East
#01-K35 Container Bistros @ Tebing Lane

930 Yishun Avenue 2
#02-132 Northpoint City

200 Victoria Street
#04-05 Bugis Junction

4 Tampines Central 5
#B1-K3 Tampines Mall

73A Ayer Rajah Crescent
#01-34 Timbre+

https://www.bigfishsmallfish.com.sg/

Fish And Crisps

Chill Fish & Chips Kiosk

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 5
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 7
Service: 3
Value for Money: 5
Spent about SGD $14 per person.


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Opening its doors in February 2017, Big Fish Small Fish is 1 of 7 casual kiosk eateries, part of the Container Bistros @ Tebing Lane. True to its name, Big Fish Small Fish, which makes me recall a children's game, specialises in the classic British dish of Fish And Chips, given a Singaporean twist, through the use of potato chips and local flavours of dipping sauces. Currently, they draw the biggest crowds of all the casual kiosk eateries here, and the place is usually buzzing with long queues.

Ambience at Big Fish Small Fish is influenced by its concept; a bistro housed in repurposed cargo containers. The bright, vibrant colours of blue and yellow go nicely with the simple wooden furniture, though the indoor area is cramped and limited in seating capacity. I like that repurposed burlap sacks act as cushion covers. They also benefit from having a spacious, al-fresco outdoor seating area, with a view of the waterway and surrounding greenery. Expect long queues and a good amount of waiting though.

Service at Big Fish Small Fish is largely self-service. Ordering, payment, and collection of orders is done over the counter. They also have self-service ordering kiosks, which are user-friendly. The small, limited menu means staff are well-versed in it, and can make recommendations if you're undecided. Serving is done fast-food style, and diners are also encouraged to clear your own tables and trays, as I note staff don't perform cleaning often, leading to messy tables. Functional service standards, but not much better than most other fast-food places.

Food at Big Fish Small Fish is focused on British English style of Fish And Chips, though here, they do it as Fish And Crisps instead. Naturally, fish features prominently on the menu, with a good variety to choose from. Most of the other items consist of seafood, and are deep-fried, but execution is consistent. Portions are small for individuals, and I wish they offered add-on options, or larger options for communal sharing. Prices are light on the wallet, but it's only average value for money due to the small portions. Budget about SGD $14 per person for a meal here.


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Big Fish Small Fish Signage

Big Fish Small Fish Facade

Big Fish Small Fish Menu

Counter

Seating Indoors

Seating Outdoors

Paper Cones

They offer a range of dipping sauces here, all of which are complimentary and free-flow. All in creamy in texture, but my personal favourite is the Sauce XO Mayonnaise, which has a savoury spicy flavour, with the heat lending a nice kick. The Sauce Salted Egg Yolk is properly rich with notes of salty savoury earthy, also a good choice. However, I find the Sauce Cheese to be a little light on flavour.

Sauce Salted Egg Yolk

Sauce XO Mayonnaise

Sauce Cheese

A regular sized Soft Drink (SGD $2.90), which I must say is rather expensive. Best avoided if possible.

Soft Drink (SGD $2.90)

The large helping of Coleslaw (SGD $3.90) is best shared, and is good value for money. Chilled, refreshing, and clean-tasting, with notes of sweet and creamy. I like the fresh, crunchy texture. Not bad.

Coleslaw (SGD $3.90)

The XO Shrimps (SGD $7.90) features a base of coleslaw, topped with small but meaty deshelled prawns / shrimp, lightly battered and fried. Coated in their signature creamy XO mayonnaise sauce, each morsel is sweet and spicy. Nicely done.

XO Shrimps (SGD $7.90)

Love the creamy, chunky, chilled texture of the Potato Salad (SGD $4.90). Quite refreshing, the sauce is light enough that you still taste the natural potato flavour, and the addition of small chunks of vegetables lend some crunch. Nice.

Potato Salad (SGD $4.90)

The Salted Egg Yolk Calamari With Bonito Flakes (SGD $7.90) has a bold flavour. The thin yet bouncy squid rings have a nice chew, a delicate sweet savoury flavour, and a satisfiying crunch from the light crumb and flour batter. The thick, rich salted egg yolk sauce, with notes of savoury salty, contrasts nicely with the robust fish flavour from the katsuobushi / bonito flakes. Good!

Salted Egg Yolk Calamari With Bonito Flakes (SGD $7.90)

Love the Potato Crisps (SGD $4.90), with its thin, crispy texture that crunches satisfiyingly. Slightly inconsistent though, not all pieces were crisp, about 10% or less were soft and limp. Easily overlooked though, as the majority is well executed. It's served more or less plain, though you can choose to dip it in sauce for more flavour. Good!

Potato Crisps (SGD $4.90)

The Fish Dory (SGD $6.90) features a small but clean-tasting, fresh fillet of john dory fish. Slightly soft, slightly flaky, slightly creamy in texture, with fresh but mild sweet savoury fish meat flavour, and a light, crispy, crunchy batter. I personally wish for either a slightly larger fillet, or at least 2 small fillets, or the option to add-on extra fillets of fish, but as is, this is decent value. Worth ordering!

Fish Dory (SGD $6.90)

Fish Dory

The Fish Red Snapper (SGD $15.90) features a medium sized, clean-tasting, fresh fillet of red snapper fish. It has a good texture which borders on firm, and is flaky enough that it comes apart smoothly. Stronger savoury notes with an undertone of sweet, a light fish taste from the thick skin, enveloped in a light, crispy, crunchy batter. They only have limited amounts of this daily, but it's well worth it. Good!

Fish Red Snapper (SGD $15.90)

Fish Red Snapper

The Fish Yellowfin (SGD $7.90) features 2 fillets of long, meaty, fresh fillet of yellowfin tuna fish. It's lean and firm, but remains flaky, though it requires some effort to separate. The light, crispy, crunchy batter envelops the fish, which has strong savoury notes, with undertones of oily fish. The flavours should remind most of another fast-food joint that also specialises in fried fish, named after a pirate. Decent.

Fish Yellowfin (SGD $7.90)

Fish Yellowfin

The Fish Sea Bass (SGD $10.90) is large and meaty, but having eaten this, I understand why not many cook this fish by deep frying. The result is firm and dry fish meat, with the skin being rather tough and stringy in texture. Nice delicate sweet savoury flavour, but the texture is a let-down. Skip this.

Fish Sea Bass (SGD $10.90)

Fish Sea Bass

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Update Nov-2018: Since my initial few visits over 1 year ago, Big Fish Small Fish has gained popularity, and become successful enough to expand with several outlets across Singapore. Ambience at Big Fish Small Fish retains its modern, casual, maritime vibe, and cheerful blue and yellow decor, with touches of wooden crates and corrugated metal walls. Service at Big Fish Small Fish is still completely self-service, with ordering, payment, and collection over the counter; staff having to display little product knowledge or interaction with diners. Food at Big Fish Small Fish remains focused on the British English style of Fish And Chips, done here as Fish And Crisps instead, being of average taste and quality. Portions are still small for individuals, and prices remain more or less the same, budget about SGD $14 per person for a meal here.

Big Fish Small Fish Signage

Big Fish Small Fish Menu 2018

Seating

The Fish And Crisps - Halibut Set (SGD $20.30) is a filling set meal, served with a choice of soft drink. I got Soft Drink Yeo's Fun Lemon Lime Twist, which has a lively carbonated texture and a zesty sour sweet flavour. The set meal is served with crispy crunchy, thinly sliced, savoury Potato Crisps, and a trio of dipping sauces; the Sauce - Lemon Mayonnaise, Salted Egg Aioli, Garlicky Chili, each with its own distinct character.

The Fish Halibut features 2 long, meaty fillets of halibut fish. It's lean and flaky, with a light, crispy, crunchy batter. Has delicate savoury sweet flavour, with a semi-dry, semi-moist texture. The taste will be familiar to those who like fish fingers. The Fish Skin crunches loudly and satisfyingly, and has good savoury salty fishy flavour. This light appetizer pairs well with the dipping sauces.

Fish And Crisps - Halibut Set (SGD $20.30)

Soft Drink Yeo's Fun Lemon Lime Twist

Potato Crisps

Fish Halibut

Fish Halibut

Sauce - Lemon Mayonnaise, Salted Egg Aioli, Garlicky Chili

Fish Skin

Fish Skin

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Update Mar-2020: More than 3 years on, and Big Fish Small Fish is now a serious casual eatery contender in the Singaporean F&B scene. The ambience, service, and food quality have all improved, but this comes at a cost, as prices have also risen slightly. They're still affordable enough for students, but the menu has since been expanded, and they offer more variety at good value for money.

Big Fish Small Fish Exterior

Big Fish Small Fish Interior

Types Of Fish

Big Fish Small Fish Menu 2020

The Home Made Lemonade (SGD $3.50) has a refreshing, cool texture, with bright zesty tangy sour sweet flavour. Great on a warm day. Good!

Home Made Lemonade (SGD $3.50)

The Home Made Iced Lemon Tea (SGD $3.50) is too sweet for my liking, and leaves a sticky aftertaste on the palate. Could be improved.

Home Made Iced Lemon Tea (SGD $3.50)

They now offer more Sauces than before. Really spoilt for choice here, as all are so tasty. There's Tartar with milky sweet sour flavour, Salted Egg Yolk with eggy sweet salty flavour, XO Mayonnaise with milky shrimpy savoury spice flavour, Cheese with cheesy salty flavour, Honey Mustard with sweet herbal spice flavour, Curry with earthy savoury spice salty flavour, and Habanero Pickle with vegetal sour spice flavour. However, the Sauce Thai Chili is weak and diluted.

Sauces

Sauce Tartar

Sauce Salted Egg Yolk

Sauce XO Mayonnaise

Sauce Cheese

Sauce Honey Mustard

Sauce Curry

Sauce Habanero Pickle

Sauce Thai Chili

Their version of Corn Soup (SGD $2.90) has a creamy thick texture, yet the flavour within seems to have bits of smoked fish that lends a savoury salty depth of taste, overwhelming the more delicate vegetal sweet notes of corn. Tasty, but it's not really corn soup. Could be improved.

Corn Soup (SGD $2.90)

The Clam Chowder (SGD $2.90) has a creamy thick texture, with mild savoury sweet flavours. Filled with scanty ingredients, including carrots, white onions, and white clams that are meaty with a light chew. Decent enough.

Clam Chowder (SGD $2.90)

Clam Chowder

Their version of Coleslaw (SGD $3) has less sauce, so you get more of the natural vegetal sweet flavours and the crunch of the fresh vegetables, including cabbage, carrots, and lettuce. Good!

Coleslaw (SGD $3)

The Buttered Corn Kernels (SGD $3) feature juicy crunchy corn kernels tossed in butter. This has a delicate buttery grainy sweet flavour, nice. Good!

Buttered Corn Kernels (SGD $3)

Not many Singaporeans appreciate the traditional British English mushy peas, so they've created the Mint Mushy Peas (SGD $3.30), which has a soft grainy chew, to appeal to all. This stands out because the mint herbal flavours lend a refreshing note to the vegetal sweet mushy peas, making it lovely and delicate. Highly recommended!

Mint Mushy Peas (SGD $3.30)

The Barbecue Mixed Beans (SGD $3) are a unique blend of lentils, in a warm barbecue and tomato sauce that has deep savoury sweet tangy flavours. The mix of lentils include baked beans, broad beans, chickpeas, and kidney beans, all nice and soft with a slight bite, and good earthy sweet flavours. Good!

Barbecue Mixed Beans (SGD $3)

The Mashed Potato (SGD $3) has a dense creamy texture, with delicate starchy sweet flavour. The brown gravy lends an appetizing salty savoury taste to the mashed potato. Worth ordering!

Mashed Potato (SGD $3)

The Skin-On Chips (SGD $4.80) are medium cut and sufficiently thick, with a soft starchy potato salty flavour, and a light fluffy crunch to texture. Worth ordering!

Skin-On Chips (SGD $4.80)

I loved the Onion Rings (SGD $4.80)! These large cut white onion rings have a crisp crunchy battered crust, with a tender juicy soft bite within. With delicate earthy herbal sweet savoury flavour, these were tasty. Could have toned down the oil a little, but it's still delicious. Good!

Onion Rings (SGD $4.80)

Onion Rings

Onion Rings

Only available as a choice of side dish with a set meal, the Vegetable Salad (SGD $3) is refreshing and light, a healthier choice for diners. This salad includes crunchy cabbage, juicy cherry tomatoes, juicy corn kernels, soft chickpeas, and tender kidney beans. Has bright vegetal earthy sweet flavours. Worth ordering!

Vegetable Salad (SGD $3)

The Sauteed Vegetables (SGD $1.50) is a healthy and wholesome choice for a side dish. This medley of sauteed vegetables includes crunchy broccoli, tender carrots, soft string beans, and juicy cherry tomatoes. Has bright smoky vegetal sweet savoury flavours. Good!

Sauteed Vegetables (SGD $1.50)

The Pilaf Rice (SGD $1.50) features a large portion of chicken stock broth infused pilaf white rice. It has a soft grainy chew to texture, and a delicious smoky buttery savoury sweet flavour. Good!

Pilaf Rice (SGD $1.50)

The home made Potato Crisps (SGD $2) are thin, light, and super crisp, crunching nicely when bit. These have a bold savoury starchy flavour. With only a little salt, these are perfect for pairing with their range of dipping sauces. Good!

Potato Crisps (SGD $2)

The Fried Calamari Squid Rings (SGD $8.80) feature bouncy squid rings coated in a thick all-purpose flour batter, which results in a crisp crunch to the exterior, and a soft chew to the interior. The squid rings are lightly seasoned, and so delicate in taste, it's boring. Best paired with the range of dipping sauces. The thick batter also makes this very filling. Could be improved.

Fried Calamari Squid Rings (SGD $8.80)

Fried Calamari Squid Rings

Fried Calamari Squid Rings

The Garlic Toast & Mussels Set (SGD $9.80) is an excellent appetizer. The Garlic Bread is well toasted, moist and crisp, with bright herbal savoury spice flavour from the garlic spread. But I especially loved the Mussels In Cream Sauce, with each blue mussel being small but plump and meaty, tender in texture, and having decent fresh sweet savoury flavour. I like that staff have partially deshelled these, making them easy to eat, plus, they've also bothered to remove any dead ones. The cream sauce is lovely, with a savoury sweet milky flavour; I actually used this as a dipping gravy for some of the fish dishes. Highly recommended!

Garlic Toast & Mussels Set (SGD $9.80)

Garlic Bread

Garlic Bread

Mussels In Cream Sauce

Mussels In Cream Sauce

Love the generous portion of Shishamo (SGD $7.80) here. These shishamo / smelt fish are medium sized and meaty, with a stringy tender chew that reveals grainy fish roe within. Each bite releases a salty savoury smoky flavour. I like pairing this with the range of sauces. Worth ordering!

Shishamo (SGD $7.80)

Shishamo

Shishamo

The Fish And Crisps Set is a house signature, featuring a choice of fish, with house made potato crisps. I usually choose the Fish And Crisps Set Haddock (SGD $16.80), or the Fish And Crisps Set Halibut (SGD $13.60).

Fish And Crisps Set Haddock (SGD $16.80)

Fish And Crisps Set Halibut (SGD $13.60)

The Fish Haddock (SGD $16.80) is a white fish, preferred by some for use in fish and chips. The small sized, clean-tasting, wild caught fresh haddock fish fillet is naturally dry, with firm lean flakes that are chunky with a tender chew. With mild sweet savoury fishy flavour to the fish meat, and almost no skin, and a salty note to the light, crispy, crunchy batter. This is an acquired texture which will appeal to some. I ended up dipping this in the cream sauce gravy from an appetizer, making it much more tasty. Worth ordering!

Fish Haddock (SGD $16.80)

Fish Haddock

The Fish Halibut (SGD $13.60) is a white fish, with natural flavour that requires very little seasoning. The large, clean-tasting, wild caught fresh halibut fish fillet is moist, with large dense flakes that are silky with a tender chew. With mild sweet savoury oily flavour to the fish meat, a light fish taste from the thin pliant skin, and a salty note to the light, crispy, crunchy batter. Very enjoyable and yummy. Highly recommended!

Fish Halibut (SGD $13.60)

Fish Halibut

They've finally done fish and chips here. The Fish And Chips Set features a choice of fish, with skin-on chips / fries, and your choice of a duo of sides dishes. I usually choose the Fish And Chips Set Hoki (SGD $13.20), or the Fish And Chips Set Dory (SGD $10.80).

Fish And Chips Set Hoki (SGD $13.20)

Fish And Chips Set Dory (SGD $10.80)

The Fish Hoki (SGD $13.20) is a white fish, also known as the blue grenadier, and is commonly used in fish and chips. The large sized, clean-tasting, wild caught fresh hoki fish fillet is moist, with delicate firm lean flakes that are smooth with a tender chew. With gentle sweet savoury flavour to the fish meat, a light fish taste from the thin stretchy skin, and a salty note to the light, crispy, crunchy batter. Good!

Fish Hoki (SGD $13.20)

Fish Hoki

The Fish Dory (SGD $10.80) is a white fish, and is the most common species of fish used in fish and chips in Singapore. The medium sized, clean-tasting, farmed fresh dory fish fillet is moist, with delicate soft flakes that are smooth with a mushy chew. With gentle sweet savoury flavour to the fish meat, a neutral taste to the thin fish skin, and a salty note to the light, crispy, crunchy batter. Good!

Fish Dory (SGD $10.80)

Fish Dory

Fish Dory

Fish Dory

The new menu now offers grilled fish, and it's been a long time coming. The Fish On Grill Set features a choice of fish, with your choice of 1 side dish, making this a much lighter meal compared to the other set meals on the menu. I usually choose the Fish On Grill Set Salmon (SGD $16.70), or the Fish On Grill Set Sea Bass (SGD $13.40).

Fish On Grill Set Salmon (SGD $16.70)

Fish On Grill Set Sea Bass (SGD $13.40)

The Fish Salmon (SGD $15.70) is a pink fish, known for its healthy fish oil. The medium sized, farmed salmon fish fillet is moist and flaky, coming apart in large beautiful firm chunky flakes that are dense with a tender chew. It has gentle sweet savoury flavour, but the rubbery fish skin could have been more crisp if cooked slightly longer, though the salty note and gentle fish oil taste makes it palatable. Good!

Fish Salmon (SGD $15.70)

Fish Salmon

Fish Salmon

Fish Salmon

The Fish Sea Bass (SGD $12.40) is a common variety of white fish. The medium sized, farmed sea bass fish is moist and buttery, coming apart in small beautiful firm meaty flakes that are soft with a tender chew. It has a gentle sweet savoury flavour, with a soft rubbery fish skin. Rather one-note in taste, this is healthy, but requires some of the dipping sauces to lend it more flavour. Worth ordering!

Fish Sea Bass (SGD $12.40)

Fish Sea Bass

Fish Sea Bass

A popular dessert here, the Churros Cinnamon Sugar (SGD $4) features soft spongy chewy balls of churros, with a doughy bite to texture. Generously coated in crunchy cinnamon sugar crystals and served warm, this has a lovely floral sweet spice flavour. Nicely addictive. Highly recommended!

Churros Cinnamon Sugar (SGD $4)

Churros Cinnamon Sugar

Churros Cinnamon Sugar

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