13 Stages Tasting Session

13 Stages Tasting Session
1 Stadium Place
#01-41 Kallang Wave Mall

7 Wallich Street
#B2-30 Tanjong Pagar Centre

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 9pm


https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Restaurant/13-Stages-100404353942702/

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session.
Attended with representatives from Purple Taste, Epicurious Caniggia, msginginly, and Her Pen And Fork.

Meal Flat Lay

Barista-Brewed Kopi, Variety Of Sauced Chicken

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 6
Food & Beverage: 7
Service: 8
Value for Money: 8
Budget about SGD $14 per person.


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Founded in August 2017 by Singaporean celebrity Mark Lee, along with his wife and 2 friends, 13 Stages was born out of their shared passion for chicken rice and Southeast Asian coffee (kopi). Named for the 13 different personas Mark Lee has taken throughout his showbiz career (Calefare, Comedian, Television Host, Event Host, Singer, TV Drama Artiste, Musical Performer, Movie Star, Stand-Up Comedian, Script Writer, Director, Radio Disc Jockey, and Movie Producer), the 13 Stages brand is known for their barista-brewed kopi, hand made with coffee powder sourced from the 13 states of Malaysia, as well as the 7 different flavours of sauced chicken on the menu. And yes, they are currently planning to launch up to 13 different flavours of sauced chicken soon.

13 Stages Signage

13 Stages Exterior

13 Stages Interior

Ambience at 13 Stages is homely and casual. The brightly lit, open area is neatly laid out with simple yet functional wooden and metal furniture, in shades of white, black, wood, green, blue, and yellow. Nicely vibrant, and very spacious. There's a small area set aside as a lounge, with cushioned easy chairs. Across the open counter, a display of the 13 different coffee powders, sourced from the 13 states of Malaysia, are arrayed neatly in jars. Large wall posters complete the decor, though I felt the digital display fan was a little out of place.

Seating

Seating

Digital Display Fan

Service at 13 Stages is friendly and professional. Staff have adequate knowledge to describe the dishes and drinks available, and offer recommendations. I note they clean up quickly when diners leave. Orders for food tend to be served quicker than orders for drinks, as most of the kopi is individually hand-made on order, resulting in a short wait. Some of the senior staff can engage well with customers too.

13 Stages Menu

13 Stages Menu

Food at 13 Stages is tasty and affordable. The focus is on chicken rice, but not the usual Singaporean or Malaysian versions. Instead, bamboo steamed chicken legs are topped with a variety of sauces, then served with chicken rice. I understand it's all made from a central kitchen, which ensures a consistent quality. The other highlight is the 13 varieties of coffee powders, sourced from the 13 states of Malaysia. This lends an artisanal coffee brewing experience to their kopi. Portions are nicely sized for individuals, and prices are wallet-friendly, budget about SGD $14 per person.

Meal Flat Lay

Meal Flat Lay

They have a variety of Cold Drinks to quench your thirst. The straightforward Honey Lemon (SGD $3.40) with its floral sweet zesty flavour, the lively Lime With Sour Plum (SGD $3.40) with its tangy sour sweet flavour, or the cooling Winter Melon With Nata De Coco (SGD $3.40) with its earthy sweet nutty flavour.

Cold Drinks - Honey Lemon (SGD $3.40), Lime With Sour Plum (SGD $3.40), Winter Melon With Nata De Coco (SGD $3.40)

Cold Drinks - Honey Lemon, Lime With Sour Plum, Winter Melon With Nata De Coco

Cold Drinks - Honey Lemon, Lime With Sour Plum, Winter Melon With Nata De Coco

The Barista Kopi - Malaysia 13 States Coffee each has its own character and flavour, which is clearly detailed in the menu. One scoop of kopi powder is used for every cup of kopi, all individually brewed to perfection. This ensures richness and quality in every cup. Just like the variety of Western coffee brews, now traditional kopi lovers finally have a range of options to choose from!

Barista Kopi - Malaysia 13 States Coffee

Barista Kopi - Malaysia 13 States Coffee

Barista Kopi - Malaysia 13 States Coffee

The Barista Kopi - Selangor (SGD $3.50) is rated as 4.5 over 5 points. It has a medium strength with rich coffee flavour, and a thick mouthfeel.

Barista Kopi - Selangor (SGD $3.50)

Barista Kopi - Selangor

The Barista Kopi - Terengganu (SGD $3.50) is rated as 4.5 over 5 points. It has a medium strength with rich coffee flavour, and a velvety mouthfeel.

Barista Kopi - Terengganu (SGD $3.50)

Barista Kopi - Terengganu

The tasting platter of Barista Kopi - Gem Of 3 States - Johor, Kedah, Perlis (SGD $8) is served with 3 brews of the month. The Barista Kopi - Johor is rated as 1 over 5 points. It has a low strength with thin coffee flavour, and a smooth mouthfeel. The Barista Kopi - Kedah is rated as 3.5 over 5 points. It has a medium strength with acidic coffee flavour, and a bitter mouthfeel. The Barista Kopi - Perlis is rated as 4.5 over 5 points. It has a mild strength with sweet coffee flavour, and an watery mouthfeel.

Barista Kopi - Gem Of 3 States - Johor, Kedah, Perlis (SGD $8)

Barista Kopi - Gem Of 3 States - Johor, Kedah, Perlis

Barista Kopi - Gem Of 3 States - Johor, Kedah, Perlis

The Mini Butter Toasted Mantou With Kaya (SGD $4.80) has 6 cubes of buttered and toasted mantou bread buns, with a soft, chewy texture, and delicate buttery bready sweet flavour. Served with a gloopy, thick brown Hainanese kaya / coconut jam, whose floral earthy sweet flavour pairs well with the mantou. A sprinkle of salt and pepper lends a hint of salty peppery kick. Good sharing breakfast or high tea option.

Mini Butter Toasted Mantou With Kaya (SGD $4.80)

Mini Butter Toasted Mantou With Kaya

Mini Butter Toasted Mantou With Kaya

Mini Butter Toasted Mantou With Kaya

The Steamed Egg Chicken Floss (SGD $3.20) is served in a large, filling portion. The wobbly soft steamed egg has a delicate eggy sweet flavour, complemented by the savoury notes of the stringy chewy chicken floss garnish. Warm and comforting side dish. Wish they had a smaller portion though.

Steamed Egg Chicken Floss (SGD $3.20)

Steamed Egg Chicken Floss

Steamed Egg Chicken Floss

The Chicken Rice (SGD $1.50) here is special, because it's not oily, and yet is infused with bold sweet savoury flavour. I understand fresh chicken bones stock is used to make this, and the fluffy grains separate easily. Aromatic and appetizing.

Chicken Rice (SGD $1.50)

Chicken Rice

The Imperial Ginger Chicken (SGD $9.50) features a large, succulent jumbo chicken leg, steamed with crushed ginger till moist and tender in a bamboo steamer basket, garnished with crunchy Japanese cucumber slices. The chicken meat comes easily off, and has a lovely sweet savoury spice flavour.

Imperial Ginger Chicken (SGD $9.50)

Imperial Ginger Chicken

Imperial Ginger Chicken

The Dang Gui / Angelica Root Chicken (SGD $9.50) features a large, succulent jumbo chicken leg, steamed with dang gui / angelica root till moist and tender in a bamboo steamer basket, garnished with crunchy kai-lan / Chinese kale / Chinese broccoli and soft goji berries / wolfberries. The chicken meat comes easily off, and has a lovely herbal sweet savoury flavour.

Dang Gui / Angelica Root Chicken (SGD $9.50)

Dang Gui / Angelica Root Chicken

Dang Gui / Angelica Root Chicken

The Curry Chicken (SGD $9.50) features a large, succulent jumbo chicken leg, steamed with curry leaves and coconut milk till moist and tender in a bamboo steamer basket, garnished with waxy potatoes. The chicken meat comes easily off, and has a delicate milky spicy savoury flavour. As this is a Peranakan style curry, the texture is thinner than usual, though the flavour is still punchy.

Curry Chicken (SGD $9.50)

Curry Chicken

Curry Chicken

The Assam Chicken (SGD $9.50) features a large, succulent jumbo chicken leg, steamed with sour plum and red chili till moist and tender in a bamboo steamer basket, garnished with tender long beans, juicy pineapples, and soft tomatoes. The chicken meat comes easily off, and has an odd sour sweet salty flavour. This was the weakest dish for us, we've suggested they use tamarind juice for a more authentic flavour.

Assam Chicken (SGD $9.50)

Assam Chicken

Assam Chicken

The Mala Chicken (SGD $9.50) features a large, succulent jumbo chicken leg, steamed with Sichuan / Szechuan mala peppercorn paste till moist and tender in a bamboo steamer basket, garnished with tender long beans, and crunchy roasted peanuts. The chicken meat comes easily off, and has a sharp spicy savoury peppery flavour. This is around medium spicy heat, with a short lingering burn.

Mala Chicken (SGD $9.50)

Mala Chicken

Mala Chicken

The Steamed Fish And Chips (SGD $9.90) features a medium, flaky smooth silver dory fish fillet, steamed with tofu beancurd skin wrappers, sour plum, pickled mustard greens, tomatoes, and shiitake mushrooms till moist and tender in a bamboo steamer basket, garnished with crunchy stalks of pickled daikon radish and carrots, which act as "fries". The fish meat yields easily, and has a sharp salty savoury sweet flavour. The vegetable "fries" are served in a goma dare / sesame seed paste dipping sauce.

Steamed Fish And Chips (SGD $9.90)

Steamed Fish And Chips

Steamed Fish And Chips

The Sesame Fish (SGD $9.90) features a medium, flaky smooth silver dory fish fillet, steamed with goma dare / sesame seed paste till moist and tender in a bamboo steamer basket, garnished with soft silken tofu beancurd coins, and stringy fried egg floss. The fish meat yields easily, and has a delicate nutty earthy sweet flavour. Although the texture of the sauce is thin, it packs a good amount of flavour, though it's more sweet than nutty in taste.

Sesame Fish (SGD $9.90)

Sesame Fish

Sesame Fish

Using the same curry gravy as the chicken dish, the Curry Chicken Cheong Fun (SGD $5.50) features shreds of tender chicken meat, laid over soft rice noodle rolls. The entire dish is coated with the delicious curry, but the texture of this is thicker than the chicken dish, because of the starchy nature of the rice noodle rolls. Personally, I prefer this over the curry chicken dish, as I like the thick curry texture.

Curry Chicken Cheong Fun (SGD $5.50)

Curry Chicken Cheong Fun

Curry Chicken Cheong Fun

Overall, we enjoyed the dining experience at 13 Stages. The homely ambience and friendly service, coupled with the delicious variety of food and coffee, makes this a unique experience. Their affordable meals make 13 Stages accessible for everyday dining. At the time of this post, 13 Stages is planning to get halal certification, and will introduce up to 13 different flavours of chicken rice to pair with their 13 different coffees from Malaysia, in the coming months.


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