#EatDirty Award Winners Are…

Which eatery do we — and you — think serves the best nasi lemak in Singapore? Plus, Hokkien mee, pandan chiffon cake and other comfort food? Read on.

- Yip Jieying

It’s nearing that end-of-year rainy season again, which means it’s time to hunker down with some heart-warming comfort food. Need makan ideas for days when you’re just not into eating clean? Our very first #EatDirty Awards offers 10 categories of satisfying, soul-lifting, decadent grub (each housing four nominated eateries). Every category boasts two winners — one chosen by a panel of three judges; the other, a Readers’ Choice Award. On the panel: celeb foodie Rosalyn Lee (@heyrozz) and 8 DAYS’ resident makan fiends — food editor Florence Fong (@flofongsg) and this writer, Yip Jieying (@yipjieying_). Since voting began a month ago, we’ve fussed about and sometimes plain argued over which places deserve to win. We even ate several dishes multiple times, just to be sure. Taste was obviously the main criteria, but being consistently good was also important. It all came down to this: the list of champs, picked by the panel and you, dear reader.

1. Uni Dish

WINNER: THE BAR AT WAKU GHIN’S SEA URCHIN AND SALMON ROE ON RICE, $38L2-01, ATRIUM 2, THE SHOPPES AT MARINA BAY SANDS, 2 BAYFRONT AVE, S018956. TEL: [phone].

While Fukusen’s more generously sized serving came a close second (Rozz’s vote), Waku Ghin’s rendition squeaked into pole position because of how consistently sublime the quality of its Murasaki uni from Hokkaido is. Each petite, elegant bowl of gleaming Japanese pearl rice dotted with bits of piquant preserved lemon is adorned with soft mounds of sweet, earthy, creamy uni.

2. Burger

WINNER: 28 HONGKONG STREET’S HOUSE BURGER, $1928 HONGKONG ST, S059667. TEL: [phone].