Platypus Cantina

Having spent a month and a half in Mexico for a summer exchange programme has opened my eyes to a brand new world in terms of food choices. 

I remember initially disliking the acrid smell of the corn tortillas wafting through the air when I first arrived at the apartment I was meant to stay in for that summer. To my sheer disbelief, I left Mexico fearing that I might not get to taste decadent dishes made of the very same corn tortillas. A lot of Mexican dishes are made from this corn tortilla – tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas. Google best cuisine in the world and Mexico comes up in the top five. I can testify to that fact. Mexican food are rich in flavours and super duper affordable. Tacos are usually served as a street food at less than a dollar ( you’ll never find such prices in Singapore!). After a few shots of tequila, head down a random street to get your tacos fix!

Ever since then, I’ve been on a hunt for the restaurant that serves the best Mexican food in Singapore. That’s where I came across Platypus Cantina at East Coast Road.

Venue: 171 E Coast Rd Singapore 428877

This eatery is located at Katong near Awfully Chocolate and faces East Coast Road. It is not uncommon to see a huge crowd during dinner hours because most people come here for the cheap beers. If you’re seated outside, it can actually feel like you’re in a bar. Jeremy and I chose to sit inside where there was air con. The interior of the place had colorful hanging banners which kinda brightens up the entire place. Service staff were alright, pretty knowledgeable in the food they sell but not the most attentive.

I ordered the Pulled Pork Enchiladas while Jeremy ordered Beef Chimichanga. 

Okay. I’ll be really honest here that the enchiladas were below my expectations. I find the pulled pork too bland. The dish could afford to do better with more sauce and cheese. From what I can recall, the authentic enchiladas tasted in Mexico was made up of tortillas soaked in tantalising sauce, topped with gooey cheese. So the enchiladas was disappointing. 

Chimichanga is like a fried burrito. The Chimichanga was an interesting dish as I have not tasted it in Mexico. The dish consists of mac and cheese, beef, refried beans all wrapped in fried tortilla and topped with guacamole. Jeremy found the meat serving by the restaurant too stingy. I found this dish too confusing for me as it’s made up of so many different elements that might not have been paired well which ended in me not being able taste anything significant. 

Dining tip: Jeremy’s inner uncle in him found out that we could each obtain a free drink by scanning a QR code at the back of the drinks menu via the advocado app. 

We redeemed the free cocktails via the app. I got the Bloody Mary whose base is Vodka Grey Goose. The pepper and spicy bitters in this drink causes this drink to be especially tantalising. It could be just me but personally I like such unique concoction of drinks. Jeremy ordered the Mezcal Sour which is more to the sour side. He likes his drink as he finds the lemonade taste in it refreshing.

Would I come here again? Ermm probably not for the Mexican food if I want my authentic Mexican food. But for the cocktails, maybe I would!

Food ♥♥♡♡♡

Service ♥♥♥♡♡

Ambience ♥♥♥♡♡

Value for money ♥♥♥♡♡

Till then,

Harmony Tee