Lobster Rolls which was once trending in Singapore when Pince and Pints and the likes opened in 2015, will probably get renewed interest when Luke’s Lobster opens by end of this month.
The Lobster Roll is said to have originated as a hot dish in Connecticut as early as 1929 (the cold version is called Lobster Salad Roll).
It became really popular in Maine during the 1970s, where lobster meat was served in butter on hot dog buns at various road stands.
Back to Singapore, here are 8 places where you can enjoy rich and buttery Lobster Rolls:
Burger & Lobster Singapore
#05-203, Jewel 78 Airport Boulevard Singapore 819663
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
There was quite a bit of buzz when Burger & Lobster opened in JEWEL Changi Airport. After all, the chain which originated in the UK chain has been “wild and live” since 2011 (and I know of those who would plan a trip to Genting to try the famed B&L roll).
The Original Roll ($40) contains lobster with Japanese mayo & lemon in a toasted brioche bun, served with fries and salad.
Diners should appreciate the contrast between the crispy and fragrantly-warm brioche bun, with the colder sweet lobster chunks.
This tasted as good as what I remembered I had in London.
With chunks of sweet and fresh lobster meat and that soft brioche, this should be one of the best Lobster Rolls you can get in Singapore.
However, I thought it may be wasted opportunity since there is already a Singapore Chilli Lobster Roll in London, yet not sold at Singapore’s outlet. Burger & Lobster Singapore (Jewel Changi Airport)
The Market Grill
208 Telok Ayer Street Singapore 068642
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6pm – 10pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
While The Market Grill is inspired by traditional old-style butcheries and diners and is best known for its burgers and steak, celebrated dishes include its signature flown-in live Boston Lobsters and other fresh seafood offerings.
You can observe live Atlantic lobsters, specially flown in from Maine and Boston, in the 1.5 meter long live lobster tank.
The Lobster Roll ($48, $8 with salmon roe, also subject to market price fluctuations) includes whole lobster deshelled with herbed pommery mayo mounted on a toasted brioche roll. Served with salad and fries.
While this seems pricier than most other restaurants, they are using the WHOLE lobster not chopped into smaller pieces, and guests can see the lobster tail halves. I thought this was almost a perfect roll, bread beautifully crispy contrasted with tender bites of the lobster meat.
Pince & Pints
32 Duxton Road Singapore 089496
Opening Hours: 12pm – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 11pm (Mon – Fri), 12pm – 10pm (Sat – Sun)
Homegrown Pince and Pints is known for its wild caught lobsters, directly imported from fisheries that practice sustainable fishing methods along the Atlantic Coast.
Lobster dishes you can indulge in include Live Whole Lobster grilled or steamed, Chilli Lobster with homemade tomato & chilli sauce and fried mantou, Lobster Mac & Cheese, and Lobster Thermidor.
There are three styles of Lobster Rolls here – the Classic ($58), Nonya Chillli ($58) and The Truffle Roll ($68).
The classic Lobster Roll is stuffed with chunks of sweet lobster and seasoned with a house speciality mix of condiments.
The bread roll sourced from a local traditional bakery had this buttery-fragrance, a slight crisp after being pan-fried and was still soft and fluffy. Pince and Pints (Duxton)
Burger Labo
Blk 41 Malan Road, Gillman Barracks, Singapore 109454
Tel: +65 6694 0807
Opening Hours: 6pm – 10:30pm (Tues – Sat), Closed Mon, Sun
Burger Labo serves up Lobster Rolls using American ($35) or European ($45) lobsters meat (90g of it) grilled on cast-iron griddle with unsalted butter.
The European lobsters is accordingly delicately-sweeter and more tender.
Customers also have a choice of crème fraiche or house-made shio kombu mayonnaise. To me, the house-made mayo that beautifully coated the lobster chunks was the star of the roll.
Note that it is served on a crispy toasted baguette, which would need some getting used to for those who were expecting something softer.
Served with shoestring truffle fries topped with grated parmesan cheese, which made the dish all more satisfyingly complete. BurgerLabo (Gillman Barracks)
Dancing Crab
1 HarbourFront Walk, #03-10 VivoCity, Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 6222 7377
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Dancing Crab has a couple of outlets – The Grandstand, Orchard Central, and Vivocity; and their lobsters are air-flown daily from Boston.
The Lobster Roll ($38) comes with fresh tender and juicy lobsters drenched in creamy choron sauce, sandwiched within lightly pan-grilled butter brioche.
Comes with Cajun fries, or top up $1 for either Truffle Fries or Sweet Potato Fries. The benefit? With two rolls, this is easier to share.
D’Good Café – Orchard
391 Orchard Road #B1-56 Takashimaya S.C., Ngee Ann City Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6694 1411
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Thurs), 10am – 10pm (Fri – Sun)
Founded by Mike Chin and established in 2012, d’Good Café takes on a whimsical and cosy feel and has two outlets – Holland Village and Ngee Ann City.
They serve up a reasonably priced D’Lobster Roll at $26.
I wished that the bread of the D’Lobster Roll could be softer and more buttery, but overall still an mouth-watering item. I topped up to change the fries into onion rings for an additional $2, and probably the best decision of the meal.
Chunky Lobsters
200 Victoria Street #B1-K10 Bugis Junction Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Thurs), 11am – 9:30pm (Fri – Sat)
Chunky Lobsters gained a reputation for serving inexpensive Lobster Rolls, with lobster chunks sandwiched between soft, buttered brioche buns.
The Lobster Roll priced from $16, are probably one of the most affordable you can find in Singapore.
Their items include Chunky’s Original Canadian Lobster ($16), Chunky’s Cheezy Lobster Rolls ($16), and Chunky’s Connecticut Lobster Rolls ($16). There are also newly introduced Mentaiko, Bonito and Chilli Crab Rolls ($18).
You can also top up with a bowl of Lobster Bisque at an additional $3.90.
The Chunky’s Connecticut, served with a rich coating of melted butter, comes with a side of addictive cassava chips. One may wish for sweeter and juicier lobster pieces, but I guess one cannot ask for too much for this price.
And oh, as this is served in a kiosk, finding somewhere to eat this may be cumbersome.
Luke’s Lobster Singapore
350 Orchard Road #01-K4, Shaw House, Isetan Scotts, Singapore 238868
Tel: +65 6592 7642
Opening Hours: 10am – 9pm Last Order 8:30pm (Mon – Sun)
(Opening 23 Sep, 1pm)
For fans of Luke’s Lobster from New York City, yes… The famous Lobster Roll shop will be opening in Singapore on the 23rd of September 2020 at 1pm.
The location is at the ground floor of Shaw House Isetan Scotts, next to another new-to-Singapore brand Danish pastry shop Leckerbaer.
Luke’s Maine-style lobster rolls are just ‘simple’ stuff – toasted buttered split top bun, with some mayo, lemon butter, secret spices and PURE LOBSTER.
Accordingly, each lobster roll requires 5 or 6 claws to make.
If you ask me what I really think about Luke’s Lobster, since I tried both the New York City
Omotesando, Tokyo outlets (a couple of times) – I liked the freshness and sweetness of the lobster chunks, though I wished the buns were warmer and overall more buttery. Luke’s Lobster Singapore (Orchard Road)
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