Eightisfy Western - Handmade Pasta By Ex-Cicheti Chef Under $20

If you're tired of paying $30+ for decent handmade pasta in Singapore, we've found your new favourite spot. Tucked away in Bukit Merah's industrial estate, Eightisfy Western is serving up restaurant-quality pasta and hearty Western dishes at kopitiam prices – and it's run by an ex-Cicheti chef who knows his stuff.

Don't expect fancy dining here. Eightisfy Western operates out of Maddox Canteen Bar, a rustic open-air kopitiam tucked away in the Redhill 1 industrial estate along Jalan Bukit Merah. The setting is no-frills – think industrial canteen meets neighbourhood kopitiam, complete with plastic chairs and basic tables. But that's part of the charm, and it keeps costs down so you can enjoy quality food without the markup.

You can see how serious chef CK is about his pasta, with professional pasta making machinery sitting out in the open for all to see. The open kitchen concept lets you watch the magic happen, which adds to the authentic, unpretentious experience.

The Chef Behind the Magic

40-year-old Cheng Kai, fondly known as CK, previously operated a Western food business in the Aljunied industrial estate before honing his culinary skills at Cicheti, renowned for its Italian cuisine. This isn't just another hawker uncle trying his hand at Western food – CK has serious fine-dining credentials.

Originally starting as a joint venture between 3 partners, Eightisfy Western is now solely owned by CK. He handcrafts approximately 6 to 8 varieties of homemade pasta, which he exclusively features on his secret pasta menu (a well-guarded secret among his regulars).

Must-Try Dishes That'll Blow Your Mind

The Famous Pork Lard Carbonara ($7.80)

This local-inspired Pork Lard Bacon Carbonara features handmade spaghetti topped with ham, guanciale, and crispy pork lard cubes. The egg yolk-based sauce evenly coats each strand of noodles, while the crispy cubes of pork lard provide a different dimension of flavour that is not normally seen in carbonara. At under $8, this is probably the best value carbonara you'll find in Singapore.

Secret Handmade Pasta Menu (Dinner Only)

During dinner service, CK breaks out the good stuff. His pasta is priced supremely affordable for the amount of work that goes into each dish — nothing ordered was above $20.

Pistachio Pesto Fettuccine ($18.80)

Eschewing the pine nuts that traditional pesto recipes call for, Eightisfy Western uses pistachio in its pesto pasta to give the sauce its extra earthy and nutty depth. The result is a more fragrant, fuller-flavoured pesto that's absolutely worth the splurge.

Truffle Gnocchi ($17.80)

Eightisfy Western's handmade potato gnocchi is perfectly pan seared, fluffy and chewy, with a bit of starchy heft to it. The gnocchi is rested atop a bed of truffle cream puree which elevates the texture with a kiss of silkiness.

The Legendary Eightisfy Platter ($38)

Available only during dinner service from 5:30pm to 9pm, this massive platter includes grilled chicken and pork chops, chicken cutlets, Burenwurst sausages, Spam fries, onion rings, and French fries. Many customers like to enjoy this smorgasbord of fried food with an order of beers from the cafeteria's very own bar.

Classic Western Done Right

• Black Pepper Chicken Chop ($7.80): Comes in a sizeable portion with huge amount of sauce. The chicken was grilled well and tender with savoury and very peppery black pepper sauce.

• Fish and Chips ($8.80): 2 pieces of fried fillet with light and crispy batter, keeping the fish moist within. The fish was fresh and flaky, paired with their tartar sauce.

Pricing That Won't Break the Bank

Most Western fare is priced below $10, while handmade pasta dishes range from $7.80 to $18.80. While it's slightly pricier than regular hawker food, the quality and quantity of food you're getting make it a price worth paying.

Average spend per person: $8-15 for regular dishes, $15-20 if you're going for the handmade pasta.

Getting There & Practical Info

Address: 3752 Bukit Merah Central, Maddox Canteen Bar, Singapore 159848

Opening Hours:

• Monday-Friday: 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-8pm

• Saturday: 12pm-2:30pm, 5:30pm-8:30pm

• Sunday: Closed

How to Get There: Walk about 745 meters from Exit A - Redhill Close to Eightisfy Western, walking time is around 13 minutes. Navigate through the vast parking area within the Redhill 1 industrial estate along Jalan Bukit Merah, then keep walking until you find Maddox Canteen tucked away in a distant corner.