It’s commonplace to hear the sizzle of chicken cooking on a pan in front of Peridise. Heads turn when its colorful plates of rice piled with meat on top and bright sauces on the side pass by, and there’s a good reason why.

Taste

The Peri-peri Chicken Rice is this stall’s signature dish. The chicken is cooked well, making the good mix of crunchy skin and juicy meat texturally satisfying. Its accompanying sauces also lift the dish to another level. There are no complaints on the herbaceous and refreshing chimichurri, but the garlic aioli is too strong while the peri-peri sauce lacks the kick expected from it. Combined with the chicken, the flavors mingle together to create harmony, with each spoonful creating a different experience. What is lacking, though, is the java rice, which looks promising with its bright yellow hue, but tastes like regular plain rice.

On the other hand, the mashed potatoes that come with the meal are equally chunky and smooth, adding even more texture to the dish. The seasoning is lackluster, though, needing a touch of salt to lift the side. However, the fudge brownie steals the show. It is warm and sweet, with the bitterness of the chocolate perfectly balancing the flavors out before a spicy kick ends the eating experience perfectly. Crunchy on the outside, while chewy on the inside with just the right amount of fudgy-ness, the brownie is the superstar on an already great plate of food.

Concept

The owners want to bring something new to JSEC, and they are doing just that. Peri-peri chicken is a perfect fit for JSEC, delivering a simple yet exciting food experience. From its red interior, to the chili in their logo, to the ingredients in the dishes themselves, the concept of peri-peri is clear and is one that works for Peridise.

Value for money

The taste of the food makes up for what can be seen as a small serving. What’s important, though, is that the dish is completely satisfying on its own, which is all that can be asked for in a meal.

Final Verdict

Peridise is a success, providing JSEC with not just an exciting culinary experience, but also a tasty one. The execution is exceptional, although the flavors of the sauces and a little issue on seasoning hinder the stall from receiving perfect marks. With a few more minor tweaks here and there, it can quickly rise up to one of the best stalls JSEC has to offer.

Rating: 4.5/5

Photo by Zach Garcia.