La Birria Tacos

La Birria Tacos made its name at the Kampong Gelam Ramadan bazaar, where queues formed for its griddled birria tacos, and now trades from a shopfront on North Bridge Road at the edge of Kampong Glam. The menu is short and built around one thing: beef slow-cooked in a spiced chilli marinade until it pulls apart, with the cooking juices turned into a rich consommé.

The signature quesa birria tacos are folded with melted cheese, crisped on the plancha and served with lime, onion, coriander and consommé for dunking. The same beef tops the birria loaded nachos, while the sambal belacan fish tacos, with double-fried fish and belacan crema, add a local twist. Dirty nachos with sour cream, pico de gallo and guacamole, and bottles of Jarritos, round things out.

It is a quick, inexpensive stop for anyone exploring Arab Street and Haji Lane. Eatbook describes the business as Muslim-owned, though no halal certificate is published. It is closed on Mondays, opens later on Friday and Saturday nights, and also delivers through Foodpanda.