Mercado Spanish Food Market is now at Market Street offering hearty fare to nourish, boost and satisfy. Mercado means market in Spanish as such diners can expect some typical Spanish fare of smoky paprika, hot chilli peppers, saffron, garlic and other assorted herbs and spices and of course the classic Paella.
This newly opened Spanish Food Market helmed by Chef-Owner Jean-Philippe Patruno (affectionately known as JP) who also owns Dehasa that offers bold and gutsy dishes that are not for those with weak heart.
At Mercado Spanish Food Market, they offer Create Your Own Bowl ($16.50). Alternatively, for those on the go could opt for the freshly concocted on the day ready-made Hola bowl at $14.50.
Create Your Own Bowl
Create Your Own Bowl in simple 5 steps shared below.
Step 1 – Choose A Base
First choose a base. There are 4 choices, Quinoa, Cous Cous, Chickpea and Bulgur.
Alternatively, opt for the daily Paella. The ingredients in the paella changes daily.
We think, comparatively, among the choice base, the Paella is a tastier option. And we highly recommend this as the base. Unless you are eating clean.
Step 2 – Choose 1 Protein
Next choose a protein. There are 4 options, namely Chicken Paprika, Pork Belly, Salmon and Beef Meatball. Any add-on is at $4.
We tried 2 out of the 4 proteins. We prefer the Beef Meatball to the Chicken Paprika.
If you chose the Paella as the base, skip step 2, since in paella, it contains various proteins.
Step 3 – Choose 1 Hot Veg
Next choose 1 hot veg. Likewise, there are 4 selections. On the day of our visit, there are Spicy Corn, Lentils, Cauliflower in Cream Sauce with Dill and Grilled Carrots. Any addition add-on is at $2.
We opted for the Cauliflower in Cream Sauce with Dill and Spicy Corn. Both were equally good.
Step 4 – Choose 2 Cold Veg
Subsequently, select 2 cold veg from the 7 available items. With Cucumber, Brussels sprouts, Cherry Tomato with olives, Beetroot, Corn, Mixed peppers and Coleslaw. Any add-on of cold veg is at $2.
Highlighted in bold were the 4 we tried; no item outshine any item.
Step 5 – Choose 1 Topping and Sauce
Finally, opt for 1 topping and 1 sauce.
Again, there are 4 picks such as almonds, pumpkins, walnuts and dried fruits.
Lastly, get a sauce. Same as above, there are 4 selections; Spicy Tomato, Garlic Aioli, Asian Dressing and Ginger Mayo.
Drinks
At Mercado Spanish Food Market, there are daily fresh Cold Press Juice. 6 fruit juices were available while we were at Mercado. The choices were Apple and Cinnamon; Carrot & Orange; Watermelon with Beetroot; Mixed Greens of Spinach, Romaine, Green Apple, Parsely, Cucumber with Lemon and Ginger; Almonds with Himalayan Pink Salt and Dates and Vanilla. Last choice is a Detox drink with Kale, Spinach, Lemon, Cucumber, Romaine, Parsely, Mint, Ginger, Celery and Bok Choy.
On The Table
In case you are curious about our bowl, here it is.
Our Create Your Own Bowl ($16.50) was with Quinoa as base, Beef Meatball for protien, Cauliflower with Cream Sauce and Dill for Hot Veg, Brussel sprouts and Coleslaw for Cold Veg. Lastly pumpkins as topping and Garlic Aioli.
The other bowl was with Paella as base, add on Protiens of Chicken Paprika, Spicy Corn for Hot Veg, Mixed Pepper and Corn from Cold Veg. For topping, we got the almond and Spicy Tomato Sauce.
Sweet Offerings
Available every Friday from 12.30pm to closing, Mercado Spanish Food Market offer Sangria at $8 per glass or $36 per jug. Or go for the Spanish house red wine served at $8 per glass and $44 per bottle. If not, opt for the Catalan beer from Barcelona, Moritz at $10 per bottle.
NAHMJ Verdict
Healthier option and yet naturally tasty. In other words, the food isn’t overwhelming with seasoning. Furthermore, it is lightly salted. Overall, we thought well of the food served at Mercado Spanish Food Market. Though nothing actually wow us.
Finally, we enjoyed the Paella most, hence everything else was pale in comparison.
Mercado Spanish Food Market
50 Market Street, #01-23, Singapore 048940
Tel: +65 6532 2155
FB: https://www.facebook.com/mercado.singapore/?fref=ts
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday 0830 to 1930
Getting There
Rating: 7/10