A first look at Wong Fu Fu’s Crayon Shin-chan pop-up

If you grew up in the 1990s, chances are you would have seen this cheeky Japanese character prancing around on your screens. 

Crayon Shin-chan is a well-loved character in Japan, first appearing in a magazine, and subsequently in a long-running animation series. 

It’s been a hot minute since this writer last saw this bushy-eyebrowed character, but his mischievous antics, which often vexed his parents, were memorable and often brought many laughs.

If you need a lil’ blast from the past, halal-certified Taiwanese-inspired cafe Wong Fu Fu will be serving up a Crayon Shin-chan-themed menu for the next two months, from June 19. (Just in time for the last of the June holidays!) 

You can expect dishes with motifs of the character, with some even shaped in the form of the character’s bum, such as the Japanese seafood curry rice (S$23.90) and the rather suggestively-named Piak! Piak! Shinchan butt Japanese parfait (S$12.90). Wong Fu Fu’s words, not ours.

The curry rice is one of three mains in the themed menu, and comes with assorted fried seafood items such as prawns and calamari, and salmon. 

Other mains include the Japanese curry katsu burger (S$19.90) and signature mini bowls (S$20.90), which feature its signature scallion braised beef noodles, torched smoked duck with Taiwan pearl fried rice, and golden-fried mid wings. 

The sides comprise relatively run-of-the-mill items such as truffle fries with truffle mayo dip (S$14.90) and sweet potato fries with Taiwan plum powder (S$12.90), but come in a limited-edition Shinchan Chocobi box (his favourite snack).

However, what really caught our eye was the tater tots with Taiwan mochi balls (S$13.90) — I haven’t seen good mochi balls here since my last visit to Taipei and Wong Fu Fu does a decently chewy rendition. 

In line with the theme, you should also definitely get the Piak! Piak! Shinchan butt Japanese parfait (S$12.90), which comes with a custard pudding “butt”, vanilla sponge and fresh strawberries and cream. It’s delightfully entertaining and yummy to boot.

The collaboration’s drinks also come in cute Shin-chan mugs: You can choose from an iced chocolate (S$9.90), iced matcha latte (S$9.90), or iced matcha strawberry latte (S$10.90). 

The matcha drinks use the popular Niko Neko matcha powder so you can be assured of the taste and quality — those looking to watch their sugar intake will do well to ask for less or no whipped cream, though. 

But if you really love your matcha, then you’ll want to get a dose of Wong Fu Fu’s newest introduction, a mega 5L matcha latte (S$59.90), or even its mega strawberry 5L matcha latte (S$69.90).

Both are not only said to be the biggest matcha servings in Singapore, but if you do the math — that’s essentially nearly 20 regular cups of matcha, or just barely S$3 a cup, if you rustle up enough matcha-loving friends to share. 

We helped ourselves to a cup from its ginormous glass and we’re glad to report it tastes really robust, and is by no means any less flavourful.

Oh, and if you want something to grab home, Wong Fu Fu is also retailing Crayon Shin-chan merchandise, from keychains to blind boxes, and also stocks Crayon Shin-chan’s favourite snack, the Chocobi at S$2.50 per box.

For more ideas on what to eat, check out where to go for seafood buffets in Singapore and relocated Choon Hoy Parlor’s biggest baijiu collection.

Enjoy up to 50% off when you dine with GrabFood Dine Out.

You can also book a ride to Wong Fu Fu’s Crayon Shin-chan pop-up at North Bridge Road.