ONDA by Park Bench Deli

A standalone concept by Park Bench Deli at Raffles Place focus one rather a takeaway or standing dine-in option for people working in CBD.

Offering much limited options of sandwich and drink here, I went for my favourite cheesesteak here.

Not too disappointed, even though most people would order their Cubano instead. It comes with generous portion of beef fillings stuffed inside the sandwich.

The “Bak Kut Teh” Cubano (S$18.00) was a collaboration between ONDA and Chef Jay, a renowned chef who previously ran the kitchen of CHEEK. Inspired by the confinement diet prepared for his wife, Chef Jay incorporated ingredients such as pork jowl, pork collar, braised peanut & tofu puree, coriander pesto, confit garlic and preserved mustard greens, together with a BKT dipping sauce that comprised Benedictine DOM for extra nutritional goodness.

Though the dipping sauce might be too nutritious if drunk on its own, it actually tasted good when I dunked the cubano into it. I also enjoyed the texture of the puree when mixed with the crispiness of the bun and the layers of various flavours. Well, because it was part of a three-day popup until 18 December 2021, I did hope that I could try it as a regular menu item when craving calls.

We swung by ONDA on their opening day and had a go at their La Rosita, an iced Cuban coffee with milk and caramel, and were mega astounded with how delicious it was. Super bold, nutty, smooth and strong brew, very creamy, with but just a touch of sweetness from the caramel. Personal I’d have liked the caramel to come across stronger cause it dilutes into this very subtle earthy sorta sweetness in the background, but I’ve got no beef with how it is at the mo. We finished this in no time at all.

Cause in @dreisoen and @parkbenchdeli I trust, and I know I’d leave with nothing but a solid fucking experience. And boyyyyy did these make for a mega satisfactory lunch. First off, look at the amount of meat in there. Trust me: I opened my sandwich to pick apart the meat and there was so much in there. Layers and layers of thinly sliced sweet ham and lechon are jam-packed into this deceivingly slim sandwich, together with some sharp oozy Swiss cheese and light pickles. These are all simple, straightforward ingredients; but they are also good, quality ones that, eaten together, gives you the medley of flavours and textures you want in a sandwich. I loved that their soft roll didn’t share a touch-and-go relationship with their panini press, rather an intensely heated one that resulted in a crazily toasted, browned and crisp exterior. You’ve got that audible crunch vs chewy yet soft crumb, nutty toastiness vs mildly sweet dough. If anything I’d have liked a touch less mustard — but that’s just me I’ve never been much of a fan — and sharper pickles, but dudes this is a sandwich I’d happily down any day.

Wanted to head to another spot within the vicinity for lunch, but got turned away as there wasn’t any seats available and that we did not make a reservation. Got reminded that Park Bench Deli had opened their latest concept, ONDA by Park Bench Deli nearby; so that was exactly where we headed to for lunch instead.

Being the first of a series of smaller shops that Park Bench Deli has intended to open progressively, ONDA by Park Bench Deli takes over the former premises of the now-defunct Sugarfin; the space only features standing dine-in areas, and is almost akin to a hole-in-the-wall concept. ONDA by Park Bench Deli only offers two sandwiches, with a small variety of light bites, where one will be able to pair with either coffee and alcohol drinks.

Being one of the two “mains” available here, the Cubano will be our pick over the Hot Dog. Featuring elements such as sweet ham, lechon, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard — all coming in between the soft roll. Upon its arrival on the table, it is well noted on how generously stuffed the sandwich is with meat — copious layers of sweet ham and lechon providing quite a meaty bite, considering how the elements have gone through the panini press so everything is compacted well together, making it very easy to eat without messing the sandwich whilst having it. Noticed how the sweet ham provided a hint of savoury note typically of cured meat; this went well with the meatier lechon — nothing short of being juicy and tender, without being anywhere gamey. The meats were well-balanced with the slight savouriness of the Swiss cheese, but the pickles and mustard help to provide a contrast of flavours that takes away some part of the meatiness which makes the sandwich easy to have; both providing a slight tang and a zing that kept things going here. The soft roll is a clear winner here though — toasted to crisp perfection, the bread did its job well with its audible crunch as one chews through the soft roll; absolutely appetising!

Being an offshoot of Park Bench Deli, it is difficult not to associate ONDA By Park Bench Deli’s sandwiches with those stellar sandwiches that Park Bench Deli had been consistently serving over the years — the Cubano is one that stays true to that. It is a showcase of the attention to detail — well-sized sandwich that fits well to a mouthful, whilst also beautifully layered with various elements that makes for the textural contrast. For those working at Circular Road where visiting Park Bench Deli at Telok Ayer May be a bit of a far walk for lunch; ONDA by Park Bench Deli is no doubt a good alternative to the original store for a sumptuous sandwich treat!