My first time trying Hainanese Pork chop rice at Hans Union Ato

Yesterday, I went on a three-hour trek along the TreeTop Walk at the MacRitchie Reservoir area, and it was one of the most exhausting hikes I’ve done so far. That walk left me really hungry, so I headed to one of my favorite spots for a hearty meal—Hans Union Ato restaurant at Springfield.

Although there are plenty of restaurants around the Upper Thomson area, I didn’t have the energy to search for nearby places or check their Google ratings. Instead, I chose to go somewhere familiar and try one of the dishes I hadn’t had before. Hans Union Ato has a wide variety of options, and this time, I decided to go with one of their recommended dishes—the Hainanese Pork Chop Rice!

Hans Union has plenty of branches in the city, but I prefer going to the Ato branch. One of the main reasons I like this location is its dining space—it's very spacious, and there are always plenty of seats available during off-peak hours.

This place tends to get crowded during peak hours on weekends, so I made sure to avoid that and went around 3:00 PM instead.

The ordering system is a bit old-fashioned. I had to go to the cashier to place my order and pay upfront. Then, I had to pick up my food at the window next to the cashier. One of the staff members would ring a bell to signal that an order was ready.

The only issue I found was that there was no way to tell if the food was mine until I went to check. Other than that, everything was fine for me.

The first items I collected were the hot honey lemon and the brownie cheesecake, but I didn’t want to have them yet. So, I simply took some photos to pass the time.

Just as I started getting bored from taking too many photos of the dessert and drink, my main dish was ready for collection. The food preparation speed was quite good, which is one of the perks of going during off-peak hours—it’s quick, and the staff are more relaxed as well.

As soon as I brought the Hainanese Pork Chop Rice to my table, I set up the spread. I was especially happy with the lighting at my table—the food was beautifully lit!

I love the breaded pork chop! It has just the right thickness and a perfect balance of fat and lean meat. I was surprised that it wasn’t dry or tough—quite the opposite! It was tender and moist.

The side dishes and sauce complemented the dish perfectly. Their Hainanese-style sauce had a well-balanced blend of savory, sweet, and sour flavors. I really liked this combination, though it would be perfect if the sweetness were toned down just a bit!

Time for dessert!

One thing that keeps me coming back to this place is their wide variety of pastries and cakes at very affordable prices. I think this is their way of attracting people to their restaurant. Offering budget-friendly desserts is something many restaurants don’t do, so I guess it’s their strategy to stand out from the competition.

It’s definitely working for me—and probably for many of their patrons as well!

I chose the Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake, which combines a sweet brownie with a creamy cheesecake. I think this combination works well because the cheesecake helps balance out the sweetness of the brownie.

As for my drink, I felt like I made the wrong choice by ordering the hot honey lemon. I should have gone with plain tea instead, especially since the chocolate topping and brownie were already quite sweet.

Summary:

Name of the Restaurant: Hans Union Ato
Location: Springleaf branch
Ordered Food: Hainanese pork chop, Chocolate brownie cheesecake, & Hot honey lemon drink
Price Range: SGD 4.00 to SGD 23.00
Ambiance: Modern style

Overall, my visit to Hans Union Ato was a satisfying experience with great food, spacious seating, and efficient service. The Hainanese Pork Chop Rice was a standout, complemented by delicious side dishes and a unique sauce that balanced savory, sweet, and sour flavors. Despite my drink choice, the variety of pastries and cakes at affordable prices makes this place worth returning to, and I'll definitely be back to try more of their tempting desserts.