I first tried the popular 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria at Shinjuku, Tokyo and surprised that it has actually opened in Singapore, right at KINEX.
Known as 800° Woodfired Kitchen here, this is where you can taste the magic of LA-style woodfired pizzas and more.
The 800° concept is first founded by award-winning American chef Anthony Carron. To expand the brand, he partnered with NBA champions Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem of Miami Heat (Know them?).
What sets this location apart?
The Singapore outpost houses the first 800° cafe in the world – pleasing not just Neapolitan-style pizza lovers but even coffeeholics.
Yes, because I think Paya Lebar needs more cafes.
Some introduction: 800° Woodfired Kitchen is all about the art of cooking with wood fire. A wood-fired oven delivers a cooking temperature as high as 800°F (hence the name), creating that distinct ‘leopard print char’ on the crust.
They use different types of wood to impart a unique smoky taste to each pizza.
All the pizzas here are made to order, making dough from scratch, using quality ingredients from fresh produce to artisan-quality meats and cheese and only extra virgin olive oil.
And prices start from $10 NETT for the entire pizza. Pretty affordable.
The best thing: The pizza needs about less than 2 minutes to be fired up in that specially-imported oven. When you eat the slices fresh and piping hot, the sensation is really quite shiok.
Aside from craft pizzas, they offer rotisserie meats, healthy salads, bowls, veggies and more. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are also available.
Here’s what you can expect from 800° Woodfired Kitchen Singapore (Prices indicated are NETT):
800° DIY Pizza (starts from $10 for 10”, and $15 for 14”)
Customise your own set of toppings with the DIY Pizza.
First, choose your base size – either a 10” or 14” (Those featured here are 10”). Each comes lined with high quality Italian mozzarella, artisanal with torn pieces of fresh mozzarella balls, and parmigiano.
Next, decide what sauce to put on it. Margherita adds some crushed red tomatoes, basil chiffonade and extra virgin olive oil. Verde makes your base green with peanut-basil pesto sauce. Or go sauce-less and pick Bianca, which only adds oregano and a drizzle of EVOO.
The last step is the exciting part (to some, quite daunting): select add-ons or toppings.
While they recommend up to 3-4 add ons per pizza, you may want to add more to your liking. You have 21 items to choose from, including meats, cheeses, and veggies.
Protein-based toppings include beef pepperoni, beef salami, turkey ham, beef meatball, Philly beefsteak, and egg.
Mix them up with veggies like cherry tomatoes, mushroom, red onions, and peppers such as jalapeno, green pepper, and chipotle pepper. A couple of fruits are available like pineapples for a tropical flavour and sliced black olives.
Combine them with any (or all?) of 3 kinds of cheeses: Cheddar, Mozzarella, and Parmigiano. Make it extra special with after-bake extras like arugula or a whole burrata.
What I ordered here was a Margherita base, with beef salami, jalapeno and an egg in the middle. No regrets.
Tartufo Pizza ($17 for 10”, $25 for 14”)
If you prefer not to DIY, then get a specialty pizza and take the guesswork off topping-selection.
The vegetarian friendly Tartufo is perfect for those who love a strong flavoured pizza. The truffle oil and roasted garlic combination is heady enough, while mozzarella and mushrooms further boost its umami flavours.
The overall taste is balanced out with shreds of fresh arugula over its signature bianca base.
Even though I am generally a meat-lover, I would order this again if given a choice. The toppings were appetising and aromatic, part-creamy that almost reminded me of a truffle mushroom chowder.
As the Neapolitan flour is imported from Naples, Italy, and custom milled with high protein content. This gives their dough the right elasticity to achieve that thin-crusted pizza crust with crunchy edges.
Other specialty pizzas include Spicy Meatball, Philly Cheesesteak, BBQ Chicken, and Pesto Chicken.
BBQ Chicken Pizza ($15 for 10”, $25 for 14”)
The lip-smacking taste of BBQ descended upon a crisp-edged pizza in the form of rotisserie chicken and its co-toppings.
This specialty pizza uses a BBQ sauce-based dough, topped with sundried tomatoes, red onion, aged curd provolone, fresh cilantro, and 800° Woodfired Kitchen’s signature rotisserie chicken.
Rotisserie Chicken ($12 for ¼ chicken, $20 for ½ chicken, $36 for whole chicken)
It takes two days to create 800° Woodfired Kitchen’s Rotisserie Chicken, which begins with a brine of freshly prepared vegetable stock.
Using only fresh-never-frozen chickens, they brine and marinate them in a signature blend of herbs and spices.
The result is a flavourful roast, best paired with any of their 6 available homemade sauces – Peruvian Green, Truffle Ranch, Smokey BBQ, Pesto Ranch, Buffalo, and Homemade Ranch.
The top recommendation is the Peruvian Green.
Order a side ($6 each) to keep your chicken company like Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Butter Corn or Garlic Butter Rice. The Mac & Cheese got slightly clumpy when left there for a while; and the Mashed Potatoes remained smooth with addictive gravy.
Perfect Caesar ($8)
It you seek lighter, less-carb complements, go for a salad like the Perfect Caesar – complete with romaine lettuce, toasted croutons and light Caesar dressing.
Homemade Meatballs ($12)
For appetisers, get their Homemade Meatballs made from fresh ground beef, and mixed with ricotta and tomato sauce. Served with a slice of toasted bread.
First 800° Café in the World
This KINEX outlet also contains the first 800° café in the world.
A well-picked specialty pizza deserves a well-picked specialty drink. Try their signature 800° Lemonade ($4.50, 16oz) for a zesty sidekick to your meal, or get the Strawberry Cheesecake for a sweet and decadent drink.
For less sweet coffee choices, there is the Cold Foam Ice Espresso ($6.00, 16oz).
Rotating cake choices include the best-selling Ondeh Ondeh ($6.50), Red Fruit Cheesecake ($6.50), Mixed Fruit Tart ($6.50), Baked Chocolate Tart ($6.50), Tiramisu ($6.50), Strawberry Shortcake ($6.50), Red Velvet Cake ($6.50), and Crunchy Hazelnut ($6.50).
800° Woodfired Kitchen Singapore
KINEX Mall #01-52/53, 11 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437157 (Paya Lebar MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 9:30pm (Sat – Sun)
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with 800° Woodfired Kitchen.
