The Oyster Cart has been one of many main purveyors of on-site oyster shucking and supply companies since 2013. The Oyster Cart caters to a spread of occasions — from intimate at-home dinner events to convention occasions with attendees that run into the 1000’s. The Oyster Cart goals to ship a singular occasion expertise that company gained’t quickly neglect by providing solely the best and freshest oysters for a fuss-free indulgence, paired with a service customary that’s inimitable. Founder Adam Lavatory shares the story behind this distinctive idea, the model’s dedication to freshness and sustainability and what lies forward for this beloved purveyor of premium oysters.
As a Singapore-based model, what impressed the creation of The Oyster Cart
The Oyster Cart started with a easy concept: to deliver contemporary oysters and an unforgettable expertise straight to individuals — wherever they had been. Again in 2013, dwell oyster shucking at personal occasions was just about exceptional in Singapore. I began with a small pushcart, retrofitting an IKEA trolley right into a cellular oyster station.
The inspiration got here throughout a backpacking journey by means of Europe, the place I noticed distributors paddling oysters from carts alongside the streets. That picture caught with me, and after I returned, I made a decision to recreate that magic right here — and title the corporate The Oyster Cart.
Beginning out was a mixture of enjoyable and hustle. I cycled round neighbourhoods, handing out flyers and introducing the idea. What started as a facet hustle has grown right into a full-time pursuit — bringing oysters to occasions, providing same-day supply, and now internet hosting dine-in experiences.
What are the principle forms of oysters present in nature?
There are 5 major oyster species generally consumed worldwide: Crassostrea gigas (Pacific), Crassostrea virginica (Japanese), Ostrea edulis (European Flat), Crassostrea sikamea (Kumamoto), and Ostrea lurida (Olympia). Every species brings distinctive textures and flavours, which fluctuate even additional relying on their atmosphere — very similar to wine grapes expressing terroir.
The place do oysters get their flavour or “merroir” from?
Oysters tackle the traits of their rising atmosphere — salinity, mineral content material, water temperature, algae, and tidal motion. This distinct flavour profile is named merroir — the marine equal of terroir. That’s why the identical species can style fully completely different when grown in France, Japan, or Eire.
What forms of oysters are mostly utilized by The Oyster Cart?
We predominantly serve Crassostrea gigas (Pacific oysters) from France and Eire, chosen for his or her versatility, clear end, and broad flavour enchantment. For discerning purchasers, we sometimes characteristic Ostrea edulis (European Flats), prized for his or her daring brininess and deeper complexity. Seasonal varieties are additionally rotated all year long to spotlight distinctive merroirs and farming practices from around the globe.
Our choice isn’t based mostly solely on origin or species — it’s additionally formed by steady suggestions from our prospects. A lot of them have exceptionally refined palates, and their preferences play a key function in guiding our curation. In that sense, the oysters we serve are usually not solely a mirrored image of the farms we belief, but in addition of our purchasers’ beautiful style.
Importantly, we by no means use frozen oysters. A superb oyster ought to at all times be served dwell. Freshness is non-negotiable — and it’s a normal we uphold in every bit we serve.
How lengthy can oysters stay contemporary after harvesting?
Stay oysters can keep contemporary for as much as seven days from harvest when saved correctly in a cool, humid atmosphere. As soon as shucked, freshness relies on method. A correctly shucked oyster — with the shell intact, meat unpunctured, and brine retained — is finest consumed inside 3 to 4 hours. That’s why we at all times shuck to order, even for deliveries.
What are the dietary advantages of consuming oysters?
Completely. Oysters are extremely nutrient-dense. They’re low in energy and excessive in protein, zinc, vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. They’ve earned their status as a superfood — delivering indulgence and well being advantages in a single shell.
How would you describe the flavour profile of an oyster? What tasting notes ought to one anticipate?
A fantastic oyster begins with a clear burst of ocean brine, adopted by layers of flavour — sweetness, nuttiness, minerality, and even hints of cucumber or melon, relying on its origin. Texture issues too — from plump and creamy to crisp and snappy. Each oyster is a little bit snapshot of the ocean it got here from.
How do you preserve constant high quality requirements at The Oyster Cart?
We work completely with farms which have glorious security data and traceability. We additionally choose partnering with family-owned farms that take satisfaction within the oysters they produce. Each batch is inspected upon arrival, and our staff is rigorously skilled in hygiene, cold-chain administration, {and professional} shucking. For shucked oysters, we’re uncompromising — if one thing isn’t excellent, we discard it. We solely serve oysters we’re proud to place our title on.
Is there a super methodology or etiquette with regards to consuming oysters?
Uncooked, freshly shucked, and ideally unadorned — maybe with a contact of lemon or a splash of mignonette. However we at all times encourage our company to strive the primary oyster plain, to understand its pure flavour. And at all times chew — slurping is just half the story; chewing unlocks the oyster’s full character.
Which beverage do you consider finest enhances the flavours of oysters — a crisp white, sake, or maybe Champagne?
Champagne is the timeless basic — its acidity and bubbles fantastically complement an oyster’s richness. That mentioned, a crisp Muscadet or a dry Junmai Ginjo sake can even pair exquisitely, relying on the oyster and the temper. It’s all about stability and concord.
On condition that your oysters are sourced from Europe, how do you uphold sustainability and biodiversity all through your provide chain?
We work with farms that practise accountable aquaculture — no chemical feeds, minimal ecological disruption, and robust commitments to biodiversity. Oysters themselves are regenerative filter feeders: they clear the water and assist restore marine ecosystems. For us, sustainability isn’t a development — it’s the muse of what we do.
Wanting forward 5 years, the place do you see The Oyster Cart, and what key milestones do you intend to succeed in?
We’re aiming to develop past Singapore by means of strategic regional partnerships. On the similar time, we’re creating extra oyster appreciation experiences — like guided tastings and pairing classes — to assist individuals higher perceive merroir, seasonality, and the craftsmanship of shucking. Our purpose is to construct a deeper connection between individuals and the story behind each oyster.
Inform us extra about your on-line oyster ordering service accessible to prospects in Singapore.
Sure! Our web site makes it straightforward to pre-order oysters for same-day or next-day supply, or self-collection. Every order is freshly shucked simply earlier than dispatch, rigorously packed, and delivered chilled — able to take pleasure in. Whether or not it’s for a celebration or only a quiet indulgence, we make oyster enjoyment seamless, contemporary, and fuss-free.
Which oyster selection is your private favorite?
That’s like selecting a favorite baby — but when I needed to title one, it might be Louët-Feisser oysters from Carlingford, Eire. They strike an ideal stability of salt and sweetness, with a nuttiness and that signature adductor crunch I personally love. Elegant, constant, and deeply satisfying.
If you happen to might title one mentor who has formed your profession, who wouldn’t it be?
Mr. Robin Pho — a mentor whose coronary heart is actually larger than the ocean. His generosity, environmental management, and dedication to uplifting the neighborhood have left an enduring impression on me. He’s provided invaluable recommendation and opened many doorways over time. I deeply respect his values, each in enterprise and in life.
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