Renowned for serving some of the best Chinese food around, Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant constantly impresses with their stellar array of dishes that—while remarkable in both taste and presentation—, never wanders too far away from its cultural roots. Specialising in both Cantonese and Sichuan cooking, the restaurant employs chefs native to each respective city, ensuring that their food is kept authentic.

The ideology behind Cantonese cooking is fairly simple—ingredients have to be at their peak of freshness and the flavours of dishes should be well-balanced and not greasy. In addition, flavour components such as spices and aromatics are typically used in moderation such that it supports rather than overwhelms.

Inspired by the flavours and cooking methods of Hong Kong, Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant at PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road is proud to unveil 19 different claypot delights as part of ‘Secrets Of A Claypot’, a menu that masterfully demonstrates the age-old method of Cantonese claypot cooking. Overseen by Executive Chef Leung Wing Chung, every dish is elegantly presented and executed with finesse and expert technique, but at the heart of it, it still remains a humble claypot of food that boasts deep and pronounced flavour.

Available from now until 31 December 2018, available at S$28++, indulge in the smoky, flavourful likes of their esteemed Claypot Rice with Assorted Waxed Meat, aromatic Braised Beef Tendon with Curry Sauce, delicately prepared Double-boiled Fish Soup with Matsutake and so much more!

Our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy every second clay pot at just S$8.80!

Hailing all the way from Hong Kong—where the claypot cooking and double-boiled soups are deeply etched in the country’s culinary culture—, Executive Chef Leung Wing Chung brings to the table several decades of experience and mastery in Cantonese cooking.

Ever since we had our first taste of Chef Leung’s claypot rice dishes and double-boiled soups, we have never set our sights anywhere else. A true master in the craft, he controls everything flawlessly and makes it look so easy too—from shifting the position of the claypot constantly over the charcoal fire to focus heat on specific areas to stirring and adding ingredients with nothing but a pair of chopsticks.

CLAYPOT RICE WITH CHICKEN, LIVE FROG AND BLACK GARLIC

A fairly new addition to Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant’s repertoire of claypot rice dishes is the Claypot Rice with Chicken, Live Frog and Black Garlic (S$28++).

Nutritious and believed to possess several health benefits, black garlic was a rather interesting ingredient to feature. Not only does it present a host of benefits, but it also lends the dish a sweet flavour and a fragrant complexity that perfumes the frog, chicken and rice.

For this dish, in particular, Chef Leung goes easy on the dark sauce and oil to allow the naturally sweet flavours of the frog and chicken to come through more prominently and underscoring the dish nicely was claypot rice’s trademark smokey flavour.

CLAYPOT RICE WITH ASSORTED WAXED MEAT

Featuring a medley of salted, smoked and cured meats, the restaurant’s signature Claypot Rice with Assorted Waxed Meat (S$28++) is, hands down, our favourite of the lot. The thin slices of lup cheong and liver sausage provide sweetness and richness whereas the waxed pork belly provides a sharp salty kick along with a buttery pork flavour that just contributes to a massive savoury explosion.

We are also insanely fond of their rice that is both perfectly fluffy and delicious. The crispy, burnt edges are where the money is and besides having a smoky taste to it, the crunch it provides between mouthfuls elevates the dish entirely.

Cooking solid claypot rice isn’t rocket science, but it does require a significant amount of skill. A simple composition of ingredients, it truly boils down to two things—fire control and timing—of which the chefs here are able to manipulate exceptionally well.

Making sure to tilt the claypot to a different every few minutes, Chef Leung carefully ensures that the base of the dish achieves an even layer of crust and also allows any excess water to evaporate fully. Once the lid is removed—confirming that the dish is soon to reach completion—a savoury dark sauce is poured over the top and everything is mixed together.

BRAISED VENISON WITH VERMICELLI IN SPICY CHILLI SAUCE

A dish that is both aromatic and satisfying, and great for sharing, is their Braised Venison with Vermicelli in Spicy Chilli Sauce (S$28++). Imbuing Sze Chuan peppercorns and dried chilli into the dish gave the venison strips a fragrant lift and also a slight tingle on our tongues.

Tender, tasty and straightforward, this saucy dish pairs very nicely with the various claypot rice dishes.

PRAWN WITH BEANCURD SKIN COATED WITH SHRIMPS PASTE

A saucy dish comprising larger-than-usual prawns nestled above strips of beancurd, the Prawn with Beancurd Skin coated with Shrimps Paste (S$28++) is a good alternative to consider if you feel you’ve had way too much meat.

The prawns are immensely fresh and have a nice crunch to it while the strips of beancurd act like sponges to soak up all of that glorious sauce.

BRAISED BEEF TENDON WITH CURRY SAUCE

Aromatic and complex, as any good curry should be, the Braised Beef Tendon with Curry Sauce (S$28++) is an odd side dish to have in a Chinese restaurant but one that we highly recommend nonetheless.

Allowed to simmer and reduce and served dry, the flavour is enriched and concentrated into both the tender beef, beef tendons and potato chunks. If anything, the taste largely resembles that of a rendang but possesses the same warmth and heady aroma of curry. Cooked in a claypot, the flavour was nuanced and smokier in comparison to conventional renditions.

DOUBLE-BOILED FISH SOUP WITH MATSUTAKE

We love our double-boiled Cantonese soups and few impress our palates and comforts our soul the same way that Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant can. They have a pretty extensive selection of soups to choose from but the one that stole our hearts was their Double-boiled Fish Soup with Matsutake (S$12++).

Chunks of fish are first fried to intensify its flavour before allowing to simmer along with other ingredients such as apple, snow fungus and of course, matsutake. Delicate in flavour, every slurp was a nourishing hit of umami and savoury.

‘Secrets Of A Claypot’ is available daily for lunch and dinner from now until 31 December 2018. Our readers can quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy every second clay pot at just S$8.80!

Si Chuan Dou Hua
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
181 Kitchener Road, Level 3,
Singapore 208533
Tel: +65 6428 3170
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

This post was brought to you by PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road.

Since it first opened back in 1996, Si Chuan Dou Hua at PARKROYAL on Kitchener has been a haven for Sichuan and Cantonese fare, with a slightly heavier emphasis on Cantonese cooking. What diners can expect is a smorgasbord of dishes that are delicate yet boldly flavoured.

New to their offerings are 18 sensational dishes crafted by Executive Cantonese Chef Leung Wing Chung. Stemming from a long culinary career, allow your palates to be elevated as Chef Leung takes you on an edible trip with his interpretations of traditional Jiangnan cuisine in this new promotional a la carte menu.

We particularly love their Claypot Rice with Assorted Waxed Meat as well as their immensely comforting Braised Fish Maw, Abalone, Sea Cucumber and Conpoy in Brown Broth.

Did we mention? From now until 30 June 2018, all of the 18 new dishes cost just S$18++, and that’s not all—our readers can also quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy an additional 20% off a la carte orders from the Flavours of Jiangnan Menu. Menu is available daily for dinner only.

For Sichuan and Cantonese classics executed with finesse, Si Chuan Dou Hua at PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road is one place that warrants a visit.

DEEP-FRIED MINCED MEAT ROLL

Originating from Suzhou, Chef Leung’s rendition of the popular Deep-fried Minced Meat Roll features surprising hints of lemongrass coupled with tender porky goodness.

Traditionally made with minced pork and ham, the one here is further enhanced with mushroom and prawn paste. Lemongrass sticks are used in place of regular wooden skewers to provide a secondary burst of refreshing flavour. The drumstick-like meat roll is then deep-fried with a soybean crumb for a satisfying crunch.

BRAISED FISH MAW, ABALONE, SEA CUCUMBER AND CONPOY IN BROWN BROTH

A Cantonese meal is never quite the same without a bowl of comforting double-boiled soup.

Featuring a thick and rich broth that comprises premium ingredients such as pork tendon, dried scallops, abalone, mushrooms and sea cucumber, the Braised Fish Maw, Abalone, Sea Cucumber and Conpoy in Brown Broth is easily one of the best soups we’ve tasted in recent times.

Simmered low and slow, the soup achieves a cloudy hue from all the flavour that the pork imparts and Hua Diao wine is also added to enhance the aroma and overall taste. Thicker than your average Cantonese soup, we must say that this dish in itself is worth returning for.

PORK RIBS WITH “ZHE JIANG” VINEGAR IN “ZHENG JIANG” STYLE

Braised in a claypot with the restaurant’s signature black vinegar, the Pork Ribs with “Zhe Jiang” Vinegar in Zheng Jiang Style is a slightly modern take on the Chinese classic.

We dug in to tender and incredibly flavourful pork ribs. Each bite was a mixture of sweet and sour coupled with a subtle yet satisfying porky taste.

DEEP-FRIED CHICKEN ROLL IN “DALIANG” STYLE

Prepared using Kurobuta pork, prawn paste, barbecued chicken liver, ham and rose wine, the Deep-fried Chicken Roll in “Daliang” Style is a popular Cantonese dish, and one worth mentioning.

Served alongside a special dip comprising lemon, vinegar, chilli and garlic, Chef Leung gives this 200-year-old dish a truly refreshing twist.

FISH IN “SHUN DE” STYLE

If you are the sort of person who loves fish but dislikes the hassle of picking out the fine bones, then the restaurant’s Fish in “Shun De” Style is perfect for that “laziness”.

The dish features a mud carp that is manually deboned and stuffed with a fish paste that is elevated by the likes of coriander, mushroom, black moss and diced chestnut. A nice crunch coupled with an intense umami flavour and the added bonus of being boneless, we can see why people, especially kids, would love this.

STIR-FRIED GARDEN VEGETABLES WITH TRUFFLE SAUCE

Featuring a medley of stir-fried vegetables and a tender radish that sits neatly on top, the Stir-Fried Garden Vegetables may not seem like a top priority as far as feasting goes.

Yet, we were truly surprised by the complexity of flavours at work here. The sauce that is drizzled over top is accented with truffles, giving it a nuanced umami flavour that takes it one step higher compared to your average vegetable dish.

BRAISED PRAWN WITH VERMICELLI IN SPICY CHILLI SAUCE

A dish that boasts a delightful wok-hei flavour coupled with a punchy hit of spice is the Braised Prawn with Vermicelli in Spicy Chilli Sauce. Slightly spicy with prominent notes of wok-fried prawn coming through, we were sold the second the dish arrived.

The vermicelli was flavourful without being too dry and everything about this was just delightful—from the smoky, seafood flavours to the lip-smacking spice that kept us reaching in for more.

CLAYPOT RICE WITH ASSORTED WAXED MEAT

A dish that best demonstrates a chef’s skill is claypot rice. Seemingly simple to whip up given that there are so few ingredients involved, it actually requires a lot more in terms of culinary technique to achieve the best flavour and the perfect texture of rice.

What else can we say? The Claypot Rice with Assorted Waxed Meat here did not disappoint. In fact, we were so utterly blown away by it we almost could not stop ourselves from reaching out for a third helping.

Cooked to just the right doneness, the rice was still fluffy without being overly burnt. Chef Leung emphasised that getting the proportion of water to rice is absolutely crucial in this and in order to achieve such a gorgeous aroma, a mixture of waxed meats needs to be used.

We were delighted by the likes of Chinese sausage, Chinese liver sausage as well as waxed duck which all did well to give this dish such a meaty, yet robust appeal.

HOMEMADE BEAN CURD

No one—we repeat, no one—leaves Si Chuan Dou Hua without a serving of their signature Homemade Bean Curd with Wolfberry.

Although this dessert is not new to the Chef Leung’s refreshed lineup of dishes, the warm and soothing soft beancurd served with sweet wolfberries is just the perfect finish to a fine culinary experience such as this one.

To refresh your memory, this dinner offer extends from now all the way until 30 June 2018, meaning that all of the 18 new dishes (doesn’t include beancurd) cost just S$18++ per dish and our readers can also quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy an additional 20% off a la carte orders on the Flavours of Jiangnan Menu.

We’re definitely heading back and we shall see you there!

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant
Level 3, PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
181 Kitchener Road,
Singapore 208533
Tel: +65 6428 3170
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest station: Farrer Park

This post is brought to you by PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road.