Established in in 1971 at the former Mandarin Singapore (now known as Hilton Singapore Orchard), Chatterbox is a Singaporean institution known for their legendary Mandarin Chicken Rice.

Chatterbox has recently reopened after a major renovation and it has transformed from a coffee house in a 5-star hotel to the go-to dining destination for top-notch local food in a beautiful space which is suitable for all occasions.

Regulars to Chatterbox will be pleasantly surprised by the new beautiful interior which is totally different from the old Chatterbox.

Executive Chef Liew Tian Heong has been with the restaurant for over three decades and he and his team have done an excellent job with the menu.

Mackeral & Crab Otah-Otah

BBQ King Prawns

Sea Perch with Burnt Green Chilli

Other than retaining the signature dishes that Chatterbox is known for, they have also added many new dishes—including BBQ King Prawns, Mackeral & Crab Otah-Otah, Sea Perch with Burnt Green Chilli—to the menu that are worth trying.

Nobody comes to Chatterbox without ordering the legendary Mandarin Chicken Rice which comes with tender-boiled free-range chicken that is so juicy and succulent. They have reduced the prices slightly and an individual portion of chicken rice is priced at S$25. You can also order a Half Chicken (S$38) and Whole Chicken (S$72) for sharing.

If we could only pick one dish (other than the chicken rice), it would be the Seafood Hokkien Mee. Executive Chef Liew uses additional lobster shells to boil the broth (on top of prawn shells) and the result is a robust and super flavourful broth.

The ‘wet’ Hokkien Mee comes with fresh Ang Kar prawn, squid, scallop and pork belly. This is the best Hokkien Mee you can get from a restaurant.

The new space also has a gorgeous bar and it has an impressive list of cocktails, wines and drinks that are curated by their new GM, Kelvin Tay (who used to be the GM of The White Rabbit and the Group Sommelier Mentor of The Lo & Behold Group).

Chatterbox
333 Orchard Rd, #05-03 Hilton
Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6831 6291

TungLok Group has added a new establishment to its ever-flourishing list of restaurants – TASTE by TungLok.

TASTE by TungLok intends on revolutionising the way many view healthy Chinese dishes by serving everyday dishes with quality and organic ingredients with a refined twist. It is TungLok’s belief that through good food and good taste, family bonds are strengthened and friendships are forged.

Their meticulously-curated menu boasts over 70 heart-warming dishes that will bring many for a trip down memory lane, featuring Chinese-cuisine classics such as their Double-Boiled Fish Maw with Chicken, Australian Barramundi Fish Head and Crisp-Fried Tiger Prawn with Sichuan Spice.

Feel the nostalgia and taste the goodness of traditional recipes with the new TASTE by TungLok. Check out what we had and our thoughts on this new Chinese restaurant.

APPETISERS

We started the meal with TASTE by TungLok’s Shredded Kampong Chicken with Jellyfish and Shredded Cucumber (S$20++), and their Deep-fried Prawn Paste & Chinese Cabbage wrapped with Beancurd Skin (S$22++).

The combination of cold chicken and jellyfish may be an odd combination to many, but they paired together seamlessly in a ginger-sesame dressing. The slices of cucumber also added to the freshness and texture of the dish.

Another appetiser that you should order is the classic Chinese Deep-Fried Prawn Paste and Chinese Cabbage wrapped in Beancurd Skin. Each bite is flavourful yet not at all greasy. Dip these crispy morsels into a bit of soya sauce and you’ll be diving in for seconds.

DOUBLE-BOILED FISH MAW WITH ORGANIC CHICKEN

In Chinese cuisine, hearty soups are a must at the dinner table. TASTE by TungLok has concocted a hearty Double-Boiled Fish Maw soup with tender chunks of Organic Chicken. The flavourful soup is a chock-full of wolfberries, traditional Chinese herbs and of course, Fish Maw and Organic Chicken (S$55++ for 2 pax, S$98++ for 4 pax).

TASTE by TungLok uses Santori MD2 Kampung Chicken – the first and only Healthier Choice Kampung Chicken in Singapore. Paired with fresh fish maw from locally-bred Barramundi, the soup is double-boiled for over 5 hours. It is nutritious yet delicious and will definitely whet your tastebuds for the rest of the meal.

This one-pot wonder was definitely the highlight of the meal as the soup was so flavourful and rich without being too cloying. The savoury taste of the soup was balanced with a mild sweetness from the wolfberries and fish maw. This soup is the perfect heart-warming dish for sharing with your family and loved ones.

CURRY AUSTRALIAN BARRAMUNDI FISH HEAD

Up next on the table was TASTE by TungLok’s Australian Barramundi Fish Head cooked in spicy Curry Sauce (S$48++). Their rendition of a classic Curry Fish Head dish is bound to please families that like having this crowd-favourite often at home with their loved ones.

The sustainable barramundi (locally-farmed) is impeccably tender and pairs deliciously well with the spicy yet tangy curry gravy. Besides the fresh barramundi, the curry is full of other delectable ingredients such as tomatoes, beancurd skin and slices of lady’s finger.

STEAMED AUSTRALIAN BARRABUMNDI DISH HEAD WITH GARDEN PEA SAUCE

Another way to have the sweet Barramundi Fish Head is to have it steamed with savoury Garden Pea Sauce (S$48++). TASTE by TungLok dresses this signature fish dish with deep-fried lard bits and spring onions.

This plate was one that we could not help but go for seconds and thirds. The Garden Pea sauce was so indulgent and addictive, pairing with the sweet fish wonderfully well. The best part of the dish was eating the lard bits, that had absorbed the gravy, complementing the fish.

CRISPY AROMATIC DUCK

Half Irish Duck (S$38++) is fried till golden-brown and shredded, to be put in delicate wraps. The crispy duck comes with julienned carrots, cucumbers and cabbage, along with a sweet bean-paste sauce. Add a little of everything to make your perfect wrap!

We loved how the duck was almost bursting with flavour from the succulent meat to the crispy skin. Despite being fried, the duck was not overly-greasy and was super addictive.

CRISPY FRIED TIGER PRAWN WITH SICHUAN SPICE

Springy, succulent and spicy, this dish was a delight to eat. The Tiger Prawns are fried with a Sichuan Spice that packs both flavour and heat, making the seemingly-simple dish extra delicious (S$38++).

The prawns were so fresh and had a mild sweetness that contrasted the spiciness of the Sichuan spice. Puffed rice topping is also generously sprinkled over the dish, allowing for textural contrast.

CHILLI CRAB WITH DEEP-FRIED MINI BUNS

We also savoured TASTE by TungLok’s signature Chilli Crab (S$68++ for 700 grams) that was served with a basket of fluffy deep-fried mini buns. The gravy was sweet, savoury and spicy all at once, made richer with the slurries of egg added to it. Each bite of sweet crab meat that was coated in the gravy was heavenly.

Such a delicious sauce definitely should not go to waste, so dip your deep-fried mantou into the decadent gravy once you are done with the crab to fully savour this dish.

BARBEQUED COMBINATION PLATTER

TASTE by TungLok’s Barbequed Combination Platter features tender Roast Duck, Roast Pork and sweet slices of Char Siew (S$38++).

The Roast Pork’s crisp crackling skin contrasted the melt-in-your-mouth meat. Pair this with a bit of spicy mustard to fully enjoy the smoky flavour of the pork. The char siew was coated in a sweet-and-savoury glaze, making every single piece worth the battle of chopsticks to get to it.

We especially loved the roast duck and how fresh and tender the meat was. The skin was nicely crisp and had that lingering aroma of smokiness.

POACHED ORGANIC CABBAGE WITH BEANCURD ROLL

This light dish may seem simple, but it was packed with the clean flavours and sweetness of wolfberries, cabbage and tofu skins. It was a welcome treat to cut through the intense flavours of the previous dishes (S$28++).

WOK-FRIED ORGANIC FRENCH BEAN WITH EGGPLANT

Tender slices of eggplant are fried together with crunchy french beans for this savoury dish, tossed with garlic and an aromatic sauce. We liked how the two main components of this dish contrasted texturally yet came together superbly. The wok-hei was strong and added that extra edge to this simple plate (S$28++).

TASTE by TungLok
23 Merchant Road
Park Regis Singapore, Level 1
Singapore 058268
Tel: +65 6721 9118

This post was brought to you by TASTE by TungLok.

A highly celebrated stalwart in the Chinese dim sum scene here in Singapore, Red Star Restaurant is one that needs no introduction.

Here is where one can relish in a large selection of dim sum goodies be it steamed or fried and have them served to you table-side via food trolleys—the traditional way. Standing as one of the few Chinese restaurants left in Singapore (or at least the only one we know about) that still serves dim sum this way, Red Star Restaurant is a gem that many loyal patrons, new and old, hold dear.

If you’d like to experience proper Cantonese dim sum dining the traditional way, then Red Star Restaurant is where it’s at.

No dim sum meal is complete without a basket full of steaming hot char siew bao, and while the ones served here are slightly bigger than the average bao, we were a tad disappointed with how it turned out.

Their char siew bao is nice and soft with a sweet, doughy aroma, however, the filling—an amalgamation of both lean and fatty components of pork—was very little and we found ourselves loading up on more bao than actual filling.

Flaky on the outside with an outer crust that’s buttery but not too thick, the BBQ Pork Pie—otherwise referred to as Char Siew Soh—is one item that we got as well.

The pork filling was sweet and meaty, bearing a milder flavour in comparison to its stickier, diabetes-inducing cousins.

When dining at Red Star Restaurant, the Ha-Kau is a popular pick among the crowd, however, we were not really impressed seeing as to how it arrived at our table, overturned and in a mess. The skins were all punctured and the dumplings all stuck to the basket—probably a result of oversteaming.

A hit among the crowd, their Egg Tart  is one of the fastest items to go. The egg custard is velvety and boasts a sweet, fragrant vanilla note and the crust that holds it all together is a delicate pastry that flakes upon the lightest touch.

A simple porridge dish, their Century Egg Porridge comes with a decent portion of pork slices and bits of century egg.

A rather unusual item yet one that the ladies persistently told us to try was the Jin Long Ji. What it is is essentially chicken skin that’s stuffed with a prawn paste and deep-fried. Satisfyingly crispy, the dish had a mild prawn flavour but other than that it didn’t really impress us.

Chee Cheong Fun is one item you’re most likely to see taking up residence on most of the tables around you. Available fillings include prawn, scallop and char siew—all of which are just as good.

All in all, Red Star Restaurant is a place that we highly recommend if you’re keen on having an all-rounded, authentic traditional dim sum eating experience but where price and quality of their dishes is concerned, you could probably do better at many other dim sum restaurants in Singapore.

Red Star Restaurant
Chin Swee Road,
#07-23 Block 54,
Singapore 160054
Tel: +65 6532 5266
Mon to Sat: 8am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 7am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

A family-run restaurant, Moi Lum is one of Singapore’s few surviving heritage Chinese restaurants and a gem amongst those who value good quality, home-style Cantonese cooking. Many of us—or at least members of the foodie community—would have eaten or even celebrated a reunion there once before.

They are most widely known for their signature Crispy Fried Chicken and Golden Coin Beancurd—both unmatched in its taste, texture and the culinary mastery required to prepare them.

Unfortunately, their 99-year run has come to an end. On 15 March 2019, the restaurant will officially be closing its doors, meaning to say that if you haven’t yet tried their food, then you really really should.

Founded in the early 1920s, the restaurant has paved the way for Cantonese cooking in Singapore, allowing it to prosper in an otherwise saturated society. Moi Lum brings traditional food but with certain contemporary twists to keep up with rising trends.

Among their repertoire of Cantonese dishes, the one dish that you absolutely must try is their Majestic Roast Chicken. The outer skin is crispy and paper-thin, and the meat is tender, fresh and succulent beyond compare.

15 March 2019, that’s how little time you have left to try one of Singapore’s most iconic heritage restaurants so pick up your phones and start dialling to make a reservation.

Moi Lum
38 Maxwell Road,
Singapore 069116
Tel: +65 6226 2283
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Fried rice is comfort food for the soul. Period. Who can resist a steaming plate of that fragrant goodness? However, despite it being one of the simplest dishes to put together, it takes a great deal of skill for one to be able to create the perfect dish of fried rice.

And what do we mean by that? Some basic criteria we have would be that the dish cannot be too oily, the rice has to be fluffy and charred just right, and there has to be the right balance of ingredients and rice.

While homemade versions will get you by, they most certainly aren’t memorable. Here, we have a list of our top 12 places that sell incredible fried rice in Singapore that we wish home economics class taught us back in school.

BAAN YING

Harnessing the salty and distinct flavour profiles salted egg, Baan Ying has managed to take regular fried rice and transform it into something totally mind-blowing. Their Pork Belly Fried Rice With Salted Egg strikes the perfect balance of flavours, textures and has a prominent note of wok hei.

We love how the salted egg yolk chunks were embedded evenly in the rice allowing every bite to fill your mouth with generous bits of salted egg. That’s not all, aside from the masterfully prepared fried rice, the crispy chunks of pork belly were pretty darn delicious as well.

103 Irrawaddy Road
#02-07, Royal Square At Novena
Singapore 329566
Tel: +65 91117852
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

CRYSTAL JADE LA MIAN XIAO LONG BAO

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao is a place that most, if not all Singaporeans are familiar with. Their signature dishes, just as their name states, are xiao long bao and la mian. However, we discovered that they serve pretty solid fried rice here as well!

The portion size of their fried rice (S$10.80) is pretty generous, with one plate being enough to feed two people generously. The fried rice has bits of prawn, chicken and ham embedded in it, which added lots of flavour to the rice.

391 Orchard Road #04-27
Ngee Ann City Singapore
Tel: +65 62381661
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credits: Paragon 

DIN TAI FUNG

Din Tai Fung boasts one of the most delicious fried rice in Singapore, hands down. We don’t know how they do it, but there is something magical about their fried rice recipe that keeps us coming back for more!

Every one of Din Tai Fung’s fried rice dishes consists of their very basic egg fried rice. They always manage to keep their rice light and fluffy without it losing its amazing taste and fragrance. Their basic egg fried rice is a favourite, and their pork chop fried rice is great too, but our absolute favourite has to be their shrimp fried rice. 

Din Tai Fung
30 Tai Seng Street #01-02 Breadtalk IHQ
Singapore 534013
Tel: +65 67020060
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

Photo Credit: Imperial Treasure

IMPERIAL TREASURE NAN BEI RESTAURANT 

Imperial Treasure Nan Bei is a great place to go to for some solid Chinese cuisine, and one of their more popular dishes here is their Fried Rice with BBQ Pork & Shrimp in Yang Zhou Style.

Their fried rice is incredibly colourful and is speckled with yummy ingredients such as cubes of char siew, shrimp and green onion. The rice is fluffy and is not too oily. Due to the myriad of ingredients used in creating this dish, the rice is well flavoured and very savoury. You can eat a whole plate of it on your own!

Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road, #05-12/13/14
Singapore 238874
Tel: +65 67381238
Mon to Sat: Lunch (11am – 5pm), Hi-Tea (2.30pm – 5.30pm), Dinner (5.30pm – 10pm)
Sun & PH: Lunch (10.30am – 5pm), Hi-Tea (2.30pm – 5.30pm), Dinner (5.30pm – 10pm)
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: Jumbo Seafood

JUMBO SEAFOOD

Jumbo is famous for their Chilli Crab—that’s a given—, but did you know that they also serve up a pretty incredible plate of fried rice as well?

Their Supreme Fried Rice with Seafood comes in incredibly generous portions that are great for sharing with friends and family. The rice is well cooked and not too oily, and we love how there are chunks of juicy prawns embedded in the rice, adding another element of flavour and texture to the dish.

East Coast Seafood Centre
1206 East Coast Parkway, #01-07/08
Singapore 449883
Tel: +65 64423435
Mon to Fri: 5pm – 11.45pm
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Bedok

Photo Credit: Paradise Dynasty 

PARADISE DYNASTY LEGEND OF XIAO LONG BAO 

Paradise Dynasty’s simple plate of Shanghai Fried Rice may not look much, but we promise you that it tastes much better than it looks.

The overall dish was surprisingly much lighter than we thought it was, and it was not too oily or salty. Each grain of plump rice is generously and evenly coated with egg, and the rice had a good mix of meat bits in it, giving it great texture and flavour.

435 Orchard Road
#01-18 Wisma Atria
Singapore 238877
Tel: +65 6219 3931
Nearest Station: Orchard

PEACH GARDEN

Peach Garden has a wide array of delicious Chinese foods that make our mouths water at the sight and smell of it. One of our favourite dishes here definitely has to be their Fried Jasmine Rice with Pork Floss and Dried Scallop.

The fried rice is very light, fluffy and fragrant. We love the addition of pork floss and on top the bed of rice as it adds a nice, savoury touch to the dish. We also love how fried rice is presented in a pineapple—it adds a nice touch to the dish.

Peach Garden @ Hotel Miramar
Level 3 Hotel Miramar, 401 Havelock Road,
Singapore 169631
Tel: +65 67363833
Daily: 11am – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay and Chinatown

RUYI

Ruyi sells a large array of affordable yet delicious Chinese food, and it certainly leaves one spoiled for choice. However, our go-to dish here has to be their classic fried rice. The Ruyi Fried Rice may look simple like any other fried rice out there, but looks can be deceiving, and we promise you that this fried rice is much better than it looks.

Each grain of rice is evenly coated with egg, and the texture of the rice is incredibly fluffy and fragrant. Their plump, juicy prawns add a great touch to the dish, as well as give the dish a nice seafood flavour—did we mention they’re open 24-hours too?

Sentosa Gateway, #B1-222/223
Resorts World Sentosa
Singapore 098138
Tel: +65 68846613
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Harbourfront 

Photo Credit: Tripadvisor

SUSHI TEI

For a completely different fried rice experience, you should check out Sushi Tei’s Kani Ikura Fried Rice. If you’re like us and you love ikura (salmon caviar), you definitely need to check out this dish for a whole new experience!

The rice of this is evenly coated with delicious egg and has a slight wok hei taste to it and the ikura served on top really completes the dish. Each ikura is plump, juicy and fresh, and we love the popping sensation it makes when we bite into it.

West Coast Plaza
#01-87 West Coast Road
Singapore 127371
Tel: +65 67750012
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

Photo Credit: Bksoo

TAMPOPO

Tampopo is one of our go-to places for great Japanese food, and one of our favourites has to be their Black Pig Truffle Fried Rice.

The rice is generously and evenly coated in black, murky truffle, making the dish look slightly unappealing. However, just a whiff of that aromatic truffle will have your mouth watering. The truffle here also really complements the pork bits really well, creating an overall incredibly appetising dish that will make you want to come back for more.

Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road, B2-33
Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 62352318
Tel: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: Ice Blossom

TIAN BAO SZE CHUAN 

The fried rice served here is pretty underrated, and if you’re looking for some solid Chinese fried rice to satisfy your cravings, this Tian Bao Sze Chuan is a good option.

Their seafood fried rice is light, fluffy and fragrant, and is not too oily or salty. They are very generous with the amount of squid and prawns used, and with each spoonful of rice, you get a nice amount of seafood in it, giving the dish a nice flavour and good bite.

Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road, #05-06/07
Singapore 238872 |
Tel: +65 67344216
Daily: 11.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe

XIN WANG HONG KONG CAFE

One of Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe’s signature dishes is their Signature Stir-Fried Rice, which has been crowned their customers favourite since day one. And it’s not surprising why—their fried rice is some really good stuff!

The fried rice has an extremely robust wok hei taste which gave the dish a lot of flavour and character. They are also incredibly generous with their seafood and meats, and each spoonful of rice will definitely have a bit of each in it.

Tiong Bahru Plaza
302 Tiong Bahru Road, #02-109/136
Singapore 168732
Tel: +65 62079646
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Capturing authenticity in both its appearance and cuisine, Lao Beijing in Velocity@Novena Square is where you’ll more than likely find well-executed Northern Chinese fare in the form of exquisite fish dishes, noodle dishes as well as an array of juicy dumplings. Famed for their xiao long bao and famous customisable popiah, the restaurant has bagged numerous awards over the years and sees a constant flood of loyal patrons daily.

A favourite venue for family dining and cosy gatherings, the restaurant enthrals with their contemporary approach to traditional classics. Take their highly acclaimed Signature Beef Noodle for instance that features 3 delectable soup base varieties, or even Signature Grilled Fish with Tomato Broth that paints a fresh new look on the traditional ‘kao yu’ dish of Southwest China.

Besides its Signature Dishes, the restaurant also presents diners with 7 intriguing new dishes. These are set to wow the palates of customers old and new. If you haven’t dined at Lao Beijing before, you’re completely missing out. If you have, there is no reason to not go back again for more affordable, mouth-watering food that’s great for communal dining!

SIGNATURE DISHES

Some folks may shun the idea of eating with their hands, but we absolutely love it. Doing so provides us with a heightened sensory experience and it just makes food taste better (if that even makes sense).

Which is why when it comes to Lao Beijing’s two stellar DIY dishes—signature Lao Beijing Famous Popiah (S$28++) and Lao Beijing Crispy Skin Roast Duck (S$60++ for a whole duck)—we get really excited. Not only do they look and taste divine, they require some elbow grease as well.

Every single component from the individual popiah skin to the star attractions and even the various ingredients are done to perfection. The turnips are tender and cooked to the right consistency and the roast duck is fragrant, succulent and delectable.

A stunning centrepiece and one that is as gorgeous as it is delicious, the Signature Grilled Fish with Tomato Broth (S$68++) is what you totally have to try.

Prepared in pretty much the same way as many cities in China, the colossal fillet of fish is first grilled separately before being placed in a large rectangular pot alongside fresh vegetables, enoki mushrooms and pineapples.

Once it reaches the table, a piping hot tomato broth would then be doused over top, cooking the vegetables, heating up the fish and at the same time, imparting its sweet, umami-packed qualities onto every single ingredient.

Another fish dish that had us diving in for seconds and thirds in a hurry was the Braised Fish with Pickled Cabbage and Chilli (S$24++). With its slight sour tang, gentle amount of heat and refreshing clarity, this dish was easily one of our favourites of the entire spread.

Pickled in-house, the cabbage takes on a rather sourish appeal but is well balanced with both salty and sweet notes. Having been braised over a period of time, the fish slices take on a warm and refreshing flavour whilst retaining its structure really well.

Arguably one of Lao Beijing’s most popular dishes is the Xiao Long Bao (S$10++ for 10 pieces). Expertly hand-moulded and served piping hot every time, every bite comes with the promise of luxury in the form of a rich, savoury pork broth that washes over the palate nicely. Spoon over a drop or two of plum vinegar and a few slivers of ginger, and that is happiness right there.

To complement those potstickers, why not order up a serving of the restaurant’s prided Beijing-Style ‘Zhajiang’ Noodle (S$10++)? Essentially a savoury and fragrant noodle dish consisting simply of soybean paste, julienned vegetables and stir-fried ground pork, this top-seller is great for if you’re looking for something mild yet filling.

Perhaps one of the most underrated yet tasty side items you can possibly get is the Zhenjiang Pork Ribs (S$18++). Deep-fried to golden perfection before being coated in a luscious, sweet sauce and topped with sesame seeds, this dish is one that begs to be eaten with white rice.

You’d be silly not to order up a bowl of the Original Beef Noodle with Triple Treasure (S$18++). Featuring a beefy trinity of brisket, tendon and tripe, alongside springy hand-pulled noodles and a hearty broth, this bowl is undeniably one of the most comforting delights around.

This flavour bomb comes in three different varieties of soup base: original, spicy and tomato broth.

NEW DISHES

Adding on to Lao Beijing’s stellar repertoire of quality favourites is 7 new dishes. This gives you another reason to visit the restaurant!

KUROBUTA PORK SERVED ON SIZZLING HOT PLATE

Dazzling in both the theatrical element that comes along with it, as well as its addictive flavour is the Kurobuta Pork served on Sizzling Hot Plate (S$24++). Served sizzling on a hot plate, before being flambéed, this dish is a sight to behold.

The Kurobuta itself was incredibly tender and the sticky sauce that envelops it is sweet and savoury with a tangy, almost vinegar-like kick.

STEAMED ‘SOON HOCK’ WITH  PICKLED CHILLI

If you’re looking for a sharing dish, our recommendation is to opt for the Steamed ‘Soon Hock’ with Pickled Chilli (Market Price).

The overly generous topping of red chilli may intimidate at first, but the pickling process—to our greatest relief—does take the fiery edge off the chilli, resulting in a tangy, almost sweet concoction that complements the freshly steamed fish beautifully.

BRAISED SUPERIOR FISH MAW AND MUSHROOM

For the ladies who fancy something jam-packed with collagen, then perhaps the Braised Superior Fish Maw with Mushroom (S$48++ (S), S$58++ (M), S$68++ (L)) should sit right with you.

This classic Chinese dish is packed with skin-healing properties and is absolutely flavourful. Braised in a flavourful sauce for several hours, the fish maw acts like a sponge that not only becomes tender during the process but also soaks up all the intense sauce.

‘MALA’ SOFT-SHELL PRAWN

We were particularly thrilled to have a go at Lao Beijing’s new ‘Mala’ Soft-shell Prawn (S$28++); it not only looked majestic, it was also accented with one of our all-time favourite flavours—mala.

Essentially the same flavour components of the iconic cereal prawn but with a spicy accent to it, the dish really did taste as good as it looked. The outer layer was crispy, savoury, and the iconic mouth-numbing spice added a nice touch to the sweet prawn.

Both the Four Vegetable Delicacies with ‘Huai Shan’ (S$18.80++) and Homemade Black Beancurd with Wild Mushroom and Seafood (S$18.80++) were cooked using only the freshest seasonal vegetables and masterfully prepared to retain as much of its natural flavour and colour as possible, on top of a layer of solid wok hei flavour.

BRAISED RED-SPOTTED GROUPER WITH GINGER WINE

A hearty concoction of fresh grouper and an aromatic sauce, we were pretty darn sold by their Braised Red-spotted Grouper with Ginger Wine (S$36++). Infusing ginger and wine, the sauce took on a pungent and zesty appeal with a nice kick from the wine.

We really liked that they went with grouper among all other fish varieties as it really held its firmness well without crumbling.

Lao Beijing 
238 Thomson road
Velocity@Novena Square, #02-11/12
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 6358 4466
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am – 3pm, 3pm – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

This post was brought to you by Lao Beijing.