Missing Hong Kong? There’s a new Cha Chaan Teng in town!

You can satisfy your cravings for authentic Hong Kong-style noodles, roast meats, and cha chaan teng classics at Pi Food, a new Hong Kong-style eatery located at UBS Singapore Business Hub (formerly known as Park Mall).

The kitchen is helmed by Hong Kong Head Chef Tsang Tak Ching, who worked as a Sous Chef at Lei Garden (Hong Kong) for 7 years before heading to Singapore.

Photos credit: Pi Food

You can look forward to Pi Food’s house specialities such as Hong Kong Fresh Shrimp Wanton Noodles, Iberico Pork Char Siew, Crispy Pork Belly, Sweet and Sour Pork and Gui Fei Chicken; as well as Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng classics including Hong Kong-Style Baked Rice with Pork Chop and Hong Kong Beef Brisket in Curry Sauce.

Pi Food
9 Penang Road, #01-18
Singapore 238459

Created by Genevieve Lee, runner-up of MasterChef Singapore 2018, Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery started out as a home-based business with an e-commerce website during the pandemic in 2020 and it quickly made waves with its Sourdough Bomboloni—combining sourdough and the Italian ‘bomb’ shaped doughnuts.

Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery is opening their first physical store at Park Mall with a soft launch on 3 July 2021. The official opening date will be on 8 July 2021.

Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery’s 900 sq ft store at Park Mall will have a takeaway kiosk, retail section and a production kitchen that can cater to both online and retail sales. Online pre-orders and group buys will continue for fixed boxes of 9 Sourbombes, with the option of delivery or collection in-store.

You can also choose to visit the store to pick your Sourdough Bomboloni and get some drinks including cold brew coffee, house-made kombucha and dairy-free tea lattes.

Expect a total of 9 sourbombe flavours, including 6 best-selling signatures and 3 limited edition flavours, which will be introduced quarterly based on seasonal ingredients.

Photos credit: Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery

The 6 signature sourbombe flavours include:

• Cinnabombe (plain)
  The OG Sourbombe in full sour glory, dusted with cinnamon and sugar.
• Blueberry & Lemon Thyme
  A fruity summer bombe of lemon cream, blueberry jam and fragrant thyme
• Lavender Lime Mascarpone
  Velvety mascarpone infused with aromatic lavender and bright citrus lime
• Basque Burnt Cheesecake
  Molten lava explosions of cream cheese and blue cheese, the ultimate umami bombe
• Hojicha Caramel
  Fragrant Houjicha cold-steeped in milk and sprinkled with toothsome caramel crunch
• Passionfruit & Caramelised Banana
  A tropical paradise of ambrosial passionfruit mixed with caramelised banana cream

The bakery also has plans to launch a new range of experimental sourdough bakes—including sourdough croissants—later this year. We cannot wait to try them soon!

Sourbombe Artisanal Bakery
Park Mall, 9 Penang Road #02-03
Singapore 238459

Tempura Tendon Tenya Singapore is opening its second outlet at ION Orchard.

The largest tempura restaurant chain in Japan, Tempura Tendon Tenya first opened in Singapore at Orchard Central in Oct 2020. The new outlet will be at ION Orchard food hall, at Basement 4 next to Toss & Turn.

The popular tendon chain is known for its affordable tempura bowls and prices range from S$7.90 to S$12.90.

We were in disbelief when we first had the Tenya Tendon in Japan many years ago. It might not be the best tempura, but it was very decent, and surely a steal for the price.

First-timers have to try their signature Tenya Tendon which is priced at only S$8.50 for a hearty bowl of tempura tiger prawn, red fish, squid, pumpkin, and French beans.

With the opening of Tempura Tendon Tenya, shoppers at ION Orchard will now have another option for cheap and good tendon.

Tempura Tendon Tenya Singapore
ION Orchard basement 4

Local bakery, Edith Patisserie has opened a new cafe at 9 Penang Road (the former Park Mall building) in Dhoby Ghaut.

Edith Patisserie Cake Bar is a cosy space that will be offering a selection of Edith Patisserie’s signatures cakes, bakes, waffles, as well as coffee.

Established in 2013, Edith Patisserie is a local bakery specialising in layered cakes, brownies and tarts for special occasions such as birthdays and weddings.

Some of their best sellers include Honey Cake, Earl Grey Lavender Cake, Lychee Rose Cale and Cookie Dough Speculoos Chocolate Cake.

Photos credit: Edith Patisserie Cake Bar

To celebrate the opening of Edith Patisserie Cake Bar, they are offering 15% off your total bill from 7 – 18 April 2021.

Edith Patisserie Cake Bar
9 Penang Road #01-06
Singapore 238459
Mon: 12pm – 8pm
Wed & Thu: 12pm – 8pm
Fri – Sun: 12.30pm – 9pm

Kimukatsu—Japan’s Famous Mille-Feuille Tonkatsu—is here in Singapore at Takashimaya basement 2 food hall. Kimukatsu is known for its tonkatsu which is made up of many thin layers of pork; think of it as a pork mille-feuille.

We’ve tried Kimukatsu’s Mille-Feuille Tonkatsu in Osaka and Tokyo years ago and we’ve been a fan of the brand ever since.

Unlike the usual tonkatsu, Kimukatsu uses thinly-sliced pork and they are stacked into 25 layers. The layered cutlet is covered with fresh breadcrumbs and fried slowly in low temperature for 8 minutes.

In addition to the original tonkatsu, they also have other flavours like cheese, black pepper, Ume Shiso, garlic and Yuzu Kosho.

If we had to pick one flavour from Kimukatsu’s menu—other than the Original Tonkatsu, of course—it would be Kimukatsu’s Cheese Tonkatsu. It is super satisfying with cheese oozing out of the superbly fried tonkatsu.

Kimukatsu
Takashimaya basement 2 food hall

Read our guide to the best tonkatsu restaurants in Singapore.

The famous fire ramen from Kyoto, Menbaka Fire Ramen is opening its first-ever overseas outlet outside of Kyoto at Cineleisure Orchard, Singapore on 24 November 2020.

You’ve probably seen footage of Menbaka’s legendary fire ramen all over the internet. And now, you will get the chance to savour the fire ramen in Singapore without having to fly to Kyoto.

Menbaka Fire Ramen soon became a hotspot for Japanese diners and tourists from around the world. Menbaka’s fire ramen is the first in the world to pour flaming negi oil on top of its green onion broth to create towering flames and an exquisitely smokey broth.

Photos credit: Menbaka Fire Ramen

Other than Menbaka’s signature Shoyu Fire Ramen, which consists of chicken, mackerel, seaweed and bonito brewed for over five hours to achieve a complex and flavourful aroma; you can also look forward to the Vegetarian Fire Ramen as well as the Singapore-exclusive Tonkotsu Fire Ramen.

Menbaka Fire Ramen Singapore
8 Grange Road
Cineleisure Orchard #05-03
Singapore 239695

Drips Bakery Café opens its second outlet at Ngee Ann City. Established in 2010, Drips Bakery Café is a café in Tiong Bahru (Tiong Poh Road) which is known for its tarts and some of their signatures include Seasonal Fruits Tart, Baked Lemon Tart and Choc Truffle Tart.

The new space at Ngee Ann City is located at Tower B #B2-31, near to Wangz Cafe and Guardian. There’s only have limited seatings with a few tables.

Other than their signature tarts, Drips Bakery Café also serves a variety of cakes and pastries.

The new outlet at Ngee Ann City has two ongoing promotion—any scone/teacake/butter croissant with a beverage at S$6 or any slice of baked tart and a beverage at S$11.80.

Drips Bakery Café
Ngee Ann City
Tower B #B2-31
Daily: 8am – 9pm

Located at Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Chatterbox is perhaps one of the most famous—and expensive—chicken rice restaurants in Singapore.

Helmed by executive sous chef Liew Tian Heong, Chatterbox’s Hainanese Chicken Rice is its most popular dish and propelled the restaurant to fame. People from all over the world flock to the restaurant for a taste of this signature dish.

Is Chatterbox’s Hainanese Chicken Rice really that good? Is it worth paying S$27++ for a plate of chicken rice?

Chatterbox has quite a variety of local snacks on its menu. From the Rojak (S$17), to Satay (S$18 for 6 sticks), and Ngoh Hiang (S$18), you can find all the popular local snacks here.

And don’t miss out on the Salted Egg Chicken Wings (S$20 for 8 pieces)—it is certainly the best appetizer on the menu, and the best way to start your meal!

Nobody comes to Chatterbox without ordering the legendary Mandarin Chicken Rice (S$27++).

It comes with tender-boiled free-range chicken that is so juicy and succulent. Paired with fragrant rice—every grain is evenly coated with chicken oil and perfumed with pandan leaves. The homemade chilli sauce is really good and kickass.

Other than the Mandarin Chicken Rice, we also love Chatterbox’s Lobster Laksa (S$38).

There’s simply no turning back once you’ve tasted their Lobster Laksa—a wondrous bowl of goodness that looks and tastes amazing. A whole fresh lobster is used in every bowl. The soup is thick with the layered taste of quality coconut milk and fresh lobster. It is as luxurious as laksa can get.

This is probably one of the most, if not the most expensive, chicken rice in Singapore. And let’s be frank, not everyone will want to pay so much for a plate of chicken rice, especially when you can get really good chicken rice at S$3-5 from the other famous chicken rice stalls in Singapore.

If you are willing to pay S$27 for pasta or risotto from an Italian restaurant, why not the same amount for a plate of chicken rice?

Chatterbox is where you can get a taste of Singapore’s local food, elevated with premium ingredients and precise cooking techniques. It’s certainly the ideal place to bring your overseas friends to have a taste of the most popular Singaporean local food in a comfortable setting.

Chatterbox
333 Orchard Road
Level 5, Mandarin Orchard
Singapore 238867

With swanky malls like ION and 313 Somerset, who even goes to the older drabby ones such as Far East Plaza? Unless you’re thinking of getting a piercing or tattoo, you’d probably not set foot in there.

Well, then you’re missing out. As shabby as Far East Plaza looks in comparison to its glammed-up neighbours, this shopping centre is an absolute gem for affordable eats in the town area.

Whether you’re in the mood for a spicy Thai dinner or hearty zi-char feast, you can always fall back on this mall. We’ve put together a list of budget-friendly eateries at Far East Plaza for budget days.

CAHAYA MUSLIM RESTAURANT

Cahaya Muslim Restaurant is an eatery on the level 5 of Far East Plaza which offers an impressive range of halal Chinese cuisine, with the likes of claypot rice, wanton noodles and even zi-char-style dishes.

Go for their Cereal Prawns (S$15/S$21) if you’re craving something fried and buttery and pair it with their Seafood Fried Rice with Chicken Topping (S$7.50) for a hearty meal.

14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #05-91/92
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 6734 8434
Daily: 11.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/jyynius.eats/

CROSS STRAITS RESTAURANT

If you’re bent on getting a fix of comforting fish soup in Orchard, you’d better head down to Cross Straits Restaurants early. This popular, modest eatery does a pretty solid bowl of Sliced Fish Soup (S$5.80), which draws in sizable crowds during lunchtime.

They also do a mean Fried Tofu with Thai Chili Sauce (S$4.80). Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these golden cubes shockingly good.

14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #05-91/92
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 6735 2779
Daily: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

GREENVIEW CAFE

Ban mian stalls are a dime a dozen, but those that make their own noodles are rare gems — Greenview Cafe is one of them. This hidden eatery does some of the best handmade mee hoon kueh we’ve ever tried.

Their Dry Mee Hoon Kueh (S$4.80) is a must-try. The irregularly-shaped kueh is excellently bouncy with a nice resistant bite. Tossed in a savoury, mildly spicy sauce, the doughy morsels are insanely addictive.

14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #04-96
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 6734 2312
Mon to Sat: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

HAINANESE DELICACY

Mention “Far East Plaza chicken rice” to any foodie and they’ll immediately know what you’re talking about. Hailed as one of the best places for chicken rice in Singapore, Hainanese Delicacy has been tossing out impeccable plates of chicken rice for decades.

Whether you get their roasted or steamed chicken, expect only the most tender and silken meat. Heck, even the breast meat tastes almost as soft as fish. Their Half Chicken (S$20) is good for sharing among three to four pax.

14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #05-116
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 6734 0639
Tues to Sun: 10.15am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/eatwhatah/

HONG HU EXPRESS

Hong Hu Express is a great option for those weekend nights when you’re out with friends looking for dinner but all the budget-friendly spots seem to have a full house. Modestly dressed with plain tables and empty walls, this place’s interior certainly doesn’t match up to the quality of their food.

Their comforting Chinese fare ranges from You Mian (S$3.50) in robust broth to a tom yum rendition, which really packs a punch. Add on some Pan-fried Dumplings (S$6) for an appetiser you won’t regret.

14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #05-98
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 6732 5089
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/foodlovesme0315/

KRAPOW THAI STREET FOOD

Kra Pow Thai Street Food sits on the third level of Far East Plaza as a hotspot for dedicated Thai food lovers. This places dishes out solid Thai rice and noodle dishes, as well as a plethora of delicious sides at reasonable prices.

One of their more well-known dishes is the Drunkard Noodles (S$7.80) which features dry kway teow coated in a piquant mix of ingredients such as soy sauce, fish sauce, holy basil and garlic.

14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #03-26/27
Singapore 228217
Tel: +65 6734 1946
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Photo Credit: https://facebook.com/kitchenmaddies/

MADDIE’S KITCHEN

Yes, you’ve had Hainanese pork chop curry rice, but have you seen pork chops as huge as the ones from Maddie’s Kitchen? This humble-looking eatery in Far East Plaza serves up not-so-humble dishes, from zi-char-style fare to curry rice.

Apart from their fantastic Hainanese Curry Pork Chop Rice (S$4.80), they also do an outstanding Oyster Omelette (S$10.80/small, S$15.80/medium, S$20.80). Be sure to get there early because the wait can stretch beyond 45 minutes during peak periods.

14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #02-10/11/12/13
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 6365 0501
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

NEW STATION SNACK BAR

Fans of Salted Egg dishes have probably heard or been to New Station Snack Bar. This name has become inextricably tied to their famed Salted Egg Pork Ribs Rice (S$6.50), which commands snaking queues during meal times.

While their star dish is undeniably good, their renditions of claypot rice will steal the spotlight. Dangerously smoky, their Claypot Rice — Chicken (S$6) has an excellently charred aroma and is downright delicious.

14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #05-95
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 6734 2862
Sun to Fri: 11.30am – 9pm
Sat: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

PUNCAK HALAL RESTAURANT

One of the most popular Halal eateries in Orchard Road, Puncak Halal Restaurant certainly makes its presence known with its bustling lunch crowds. Hungry diners flock here for their popular — wait for it — Honeydew Roasted Chicken Noodles.

As bewildering as it sounds and looks, this traditional dish surprisingly works. But for the less adventurous, they offer a steady range of noodles and rice dishes. Their crispy wantons make for a great appetiser too.

14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #05-94
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 6738 4348
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

WOK WEI KITCHEN

For a comfortable, unpretentious zi char meal that won’t burn your wallet in town, hit up Wok Wei Kitchen. Their homely fare is well-executed, ranging from fantastic Imperial Pork Ribs to mouthwatering Sambal Kang Kong.

Get spoilt by their S$18 Zi Char Set which comes with three decently-portioned dishes and rice, great for sharing between two or three people!

14 Scotts Rd, Far East Plaza, #05-100/101
Singapore 228213
Tel: +65 6909 7854
Daily: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Social Place is a modern Chinese dim sum joint from Hong Kong which has recently opened in Singapore. Located in Forum The Shopping Mall, this contemporary restaurant will wow you with their yummy dishes, imbued with elegance and luxurious flair.

You will be greeted with a blend of traditional Chinese elements, melded seamlessly with a modern casual-dining atmosphere. The restaurant adopts an open-kitchen style and is fitted with plush seats and mosaic-tiled floors – quite an Instagram-worthy establishment. It’s perfect for a casual brunch with your girls or loved ones!

Here’s what you can expect from their menu! Try their Eggs (Ain’t) That Simple, a Sichuan Chilli Stir-Fried Chicken dish complemented by gooey egg yolks on the side. Another popular item on the menu is the Charcoal Custard Bun which is super luxuriously flecked with gold.

Something for the Instagram foodies would be the Yam-filled Pig Buns or the Black Swan Pastry (shaped like animals and super delicious yet adorable).

Photos from Social Place’s Instagram & Facebook Pages. 

Social Place
583 Orchard Road
Forum the Shopping Mall, #01-22
Singapore 238884
Tel: +65 8870 2288
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Walking down Orchard Road, there are plenty of famous malls that line the streets but one of the lesser-known ones is TripleOne Somerset even though it’s right outside the MRT Station. Recently renovated, this mall now has several attractive food options – from lunch to coffee and pastries.

One cafe, in particular, could be your new favourite cafe in town – Glyph Supply Co. It’s a minimalist’s dream, decked in white walls and simple decor. They serve up some delicious coffee and pastries so you could spend your entire morning sipping away watching as bustling crowds pass by the roads of Orchard Road.

We first ordered a Hot White (S$5.50) from their selection of coffee. We thought that the coffee was very smooth and did not have any unpleasant bitterness that lingered on our tastebuds. It was slightly acidic, though.

We also had the iced Matcha Latte (S$7). They hand-whisk ceremonial grade matcha powder in the latte resulting in a smooth matcha flavour with grassy yet floral tasting notes.

To go along with our drinks, we chose to have Glyph Supply Co’s Lemon Drizzle Loaf (S$5). Though it was rather petite in size, it packed a big punch of flavour. This is the kind of cake that will instantly lift your spirits, perfuming your tastebuds with the vibrant flavour of lemon. Sweet, tangy and addictive – hallmarks of a wonderful lemon cake.

This minimalist cafe is definitely a gem tucked away in the heart of Orchard road. Give them a try when you’re in town – their friendly staff will be more than happy to cater to your coffee cravings!

Glyph Supply Co
111 Somerset Road, #01-06
Singapore 238164
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 7.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Eating cheap at Orchard Road can be quite a feat, seeing how even the prices at the food courts are significantly more expensive.

Tucked away on the second level of International Building, Hua Yi Kitchen serves a good selection of Shanghainese cuisine.

In fact, this cosy eatery has been serving authentic xiao long bao for 20 years – even before Din Tai Fung reached our shores!

We started off with the Steam Juicy Minced Pork Dumpling (S$6.80)—a basket of 6 plump and juicy xiao long bao. While the skin was a tad thick and the minced pork was on the rougher side, we liked the burst of flavour from the soup.

However, it was a pity that the little soup dumplings were stuck together and the skin tore when we tried to pick them up.

The Fried Rice with Eggs (S$6.80) was a decent plate of fried rice. Fragrant and full of eggy goodness, we wished it was more evenly seasoned.

Our favourite would have to be the Special Braised Beef Noodle Soup with Beef (S$9.80). The beef broth was hearty and even had a slight mala taste that warmed our bellies. It also came with tender beef chunks that were most likely stewed for hours. However, the dish would have been complete if the noodles were chewier.

360 Orchard Road
#02-11/12 International Building
Singapore 238869
Tel: +65 6235 3156
Daily: 9.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

Good news for all cha chaan teng lovers—the renowned Tsui Wah has officially opened their second outlet at Robinsons The Heeren on 17 September 2019.

After their first outlet at Clarke Quay, you can now enjoy Tsui Wah’s popular dishes—including the Swiss Sauce Chicken Wings, King Prawns in XO Sauce with Tossed Noodles and Hong Kong-style milk tea—in town.

Fans can expect the same quality and consistency because the culinary team has been trained by chefs from Hong Kong.

For authentic cha chaan teng fare at a great price point, you know where to make a beeline for when Tsui Wah opens their doors at Robinsons The Heeren!

Robinsons The Heeren
260 Orchard Road
The Heeren
Singapore 238855
Nearest Station: Somerset

Famed for its contemporary approaches to traditional Chinese food along with its unyielding commitment to theatrics and witty presentation, Lokkee, part of the TungLok Group, is one Chinese restaurant that impresses time and time again.

The restaurant reinterprets and elevates the traditional Chinese recipes with a dash of Western influence, celebrating the unique style of cuisine that is commonly found in Chinatowns dotted across major, non-Chinese cities around the world such as New York, London and Sydney.

Through marrying culinary prowess along with fresh, top quality ingredients, the chefs here continue to push boundaries to what many of us know and understand about Chinese cooking, creating a whole new genre of Chinese cuisine altogether. Our favourites include their Firecracker Chicken Nest that draws its inspiration from Sichuan’s cuisine as well as their ‘Bakkwa’ Bacon Salad—a starter that marries both the East and West perfectly.

‘BAKKWA’ BACON SALAD

A meaty snack that has risen in popularity over the years is bakkwa. Salty, sweet, smoky and everything one could ever want to munch on when feeling peckish, this barbecued beauty—similar to jerky—has won the hearts of many and even of those who live abroad.

Featuring bakkwa in one of its top-selling salad dishes, the ‘Bakkwa’ Bacon Salad (S$32++) arrives at the table surrounded by a moat of dry ice that aims to mystify the dish and excite the senses. In this dish, bacon strips are grilled bakkwa-style and coated with toasted sesame and hung over a bed of oriental greens and lotus root croutons. Hung immediately after the bacon strips are cooked, the fat is allowed to drip down onto the salad, giving the salad a buttery sheen and smoky flavour.

The bacon ‘bakkwa’ is on a whole different level in terms of taste and texture. Coated in a sweet glaze and a substantial amount of luscious liquid fat to tie it all off, every bite comes with the promise of sensorial pleasure.

FIRECRACKER CHICKEN NEST

A crowd-favourite and one that took us by surprise was the Firecracker Chicken Nest (S$28++).

Reinterpreting the iconic Chinese takeout dish, kung pao chicken, what you get is a vibrant mess of dried chilli, Sichuan peppercorns, chicken bits that have been coated in five-spice powder and deep-fried. Contrary to the heaping mound of dried chilli, the heat is actually pretty manageable and the chicken, extremely tasty.

But should you feel a need to cool off your palate, the mango purée—the bright-yellow blob cleverly designed to look like an egg yolk—instantly cools the tongue and delivers a sweet, fruity explosion.

AWESOME FLAMING PINEAPPLE BEEF

From appearance, right down to its gentle marriage of flavours, the Awesome Flaming Pineapple Beef (S$34++) dish truly epitomises the cuisine associated with fortune cookies and Chinese takeout boxes commonly seen in Hollywood movies.

Fruity and tangy rather than savoury and robust, the braised chunks of beef borrows flavour from its host, resulting in a lovely flavour that marries the best of both ingredients wonderfully. For theatrical purposes, the pineapple is set aflame upon serving so be sure to have your cameras at the ready.

DRAGON PHOENIX POT

A new addition to Lokkee’s menu is the Dragon Phoenix Pot (S$30++), a one-pot-wonder that seems strangely familiar to the classic drunken prawn dish. Neatly arranged at the base of the pot is chicken wings, prawns, wolfberries and enokitake mushrooms. However, the fun only begins the second an entire bottle of Gosnells London Mead is emptied into the pot.

Mead, an alcoholic beverage that’s made by fermenting honey and water, gives the dish a sweet, honey flavour and helps to bring out the sweetness of the other ingredients as well. As it reduces down, the flavour of the soup develops and becomes enriched with all its various components, giving you a concentrated soup with depth.

THE MERMAID WITH FRESH FISH MAW

A juggernaut of a dish and one that demands to be shared between more than two people at least, THE MERMAID with fresh fish maw (S$128++)—inspired by the recently-popular grilled fish from Sichuan—sees a massive fillet of grilled barramundi, topped with fish maw and accompanied by squares of tofu. The dish first arrives in dry form before the servers eventually spoon over two large blobs of collagen and a concentrated broth.

Healthy, fragrant and apparently great for your complexion as well, the broth is made simply using fish bones and fish skin. The result? A full-bodied broth that brims with clean, comforting flavours and some serious umami. The fish itself is grilled beautifully, boasting flaky, delicate flesh that pairs exceptionally well with the flavourful broth.

PUMPKIN BUTTER CREAM SHRIMP

Smelling, looking and tasting like salted egg yolk but devoid of it, the all-new Pumpkin Butter Cream Shrimp (S$26++) is truly a stunner. Served on skewers, it makes for easier consumption and also looks appealing when plated.

Savoury, buttery and adorned with a velvety sheen, the shrimps possessed a tender and succulent texture that made gobbling the entire dish up an easy a task.

WAGYU TRUFFLE ‘HOR FUN’

One of our ultimate favourites at Lokkee would have to be their Wagyu Truffle Hor Fun (S$60++). Served in a gigantic bowl, a serving of tender hor fun is topped with crispy shards of fried dough and topped neatly with thick slices of medium-rare Wagyu beef.

As if the bowl filled with top-quality beef wasn’t enough, a viscous truffle-infused sauce is drizzled over top, completing the dish and giving it a heightened richness. Delicious and decadent, this dish has stolen the hearts of many and continues to wow diners new and old.

KING PRAWN ‘CHAO TA’ NOODLES

Yet another new addition to the restaurant’s menu is the King Prawn ‘Chao Ta’ Noodles (S$38++).

Sitting on a bed of crispy fried egg noodles is a heaping mound of king prawns coated in a luscious tomato-based sauce. The prawns are soft and tender and came out of their shells with ease. The sauce is tangy, spicy and sweet, much like our iconic chilli crab but with a flavour that’s considerably more held-back.

Complementing the prawns beautifully, the ‘chao ta’ noodles—fried till its base achieves a blackened char—provided a smoky backbone and an enticing crispy texture that made the dish more addictive.

FRIED DURIAN

There’s an undeniable finesse and a great deal of skill and knowledge of gastronomy that guides each dish from the kitchen to table, and the chefs here really pull all the stops to make dining here an unforgettable experience for all.

A dish, or rather dessert, that best exemplifies this quality is their Fried Durian (S$16++), a sweet treat that introduces a symphony of sensations on the tongue. Scattered around the perfectly deep-fried durian fritters is a carefully organised mess comprising strawberry caviar, popping candy, flecks of flower petals and coconut flakes that do well to beautify as well as to tease.

Fried till perfectly golden, the initial crunchy bite reveals a molten durian centre that is both sweet, velvety and warm like a custard and while the pop rocks and sago do not contribute much to the overall taste of the dessert, it does provide interesting textures.

Lokkee Plaza Singapura, #03-01 68 Orchard Road Singapore 238839 Tel: +65 6884 4566 Daily: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

This post was brought to you by Lokkee.