An innocuous outdoor eatery perched in the middle of Clarke Quay’s favourite eateries and bars, Chuan Grill & Noodle Bar is one of the best places to fill your stomachs with—be it post-clubbing or for lunch.

Specialising in delectable Sichuan cuisine, they cater to caters to meat-lovers with their Northern-style grilled meat and vegetable skewers, but we felt the real star of the shop was definitely their la mian.

There are over 10 different varieties of noodles to choose from, all of which were specially put together by the owner. While like any other eatery, you can pick whatever you want from the menu, your orders are customisable to your own liking—spice level, soup base, you name it, they’ll do it.

The signature dish is, aptly named, their Signature Beef Combination Noodle (S$16.50) that comes with ribeye, tendon and shank, served with a Mala soup base. The soup had a strong, robust, full body flavour from the broth alone, with an added kick from the spice without the painful choking sensation normally associated with Sichuan spice. While normally soups tend to play second fiddle to most other components, here it’s plain as day that the soups themselves are what brings each bowl to life.

They’re also generous with their portion sizes. There’s no hiding the small mound of meat in the bowl. The ribeye was so tender that it was just falling apart, while the tendons were the perfect complement to the soup.

It’s not hard to understand why the Sichuan Crispy Chicken Noodle (S$12.50) is one of the most popular dishes amongst regulars at Chuan Grill & Noodle Bar.

Crispy, juicy and satisfying, it’s a bowl of comfort food that’s been elevated by the chef’s personal touch. It’s also a much lighter bowl that makes it easier to eat, though while it’s not as heavy, it’s just as hearty as the rest.

Here, you can’t help but want to slurp your noodles, but rest assured no one would fault you for that. Open till 4am, they’re the perfect place to hit up to fill your bellies at after a night of clubbing instead of stuffing yourself silly with the usual junk food.

3A River Valley Road
#01-01
Singapore 179020
Daily: 11.30am – 4am
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

If you haven’t already heard of Spice World Hotpot, maybe the image of Barbie in a dress made of meat, or a little spicy butter sculpture of Hello Kitty or a Teddy Bear would jolt your memories. Making headlines earlier this year, Spice World Hotpot serves up authentic Sichuan flavour that’s equal parts mind-numbingly hot and incredibly mouth-watering.

While some might say the decor of the place might be incredibly over the top, the almost overwhelmingly ornate interior and dishes makes for that perfect touch of extra, regardless of a dinner occasion or just to settle some post-clubbing cravings.

Widely known for their adorable Teddy Bear Spicy Butter (S$9.90) soup base, you get to begin your meal by watching the cute little mascot disintegrate into its own juices. There are only limited mascots available each day, so we’d suggest pre-ordering them when you make your reservations.

Before you get to indulging on the main hot pot, why not consider some of their cooked dishes as well?

Their Deep Fried Pork Slices (S$12.90) was rather flavourful without being dry, as most cooked pork run the risk of doing so. Another satisfying appetiser would also be their Glutinous Rice Cake with Brown Sugar (S$7.90)

 Despite some of us being particularly squeamish towards eating any form of internal organs, we bit the bullet and took a bite of their Pig’s Brain (S$15.90) and to our surprise, it was devoid of any particular foul or weird taste we were expecting, but instead tasted like a creamy version of the soup it was cooked in.

Other innards also include Air Flown Beef Tripe (S$15.90) and Fresh Aorta (S$16.90) — pig arteries, for the uninitiated — all of which are freshly sourced and painstakingly prepared before being air-flown over to best maintain quality and freshness.

What people normally come in for, too, is their Premium Barbie Wagyu Beef (S$38.90) — a Barbie doll wrapped in thin slices of beef akin to Lady Gaga’s meat dress.

Our favourite though definitely had to be their One Meter Mutton Slices (S$28.90), its heady game meat flavour complementing the umami of the broth.

Whether you’d prefer freshly mixed Shrimp Paste (S$18.90) scooped into little balls in front of you, Pork Belly Balls (S$12.90) served on a stairway to heaven, Tiger Prawns (S$14.90) strung up in a bouquet or even Quail Eggs (S$5.90) presented to you in a basket laid upon a labourer’s shoulders, there’s definitely something for everyone.

While it seems rather gimmicky at first, the quality of the ingredients and dishes served makes the presentation just the cherry on top.

If you’re ever in the area, or even if you’re not, we’d definitely recommend making a trip down just for them. After all, Sichuan-style hot pot doesn’t get much more legitimate than this.

Spice World HotPot
River Valley Road
Clarke Quay #01-06/07 3B
Singapore 179021
Sun to Thurs: 10.30am – 4am
Fri to Sun: 10.30am – 6am
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

Located in Yishun Town Square, newly-opened Qi Lai Feng specialises in fish pots, both dry and soup versions, as well as hot pot. The beauty in eating fish pots is that one gets to choose their preferred fish and here, they offer anything from their signature Q fish, dory to toman fish.

Having spent a great deal of time abroad and eating their way through China, the founders decided to bring it back here, after realising that many of popular hot pot restaurants in Singapore lacked the proper technique, the flair and the wide variety that authentic grilled fish dishes is supposed to have.

By marrying the authentic flavours and lip-smacking spices of Sichuan cuisine which take on a more fragrant complexity rather than being overly fiery, it is the restaurant’s distinctive fish pot flavours coupled with their use of fresh ingredients that allow this humble restaurant to resonate with diners.

Some of their notable fish pot flavours include their dry signature Spicy Fragrant Fish Pot, Jade Pepper Fish Pot and soup versions such as their Gold Soup Lemon Fish Pot and Tomato Vitamin C Fish Pot. Ensuring a flavour-packed dining experience that promises good value for exceptional food, Qi Lai Feng in Yishun is one that warrants a visit.

From now until 31 January 2019, our readers can enjoy 50% OFF for all fish pots only at Qi Lai Feng between Mondays to Fridays and 30% OFF on weekends.

COLLAGEN Q FISH RIBS

To kick-start your meal on a high note, a great option to consider is their flavourful, fried Collagen Q Fish Ribs (S$10++). For the uninitiated, Q fish is a very distinct species of fish commonly used in Chinese cuisine and is best known for its crunchy and bouncy texture, high amounts of collagen and a great source of protein and calcium.

The restaurant prides themselves on zero wastage and tries their utter best to use every part of the fish—a value we appreciate a lot. For this dish, the ribs of the Q fish, the ones used in their various fish pots, are kept, seasoned in an aromatic mix of spices and salt and deep-fried to golden perfection.

SPICED BEEF

A good, meat-forward appetiser that’s perfect for sharing is the Spiced Beef (S$10++). Cut thin and served alongside a vinegar-based sauce with garlic, the flavourful combination does well to perk up the taste buds and ease the appetite into the spicier dishes to come.

SPICY FRAGRANT Q FISH POT

A dish that boasts interesting textures, a fiery complexity and above all, a medley of flavours that’ll leave you sorely addicted is the Spicy Fragrant Q Fish Pot (S$49++ for small, S$69++ for large).

Utilising their signature Q fish that has a distinct bounciness, smooth texture and nutritious value, the dish involves a variety of dried chilli as well as their house-perfected chilli oil that is infused with over 30 different herbs and spices.

The cooking technique applied in this dish is unparalleled—and we were lucky enough to have a glimpse. Cooked dry, the fish is only wok-fried till about 70% doneness, after which, a piping-hot 200-degree ladle of their spiced oil is poured over the top to finish the dish. What this method does is that it activates the natural flavours of the fish and also tightens it up, giving it its signature chewy texture.

JADE PEPPER MULLET FISH

A dish that’s sure to get you perspiring—but in a good way—is the Jade Pepper Mullet Fish (S$49++ for small, S$69++ for large). Generously topped with fresh red and green chillies along with a sprinkling of sesame seeds, the dish indeed packed a lip-smacking punch.

The dish was spicy—as it should be—but the sensation was elevated with a fruity, fresh-tasting characteristic that was what clearly set it apart from its other mala counterparts. Paired with the robust, chewy texture of the mullet fish and the nuttiness of the sesame seeds, this dish is something worth trying.

MALA FISH POT

What’s Sichuan food without a chilli-laden centrepiece that’ll numb the tongue and blow your head right off? If you’re a fan of spice then the Mala Fish Pot (S$39++ for small, S$49++ for large) is sure to get your taste buds tingling.

Exuding a crimson red hue, this terror of a fish pot did intimidate us slightly, but contrary to our initial expectations, it was a lot more fragrant and flavourful than it was fiery. The broth has lots of flavourful depth and a distinct umami quality that makes reaching in for repeated spoonfuls difficult to resist.

GOLD SOUP LEMON FISH POT

An easy dish to fall in love with, the Gold Soup Lemon Fish Pot (S$39++ for small, S$49++ for large) ranks high, not just amongst their various soupy fish pots offered here, but among some of the best that we’ve ever tried.

This non-lethal fish hot pot option sees a bright yellow broth that’s accented with a zesty lemon flavour but is nicely balanced with numerous other spices as well, giving it a hearty, savoury flavour. Nuanced and fragrant, this dish tastes similar to Thai tom yam sans the fearsome spice.

TOMATO VITAMIN C FISH POT

Loaded with fresh, bright flavours with an added bonus of being rich in vitamins, the umami-dense Tomato Vitamin C Fish Pot (S$39++ for small, S$49++ for large) is a good, non-spicy option to consider if you’re not too keen on sweating buckets.

Rich in nutrients and vitamins, every sip of this broth will have you feeling a tad bit better about yourself but more importantly is the symphony of tangy, vibrant flavours that make this fish pot addictive.

Offering a limited but straightforward list of soup bases for their main Hot Pot—Mala Broth (S$10++) and Fresh Pork Bone Broth (S$8++)—Qi Lai Feng more than makes up for it with their sheer attention to flavour and seasoning. Both of the broths were hearty, adequately seasoned and boasted a deep flavour profile that is only achievable through the use of good ingredients and long periods of brewing.

Committed to serving food of exceptional quality, every raw ingredient—from their meats and seafood to even their noodle options—is prepared fresh upon order. Their meat offerings are a must and we absolutely adore that the paper-thin slices allow for more flavour to latch onto the meat better.

Hankering for some carbs? Skip the rice and go straight for their Three-Colour Noodles (S$5++). Made using different ingredients for each variety, these handfuls of delicious joy are sure to fill you up and give you a unique taste each.

If you’re hankering after some solid fish pots and hot pot, you should hurry down now, because from now until 31 January 2019, our readers can enjoy 50% OFF for all fish pots only at Qi Lai Feng between Mondays to Fridays and 30% OFF on weekends.

Qi Lai Feng
3 Northpoint Drive, #01-02
Yishun Town Square,
Singapore 768020
Tel: +65 6483 0100
Daily: 10.30am – 9.45pm
Nearest Station: Yishun

This post was brought to you by Qi Lai Feng. 

If you hold a 9-6 job, lunchtime is one of the most sacred hours of the day. We wouldn’t want to waste our precious lunch break searching for food, queuing up,waiting for the food to arrive, and to pay; in fact, time is priceless regardless of your work, life, time or day of the week.

Now with the YQueue app, you can simply Order-Pay-Collect [take-away/self-service], or Seat-Order-Pay [dine-in]—and gain those precious moments with good company, or just a much needed ‘me time’.

While it originally served the community in the university campus space, YQueue has since expanded, and now connects the ‘worker bees’ or neighbourhood crowd with their favourite bites.

From now until 12 October 2018, YQueue is offering a joint promotion where the highest spending customer wins a pair of Scoot vouchers worth S$1,000 on top of 25% discount off participating merchants! *Limited to the first 250 redemptions per participating merchant, do download the YQueue app now and order from the following curated merchants.

Starting from 13 October 2018, our readers can use our code “YQLIC” to enjoy 25% discount on all merchants in the app. This is limited to the first 200 orders. In the cart, simply use the promo code “YQLIC” before you place your order.

P.S. Follow YQueue on Facebook to find out more, and so that you won’t miss out on exciting stuff like the monthly giveaways to stand a chance to win a 49” LG TV in the month of October!

ICEBURG

Brought to you by Cream Palette, Iceburg fulfils all your greatest childhood fantasies of combining a warm fudgy cookie with a slab of ice cold cream, except even better. They pride themselves on premium ice cream made in-house, sandwiched between meringue like a burger, and believe us, this is worth having a cheat day for.

The results of the continuous effort and passion that goes into their craft is evident in the Iceburg experiences. From the perfect mix of chewy yet crispy macaron shell, to the fluffy interior and crispy exterior of the choux pastry, in contrast to the soft gooey cookies, all their creations brought you on an adventure of crunch, chew and creamy indulgences. Definitely a wonderful choice for a sweet finish to any meals, or just to have a happy snack!

8A Marina Blvd
#B2-79 Marina Bay Link Mall
Singapore 018984
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

SAMBAL TIME

Sambal Time offers kick-ass Nasi Lemak that’s not just delicious and healthy but also Halal-certified. While it might seem like plenty of places are jumping on the healthy-eating train (plus how can Nasi Lemak be healthy?), rest assured that this isn’t anything gimmicky, with nothing but pure dedication and research that goes into preparing the best Nasi Lemak for you.

Whether you prefer something closer to the original such as their Sambal Time Nasi Lemak, or a little variation such as the Hake Fish Nasi Lemak, or even a most guilt-free possible version of Vegetarian Nasi Lemak, gather your lunch kakis who love a good Nasi Lemak and order your Nasi Lemak lunch via YQueue.

6 Marina Blvd
#01-16 The Sail at Marina Bay
Singapore 018985
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 9.30am – 3.30pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

PHOTO CREDIT: STANDING SUSHI BAR

STANDING SUSHI BAR

A long-time favourite at Marina Bay Financial Centre, Standing Sushi Bar has been offering lunch and dinner sets without skimping on quality. They believe in only handmade sushi, fresh fish and healthy food- making it the perfect choice for a business luncheon or a dinner treat.

Despite the name, they serve more than just sushi (and also places to sit!). The menu selection at Standing Sushi Bar offers a wide variety of sashimi and sushi, and ranges from Japanese skewers to grilled items. If you’re a big fan of salmon, you’d definitely have to give their selection of seared salmon maki a try!

8A Marina Boulevard
#B2-51 Marina Bay Link Mall
Singapore 018984
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 9pm
Sat: 11.30am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

XYCD SICHUAN CUISINE

There’s so much more to Sichuan cuisine than just the usual mala hotpots, and here you can get authentic home-cooked styled Sichuan cuisine that’s less on the oil, more on the portions—just like how mum would have done it.

This little takeaway shop offers bowls and bento boxes that are packed with the best combination of sour pickled umami and salivating mouth-numbing spice, while being kind to more sensitive stomachs. With so many options available, it’ll take some time before you exhaust them all, and even then we’re sure you’re guaranteed to come back for more.

2 Marina Blvd
The Sail at Marina Bay #B1-08B
Singapore 018987
(Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Downtown

Convenience, 25% off, and $1,000 Scoot vouchers up for grab, this is well worth using YQueue. At the very least, gain more precious time for yourself and with your family & friends. Download YQueue now as 12 Oct is just around the corner, and take advantage of this while stocks last.

Starting from 13 October 2018, our readers can use our code “YQLIC” to enjoy25% discount on all merchants in the app. This is limited to the first 200 orders. In the cart, simply use the promo code “YQLIC” before you place your order.

This post is brought to you by YQueue.

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.