Showing posts with label Dan Dan Mian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dan Dan Mian. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen And Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao Offer Plant-based Meat Dishes

CrystalJadePlantBased5

With customers' growing preference for plant-based dining, Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen, Crystal Jade Jiang Nan and Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao has put together a selection of meat-free dishes, prepared with plant-based meats' brands OmniMeat, Beyond Meat and Heura.

CrystalJadePlantBased2
Shredded Heura Chicken Salad in Szechuan Style 4/5

We start with the Shredded Heura Chicken Salad in Szechuan Style ($8.80) from Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Jiang Nan. The julienne carrots, cucumbers and red cabbage were served chilled, giving the salad a refreshing and crunchy finishing. I did feel celebratory when pouring the sauce and giving it a good toss before eating, and it somewhat reminds me of Lo Hei.

CrystalJadePlantBased24
Ma Po Beancurd with Minced OmniMeat 4.2/5

I have to applaud the team for the Ma Po Beancurd with Minced OmniMeat ($14.80) rendition. It is not a blind tasting, and I already could not tell the difference between real and plant-based meat. This delicious plant-based mapo tofu dish is available at Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Jiang Nan.

CrystalJadePlantBased29
Signature Dan Dan La Mian with Minced OmniMeat 4/5

Using OmniMeat, customers can relish in a piping hot bowl of Signature Dan Dan La Mian with Minced OmniMeat ($11.80), crowned with a luscious and delicately spiced minced OmniMeat gravy.

CrystalJadePlantBased7
Steamed Crystal Dumpling with Preserved Olives and OmniMeat 4/5

Dim Sum lovers can tuck into a number of plant-based meat creations at Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen, such as the Steamed Crystal Dumpling with Preserved Olives and OmniMeat ($6.30 for 3pc). A clever creation with the use of preserved olives to accentuate the flavour of the OmniMeat.

CrystalJadePlantBased11
Deep-fried Spring Roll 4.2/5

Another crispy addition to plant-based meat dim sum item is the Deep-fried Spring Roll ($6.80 for 3pc) wrapped with stem chives and minced Beyond beef, served with truffle mayonnaise.

CrystalJadePlantBased16
Sweet & Sour Heura Chicken with Assorted Fresh Fruits 3.8/5

On top of the dim sum items, Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen has also introduced several plant-based ala carte dishes in its menu. For example, sweet and sour pork, a classic dish in almost every Chinese restaurant, is given a new form with the Sweet & Sour Heura Chicken with Assorted Fresh Fruits ($16.80). Generous golden-brown deep-fried Heura chicken pieces are cloaked in a tantalising sweet and sour sauce with fresh-cut fruits such as guava, apple, and pineapple.

CrystalJadePlantBased26
Handmade OmniMeat Ball Congee 4.2/5

Last but not least, we round up our plant-based dinner with a bowl of hearty and comforting Handmade OmniMeat Ball Congee ($9.80 per portion) with preserved vegetables and shredded mushrooms. I noticed the use of preserved vegetables in a couple of plant-based dishes. It seems like it is a vital ingredient to elevate the taste of plant-based meats in Chinese cuisine.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
Crystal Jade Jiang Nan
Facebook
Website

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Chen Mapo Tofu @ Star Vista - Michelin Bib Gourmand Eatery Chen’s Mapo Tofu Opens 2nd Outlet

ChenMapoTofu4

Chen's Mapo Tofu, the affordable sister concept of Chen Kentaro's two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Shisen Hanten opens its second outlet at Star Vista in the West. Chen's Mapo Tofu, with its first outlet at OUE Downtown Gallery, is known for its fuss-free dining option offering a unique fusion of Szechuan cuisine with Japanese influences.

ChenMapoTofu26
Spicy Szechwan Dumpling 3/5, Szechwan Popcorn Chicken 4/5, Banbanji Chicken 4/5

Before moving to the mains, I started with some sides to whet up the appetite. I tried their Spicy Szechwan Dumpling ($5), Szechwan Popcorn Chicken ($5), and Banbanji Chicken ($4). I enjoyed the Szechwan Popcorn Chicken for its addictive crispiness and Banbanji Chicken for the delectable peanut sauce. As for the Szechwan Dumpling, I felt the sauce is not fragrant enough.

ChenMapoTofu34
Mapo Don 4.5/5

One of Chef Chen Kentaro signature dishes at his two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Shisen Hanten is his mapo tofu. It is great to know that you can savour the same recipe in the Mapo Don ($10.80) at Chen's Mapo Tofu. I like the mapo tofu here for the Dou Ban Jiang (broad bean paste) sauce packed with depth, coupled with minced meat in the sauce. It enlivens the whole enjoyment.

ChenMapoTofu36
Dan Dan Mien 4.2/5

I had the dry version of the Dan Dan Mien when I visited the OUE Downtown Gallery outlet. I didn't enjoy it back then. However, I enjoyed the soup version of the Dan Dan Mien ($11.80). The sweet and nutty peanut sauce complement the noodle excellently for a slurping good time.

Diners can also go for the Signature Combo ($14), which you get to try both the mapo don and dan dan mien but half portion.

ChenMapoTofu19
Kurozu Buta Don 4.2/5

A new dish on the menu is the Kurozu Buta Don ($15.30). The kurozu vinegar pork is crispy and chunky served on top steaming, fragrant rice with green and red capsicum.

ChenMapoTofu21
Kaisen Katayaki 4/5

Another new item on the menu is the Kaisen Katayaki ($15.50). It will be familiar to Singapore palate, similar to the local zichar crispy noodle dish. Chen's Mapo Tofu's version comprises stir-fried seafood and vegetables with a rich gravy on crispy fried noodles. 

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Chen's Mapo Tofu 
Star Vista
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-08
Singapore 138617
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit A or C. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Monday, July 3, 2017

Chen's Mapo Tofu @ OUE Downtown Gallery - Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl By Michelin Starred Chef From Shisen Hanten

ChenMapoTofu1

If you find it too expensive to dine at Michelin 2-Star restaurant Shisen Hanten by Chef Chen Kentaro at Mandarin Orchard, you will be glad to know that he has opened an offshoot called Chen's Mapo Tofu offering casual dining priced dishes at OUE Downtown Gallery.

ChenMapoTofu10
Mapo Don 4.8/5

A dish I have heard so much about is Chef Chen's signature Mapo Tofu. I am glad that I can finally try his rendition at Chen's Mapo Tofu at a very affordable price. Jumping on the wagon of rice bowls, the Mapo Don ($8.80) comes in huge plate topped with the signature mapo tofu. Sichuan cuisine is usually known for its spiciness but this is quite subtle without the mala.  The highlight for me is actually the Dou Ban Jiang (broad bean paste) sauce that is packed with depth, it complemented the silky tofu excellently.

ChenMapoTofu6
Chen's Signature Mapo Tofu 4.8/5

I am glad that I made the decision to order an extra bowl of the Chen's Signature Mapo Tofu ($6). We could not get enough of the delicious mapo tofu.

ChenMapoTofu20
Nasu Don 4.2/5

The other rice bowl we tried is the Nasu Don ($10.80) which is non spicy. The eggplant is cut into cubes and covered in a generous serving of minced meat sauce. While the sauce is not as robust as the mapo tofu, it is still a hearty and comforting rice bowl for a satisfying meal.

ChenMapoTofu19
Braised Pork Belly 3/5

Besides the rice bowls, we also ordered the Braised Pork Belly ($3 each) to try. While the pork belly is braised and cooked to a nice fork tender, we thought this is rather pedestrian. Nothing much to shout about.

ChenMapoTofu16
Dan Dan Mian Dry 3.8/5

Last but not least we had the Dan Dan Mian Dry ($8.80). I felt that the noodle was a bit dry and lumpy. We need to pour some soup into it to separate the noodles. Taste wise it was a bit foreign to me. I still need time to appreciate the sweet and nutty peanut sauce.

Overall, I think that Chen's Mapo Tofu will be a hit. The concept of rice bowls and the affordable pricing fits the bill perfectly for the office crowd in the CBD area.


Chen's Mapo Tofu
OUE Downtown Gallery
Downtown Tower 2
6A Shenton Way
#02-29
Singapore 068809
Tel: +65 62213206
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pager MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to traffic light junction. Cross the traffic light to Maxwell Road. Turn right and walk towards Shenton Way. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]