Friday, April 24, 2026

MODU High @ Amoy Street - Elevated Next Chapter of Singapore's first premium Samgyetang specialty restaurant, Bigger Menu and Bigger Space

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MODU, Singapore’s first premium Samgyetang speciality restaurant, has recently opened its latest outlet along Amoy Street, MODU High. Transforming the entire shophouse into a modern Hanok-inspired space, the new outlet offers a more intimate and spacious setting to enjoy its signature organic spring chicken Samgyetang, alongside an expanded menu featuring twelve distinct flavours.

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Appetisers 4/5

We were served the 2-Gather Set ($118), a curated sharing set for two. It includes a pot of tea, appetisers, two bowls of Samgyetang, a shareable plate, and a traditional dessert to round off the meal. To start, we were each served a trio of appetisers: Honey Marinated Garlic & Ginseng, Steamed Eggplant with Soy Vinegar Sauce, and Tomato Carpaccio with Balsamic Vinegar. The standout was the Honey Marinated Garlic & Ginseng, offering a distinctive interplay of sweet, bitter, and garlicky notes that lingered on the palate.

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Buckwheat Crepe Samhap 3/5

For the shareable plate, we chose the Buckwheat Crepe Samhap. This featured delicate buckwheat crepes, meant to wrap slices of grilled tofu and kimchi. Unfortunately, the crepes were disappointingly small and insufficient for the size of the tofu, which also leaned greasy. The saving grace here was the housemade kimchi, delivering a unique nutty and savoury depth.

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Wild Mushroom Samgyetang 4.5/5

Moving on to the stars of the meal, the Samgyetang bowls. We tried the Wild Mushroom ($38), a new addition to the menu, featuring the rare and hence highly prized uncultivated neungi mushrooms. While the broth itself did not fully capture the mushrooms’ essence, biting into the chewy, dark-fleshed mushrooms released an intense, woody flavour that added depth to the Samgyetang. As for the halal-certified organic spring chicken, it impressed with its tenderness and, more importantly, its clean, natural flavour. A simple dip into the accompanying pepper salt was more than sufficient to bring out its qualities.

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Perilla Seed Samgyetang 4.5/5

The Perilla Seed Samgyetang ($38), one of the two creamy variations, offered a completely different expression of Samgyetang. Rich and aromatic, it carried notes reminiscent of soybean and tahini. The experience evolved as we topped it up midway with the free-flow herbal broth, which lightened the richness while introducing more herbal complexity.

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Dessert 4/5

Ending the meal on a comforting note was a traditional Korean Honey Cookie, paired with a mellow, gently sweet housemade Jujube and Cinnamon Punch.

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Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


MODU High
96 Amoy Street
Singapore 069916
Tel: +65 8035 7883
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 1130am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 1130am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Amoy Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk down Telok Ayer Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 8 minutes. [Map]

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Longjing (绿茶餐厅) @ Novena Square - Elegant Zhejiang Flavours in a Serene Bamboo-Inspired Setting

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Following its successful debut at Suntec City, where snaking queues became a daily sight, Longjing (绿茶) has expanded with a new outlet at Novena Square. Hailing from Hangzhou, the brand spotlights Zhejiang (Jiangnan) cuisine, known for its light, refined, and produce-forward approach in contrast to the bolder, spice-laden profiles of other Chinese regional cuisines.

Stepping into the Novena space, diners are greeted by a serene bamboo-themed interior, an evolution of the brand’s signature “water town” aesthetic. Glowing lanterns, hand-painted murals, and wooden accents come together to evoke the poetic charm of Jiangnan’s misty waterways, offering a tranquil dining atmosphere that complements the cuisine’s understated elegance.

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Vermicelli Wrapped Shrimps 4.2/5

We began with the Vermicelli Wrapped Shrimps ($18.80). Presented on a sizzling hotplate, the dish is theatrically finished tableside with a drizzle of sauce that releases an aromatic burst. The prawns are succulent and bouncy, while the vermicelli acts as a sponge, soaking up the umami-laden seafood juices, garlic, and fragrant oil. Despite its robust flavours, the dish remains balanced and not overly salty, staying true to the restrained seasoning typical of Zhejiang cooking.

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Chive and Shrimp Crispy Pancake 3.5/5

The Chive and Shrimp Crispy Pancake ($8.80) offers a contrast in texture. Its thin, golden-brown wrapper shatters upon bite, delivering a brittle crispness with a surprisingly light, non-greasy finish. Within, a fragrant filling of chopped Chinese chives and shrimp provides a punchy, garlicky aroma balanced by the seafood’s natural sweetness.

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Double Boiled Black Chicken Soup with Bamboo Fungus 4/5

For something comforting, the Double Boiled Black Chicken Soup with Bamboo Fungus ($7.80) delivers a nourishing, restorative quality. The broth is clear and delicate, with a natural sweetness drawn from hours of double boiling. The bamboo fungus lends an interesting textural dimension, spongy yet gently crispy, absorbing the broth while adding a subtle bite.

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Stir-fried Chinese Chive 4/5

Vegetable dishes are handled with equal finesse. The Stir-fried Chinese Chive ($11.80) showcases commendable wok hei, lending a smoky aroma that enhances the chives’ inherent garlicky sharpness. Flash-fried to retain their vibrant green hue and slight crunch, the young chives are tender and aromatic without turning fibrous.

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Hangzhou Eggplant with Sweet Peppers 4/5

Equally satisfying is the Hangzhou Eggplant with Sweet Peppers ($9.80). Unlike its oilier Sichuan counterparts, this rendition is lighter and more refined. The eggplant is braised to a silky, melt-in-the-mouth consistency, while sweet peppers introduce a gentle brightness and colour contrast without overpowering the dish.

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Longjin Roast Chicken 4.2/5

Among the meat offerings, the Longjing Roast Chicken ($23.80) stands out. Subtly infused with tea aroma, the dish carries a clean, fragrant finish that balances the richness of the roasted fat. The chicken is tender and juicy, encased in a paper-thin, golden skin that crackles lightly upon bite while remaining surprisingly lean.

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Fiery Ribs 4.2/5

For those seeking bolder flavours, the Fiery Ribs ($23.80) offer a punchier profile. The ribs boast a crisp exterior and tender, fall-off-the-bone interior, coated in a dry-rub seasoning of dried chillies, garlic, and peppercorns. The heat is fragrant and mildly numbing, reminiscent of mala but less oily and more restrained, making it accessible yet satisfying.

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Claypot Rice with Egg, Smoked Pork, Mushroom, and Choy Sum 4.2/5

The Claypot Rice with Egg, Smoked Pork, Mushroom, and Choy Sum ($15.80) rounds off the savoury selections. Cooked traditionally in a claypot, the rice develops a prized scorched crust (guoba) along the base, delivering a smoky crunch that contrasts with the fluffy grains above. Compared to the darker, soy-heavy Cantonese versions, this rendition is cleaner yet still deeply savoury.

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Leifeng Pagoda 3.8/5

On a lighter note, the Leifeng Pagoda ($4.80) is a visually appealing dessert inspired by the iconic Pagoda. The silky milk-based pudding is gently sweetened, allowing its creamy, milky fragrance to shine. With its delicate wobble and melt-in-the-mouth texture, it provides a refreshing and elegant conclusion to the meal.

Overall, Longjing’s Novena outlet continues to impress with its thoughtful execution of Zhejiang cuisine — a cuisine that celebrates subtlety, balance, and natural flavours. Coupled with its immersive ambience, it offers a dining experience that feels both transportive and comforting, bringing a slice of Jiangnan’s poetic charm to Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Longjing (绿茶餐厅)
Velocity @ Novena Square
238 Thomson Road
#03-09/10
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 6348 4476
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Website
Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 2pm, 5pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]