Royal China @ Raffles Hotel

Every year for my parents birthday, our family will brainstorm for a restaurant to bring the old folks to celebrate their birthday. My mother's birthday falls in May this month and my youngest sister suggested going for dim sum since the 2 old folks have not been to one. Instantly I suggested Royal China as I have always wanted to try after reading good reviews of their dim sum.

Steamed Chicken Claws in Spicy Sauce 4/5

The Steamed Chicken Claws ($3.50) or some called it phoenix claws is a must order for me whenever I go for dim sum. Some people are disgust with the sight but for me this is the such a delicacy. The spicy sauce gave the chicken claws another lift in flavours which I thought was just right and suit the local taste buds.

Steamed Prawn Dumpling 4.8/5

This is probably the BEST Steamed Prawn Dumpling ($4.80) or Har Gaos, I ever had. The freshness and crunchiness of the prawn just simply blown me away. I felt like I was just eating the prawn itself without the thin translucent skin wrapped around it. You can see how thin the skin was, it looked like the prawn is trying to break free from it.

Steamed Minced Pork Dumpling with Wolfberry 4.8/5

I have known of friends who don't eat Siew Mai or Steam Minced Pork Dumpling ($4.80) because of the portion of minced meat in it and that porky taste. Interestingly the siew mai was constructed with minced meat sandwiched in between 2 fresh prawns. The minced meat portion was lesser and I enjoyed their version as it has more flavours and contrasting textures.

Seafood Congee 4.2/5

The smooth and silky Seafood Congee ($8.50) will definitely warm your stomach for more of the delicious dim sum. I really think that Royal China is very generous with the used of prawns. Look at the huge prawn I fish out from my bowl.

Steamed Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf 4/5

The Steamed Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf ($4.80) came in small portion of 2. The glutinuous rice was infused with the lovely lotus leaf fragrant. The savoury filling with its well marinated ingredients beautifully complements the glutinous rice.

Roast Pork 4.5/5

The waitress has been trying very hard recommending me dishes in the ala carte menu and I just have to give in after her persistent effort. The Roast Pork ($12) with its crisp crackling skin and tender moist meat was so beautiful that I have to resist ordering another plate.

Barbecued Pork Bun 4.2/5

The Barbecued Pork Bun ($3.60) or Cha Siu Bao with its slightly dense but fine soft bread gets my thumb up. Encased in the bun was tender and sweet barbecued pork fillings. In typical Yum Cha style, the best way to enjoy the bun is 一口包子一口茶 (a bite of the bun and a sip of tea).

Steamed Custard Bun with Salted Egg Yolk 4/5

The pillow like soft dough texture of the Steamed Custard Bun ($4) was like eating marshmallow. This is a modern dim sum dish that is a popular with the younger generation. The excitement of tearing the dough apart and seeing the flowing custard lava. I personally was a bit disappointed with the custard as it lacked the dense salted egg yolk taste.

Steamed Layer Cake with Salted Egg Yolk

If you love salted egg yolk stuff, the Steamed Layer Cake with Salted Egg Yolk ($4) is something uniquely Royal China. I have not seen it elsewhere. It felt like eating bread with kaya. It was light and fluffy. A very interesting and enjoyable dish.

Barbecued Pork Cheung Fun 4.5/5

Prawns Cheung Fun 4.5/5

Fried Prawns Cheung Fun 4.5/5

The MUST TRY at Royal China will be their Cheung Fun. The freshly made, soft, smooth and silky rice roll melted in the mouth. With the generous fillings and light soy sauce, you just can't stop having more. The table really enjoyed them that we ordered another round for all. We tried the Barbecued Pork Cheung Fun ($4.80), Fresh Prawn Cheung Fun ($4.80) and Fried Prawn Cheung Fun ($4.80).

Fried Carrot Cake 4/5

The Fried Carrot Cake ($4) was nicely done with charred crisp on the outside and retaining the moist in the inside.

Baked Barbecued Pork Puff 4.2/5

Another version of the steamed barbecued pork bun is the Baked Barbecued Pork Puff ($4). The light and flaky pastry has a sweet tingling taste and topped with the fragrant sesame seeds, every bite into it was fully packed with flavours.

Deep Fried Prawn Dumpling 4.2/5

I am not lying when I said Royal China is very generous in the used of prawns. Look at how huge the Deep Fried Prawn Dumpling ($4.80) were. The huge prawn was bursting with natural sweetness and freshness.


Royal China

Raffles Hotel

1 Beach Road

#03-09

Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 63383363

Website: http://www.raffles.com/singapore/restaurants-and-bars/royal-china-at-raffles/

Nearest MRT: City Hall (NS Line, EW Line), Bras Basah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Sun & PH: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:

1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across Raffles City Shopping Centre. Walk towards Bras Basah road and across road to Raffles Hotel. Journey time about 5 minutes.

2) Alight at Bras Basah MRT station. Take Exit to Bras Basah Road. Walk down Bras Basah Road towards Carlton Hotel. At the junction of Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road, across the road to Raffles Hotel. Journey time about 10 minutes.