Qiu Jin Xiao Chao 秋金小炒 @ Harbourfront Centre - Bringing Authentic and Affordable Sichuan Set Menus to Singapore with 28 Years of Experience

After 28 years of experience serving up Sichuan cuisine in China, Qiu Jin Xiao Chao 秋金小炒 has now stepped into Singapore with its first overseas outlet here in Harbourfront Centre. It specialises in local family-style Sichuan dishes that are served in bigger portions at a more affordable price tag.

The eatery offers a more casual dining setting with an a la carte menu and various types of set meals that fit different group sizes. These include Single Meals, Couple Meals, Family Meals and Deluxe Family Set meals. Generally, the dishes here are more heavily seasoned.

Sichuan Pepper Fried Chicken 4/5

Served on a huge oriental metal plate, the Sichuan Pepper Fried Chicken ($16.80) boasted a copious amount of dried chilli and fried chicken bites mixed in.

My dining companion and I appreciated how the chicken bites were not as bony but would have also preferred it to be more crunchy and less oily. The heat in this was manageable, at about medium spice level.

Mapo Tofu 4.2/5

The standout dish of the night for us was the Mapo Tofu ($8.80). Its addictive spicy bean sauce and chilli-based gravy are heavily seasoned but were surprisingly not as spicy as they looked. This was great to pair with white rice, and the portion of gravy with soft tofu cubes was also more than sufficient to share in a group. If you eat beef, check out the Wagyu Mapo Tofu - we heard it is one of their best-selling dishes!

Fried Diced Chicken with Corn 3/5

The Fried Diced Chicken with Corn ($12.80) paled in comparison to the other dishes with a lightly savoury mix of chicken cubes and corn. I recommend skipping it and trying the other dishes.

Sour & Spicy Pickled Fish 4/5

Another dish we enjoyed was the Sour & Spicy Pickled Fish ($24.80). Albeit a little oily, it had a well-balanced broth in its spicy and tangy flavours. The slices of fish were thick and tender.

Wuchang Rice

I appreciate the quality of the rice at Qiu Jin Xiao Chao. We learnt that the restaurant only uses premium Wuchang Rice which has been known to be more fragrant. They elevate that further by using bottled spring water from Nong Fu Spring and serving each day's rice with a different type of vegetable mixed in. On the day of our visit, they were serving carrot rice!

Overall, we found Qiu Jin Xiao Chao a good spot for group meal gatherings which offers satisfying quality dishes that would not break the bank.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Qiu Jin Xiao Chao 秋金小炒
Harbourfront Centre
#01-45/46
1 Maritime Square
Singapore 099253
Tel: +65 9172 8296
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

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

Tonkatsu ENbiton @ Vivocity - First Ever Yuzu Pork Tonkatsu Restaurant

EN Group has made a remarkable debut in Singapore's culinary scene with the launch of VivoCity's first-ever "yuzu pork" tonkatsu restaurant - Tonkatsu ENbiton. This 46-seater restaurant showcases the unique utilization of yuzu-infused pork sourced from Kagoshima. The pigs are thoughtfully fed with local yuzu as part of their regular diet, resulting in a nutritious pork rich in vitamin C, pectin and citric acid, which holds a higher melting point of fat.

Ume Shiso Hiyayakko

We started with the Ume Shiso Hiyayakko ($5), a delightful arrangement of silky-smooth cold tofu crowned with pickles. The combination provided a clean and invigorating taste, with the tangy zest from the pickles perfectly elevating the flavour profile.

Suntory The Premium Malt’s Pilsner Beer

Given the sweltering weather, we sought solace in a glass of Suntory The Premium Malt's Pilsner Beer to quench our thirst and complement the forthcoming deep-fried tonkatsu selections.

Oroshi Yuzu Rosu Katsu Set 3.8/5

Our attention then turned to the Oroshi Yuzu Rosu Katsu Set (S$24), which showcased the pinnacle of deep-fried excellence. The crispy and succulent yuzu-infused pork loin katsu was accompanied by grated yuzu ponzu daikon, Japanese white rice, cabbage and arugula, pickles, and tonjiru (pork miso soup). The refreshing touch of radish helped cleanse the palate after indulging in the rich, deep-fried delights. While the pork exhibited juiciness, we found it to be lacking in robust porky flavour. However, it's worth mentioning that the rice and cabbage offerings were delightfully free-flow.

Miyazaki Gyukatsu 3.8/5

For those seeking a touch of luxury, the A4/A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Katsu ($39) served with a hot stone grill captured our attention. Adorned with a light coat of crispy panko, this gyukatsu experience allowed diners to grill the wagyu to their desired doneness on the teppan hot stone. While Miyazaki is renowned for its high-quality wagyu, its premium quality didn't shine through in texture and flavour. While it may originate from Miyazaki, it likely wasn't from the top-tier cuts. Additionally, it's important to note that this option is limited to one order per person.

Miyazaki Wagyu Katsu Sando 3.5/5

Lastly, we encountered what could be described as one of the most visually unappealing sando. The chunky presentation made it challenging to bite into, even though it featured the same A4/A5 Miyazaki Wagyu ($37) as the previous gyukatsu dish. Nonetheless, the meat retained its succulence, potentially due to the utilization of a thicker cut.

Despite our observations regarding the premium quality of the cuts, it's undeniable that the dining experience offered excellent value for money.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tonkatsu ENbiton
Vivocity
1 HarbourFront Walk
#B2-27/27A
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 62648633
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

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

MIYOSHI by Fat Cow (三好) @ Mess Hall at Sentosa - Three Japanese Cuisine (Ramen, Teppanyaki and Omakase) Under One Roof

MIYOSHI by Fat Cow is a modern concept by fine Japanese restaurant Fat Cow. Miyoshi or 三好 in kanji means 'three graces' whereby diners are invited to a new modern way of savouring Japanese cuisine through three Japanese dining experiences - Ramen, Teppanyaki and Omakase under one roof in a beautiful colonial-style conservation building on the balmy island of Sentosa.

Zensai

We had the Teppan-Kaisei Set Dinner ($280++), starting with the Zensai comprising Umami Dashi Marinated Garlic Chives with Dried Bonito, Steamed Egg Custard with White Truffle Sauce served with Minced Wagyu Ankake Sauce, and Wagyu Kinome Yaki, a delectable trio of appetisers to kickstart the 11-course set dinner.

Fresh Spring Rolls

Wagyu Tartare

Next are the Fresh Spring Rolls and Wagyu Tartare. The light and refreshing spring roll is wrapped with raw amaebi prawn, cream cheese, and kaiware. The hand-chopped wagyu tartare is richer in flavour, tossed with purple shallots, nori, gochujang, and yakiniku sauce, bursting with textures and flavours.

Wagyu Sawani-wan

A favourite of the set course dinner is the Wagyu Sawani-wan. Sliced A4 Miyazaki A4 Wagyu is rolled with strips of shiitake mushrooms, carrots and leeks, then grilled on the teppan. It is served in a bonito soup that freshens up the enjoyment of the quality beef.

Straw Smoked Hokkaido Scallops

The plump and sweet Straw Smoked Hokkaido Scallops are grilled on the teppanyaki before smoking with straw and served with a generous spoonful of caviar.

Uni Soba

Next is the Uni Soba, whereby the Japanese buckwheat noodles are tossed in a soba sauce and served with nikumiso. It is further topped with bafun uni, deep-fried burdock chip, spring onions and red shiso. It is a delectable dish, but I was expecting more.

Yuzu Butter Madai

Another seafood item on the menu is the Yuzu Butter Madai paired with grilled Maitake mushroom and shishito pepper. The sea bream is grilled on teppan and glazed with yuzu saikyo miso sauce for a sweet, savoury and citrusy finish.

Steamed Abalone

The Korean abalone is first covered in konbu, blanketed in sea salt, and steamed-baked on the teppan. The Steamed Abalone paired with green asparagus is finished with saikyo miso sauce, giving the tender and bouncy abalone a delightful umami and mild sweetness.

Teppan Style Sukiyaki

The best dish for the night goes to the Teppan Style Sukiyaki. The thinly sliced wagyu is mixed with a housemade sukiyaki broth that is both rich and delicate, enriched with a Japanese egg yolk. It is further complemented with shaved truffle to enhance the lovely beefy flavour of the premium beef cut.

Wagyu Tenderloin A4

The Satsuma A4 Tenderloin has a substantial bite compare to the sukiyaki. It is seasoned with salt and black pepper, and grilled on teppan, allowing the full appreciation of the beautiful red meat.

Signature Garlic Rice

The last savoury course is freshly cooked Hokkaido Nanatsuboshi Japanese Garlic Rice, stir-fried on the teppan with vegetable oil, butter, garlic, salt and black pepper to ensure we are filled. It is served with aka miso soup and Japanese pickles to complete the rice course.

Black Sesame Tofu

Last but not least, we have the Black Sesame Tofu made with black sesame paste, tapioca powder and water, then simmered and cooled to set. It is served together with seasonal fruits and yuzu ice cream.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


MIYOSHI by Fat Cow
Mess Hall at Sentosa
2 Gunner Lane
#01-04/05/06
Singapore 099567
Tel: +65 60190089
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch
Wed-Fri: 12pm - 3pm
Sat-Sun: 1130am - 3pm
Dinner
Wed, Thu & Sun: 6pm - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 6pm - 1030pm

Teppan-Kaiseki Experiences
Lunch seating at 1215pm
Dinner seating at 645pm

Sushi Omakase Experience
Dinner seating only at 645pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Exit station to Vivocity Shopping Mall. Go to Sentosa Express Station at Level 3 of Vivocity. Take Sentosa Express Train to Imbiah station. Alight at Imbiah station and walk to destination. Journey time about 15 mins. [Map]

Tajimaya Yakiniku @ Vivocity - Unveils A Fresh New Concept With A Revamped Menu

Tajimaya Yakiniku has recently unveiled its newly revamped outlet at Vivocity, housing three different concepts within an elegantly designed space - Tajimaya Yakiniku, Suki-Ya KIN and MASH Whisky Bar. Tajimaya establishes itself as the purveyor of authentic Japanese Yakiniku meats. With the new a la carte and set menu, more premium and exclusive Yakiniku meats are now available. The restaurant is also completed with a Japanese high-performance "smokeless" grill exhaust system, allowing you to savour what's sizzling in front of you in great comfort.

The menu offers prime Waygu beef from Kagoshima and Miyazaki and Japanese Kurobuta pork in both set and a la carte options. We tried the Tajimaya A5 Kagoshima Karubi Set ($238.80 for 2pax). The Set Menu comes with House Salad, San Chu, Sashimi (Daily Selection)/Tempura, Chawanmushi, Miso Soup, and Garlic Fried Rice.

The platter includes A5 Kagoshima Nami Karubi Boneless Short Ribs, A5 Kagoshima Sankaku Bara Chuck Short Ribs, A5 Kagoshima Sasabara Flank, A5 Kagoshima Kainomi Flap, and A5 Kagoshima Nakaochi Karubi Ribs Finger.

All the cuts were tantalising, with beautiful marbled meats. My favourite cut is the Nami Karubi Boneless Short Ribs being the most well-balanced cut of fats and meat. They were scrumptious on their own, with or without the dipping sauces. The accompanying three sauces have different taste profiles to complement the meats - savory shoyu, garlicky miso and tare.

Cut into cubes, Nakaochi Karubi Ribs Finger gave an enjoyable bite, and I love it with the morish aromatic garlic fried rice that comes with an equally delectable chewy texture.

Another favourite is the Kainomi Flap, a small but extremely flavoursome part of the rib area.

If you wish to try a mix of Beef and Pork, there's the Yakiniku Platter Set for ($228.80 for 2 pax). The assortment of meats is served in traditional Japanese ware, featuring A5 Miyazaki Striploin, A5 Kagoshima Sasabara Flank, A5 Miyazaki Rib Rosu Shin Ribeye, A5 Miyazaki Nami Karubi Boneless Short Ribs, A5 Kagoshima Nakaochi Karubi Ribs Finger, A5 Kagoshima Misuji Top Blade, A5 Kagoshima Chuck Flap Zabuton, Japanese Kurobuta Pork Belly and Japanese Kurobuta Pork Collar.

Each set comes with a sake pairing recommendation to complete your experience. Seafood and other Japanese dishes are also available to complement your dining experience. This outlet also offers two private rooms for cosier dining experiences or special occasions.

Words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tajimaya Yakiniku
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#01-102/103
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 63770070
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun, Eve of PH and PH: 1130am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Pizzakaya @ Vivocity - New Pizza Concept Restaurant by Japan Food Holding Group

Located within Vivovity, Pizzakaya specialises in Western-Japanese fusion dishes, focusing on pizzas. The menu features multiple 10" hand-stretched Japanese-style pizza variations with different toppings piled atop, such as Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki. The unique pizza pairings seemed bizarre in this Western-Japanese fusion attempt, but was it worth the venture?

Takoyaki Pizza 3/5

Among the pizzas that stood out most to us in terms of novelty was the Takoyaki Pizza ($19.80). The pizza crust was decent, churned out from impressive brick ovens in the kitchen. The edges are puffy and lightly blistered, with a chewy thin crust slathered with homemade sauce. What lies atop are multiple soft battered octopus balls. However, eating the pizza itself posed a challenge. The pizza can't be picked up without the Takoyaki balls rolling off the slice. The savouriness and carb-on-carb combination also felt one-dimensional in taste and got cloying halfway through.

Chicken Teriyaki Pizza 3/5

We tried the Chicken Teriyaki Pizza ($19.80), another novelty pizza flavour. It came with a mountain of chicken teriyaki strips, omelette and cabbage in the centre. Unfortunately, the sauce used for the okonomiyaki caused the pizza centre to be soggy, turning the consumption into an even messier affair. The teriyaki chicken strips were also dry and not as tender as we would have liked. In short, we felt that the flavour pairing of okonomiyaki and pizza doesn't go well together.

Saute Spicy Garlic Prawn Spaghetti 3.5/5

We also tried other dishes that they offer on the menu. The Saute Spicy Garlic Prawn Spaghetti ($19.80) was a saving grace from the pizzas, with al dente pasta with a subtle kick of spice topped with well-cooked prawns.

Chicken Katsu Curry Rice 3/5

The Chicken Katsu Curry Rice ($16.80) features slices of chicken katsu atop rice, slathered in Japanese curry. While I enjoyed the crispy and tender chicken katsu, the curry lacked taste and felt a tad watered down.

Japanese Yuzu Sparkling Soda 4/5, Berry Grape Fizz 4/5

Their signature drinks, Japanese Yuzu Sparkling Soda ($8) and Berry Grape Fizz ($8) were refreshing and delicious. It was good to wash down the intensely savoury pizza we had.

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food, and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Pizzakaya
Vivo City Singapore
1 Harbourtfront Walk
#01-157
Singappore 098585
Tel: +65 62249690
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Western Mahua (西部马华) @ Vivocity - Delicious Handmade Lanzhou La Mian, Pulled And Cooked On The Spot

Recently I have seen a number of Western Mahua (西部马华) restaurants, specialising in Lanzhou La Mian, popping up in different areas in Singapore. They have three outlets now at Vivocity, PLQ and Holland Village. I always go to the outlet at Vivocity, which is nearer to my home. Surprisingly, after my first try of its noodle, I am a convert and have been going back a few times.

Signature Sliced Beef "La Mian" with Superior Bone Soup 4/5

I usually had the Signature Sliced Beef "La Mian" with Superior Bone Soup ($9.80/$11.80). The clear bone soup is boiled for six hours resulting in a light yet robust soup base, complementing the handmade noodles. The Vivocity outlet I usually go to has the full view of the chef making and cooking the noodles from scratch upon receiving your order.

An interesting fact is you can choose the wide of the noodles. There are nine different choices from 1mm to 50mm. We have the 2mm (普通细) and 15mm (中宽). My preference is the 15mm texture. It is broader and has more bite, giving it a more textural enjoyment than the thinner noodle.

Pickled Chicken Soup Chicken/Beef La Mian 3.8/5

Another variety on the menu is the Pickled Chicken Soup La Mian ($11.80). You can choose either to have chicken or beef for the protein. The soup is light and appetising, packed with a sourish profile from the pickled Chinese mustard with a hint of spiciness.

Braised Beef in Pita 3.5/5

Besides the noodles, there are other items on the menu, such as the Braised Beef in Pita ($6/pc) and Lamb Skewer ($3.80/pc). I felt the pita bread was a bit dry. I prefer it to be more fluffy. The saving grace is that the braised beef stuffing was well-marinated with a lovely aroma from the spices. I also applauded that it has a good mix of fatty cuts, so it is not dry. If you like lamb, then the lamb skewer rubbed and grilled in aromatic spices is a must-order.

Lamb Skewer 4.2/5

Tell you a tip. If you dine at Western Mahua outlet at Vivocity, you can also order from the menu from Ali Jiang, the sister restaurant beside the noodle restaurant.


Western Mahua (西部马华)
Vivocity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#03-11
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 62524979
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Harbourfront MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to the top floor of the shopping mall. The restaurant is located at the sky park area. Journey time about 5 minutes [Map]