Fu Xiao Xian (抚小鲜) @ Bugis Junction - $12.80 Customisable Individual Fish Set Meals Available with 5 Different Soup Bases

Fu Xiao Xian (抚小鲜) opened its doors in Bugis last year, offering diners their speciality of Yunnan-style cooking and pressure-steamed fish. The restaurant prides itself on not using any MSG, preservatives, additives, or artificial flavours.

Their signature dishes, such as the Paper Wrapped Fish and Fish Hotpots, are more suitable for group sharing, but the new Individual Fish Set Meals ($12.80) would satisfy those seeking a quick and convenient meal and that of solo diners. These sets, available all day, allow you to customise by choosing your preferred soup base, adding two sides, and coming complete with a bowl of rice and a beverage.

Five different soup bases are available - the Spicy Fish, Vitamin C Tomato Fish, Sauerkraut Fish, Original Bone Broth Fish and Pumpkin Lemon Fish with Sauerkraut. By default, the set uses sea bass fillet, but you can opt to top up $2 for a swap to dory fish.

For the sides, each set allows two to be added in. These include enoki mushroom, black fungus, sweet potato vermicelli, beancurd, beancurd skin, bean sprouts and potato slices.

While waiting for your food to be ready, you can head to the self-service sauce station to prepare your bowl of condiments. We were pleasantly surprised to find fresh fruits offered for all diners as well. On the day of our visit, there were oranges and slices of watermelon.

Original Bone Broth Fish 3.8/5

We decided on the Original Bone Broth Fish with sea bass fillet, potato slices and beancurd for our first set. Unfortunately, the richness of the broth was just average, and despite the generous portion of broth, the slices of fish included were cut pretty thin and came in small numbers. While tender, the slices were also a tiny bit fishy.

Pumpkin Lemon Fish with Sauerkraut 4/5

Our preferred soup base between the two we tried was the Pumpkin Lemon Fish with Sauerkraut. While the sweet pumpkin flavour was relatively subtle, the zesty lemon notes complemented the sauerkraut and the amount of spice well. We opted to add black fungus and sweet potato vermicelli, which thoroughly soaked up the broth. I would have preferred this to be much less oily though.

Deep Fried Crisp Pork 4/5

We also had a side of Deep Fried Crisp Pork ($7.80) to share. I would have liked these a lot meatier, but I liked the savoury marinate and its crunch that wasn't too oily. The seasoning was actually pretty addictive.

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.


Fu Xiao Xian
Bugis Junction
#01-88/89
200 Victoria Street
Singapore 188021
Tel: +65 8787 6791
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Nearest MRT: Bugis MRT (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
11am to 10.30pm Daily

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

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
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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]

Yu Zhong Bu Tong (鱼众不同) @ Wisma Atria Food Republic - Fresh Daily Live Harvest From Coastal Fish Farm to Food Court Concept

Yu Zhong Bu Tong (鱼众不同) brings the freshest daily live harvest from local Singapore-based coastal fish farm directly to the public at Wisma Atria, Food Republic at a value for money price. To ensure uncompromised freshness, live fresh marine fish from its farm, located less than an hour’s drive away, is delivered daily to the kitchen. Fish at Yu Zhong Bu Tong is hence always fresh.

Collagen Fish Soup 3.5/5

The Collagen Fish Soup ($9.80) comes with tofu, enoki mushroom, romaine lettuce and a bowl of rice. I like the idea that for under $10, I get to settle a meal in Orchard Road. Though it is labelled as collagen fish soup, you don't get that rich gelatin mouth fill.

Spicy Poached Fish Soup 3.5/5

The Spicy Poached Fish Soup ($9.80) comes with two choices of sides and a bowl of rice. Side choices include enoki mushroom, big beansprouts, black fungus, tofu skin, lettuce, tomatoes, tapioca noodles and more. More add-ons are also available at a top-up for those with bigger appetites. I felt the mala is not fiery enough, though.

Sauerkraut Fish Soup 3.5/5

Like the spicy poached fish soup, the Sauerkraut Fish Soup ($9.80) comes with 2 choices of sides and and a bowl of rice. The 6-month-old naturally fermented pickled mustard sauerkraut lends an appetising acidity. However, it lacks the bold and punchy kick from the peppercorn.

Tomato Fish Soup 4/5

The surprise among the four styles of fish soup has to be the Tomato Fish Soup ($9.80), and it's one of my favourites out of the four I tried. The sweet broth is made from fresh tomatoes, sweetened with generous servings of live fresh fish slices.

Zesty Winter Melon 3/5

There are a number of sides to complement the various fish soup flavours, such as the Zesty Winter Melon ($3.80). The zesty came from the orange flavoured sauce drenched over the winter melon.

Fried Fresh Fish Bites with Mustard Dip 4/5

The Fried Fresh Fish Bites with Mustard Dip ($7.80) is crispy on the exterior and moist inside. It is a delectable bite fragrant by the sprinkles of sesame seeds.

Fresh Green Mussels with Spicy Sauce 4/5

Last but not least, I had the plump and juicy Fresh Green Mussels with Spicy Sauce ($7.80) that is harvested and delivered live daily to the stall. The live mussels are simply poached and served alongside Chef's special spicy sauce. I prefer to enjoy the briny and sweet mussel on its own, to enjoy its natural flavour.

I applaud the farm to table concept of bringing freshly harvested seafood at an affordable price to the masses in a food court setting. The concept will work, but I feel Yu Zhong Bu Tong still needs to improve its cooking. While the concept is good, you still need to win over the customer's love for the food for it to work.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yu Zhong Bu Tong (鱼众不同)
Wisma Atrium
Food Republic
435 Orchard Road
#04-21
Singapore 238877
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1115am - till sold out

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tai Er Chinese Sauerkraut Fish @ Jewel Changi Airport - Popular Chinese Restaurant In China With Nearly 300 Stores Opens In Singapore

Popular Tai Er Chinese Sauerkraut Fish, with nearly 300 stores in China, has opened its first outlet in Singapore at Changi Jewel Singapore. The restaurant is known for its Chinese Sauerkraut Fish seeing daily queues at the stores to savour the fish fillets in a spicy and sour broth.

Chinese Sauerkraut Fish 4.5/5

The Chinese Sauerkraut Fish ($48/$68/$88) comes in a huge plate with the tender fish slices swimming in a pool of soup, brimming with red chillis, Sichuan peppercorn and pickled cabbage. If I am not wrong, they use tilapia fish for the dish. The combination of mala, spicy and sour flavours is super shiok. I can understand why it is so popular in China now.

Poached Sliced Beef in Hot Chilli Oil 4.8/5

Another crowd favourite is the Poached Sliced Beef in Hot Chilli Oil ($26). The beef slices are incredibly tender. The star has to be the aromatic hot and spicy broth accentuating the full enjoyment. I feel the flavours are well balanced for Singapore's palate, neither too spicy nor mala. The dish is seriously one of the best interpretations of the classic Sichuan dish I have eaten for a long while.

Abalone and Shrimp in Spicy Sauce 4/5

The Abalone and Shrimp in Spicy Sauce ($12) is a delightful starter to whet up your appetite. However, I probably save my calories for the other star dishes on the menu, such as the Chinese Sauerkraut Fish and Poached Sliced Beef in Hot Chilli.

Fried Crispy Prawn Topped with Mustard 4/5

Not everything on the menu is spicy. There are also non-spicy dishes such as the Fried Crispy Prawn Topped with Mustard ($13). Coated in a light batter, it gives the crunchy prawn a crispy exterior coat paired with a sweet mustard sauce.

Seaweed Roll with Salted Egg Yolk 2.5/5

Exclusively for the Singapore outlet is the Seaweed Roll with Salted Egg Yolk ($6). I find it disappointing for an exclusive dish. It felt half-hearted by putting together a few pieces of seaweed cracker and drizzled it with salted egg yolk sauce.

Egg Coated Glutinous Rice Rolls with Brown Sugar 4.8/5

Another beautiful dish we enjoyed is the Egg Coated Glutinous Rice with Brown Sugar ($10). The texture is like mochi, soft and chewy paired with sweet brown sugar dip. It is so good.

Ice Jelly with Coconut Milk 4/5

Sichuan Pepper Milk Tea and Lemon Tea With Passionfruit Juice

If you find the food is too hot to handle, don't worry. You can cool off with some cold beverages and desserts such as the Ice Jelly with Coconut Milk ($3), Sichuan Pepper Milk Tea ($5) and Lemon Tea With Passionfruit Juice ($5).

I have enjoyed the food at Tai Er Chinese Sauerkraut. I will be back again to check out the rest of the menu. Please note that they do not accept walk-in. You have to make reservation via their facebook page or WeChat. For the first-timer, the must-try items are Chinese Sauerkraut Fish, Poached Sliced Beef in Hot Chilli Oil and Egg Coated Glutinous Rice Rolls with Brown Sugar.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Tai Er Chinese Sauerkraut Fish
Jewel Changi Airport
80 Airport Boulevard
#03-208
Singapore 819642
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Nearest MRT: Changi Airport (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm

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