East Treasure Chinese Restaurant @ Woods Square - Bringing Their Delicious Chinese Cuisine To The North

East Treasure Chinese Restaurant at Clarke Quay has opened a new outlet at Woods Square. The Chinese restaurant under the Astons Group has been one of our favourite Chinese restaurants. Together with a few foodie friends, we went down to the new outlet.

We started with some light snacks to kick start the dinner. Artisanal done is the Wasabi Mayo Crabstick ($32) served in an ice cream cone. The wasabi is very subtle, overpowered by the pungent mayonnaise. Nothing special to shout about, but I do applaud the modern interpretation of Chinese cuisine.

White Bait 3.5/5

Prawn Roll 3.8/5

The other two light snacks we have is the White Bait ($24) and Prawn Roll ($24). They are very addictive with their delightfully crispy bites.

Double Boiled Crocodile Soup 4.5/5

A signature at East Treasure is their Double Boiled Crocodile Soup ($80). I have been a fan of their tonic that is packed with depth and robustness from the herbal sweetness. If you are not into exotic meat, worry not, as crocodile meat is exactly tasteless like chicken.

East Treasure Smoked Duck 4.8/5

Another must-have signature item at East Treasure is the East Treasure Smoked Duck ($58). The duck is dry-aged for 60 hours in their dry-aging cabinet for a more intense flavour with crisper skin. It never failed to impress me.

Jian Gu Tou 4.2/5

A new dish on the menu is the Jian Gu Tou ($32) which pig trotters and other pork ingredients such as pig's skin, sio bak etc., are cooked in fermented soy beancurd. It felt like a celebrative festive dish. The sauce brightens up the whole enjoyment though it looks messy.

Gan Xiang Yu Tou (甘香鱼头) 4.5/5

Another beautiful dish on the menu is the Gan Xiang Yu Tou. The fish head is chunky and succulent with meaty fish flesh, coated in an aromatic sauce and spices. 

Stir Fried HK Kai Lan with Enoki 4.2/5

To my surprise, the Stir Fried HK Kai Lan with Enoki ($24) tastes exceptionally delicious and fragrant. I am not sure why but it could be the wok frying skill, retaining the delectable crunchiness.

Braised Vermicelli with Seafood 3/5

The Braised Vermicelli with Seafood ($38), unfortunately, was disappointing. The stock for the braised vermicelli lacks in flavour and depth. If they can fine-tune the dish, I am sure it will be another popular dish on the menu.


East Treasure Chinese Restaurant 
Woods Square
6 Woods Square
#01-07/08/09/10
Singapore 737737
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Woodlands (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Woodlands MRT station. Take Exit 1 or 2. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Hong Kiat Seafood Restaurant @ Comfort Garden - Al Fresco Dining Like In the Early 80s

I thought I have been transported to Singapore in the early 80s or somewhere in Johor Bahru when Lawerence of Kopi More brought us to Hong Kiat Seafood Restaurant at Comfort Garden in Choa Chu Kang. Occupying the corner space along the row of shophouse, it is al fresco dining here, under the starlight outside the shopfront.

Steamed Shark's Head 4/5

Our dinner started with the Steamed Shark's Head that is cooked in a beautiful soy sauce with aroma of the deep fried garlic and sesame oil. This dish is not about meaty fish flesh but appreciating the shark cartilage and collagen of the shark's upper jaw area.

Sambal Kang Kong 4.5/5

The Sambal Kang Kong is a very common dish on the menu but I have to say this is really well executed. The greens remained crunchy and the spotlight goes to the sambal that simply perfumed it. It has a very kampong flavour to it.

Deep Fried Garlic Pork 4.2/5

What surprises me is actually is the Deep Fried Garlic Pork. I thought it will be dry but it turned out the deep fried pork is crispy on the exterior and tender inside. This is flavoured by the aromatic garlic, elevating the whole dimension of the dish.

Gan Xiang Fish Head 4.5/5

My favourite dish goes to the Gan Xiang Fish Head. It is said that all Malaysian chef has their whole secret recipe for Gan Xiang sauce. It is like the master sauce that goes so well with anything. The special sauce is spicy, savoury and packed with a robustness that is just shiok.

Crab Bee Hoon 3/5

I would probably skip the Crab Bee Hoon. The crab is not as fresh as I would have preferred. The bee hoon also failed to soak up the essence and the broth lacked depth.

I have to set the expectation for foodies who want to check out the restaurant. Hong Kiat is more of a zi char place than a restaurant. For those that is particular about hygiene, you probably may not feel comfortable dining in such environment which brings back memory of the early 80s dining scene. It is quite rare or almost not possible to find such dining experience in Singapore anymore.


Hong Kiat Seafood Restaurant
Comfort Garden
216 Choa Chu Kang Ave 1
Singapore 689477
Tel: +65 67630304
Website
Nearest MRT: Choa Chu Kang (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 4pm - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Choa Chu Kang MRT station. Take Exit A, B or C. Walk to Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange (Stop ID 44009). Take bus number 172. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes.

2) Alight at Choa Chu Kang MRT station. Take Exit A, B or C. Walk to Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange (Stop ID 44009). Take bus number 983. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes.