SZ Kitchen @ Cafe (小珍私房菜) @ Gek Poh Shopping Centre - A Rare Find For Giant Grouper Fish Soup

There are many fish soup stalls in Singapore but hardly do you find one that sell Giant Grouper Fish Soup. The fish can grow up to as big as 500kg but I think those commonly make it to the dining table is around 100-200kg. The best part is that almost every part of the giant grouper can be eaten, provided you know how to appreciate it. If you adventurous to try it, then you should check out SZ Kitchen @ Cafe (小珍私房菜) at Gek Poh Shopping Centre.

The pricing of the Giant Grouper Fish Soup varies, depending on which parts of the giant grouper you want to try. I try the Giant Grouper Fish Soup ($18) that comes with the slices of the fish meat, fish stomach and fish liver.

Giant Grouper Fsh Soup 4/5

The Giant Grouper Fish Soup is not the clear soup base type. It has a creamy consistency with a slight herbal taste that is lifted with the addition of Chinese wine. Hence this may not be suitable for children to eat. Besides that, it also comes with fried egg and a piece of minced meat. The fish meat itself is firm with a slight bouncy texture. You can also find the fish skin in the soup which is packed with collagen.

Giant Grouper Stomach

The more exotic stuff in the fish soup is the Giant Grouper Stomach and Liver. I would say that the fish stomach is so what similar to those pig intestine but thicker, with a firmer and more crunchy texture. As for the fish liver, its really like the pig liver.

Giant Grouper Liver

If you find that the Giant Grouper Fish Soup is not for you, the stall also offers the usual Batang Fish Slice Soup. On top of that, it also sells a variety of dishes ranging from rice to noodles that is reasonable priced.

Zha Jiang Rice 3.5/5

The Zha Jiang Rice ($4.50) comes with braised pork, a fried egg and shredded cucumber. Not fancy just a hearty and comforting bowl of rice that will satisfy one's hunger. For the price, this is really wallet friendly to settle one's meal.

Gek Poh Shopping Centre
762 Jurong West Street 75
Singapore 640762
Tel: +65 81234671
Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line), Pioneer (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 11am - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C, D or E. Walk to Boon Lay Bus Interchange (Stop ID 22009). Take bus 181. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Pioneer MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at block 649A (Stop ID 22529). Take bus number 258. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Diamond Kitchen (钻石小厨) @ Science Park 1

The shining gem, Diamond Kitchen has made the journey to the West and opened their second outlet at Science Park. Diamond Kitchen has been one of the most memorable meal I had in 2014. In fact, so memorable that I have gone back four times to dine at the restaurant. I am glad and those staying in the West should rejoice with the opening of Diamond Kitchen at Science Park 1.

Diners can taste the same menu from the Marine Parade flagship restaurant. On top of the new opening, it has introduced a promotional Diamond Seafood Signatures set menu ($88++ per pax) at the science park outlet valid until 31 July 2015, minimum 4 persons to dine.

Shredded Chicken Salad with Abalone 3.5/5

The 7 course Diamond Seafood Signatures set menu started with the Shredded Chicken Salad with Abalone. The salad comes with celery, carrot, black fungus, red chilli, poached chicken and Australian abalone lightly dressed in a sesame oil. It is quite a refreshing and crunchy salad to start with but it somehow felt out of place for a Chinese dinner.

Garlic Steamed Bamboo Clam 4/5

Next is the Garlic Steamed Bamboo Clam. The Scottish bamboo clam steamed in a Hong Kong sauce was springy but not rubbery. The used of fried garlic further accentuated the flavours. The glass noodles, enoki mushrooms and water chestnuts provides the additional bites and textures to the dish.

Hong Kong Steamed Giant Grouper 4.5/5

A dish not easily found in many restaurants is the giant grouper weighting a stunning 20kg that is prized for its think, gelatinous and collagen rich skin. For the set menu, the diner can choose from the two different cooking methods, Hong Kong Steamed Giant Grouper or Superior Claypot Giant Grouper. The steamed giant grouper uses the belly of the fish while the claypot giant grouper uses the fin of the fish.

Superior Claypot Giant Grouper 4/5

There were mixed preference from the group but I personally preferred the steamed giant grouper belly with Hong Kong steamed sauce brewed with top grade soya sauce. I felt that the cooking technique brought out the flavour and texture of the giant grouper more. With the firmness and buttery sweetness, I would probably think that I was having the flesh of a crab claw in a blind test.

Stir Fried Sweet Potato Leaf with Salted Fish 4.2/5

This may look like just another ordinary Stir Fried Sweet Potato Leaf dish but once you tasted it, you will know that there is more than meets the eyes. The sweet potato leaves are cooked with garlic, pork lard, chilli padi and salted fish. The combination has turned a simple dish into an excellent dish.

Lobster Porridge 3.8/5

A dish that is not in the a la menu is the Lobster Porridge. The Pao Fan is cooked in a chicken stock with chinese wine, ginger and steamed local lobsters. On its own it is a very tasty bowl of porridge with a flavourful chicken stock. However I felt the porridge is missing the lobster essence. Which is a slight let down.

Gan Xiang Crab 4.5/5

Gan Xiang Crab is one of the signature dishes from the the flagship restaurant. The Sri Lankan crab is wok fried with the chef's secret spices retaining the juiciness of the crab. This mouthwatering crab dish probably can be tasted at Diamond Kitchen only. A must try if you like spicy food and wants a change from the usual chilli or black pepper crab.

Lemongrass Jelly  3/5

Wrapping up the 7 course Diamond Seafood Signatures set menu is the Lemongrass Jelly. The shaved lime and honey ice, lemongrass jelly and lemongrass water dessert is cooling and refreshing. Perfect after a hot and spicy crab feast.

The new Diamond Kitchen science park outlet can sit up to 300 people with 2 private dining rooms. The place is also more spacious compared to their Marine Parade branch. The Marine Parade branch is usually packed with diners and advance reservation is greatly encouraged. To avoid disappointment, the chances of getting a table at science park outlet is much higher. I personally recommend going for the a la carte menu to try out more of their signature dishes even thought the Diamond Seafood Signatures set menu is value for money.


Diamond Kitchen (钻石小厨)
Science Park 1
Oasis
87 Science Park Drive
#01-01
Singapore 118260
Tel: +65  64640410
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiamondKitchenSeafood
Website: http://www.diamondkitchen.com.sg/
Nearest MRT: Kent Ridge (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Kent Ridge MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop opposite Kent Ridge MRT station (Stop ID 15139). Take bus number 92. Alight 5 stops later. Walk towards Technology Crescent. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]