Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant (萬豪軒) @ Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel - “The Return of Sri Lankan Crabs”, Wan Hao’s Limited-Time Offering Till 31 Aug 2023

Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant is bringing back its "The Return of Sri Lankan Crabs" promotion, which features twelve crab-centric dishes centred around local and Chinese flavours with modern elements. The menu offers both Dim Sum and A La Carte options, with the Dim Sum offerings exclusively available during lunch hours.

For Dim Sum, you can expect creations such as Pan-Fried Chilli Crab Bun ($3.80 per piece) and Black Pepper Crab Meat Spring Roll ($3.80 per piece), while the A La Carte dishes include Stewed Crab with Shallot & Sha Jiang in Claypot ($15/100g), Braised Luffa Gourd with Crab Meat & Crab Roe ($48) and more.

Hairy Crab Xiao Long Bao 4/5

From the Dim Sum menu, we sampled the Hairy Crab Xiao Long Bao ($4.80 per piece, min. order of 2 pieces). The xiao long bao broth carried a more savoury-sweet flavour profile, deviating from the usual porky richness.

While I found the portion a bit small considering the price, it was quite an indulgent treat with the morsels of crab meat.

Wok-Fried Prawn with Egg White & Fresh Milk in Crab Roe Sauce 4/5

The Wok-Fried Prawn with Egg White & Fresh Milk in Crab Roe Sauce ($48) featured a smooth and custardy egg white topped with crunchy prawns. The crab roe and its sauce added a buttery richness, though the fried piece carrying the ingredients could be done significantly better. It lacked crunch and, unfortunately, gave a tad oily aftertaste, which affected the overall experience.

Braised Iberico Pork Ball with Hairy Crab Superior Stock & Bok Choy 4.2/5

A standout for us from the A La Carte menu was the Braised Iberico Pork Ball with Hairy Crab Superior Stock & Bok Choy ($38 per pax). The golden stock was rich and savoury, complementing the packed yet tender pork ball. The addition of crunchy water chestnut bits added texture, while the crab meat lent a subtle sweetness.

Salted Egg & Chicken Floss Crab 4.5/5

The batter on the Salted Egg & Chicken Floss Crab ($15/100g) was perfectly executed. It was skillfully done thin enough to thoroughly coat the crabs and pick up the salted egg and chicken floss. There was even a generous amount of crunchy batter bits all around.

Although the salted egg flavour was less robust than expected, this decadent combination will appeal to the local palate. The crabs themselves were incredibly fresh with plump meat. I was thoroughly impressed by the amount of crab egg roe found in the shell - it was packed!

Steamed Crab Roe with Wok-Fried Glutinous Rice 4.2/5

We concluded our crab feast with the Steamed Crab Roe with Wok-Fried Glutinous Rice ($16/100g). Personally, I prefer steamed crabs, especially when they are fresh, as it allows its natural sweetness to shine through. The lightly seasoned glutinous rice studded with Chinese sausage was a great accompaniment to the firm crab meat.

If you are a crab enthusiast, Wan Hao’s crab creations are worth a try before their seasonal menu comes to an end.

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.


Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant (萬豪軒)
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
320 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Tel: +65 6831 4605
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Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NE, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11.30am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

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

Open Door Policy @ Tiong Bahru - 100 Percent Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Concept Bistro

Located in the enclave of Tiong Bahru is Open Door Policy, a bistro that offers 100 percent gluten-free and dairy-free dishes on their menu. Recently Open Door Policy has revamped its menu, enticing diners with a total of 15 new dishes to the menu.

Watercress Soup 4/5

Dinner at Open Door Policy started with the Watercress Soup ($18). It comes with a poached organic egg and sweet wolfberries. The rich and thick watercress soup is then poured into the bowl at the table. I was worried that it will have an earthy raw taste but it was not traceable at all. In fact I could detect a tasteful stock base that is used to infuse with the watercress.

Warm Wasabi Green Pea Soup 4/5

The other soup I tried on the menu is the Warm Wasabi Green Pea Soup ($23). The espresso cup holds the thick pea soup which is mildly spiced by the wasabi. It also comes with a lightly seared Hokkaido scallops. The chia seeds and fried gluten-free focaccia bread provided that extra texture to the soup.

Avocado Jumbo Lump Crab Salad 3/5

The other starter we had is the Avocado Jumbo Lump Crab Salad ($25) which comes with charcoal gluten-free fried bread. Unfortunately I could hardly taste the crab meat in it, not to mention the salted egg yolk crumble which was not detectable.

Vitel Tone 3.5/5

Lastly on the starter, we had the Vitel Tone ($25). Slices of sous vide veal loin rested on a crispy gluten-free and dairy-free flat bread. It is then topped with pickled purple cabbage, green kale and dressed in homemade tuna mayo. There is a lot of flavours at play here couple with different textures. Complex but yet flavourful.

Braised Pork Rack 3.5/5

Moving to the mains, we began with the Braised Pork Rack ($38). The pork rack is marinated in 5 spice and oven roasted. It is then dressed in a sweet and spicy pineapple sauce. If I am blindfolded, I probably could not tell I am having pork. The marination and sauce seems to cleverly masked the porky taste. The dish also comes with baked purple sweet potatoes and blanche broccolini as sides.

Vegetable Tempura Risotto 4.5/5

One of my favourite dishes on the menu is actually a vegetarian dish. It is the Vegetable Tempura Risotto ($25) topped with pickled pink ginger for a tangy bite. I somehow felt that the risotto taste like our local fish porridge. This is crowned with crispy rice flour battered okra, baby carrots, oyster mushroom and broccoli for texture.

Braised Veal Ossobuco 4.2/5

The other risotto dish we tried is the Braised Veal Ossobuco ($32). The green pea puree risotto comes with fork tender braised veal ossobuco. It is then topped with pickled purple baby carrot and a light drizzle of preserved lemon juice. Compared to the vegetable tempura risotto, this is more richer and more intense in flavours.

Spaghetti Alle Vongole 4.2/5

Initially when the Spaghetti Alle Vongole ($28) is served, I thought the pasta looks rather pale and mushy. However it actually has a good al dente bite to it. The pasta is made from rice flour without egg and tossed in a creamy Japanese white miso sauce. Not forgetting the generous serving of sweet white clams.

Sous Vide Salmon 4.5/5

Another delicious dish on the menu is the Sous Vide Salmon ($32) marinated in garlic and thyme. It was cooked to a beautiful pink and served in a braised miso chilli daikon broth with milk cabbage and fresh cherry tomatoes, topped with delicate dill foam. Although salmon is used, the whole execution felt like having a Teochew style steamed fish.

Pan Seared Threadfin 3/5

We also had the Pan Seared Threadfin ($32) on a sweet and spicy Thai mango salad, tossed with cashew nuts and sakura shrimp. I thought the mango salad lacked the spicy and tangy punch for the characteristic for Thai cuisine. It was too mild.

Dairy-Free Apple Crumble 4/5

A warm and comforting dessert on the menu is the Dairy-Free Apple Crumble ($16). The sous vide apple chunks are marinated in 8 different spices. It is topped with crunchy oat flour and extra virgin coconut oil crumble. This is best paired with the cashew nut milk creme anglais.

Calamansi Chocolate Tart 4.8/5

The Calamansi Chocolate Tart ($16) is definitely one of the prettiest tart I have eaten. The yolk-based calamansi and lime zest custard sits in a no-bake bitter chocolate tartshell. This is then topped with dollops of torched meringue and dehydrated calamansi slices. In my wildest dream, I never thought the combination can be so harmonized and yummy.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Open Door Policy
19 Yong Siak Street
Singapore 168650
Tel: +65 62219307
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Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to traffic light junction. Cross the road and walk down Tiong Bahru Road towards Kim Pong Road. Turn right onto Kim Pong Road. Walk to Yong Siak Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Summer Palace @ Regent Hotel Singapore - An Unexpected Yummilicious Gluten Free Menu

My recent visit to Summer Palace at Regent Hotel Singapore lead to the discovery of an uncommon gluten free menu in a Chinese restaurant. I was a bit skeptical that it would taste good but I was proven wrong after my dining companions decided to be adventurous and ordered a few dishes on the menu to try.

Baked Sliced Pumpkin 4.2/5

The first item we noticed on the menu is the Baked Sliced Pumpkin ($12 per portion). Comes in golden brown, the chef highlighted the natural sweetness of the ingredient while giving it a extra coat of crispiness.

Wok Fried Diced Beef with Lily Bulbs and Asparagus 4/5

The Wok Fried Diced Beef ($42 per portion) is cooked with lily bulbs and asparagus. The tender beef is perfumed with aroma of the garlic and black pepper that enhanced the flavourfull meat. The lily bulbs and asparagus provided the extra crunch.

Baked Cod Fish with Teriyaki Sauce 4.8/5

A dish that I enjoyed very much was the Baked Cod Fish with Teriyaki Sauce ($22 per portion). The moist and buttery cod fish was complemented beautifully by the teriyaki sauce. I have to admit that this single dish has totally changed my perspective of gluten free dishes. It can be very tasty too.

Pan Fried Kurobuta Cutlet in Mongolian Sauce 4.5/5

The other dish I would highly recommend is the Pan Fried Kurobuta Cutlet ($32 per portion) cooked in mongolian sauce. My first bite into the cutlet drawn a confused thought in mind. Is this really pork? Why is it so juicy and tender. The excellent execution of the dish is probably the best version I have eaten so far.

Double Boiled Pear with Gingko Nuts (Cold/Hot) 4/5

To complete the delicious gluten free meal, I had the Double Boiled Pear with Gingko Nuts. It comes with both cold and hot version. The light and refreshing dessert was a fitting and healthy note to end the dinner experience.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Summer Palace
Regent Hotel Singapore
Level 3
1 Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249715
Tel: +65 67253288
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm
Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 630pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. Continue walking down Tanglin Road. Turn left onto Tomlinson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]