Min Jiang @ Goodwood Park Hotel Singapore - A Hearty Vegetable Harvest

For a limited period from 02 August to 13 September 2019, Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel introduces a new "A Hearty Vegetable Harvest" menu. The menu highlights humble vegetables like pumpkin, lotus root and cauliflower. There are seven brand new classic and contemporary Cantonese dishes created for this vegetable-centric menu, showcasing the innovative approach of Master Chef Chan Hwan Kee.

Crispy Fried Pumpkin with Salted Egg Yolk and Pork Floss 4.2/5

Our dinner started with the Crispy Fried Pumpkin with Salted Egg Yolk and Pork Floss ($12). At first glance, one may mistake it as potato wedge. Crispy on the exterior and soft inside, it has an additional layer of sweetness compared to the potato. The coating of salted egg yolk and pork floss further enhanced the whole flavour. This is dangerously addictive.

Double-boiled Lotus Root Soup with Adzuki Bean and Pork Shoulder Meat 4.2/5

Revitalising your soul with the flavourful and nutritious Double-boiled Lotus Root Soup with Adzuki Bean and Pork Shoulder Meat ($10/portion). It has been simmered over low fire for a good three hours, extracting the essence of the ingredients for the delicious soup.

Deep-fried Sliced Lotus Root and Prawns with Durian Mayo Sauce 4/5

The Deep-fried Sliced Lotus Root and Prawns with Durian Mayo Sauce ($36) is a unique take of incorporating the sweetness from the king of fruit into a savoury dish. Instead of the usual wasabi mayonnaise sauce, it is replaced with durian mayonnaise sauce. The result is a creamy, piquant contrast to the crispy and crunchy prawn.

Stir-fried Iberico Pork with Orange and Purple Cauliflower 4/5

The Stir-fried Iberico Pork with Orange and Purple Cauliflower ($36/$68) is probably one of the most beautiful vegetable dishes I have eaten. The vibrant colours from the orange and purple cauliflower, red and green capsicum simply whetted up the appetite. Not forgetting the tender slices of Iberico pork, completing the visually stunning dish that is packed with antioxidants and beta-carotene.

Pan-seared Wagyu Beef with Ice Plant in Japanese Goma Dressing 4.2/5

Most of us felt that the Pan-seared Wagyu Beef with Ice Plant in Japanese Goma Dressing ($78/$138) should feature permanently on their menu. The used of ice plant and goma dressing in Chinese cuisine is unusual, giving it a fragrant and refreshing finishing.

Slow-braised Duck with Fermented Beancurd, Lotus Root and Peanut 3.5/5

The Slow-braised Duck with Fermented Beancurd, Lotus Root and Peanut ($26/$48) calls for a bowl of porridge to go with it. I can't really taste the fermented beancurd in it, but that is secondary for the rich braising sauce. 

Chilled Pumpkin Puree with Red Bean, Coconut Ice Cream and Gula Melaka 4.2/5

Lasted but not least, we wrapped up the dinner on a sweet note with the Chilled Pumpkin Puree with Red Bean, Coconut Ice Cream and Gula Melaka ($16/portion). The chilled pumpkin puree comes with red beans what has been cooked with gula melaka, fresh pumpkin cubes and coconut ice creams.

"A Hearty Vegetable Harvest" dishes are available as a la carte options for lunch and dinner and are priced from $10. I really enjoyed the new creations and its a pity that it is only available for a limited period.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Min Jiang
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 67301704
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Scotts Road to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Ah Er Soup (阿2汤) @ Yuan Ching Road - The Real Master Behind Michelin Bib Gourmand Award 2017

With the announcement of the Michelin Bib Gourmand list for 2017, I was left puzzled with the new entrant Ah Er Soup (阿2汤) at ABC Brickworks Market. What is the judging criteria of the Michelin inspectors? The outlet at ABC Brickworks Food Centre is a franchise stall and not the original stall. Did Michelin even know that the original recipe comes from Mr Ma Pit San and Mr Nong Gan who started the original and main stall at Yuan Ching Road?

Buddha Jumps Over The Wall 4.5/5

Feeling injustice for the duo that come up with the recipe, I decided to visit the original stall at Yuan Ching Road. During my visit, I saw Mr Ma busy at the back of the stall, preparing the soup. I ordered my favourite Buddha Jumps Over The Wall ($7) which comes with generous ingredients such as fish maw, mushroom, abalone and chicken. The soup which has been boiled for at least 2 hours, was very intense and rich in flavour.

Peanuts with Lotus Roots & Pork Ribs Soup 4.5/5

Among the other soups on the menu, I had the Peanuts with Lotus Roots & Pork Ribs Soup ($4.50). The pork ribs were cooked until so soft that it literally fell apart with ease. The lotus roots were also sweet and crunchy. I can once again taste the effort behind each bowl of soup in the richness, and this comes with a subtle nutty finishing from the peanuts.

Pumpkin Rice 3.5/5 and Oliver Rice 4/5

Olive Rice 4/5

Ah Er Soup at Yuan Ching Road offers 4 types of rice to go with their soups. They are the normal Steamed Rice, Brown Rice, Pumpkin Rice and Olive Rice. I understand the ABC Brickworks Food Centre stall does not offer the olive rice. I would highly recommend the olive rice which is much more fragrant compared to the others. On top of that, you don't usually get to have it elsewhere.

Preserved Vegetable with Braised Meat 3.8/5

Different from the other franchise stalls across the islands, the main stall offers other braised items such as the Preserved Vegetable with Braised Meat ($6), Braised Pig Trotter, Braised Pig Skin, Braised Beancurd, Braised Egg, Salted Vegetable, Tau Kee and Handmade Fish Roll to go with the nourishing soups.

Ah Er Soup (阿2汤)
3 Yuan Ching Road
Singapore 618642
Nearest MRT: Lakeside (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Lakeside MRT station. Cross the road. Walk to bus stop opposite Lakeside MRT station (Stop ID 28099). Take bus number 154. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 25 minutes. [Map]

Joyden Canton @ Shaw House - Opening Its Second Outlet In The Heart of Orchard Road

Joyden Concepts has finally set foot into Orchard Road with the opening of its second Joyden Canton outlet at Shaw House. The Orchard outlet will delight diners with its Cantonese cuisine from the Guangdong province with a new and expanded menu that encompasses both traditional and contemporary dishes.

Daliang Pan-Fried Stuffed Lotus Root 4.2/5

Taking inspiration from the popular treat in Shunde, Guangdong is the Daliang Pan-Fried Stuffed Lotus Root ($9). A mixture of minced pork, finely chopped shiitake mushrooms, water chestnuts and cilantro is sandwiched between 2 slices of lotus root. It is then given a light coat of egg and flour, deep fried to golden brown. Best eaten at room temperature, this interpretation was crispy, crunchy and most important packed with beautiful flavours.

Black Bean, Black-Eyed Pea, and Peanut with Pig Tail Soup $8

Cantonese cuisine is known for the soup and one must not visit Joyden Canton without trying their double boiled soup. Each bowl of the soup is encased in a wax paper and double boiled for no less than 4 hours. We had the nourishing Black Bean, Black-Eyed Pea, and Peanut with Pig Tail Soup ($8) which is good for blood circulation and wellness. I like the addition of longan and aged tangerine peel, giving it a subtle natural sweet finishing.

Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Homemade Dang-Gui Barbeque Sauce 3/5

An acquire tasting dish is the Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Homemade Dang-Gui Barbeque Sauce ($19). Using pork shoulder slices, it is cooked to a nice tender bite. Unfortunately I dislike the bitter taste of the dang-gui (angelica root). I felt that it throws the sweet barbeque sauce off.

Steamed Cod Fish with Hua-Diao and Homemade Ginger Sauce 3.5/5

A homely tasting dish is the Steamed Cod Fish with Hua-Diao and Homemade Ginger Sauce ($32). The huge piece of cod fish is topped with a homemade paste of grated old and young ginger, fresh herbs and hua-diao wine. It is then steamed to a nice tender texture. I enjoyed how the ginger paste complemented the rich and oily fish but I would the stronger use of the Chinese rice wine.

Twice-Baked Golden Egg Gratin with Caramelised You Tiao 4.5/5

The highlight at Joyden Canton has to go to the Twice-Baked Golden Egg Gratin with Caramelised You Tiao ($18). I was told that the original version of the dish uses fish intestines but Joyden Canton has replaced it with thin slivers of crunchy jelly fish. This is then combined with vermicelli, mandarin peel and minced olives whereby a egg mixture is poured on and baked. It is then topped with a blanket of you tiao for a crispy finishing.

Almond and Salted Egg Prawns with Lemon Sauce 2.8/5

I was looking forward to sink my teeth into the Almond and Salted Egg Prawns with Lemon Sauce ($21) which is beautifully coated in toasted almond flakes, deep fried to golden brown. The fresh tiger prawn is enveloped in a homemade paste of prawns, salted egg yolk, cilantro and water chestnuts. While it is creative, the execution was on the dry side. I also could not taste the salted egg yolk and the sweetness of the prawn, masked by the nutty almond.

Braised Luffa Gourd with Poached Egg White in Conpoy Sauce 4/5

For something light but yet tasty is the Braised Luffa Gourd with Poached Egg White in Conpoy Sauce ($17). The luffa gourd is skinned, de-seeded and thinly sliced. It is then blanched in superior stock for a delectable enjoyment of the texture. This is served with silky poached egg white wok-tossed with a light conpoy sauce.

"Hak Gam" Olive Fried Rice with Minced Pork and Prawn 4.5/5

The plate of black gold is not to be missed. The "Hak Gam" Olive Fried Rice with Minced Pork and Prawn ($18) uses the premium Meizhou olives for its fragrant and robust flavour. Consists of minced olive, chye poh, minced pork and prawns, it is wok fried in superior dark soya sauce for an aromatic finishing with carameliezd char, crowned with pork floss over the rice.

Once again Joyden Canton has not disappoint me. Taking inspiration from the Guangdong province, I could taste the effort and creativity behind the new and expanded menu. Take for example the Twice-Baked Golden Egg Gratin with Caramelised You Tiao, Daliang Pan-Fried Stuffed Lotus Root and many more, which you probably has not seen in other restaurants yet.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Joyden Canton
Shaw House
350 Orchard Road
#04-00
Singapore 238868
Tel: +65 69083833
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 930pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 11am - 930pm
Dim Sum
Daily: 1130am - 430pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the underpass and walk to Shaw House. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]