Taste Paradise & Paradise Teochew Seasonal Menu Launch Featuring Nostalgic Dishes

Taste Paradise and Paradise Teochew have recently introduced a new seasonal menu from 4 March to 26 April 2024, showcasing classic Cantonese and Teochew dishes, respectively. Executive Chef Cheng Fa Kwan has curated six classic dishes for each restaurant, bringing his own heirloom recipes to the table that evoke a sense of nostalgia in every bite.

Braised Vinegar Pork Trotter with Preserved Plum 4/5

At Taste Paradise, expect a blend of sweet and savoury flavours in their new seasonal menu. One of the key dishes is the Braised Vinegar Pork Trotter with Preserved Plum ($28, U.P. $46.80). This dish features a whole pork trotter slow-cooked for four hours at low heat in a vinegar sauce infused with spices, superior broth, and an addition of a Hong Kong plum. The pork trotter impressed me with its tender texture and the rich depth of flavours in the sauce. However, I prefer the sauce to have more acidity to counteract the heaviness of the trotter.

Crisp-fried Sweet and Sour Dough Fritter stuffed with Prawn Paste 3.8/5

Next, we had another classic taste of Hong Kong - Crisp-fried Sweet and Sour Dough Fritter stuffed with Prawn Paste ($25.80, U.P. $28.80). Prawns are coated in a spiced dough and fried into golden fritters before being tossed with chunks of pineapple, capsicum and onions in a sweet-and-sour sauce. I appreciate that the fritters were pretty evenly coated with the sauce. This allowed them to maintain the crisp texture and prevent the sauce from overpowering the delicate prawn paste.

Chinese Sausage and Preserved Olive Fried Rice 4.5/5

One of my favourites was the moreish Chinese Sausage and Preserved Olive Fried Rice served in a Casserole ($42.80, U.P. $48.80). The fried rice exhibited a satisfyingly firm texture, and the generous slices of Chinese cured sausage and liver sausage imparted an abundance of umami flavours, contributing to an enjoyable and textured experience.

Teochew Style Crab and Prawn Congee 4.8/5

At Paradise Teochew, the focus is on lighter flavours as well as fresh and natural ingredients, particularly seafood. Highlights include Teochew Style Crab and Prawn Congee ($28, U.P. $68). This indulgent rice congee is prepared by slowly simmering whole shelled prawns and an entire crab, resulting in a relatively full-bodied broth. The seasoning was adeptly done, bringing out the natural sweetness of the seafood.

Teochew Style Braised Pig’s Stomach with Duck Tongue 5/5

The menu also boasts a rare delight — Teochew Style Braised Pig's Stomach with Duck Tongue ($16.80, U.P. $18.80). This distinctive dish showcases tender slices of pig's stomach and duck's tongue stewed in a house-made superior sauce, elegantly served alongside soft braised tofu for added texture. The dish's execution was impeccable, presenting a clean and light taste that added to its overall appeal.

Crisp-fried Duck with Mashed Yam 4.8/5

A definite crowd-pleaser on the menu is the Crisp-fried Duck with Mashed Yam ($39.80, U.P. $42). This dish features slices of duck meat enveloped in a layer of yam, deep-fried to achieve a crispy exterior while retaining tender meat. Each bite provided a satisfying mouthfeel, with succulent thick-cut duck meat complemented by fragrant mashed yam.

Special prices are available exclusively for Citibank Credit/Debit Cardmembers and PGR members. Terms & Conditions apply.

Photograph and written by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Taste Paradise at ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#04-07
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 6509 9660

Paradise Teochew at Takashimaya
391A Orchard Rd
#03-10
Singapore 238873
Telephone: +65 6805 8994

Paradise Teochew at Scotts Square
6 Scotts Road
#03-04
Singapore 228209
Telephone: +65 6538 0644

Jia He Grand Chinese Restaurant @ One Farrer Park Hotel - Jia He New Sister Restaurant With A Bold And Contemporary Concept

Jia He Grand Chinese Restaurant, the latest addition to the dining scene at One Farrer Park Hotel, continues to impress with its bold and contemporary approach to Chinese cuisine. While its sister restaurant, Jia He Chinese Restaurant (a very doors away), offers wholesome and homely dishes, Jia He Grand takes things up a notch by presenting diners with multi-sensorial creations that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.

Trio of Starters 4/5

To start our culinary journey, we indulged in a trio of starters. The Sauteed Stuffed Mushroom with Truffle Sauce delighted our taste buds with its robust earthy flavours from both the mushroom and truffle. The Century Egg with Preserved Sakura Ginger and Vintage Vinegar presented a unique combination, with sweet beancurd skin wrapping around century egg and preserved sakura ginger, creating a harmonious blend of flavours. Lastly, the Crispy Pork Belly with Preserved Bean Paste, eaten like a Korean wrap, offered a delightful contrast of textures as the romaine lettuce refreshed the palate while complementing the crispy pork belly.

Roasted Peking Duck 5/5

The meal's highlight was undoubtedly the Roasted Peking Duck ($88 Whole Duck), which I can confidently say is the best in Singapore. The duck was perfectly roasted, boasting a crispy skin that gave way to succulent and juicy meat. What truly set this dish apart was the toasted pancake wrap. Unlike the usual thin pancakes, these were soft and fluffy and enhanced the overall enjoyment of the Peking duck to a whole new level.

Signature Double-boiled Chicken and Pig Stomach Soup 4.5/5

The Signature Double-boiled Chicken and Pig Stomach Soup impressed with its flavorful broth and a piquant peppery kick that left a lasting impression. The pig stomach was expertly prepared, resulting in a tender, clean-tasting delight.

Steamed Fillet of Sea Perch with Preserved Sakura Ginger and Silky Tofu 4.2/5

For seafood lovers, the Steamed Fillet of Sea Perch with Preserved Sakura Ginger and Silky Tofu ($26/pc) offered a unique pairing of preserved sakura ginger with the firm and mildly sweet sea perch. The soy sauce added depth to the dish, complementing the fish's natural sweetness.

Flambe Beef Brisket in Whole Pineapple 4.2/5

A dish that captured both our taste buds and attention was the Flambe Beef Brisket in Whole Pineapple ($28/order). The grand entrance, with the beef brisket set ablaze at the tableside, added a touch of theatricality. Beyond the showmanship, the beef brisket was incredibly tender, and the pineapple infused the dish with an extra layer of fruity sweetness.

Stir-fried Shredded Luffa Melon with Gingko and Black Fungus 4.2/5

The Stir-fried Shredded Luffa Melon with Gingko and Black Fungus ($24/small) showcased luffa in a whole new light. The dish was perfectly prepared, offering a delightful crunch and natural sweetness. The owner even playfully remarked that it looked like stir-fried chendol, adding an element of humour to the dining experience.

Crispy Rice with Boston Lobster in Superior Broth 4/5

The Crispy Rice with Boston Lobster in Superior Broth ($42/small) was a standout dish packed with robust crustacean flavour. The combination of fluffy and crispy rice immersed in the delicious broth and the sweetness of the Boston lobster made every spoonful a pure delight.

Collagen Pork Bone and Tomato Soup with Boston Lobster and Purple Potato Noodle 3.8/5

An unexpected dish on the menu was the Collagen Pork Bone and Tomato Soup with Boston Lobster and Purple Potato Noodle ($40/pax). This luscious creation combined purple potato noodles with a refreshing and appetising tomato soup, a delightful twist I had not encountered elsewhere.

Almond Soup with Peach Resin 4.5/5

To conclude the meal on a sweet note, we savoured the Almond Soup with Peach Resin. Served warm and comforting, the soup struck a perfect balance, not overly sweet, with a smooth almond base and delightful crunch from the peach resin. This dessert satisfied our sweet tooth and offered beauty and nutritional benefits.

Jia He Grand Chinese Restaurant continues to impress with its contemporary take on Chinese cuisine, delivering innovative and visually stunning dishes. With its exceptional culinary offerings and dedication to creating a memorable dining experience, it is undoubtedly a place worth visiting for those seeking a gastronomic adventure.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Jia He Grand Chinese Restaurant
One Farrer Park Hotel
1 Farrer Park Station Road
#01-01
Singapore 217562
Tel: +65 65389688
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Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit C. Turn right and walk down towards One Farrer Park Hotel. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Char Restaurant @ Jalan Besar - Celebrates Nin Years With A Refreshed Menu

Lauded for its excellent Cantonese roast meats, especially its Char Siew, Char Restaurant at Jalan Besar celebrate its ninth anniversary and presents a scintillating new line-up of unique dish offerings and inspired renditions of familiar classics.

Double Roast 4.2/5

Inevitably we had to have the Cantonese roasts. We started with the Double Roast ($38) of their Signature Char Siew and Crispy Roast Pork. The char siew is still as good as I remembered, with the right portion of fats and lean meat. What impressed me most was the crispy roast pork, which fares better than the last time I had it.

Mala Char Siew 3.8/5

One of their new offerings is the Mala Char Siew ($20). The idea is interesting, but the housemade mala sauce lacked the piquant numbness I expected. It can't help associating it with Lan Gan Ma or Gan Xiang instead of mala. Putting the expectation of its description aside, it is still a well-executed dish.

Pig's Stomach with Anxin Chicken Soup 4.2/5

The Pig's Stomach with Anxin Chicken Soup ($32) is a hearty and belly-warming soup. The flavourful double-boiled soup is given an added punch with the addition of white peppercorns. It also comes brimming with tender pig's stomach slices and a whole fall of the bone chicken leg. The soup can be more peppery though.

Okra Banana Delight 4/5

The Okra Banana Delights ($15.50) is a novel pairing that I have not seen or eaten anywhere before. The sauteed okra in sweet and spicy sambal sauce comes with torched sliced bananas. A weird combination, but the banana's sweetness did provide the balance. However, is it necessary? Probably not.

Spicy Sichuan Chicken with Ice Cream 4/5

Another unusual combination is the Spicy Sichuan Chicken with Ice Cream ($18.80). It is a quirky take on the classic La Zi Ju which the juicy deep-fried chicken chunks are served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Once again, I don't know whether the hot and cold combination is necessary though it did not throw the dish's balance off.

Hometown Beancurd with Minced Meat 4/5

Handmade daily is the Hometown Beancurd with Minced Meat ($16.80). The egg beancurd is silky smooth, tossed in a lip-smacking housemade premium soya sauce, with a crowning of minced meat.

Tornado Butter Egg Prawns 4.2/5

From the seafood section, we had the Tornado Butter Egg Prawns ($22), which showcases the chef's skill in making the buttery egg floss, enveloping the succulent tiger prawns with fragrant curry leaves and chilli padi.

Crabmeat Fried Rice 4/5

Wrapping up our dinner is a hearty staple plate of Crabmeat Fried Rice ($19.80) comprising chunks of prized Sri Lankan crab meat, shiitake mushrooms and a generous spoonful of tobiko over the fragrant wok hei imbued egg fried rice.

Overall the dishes at Char Restaurant are still up to the mark. However, some of the new creations are not innovative but gimmicky. While they didn't throw the flavours off, it was also unnecessary, such as adding banana to the okra and ice cream to the spicy Sichuan chicken.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


[CLOSED]
Char
363 Jalan Besar
Singapore 208994
Tel: +65 68427759/ +65 96613678
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Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Bendemeer (DT Line), Lavender (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Lavender MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Horne Road. Turn left onto Horne Road. Walk to the end of Horne Road. Turn right onto Tyrwhitt Road. Turn left onto Beatty Lane and walk to Jalan Besar Road. Cross the road and walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Bendemeer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk down Kallang Bahru Road towards Lavender Street.  Cross the road and turn right onto Lavender Street. Walk towards Bendemeer Road. Turn left onto Bendemeer Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Yi Qian Private Dining @ Leng Kee Road - Hidden Restaurant Within A Business Centre, Serving Fine Cantonese And Teochew Fare

Yi Qian Private Dining is a new Chinese restaurant hidden within a nondescript business centre. Helming the kitchen is Chef Raymond, who has years of experience working at Golden Palace Singapore and Lei Garden Restaurant Hong Kong. The restaurant has an extensive menu ranging from Cantonese to Teochew Fare. Customers can even customise their menu upon the advance request of 3 days.

Crispy Prawn Fritters 4/5

A great appetiser to kick start the meal is the Crispy Prawn Fritter ($9.80). The thinly sliced prawn fritters are crispy and topped with sweet sakura prawns, deep-fried to golden perfection.

Stir-fried Shark Fin with Crabmeat served with Superior Stock in Teapot 3.8/5

A signature at Yi Qian is their Stir-fried Shark Fin with Crabmeat served with Superior Stock in Teapot ($68). It is a 2-part dish whereby the shark fin is separated from the superior stock. To enjoy the dish, have a bite of the shark fin and sip the superior soup brewed for over 6 hours using old chicken bones and ham.

Teochew Crispy Yam & Prawn Omelette 4.2/5

The Teochew Crispy Yam & Prawn Omelette ($24) comes in a disc shape, generously studded with hearty yam wedges and fresh prawns. I love the crispy and fluffiness accentuated by the flavourful yam.

Pig's Stomach and Chicken in Pepper Soup 4.2/5

The Pig's Stomach and Chicken in Pepper Soup ($108) requires pre-order at least one day in advance. A whole kampong chicken is wrapped in a pig's stomach and boiled in a white pepper soup. It is a pot of nourishing soup boiled for 4 hours under high heat with a myriad of spices.

Sizzling Kai Lan in Claypot 4.2/5

Nowadays, restaurants like to serve their vegetables in claypot, such as the Sizzling Kai Lan in Claypot ($22). They are stir-fried with belachan and shrimps. It's simple yet irresistibly mouth-watering, with the kailan retaining a delectable crunch.

Wok Hei Fried Kway Teow with Diced Kai Lan and Preserved Radish 4/5

A staple Teochew dish is the Wok Hei Fried Kway Teow with Diced Kai Lan and Preserved Radish ($18). The flat rice noodles are tossed in a hot wok with crunchy preserved radish, kailan and shrimps, infused with the wok's breath for a smokey finish.

Sugar Encrusted Deep Fried Yam Sticks 4.5/5

Surprisingly, my favourite item is the Sugar Encrusted Deep Fried Yam Sticks ($20). It is the best version I have eaten so far. It has a sweet layer of sugar coating with an exterior crisp, followed by a soft and moist interior packed with the beautiful yam flavour.

While I see a glimpse of excellence in some dishes, there are misses too. I felt I had not tried the best of the restaurant yet. I probably have to return to try more of his dishes to get a final verdict.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yi Qian Private Dining
Thye Hong Centre
2 Leng Kee Road
#01-04
Singapore 159086
Tel: +65 65136377
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk down Tiong Bahru Road. Continue onto Leng Kee Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Hoy Yong Seafood Restaurant (开洋海鲜菜馆) @ Clementi Ave 2 - Zichar Stall By Disciple Of One Of The Four Heavenly Kings

For those staying in Clementi, we are blessed to have one of the best zichar stalls in Singapore. Hoy Yong Seafood Restaurant (开洋海鲜菜馆) is located inside a coffeeshop at Clementi Ave 2. The man behind the wok is non-other than Chef Hoy Yong, the disciple of one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Singapore.

Fried Hor Fun with Egg 4.5/5

One of their popular items, which you probably get to see on every table, is their Fried Hor Fun with Egg. We have the medium portion priced at $11. For the price, the portion is very generous with prawns, vegetables, fish slices, pork slices, and squids, topped with pork lards. The sight of the runny egg, coupled with the breath of the wok, already made me drool before digging in. It is definitely one of the best hor fun I have eaten.

Pig's Stomach Soup 4.5/5

A must-try if it is your first time visiting Hoy Yong is their Three Treasures - Pig's Stomach Soup, Braised Pork Ribs and Deep Fried Duck Roll. I had two out of the three dishes, starting with the Pig's Stomach Soup ($14). You can taste the soup that has been boiled for hours from its creaminess with a piquant peppery kick. What astonished me was the amount of ingredients in the bowl of soup. You get chicken pieces, fish maw and pig's stomach. It is restaurant quality serving!

Deep Fried Duck Roll 4.5/5

The other Three Treasure item we tried is the Deep Fried Duck Roll ($14). It is a unique and tasty creation. It is like a tempura Ngoh Hiang in the crispy crumb, stuffed with roasted duck, pork and prawn. Best to have it together with the mayonnaise.

Garlic Kai Lan 4/5

When you have a master behind the wok, even the Garlick Kai Lan ($12) tasted great. The greens still retain a delectable crunchy texture, simply stir-fried with garlic, ginger, and some pork lards.

Claypot Egg Plant 4.5/5

The other vegetable dish we ordered is the Claypot Egg Plant ($18). Not shown in the picture is the fried egg hidden inside the claypot, soaking up the delicious sauce. Instead of the usual minced meat, it uses crunchy shrimp coated in batter for extra textural enjoyment.

Herbal Kampong Chicken 4.2/5

To round up our meal with a meat dish, we decided to go for the Herbal Kampong Chicken ($18 Half). It was sauna-bath in aluminium foil wrap, cooked to fork-tender in a flavoursome herbal broth.

Hoy Yong is indeed a gem in the West. Its restaurant-quality dishes make it a notch above many zichar stalls in Singapore.


Hoy Yong Seafood Restaurant
Blk 352 Clementi Ave 2
#01-153
Singapore 120352
Tel: +65 67782223
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 530pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Clementi MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Clementi MRT station (Stop ID 17179). Take bus number 52 and 154. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Dover MRT station. Take Exit A Walk to bus stop at Dover MRT station. (Stop ID 19031).  Take bus number 74. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine @ ION Orchard - How Did It Get a Michelin Star?

Together with a group of foodie friends, we met for lunch on a Saturday afternoon at the newly awarded 1 Michelin Star restaurant, Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine at ION Orchard in the latest Michelin Guide Singapore 2017

Steamed Teochew Pork Dumpling 3/5

From the dim sum menu, we tried the Steamed Teochew Pork Dumpling ($5.60). What exactly is Teochew siew mai? Apparently it comes with only minced pork and bamboo shoot, without the sweet and crunchy prawn. I have to say it tasted rather pedestrian, so ordinary that someone in our group associated it with those dim sum items we can get at food court.

Pig Stomach Soup 4.5/5

Fish Maw Soup 4/5

For the soup, we tried both the Pig Stomach Soup ($12) and Fish Maw Soup ($15). The pig stomach soup has a good peppery kick to it. I like the fact that it comes with salted vegetables giving it an extra layer of flavour. On the other hand, the fish maw soup was rather different from what I used to have. It comes with minced pork and seaweed. It felt more like having a bowl of bak chor mee soup.

Teochew Braised Platter 3/5

Teochew cuisine is known for the braised items, so we ordered the Teochew Braised Combination ($51). We picked the duck meat, duck tongue, pig ear and pork knuckle to form our platter. While the meats are cooked to a nice tender and enjoyable texture, I though the braising sauce was rather bland and lacked the aroma from the spices such as star anise, cinnamon etc.

Sauteed Small Oyster with Green Onions 3.5/5

The Sauteed Small Oyster with Green Onions ($42) which is recommend by the manager turned out to be quire good and interesting. I have eaten fried egg with shark fin wrapped in cabbage but the sauteed small oyster with green onions is new to me.

Pan Fried Flour Omelette with Taro 4/5

Usually I will ordered oyster omelette whenever I visit a Teochew restaurant. However I noticed something interesting on the menu which I have not tried before, Pan Fried Flour Omelette with Taro ($33). The crispy omelette comes with chunky taro cubes which was very fragrant. Have it together with the accompanying fish sauce for a lift in enjoyment.

Steamed Promfret  4.2/5

The Steamed Promfret ($132) is another classic Teochew dish which I always order. Unlike other steamed fishes, promfret does not come cheap. Putting the price aside, the timing in steaming the promfret is spot on with the nature jus of the ingredients flavouring the soft and moist promfret's flesh.

Cai Po Hor Fun 3.5/5

The Cai Po Hor Fun ($27) was decent but not wow. I have had better one elsewhere. It would be nicer if they have used the stem of the kai lan, diced it to get the rice noodle an extra crunch bite.

Three Treasure 3/5

I would advice skipping the dessert. The portion was really small and expensive. The Three Treasure ($6) I had comes with a sweet potato cube, yam cube and some ginkgo nuts. For the price, I probably can get a bag of sweet potato and yam.

After lunching at Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine, we left the restaurant rather puzzled and confused with one thought in our mind. How did the restaurant get a Michelin Star this year?


Imperial Treasure Fine Teochew Cuisine
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#03-05
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 67362118
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sat: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sun: 1030am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

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