Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) @ Punggol Coast Mall - New Outlet, 3 Exciting New Dished and Exclusive Merchandise

The iconic Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐), beloved for its artfully handmade Xiao Long Bao, has opened a brand-new outlet at Punggol Coast Mall. To mark this occasion, Din Tai Fung has unveiled three brand-new dishes, now available at all outlets across Singapore. Available for dine-in, takeaway and delivery via Deliveroo, Foodpanda and GrabFood.

Adding an extra touch of excitement, the Punggol Coast branch is the first in Singapore to carry Din Tai Fung's exclusive retail merchandise, specially imported from Taiwan. Fans can now bring home charming collectables like the Din Tai Fung Chopsticks 平安筷, Mascot Plush Toys 包仔娃娃, Enamel Pins 微章 and more, perfect for gifting or as a souvenir for loyal diners.

Noodle with Crispy Wanton in Spicy Sauce 3/5

The new Noodle with Crispy Wanton in Spicy Sauce ($15.30) is tossed in a bold, spicy sauce and topped with crispy wantons. The noodles are springy and cooked to the ideal bite. However, we found the sauce to be a bit milder than expected, lacking the robust, aromatic heat that we had hoped for. The wantons add a textural crunch, but their petite size leaves more to be desired. It's a decent dish, but it could be more impactful in terms of flavour.

Black Sesame Mochi Xiao Long Bao 2.8/5

We were especially eager to try this dessert twist on Din Tai Fung's famous Xiao Long Bao. The Black Sesame Mochi Xiao Long Bao ($25.60 for 6 pc) is filled with fragrant, nutty black sesame and mochi. While the filling is aromatic and indulgent, the thick skin makes it rather challenging to chew. We recommend eating it immediately while piping hot, which helps slightly with texture, but be cautious as the filling can be scalding. It's a fun concept, but the execution didn't quite meet our expectations.

Steamed Chinese Style Layered Cake with Chocolate Dipping Sauce 3/5

This East-meets-West dessert combines a classic Chinese Steamed Layered Cake ($5.80/2pcs) with a side of Chocolate Dipping Sauce ($3, currently $2 from 1 May to 30 June). The cake itself has a unique texture, falling somewhere between a Chinese sponge cake and fluffy bread, with a subtle sweetness. When paired with the not-too-sweet chocolate sauce, it creates a comforting and unexpected fusion of flavours. It's a fun dessert to share, especially for those curious to try something different.

Oriental Salad 4/5

Pork Xiao Long Bao 3.8/5

Two staples we can't skip at Din Tai Fung are the Oriental Salad ($6) and Pork Xiao Long Bao ($12.80 for 10 pieces). The Oriental Salad is refreshing and crunchy, lightly tossed in a tangy sesame dressing that awakens the palate, always the perfect starter. As for the Pork Xiao Long Bao, it's what Din Tai Fung is famous for, with each dumpling meticulously pleated, filled with a juicy pork filling and a burst of flavourful broth. While the skin was slightly thicker than usual on our visit, it remains a comforting classic that satisfies every time.

Prawn Pancake 4/5

If you haven't tried the Prawn Pancake ($11.80), you're missing out. This crispy, golden delight is packed with chunky prawn paste and pan-fried to perfection. It's crunchy on the outside, succulent inside and incredibly addictive.

Shrimp Fried Rice 4/5

Pork Chop Fried Rice 4/5

Din Tai Fung's fried rice consistently meets your expectations, whether it's the Shrimp Fried Rice ($15) or the Pork Chop Fried Rice ($14.30); it never disappoints. Both versions feature fluffy, fragrant egg fried rice. The Shrimp Fried Rice is generously topped with fresh, bouncy shrimp, while the Pork Chop Fried Rice comes with a well-seasoned pork chop that's juicy and tender. Either option delivers on flavour and comfort, making them our top picks for a hearty main.

Located in the brand-new Punggol Coast Mall, this Din Tai Fung outlet offers a bright and spacious dining environment that’s perfect for a relaxing meal. Drop by whether you’re here to check out their newest dishes or stock up on adorable Din Tai Fung merch.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐)
Punggol Coast Mall
88 Punggol Way
#01-126/127
Singapore 829913
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Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Punggol Coast (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 9pm
Fri-Sun: 11am - 915pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Punggol Coast MRT station. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Happiness Kitchen Private Dining (幸福廚房), Mother & Son Duo Serving Comforting Taiwanese Cuisine

Gathering with the foodie gang, we explored Happiness Kitchen, a relatively new home private dining that unveils the rich tapestry of Taiwanese cuisine.

Pickled Tomatoes 4.2/5

Our meal commenced with the Pickled Tomatoes, a delightful mix of sweet and tangy flavors that sparked our appetites. Its refreshing taste acted as intermittent palate cleanses, making it a constant companion throughout the dinner.

Bamboo Shoot 4.8/5

An unexpected gem was the Bamboo Shoot with Goma Sauce, crowned with sakura ebi. The goma sauce complemented the chunky and sweet bamboo shoot, while the sakura ebi added a contrasting texture and fragrance.

Moonlight Prawn Cake 4.5/5

The Moonlight Prawn Cake, shaped like a full moon, showcased a prawn stuffing encased in a light and crispy wrap. Its unique texture made it a standout on the table.

Braised Beef Shank 4/5

Surprising us in both flavour and portion, the Braised Beef Shank, though labelled an appetiser, was generously sized. The lean cut, adorned with connective tissue, boasted tenderness and rich flavour, a testament to skilled braising.

Spring Onion Chicken 4/5

Defying appetiser norms, the Spring Onion Chicken graced our table as a whole chicken. The tender meat, complemented by ginger and scallions, showcased an unexpected gelatin layer beneath the skin.

Handmade Peanut Tofu 3.8/5

The Handmade Peanut Tofu, akin to a creamy pudding, featured a unique texture. Paired with bonito flakes and a garlic-infused sweet peanut sauce, it presented a distinct flavour profile, though the garlic notes were a tad overpowering.

30 Yr Old Chay Po Chicken Soup 4.8/5

A highlight was the 30-year-old Chay Po Chicken Soup, a comforting elixir that was light, clean, and sweet. Its flavours were so captivating that seconds were inevitable.

Perilla Plum Pork Ribs 4.8/5

Introducing a brilliant fusion, the Perilla Plum Pork Ribs, adorned with sesames, showcased the innovative use of perilla plum sauce. The fall-off-the-bone ribs immersed in this delectable sauce proved to be a winning combination.

Seasonal Greens 4/5

In a nod to freshness, Seasonal Greens made a simple yet satisfying appearance. Stir-fried to retain crunch and sweetness, it served as a wholesome accompaniment to the meaty offerings.

3 Cups Squid 4.2/5

The 3 Cup Squid was a delightful twist, a departure from the more common 3 Cup Chicken. The springy squid, bathed in rice wine, sesame oil, and soy sauce, was elevated by the aromatic basil leaf, adding a distinctive charm.

Dry Braised Prawns 4.8/5

Seafood stole the spotlight with Dry Braised Prawns, featuring impeccably fresh prawns immersed in a delectable sauce. So enticing was the sauce that not a drop went to waste.

Handmade Hakka Abacus Seeds

A surprise find on the menu was the Handmade Hakka Abacus Seeds, showcasing the versatility of Taiwanese cuisine. Soft and delightfully chewy, these seeds were wok-fried with an ensemble of flavours for a robust finish.

Roe Crab Glutinous Rice $160

Our dining experience took an indulgent turn with the addition of Roe Crab Glutinous Rice. A dish usually reserved for grand occasions, this Taiwanese delicacy promised a symphony of flavours.

Yam Sago

Concluding our feast was the sweet note of Yam Sago, bringing a delectable end to our private dining expedition at Happiness Kitchen.


Happiness Kitchen Private Dining
(幸福廚房)
Punggol
Instagram

Nummun Thai Kitchen @ Upper Thomson Road - Don't Miss Ordering The Crab Meat Omelette

I have been wanting to visit Nummun Thai Kitchen at Upper Thomson Road after hearing numerous good reviews of the Thai restaurant. I finally got my chance to check out the place recently with a friend. Mainly because of the Thomson East MRT line opening, it is much more accessible to get there now.

Thai Prawn Cake 4/5

We started our dinner with the Thai Prawn Cake ($9). It is a delightful starter with crispy exterior to munch on while waiting for the rest of the dishes to be served. It is paired with a sweet dipping sauce.

Pad Thai 4/5

For the carbo item, we decide to go for the Pad Thai ($8). Unlike most places, I find the version here is less sweet, and the noodles are not as chewy, which is what I prefer. Give the rice noodles a squeeze of the lime and a sprinkle of the chilli flakes to elevate the whole enjoyment.

Stir Fried Kai Lan with Roasted Pork 4/5

For the vegetable dish, I ordered the Stir Fried Kai Lan with Roasted Pork ($12). I always enjoyed the addition of roasted pork to the stir-fried vegetable. I find that it will enhance the flavour. Furthermore, it is like having two dishes in one. Maybe that is the greedy me at play.

Crab Meat Omelette 4.2/5

Many customers come for the Crab Meat Omelette ($28). The Thai dish that got famous after Jay Fai Bangkok got a Michelin Star brought the dish onto the world map. I have not tried Jay Fai, so I can't compare the difference. I only can say I enjoyed the crab meat omelette here. It was fluffy with generous servicing of crab meat in it. It is also not as oily as some that I have eaten.

Making a reservation before going down is advisable as the restaurant can get pretty crowded.


Nummum Thai Kitchen
Thomson Imperial Court
200 Upper Thomson Road
#01-03
Singapore 574424
Tel: +65 88868699
Facebook
Nearest MRT: Upper Thomson (TE Line), Marymount (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Upper Thomson MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk straight down Upper Thomson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Marymount MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and cut through the housing estate towards Thomson Community Club. At Thomson Community Club, walk to Upper Thomson Road. Turn right onto Upper Thomson Road. Walk down Upper Thomson Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Qi Xiang Hot Pot @ The Chevrons - Popular Chicken Pot In Kovan, Opens New Hotpot Restaurant In The West

Qi Xiang Hot Pot at The Chevrons is proudly brought to you by the team behind Qi Xiang Chicken Pot. Known for its unique beer-infused chicken pots, the restaurant also uses traditional claypots, and what you get is one of Singapore's first-ever yuan yang claypot options. What's more, it opens till 3am daily!

The restaurant will also be offering free-flow drinks, fruits and condiments for $5 per pax. Among the various condiments, be sure to get its in-house special chilli sauce, which is full of zing and adds a fiery kick to every bite.

Pumpkin Soup 4.8/5

Soup bases options include its Signature Broth ($29.90 for full or half pot) which has brought them to fame, but I chose other two which complement each other - a soul comforting and nourishing Pumpkin Soup ($29.90 for full or half pot), juxtaposing a piquant and zingy Green Pepper Sauerkraut Dory Fish Pot ($37.90 for full pot, $20.80 for half pot). The Pumpkin Soup takes more than 5 hours to be ready, and supposedly rich in chicken and pork collagen. That was quite evident in the deep chicken flavour underneath the sweet pumpkin note. You can even amp up the chicken broth by pairing it with Qi Xiang Hotpot’s Famed Boiled Chicken ($9.90 for half chicken or quarter thigh meat options, $15.90 for whole chicken).

Green Pepper Sauerkraut Dory Fish Pot 4.8/5

On the other hand, the latter was highly stimulating with a broth cooked with herbaceous peppercorns, ginger, sour mustard leaves, and laced with chilli oil. I like this version versus a full-blown mala soup. It gives that pleasant peppercorn aroma and a fiery kick without the greasiness. What's interesting is the addition of dory fish to emulate the concept of sliced fish bee hoon.

Japanese Wagyu Beef

Iberico pork

The menu features over 80 delectable options, including premium shabu shabu meat featuring Australian Wagyu Beef ($49.90 for full portion, $24.90 for half portion) and Japanese Wagyu Beef ($135.90 for 300g, $67.90 for 150g). Of course, there is seafood as well, such as prawns and Tioman fish slices.

Smoke Infused Duck Breast Braised in Szechuan Sauce 4.5/5

But what jazz up this hotpot menu is its range of sides. For instance, this Smoke Infused Duck Breast Braised in Szechuan Sauce ($18.90) is a rather well-considered dish prepared through the precise cooking methods of being braised, sous-vide, then tea smoked with umami-packed house-made Szechuan sauce. I love the fats that lace around the meat, which made each slice tender and succulent.

XO Homemade Carrot Cake 3.8/5

If you like deep-fried carrot cake, you may find this XO Homemade Carrot Cake ($10.90) sinfully good. Each chunk of carrot cake is turned into a crispy morsel tossed with crispy egg bits, beansprouts and spring onions, dressed in dollops of XO sauce.

Prawn Pizza 4/5

Another delectable bite is this crowd-pleasing Prawn Pizza ($9.90). The filling in between the thin crisp was pretty well done, with bits of prawns to provide that bit of a bite.

To celebrate the new opening, you can enjoy the following promotions:
- No service charge (June 2021 to August 2021)
- Free Mee Sua Dish for birthday diners

Photos and words 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. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Qi Xiang Hot Pot
The Chevrons
48 Boon Lay Way
#03-06
Singapore 609961
Tel: +65 88086730
Facebook
Website: Nearest MRT: Jurong East (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am – 3am

Direction:
1) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to junction of Jurong Gateway Road and Boon Lay Way. At the junction. turn right and walk down Boon Lay Way. At the junction of Jurong East Street 11 and Boon Lay Way, cross the road and continue down Boon Lay Way. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Jurong East MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Jurong East Bus Interchange (Stop ID 28009). Take bus number 52 or 105. Alight 7 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20 minutes. [Map]

Suk's Thai Kitchen @ Tessensohn Road - New Thai Restaurant Helmed By Thai Chef In Little India

With a Thai chef at the helm of the kitchen, Suk's Thai Kitchen at Tessensohn Road serves up authentic Thai cuisine in a contemporary bistro setting. Its menu is comprehensive, including dishes that are less commonly offered by other Thai concepts.

Homemade Prawn Cakes 3.5/5

Thai Fried Chicken Wings 4/5

For starters, what's recommended are Handmade Prawn Cakes ($10) and Thai Fried Chicken Wings ($10). The latter was excellent. Unlike those dry and skinny ones, these were succulent with a bit of zest on it. Definitely one of the betters ones I had tried so far.

Grilled Pork Salad 3.8/5

For something light but meaty to beef up your meal, Grilled Pork Salad ($14) is a good option with its thinly sliced pork shoulder. Tossed with onions, herbs and a spicy E-Sarn dressing, the tender slices of meat were moreish with a piquant and sharp zing cutting through. What's not quite there is perhaps the lack of char on the meat, which would have kicked its flavours up a notch.

Red Tom Yum Soup with Prawns 3.5/5

Fish Maw Soup 4.2/5

For soups, we had Fish Maw Soup ($14) and Red Tom Yum Soup with Prawns ($12). Simmered with old ginger, garlic and coriander root, the fish maw soup was flavoursome and tasty with a good amount of fish maw slices and mushrooms. I didn't quite enjoy the tom yum soup though. Its saltiness dulled my palate after a few sips of it.

Green Curry Chicken 3.5/5

We also tried Green Curry Chicken ($12). The green curry looked slightly split, but the taste was decent. The meat was tender, but some of the eggplants were still quite tough.

Fried Sea Bass with Suk's Thai Chilli 3/5

I was rather disappointed by its Fried Sea Bass with Suk's Thai Chilli ($28). I find the fish a little dry, and its fried exterior lacked a crisp that I was looking for. The Thai chilli lacks the punch to elevate the dish either.

Suk's Northern Thai Laksa 3.5/5

There is one interesting dish on the menu - Suk's Northern Thai Laksa ($10), made using Chiang Rai recipe. Served with a scoop of spicy minced meat with tomatoes and pickled mustard leaves, these were the 2 ingredients that imparted most of the flavours to the broth. Other than that, I find the broth itself rather bland. I remember having something similar in Chiang Rai, but it was a lot more robust.

Ice Jelly 4/5

For desserts, we had Ice Jelly and Red Ruby ($6). The ice jelly was done with a slight twist to it, incorporating preserved plums into the ice and was a superb palate cleanser after all the highly flavoured food. I enjoyed the red ruby equally, with crunchy homemade rubies that weren't doused in sugar. It would have been even better if a better quality coconut milk was used.

Red Ruby 4/5

Words 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. Note: This is an invited tasting. 


Suk's Thai Kitchen
136 Tessensohn Road
Singapore 217699
Tel: +65 96699445
Facebook 
Website
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am – 3pm, 5 – 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 1030pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left to Tessensohn Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]