Showing posts with label Prawn Toast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prawn Toast. Show all posts

Friday, January 10, 2025

Chopsuey Cafe @ Dempsey - Usher in Prosperity with an Exclusive Festive Menu

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Chopsuey Cafe at Dempsey will present an exclusive Lunar New Year menu from 20 January to 12 February. The menu offers a fusion of contemporary flavours across an array of à la carte and vegetarian dishes alongside a thoughtfully curated set menu.

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Lucky Lunar ‘Lo Hei’

Chopsuey Cafe’s signature Lucky Lunar ‘Lo Hei’ ($68/$88/$128), a vibrant mix of baby romaine, white radish, beetroot, carrot julienne, blueberries, pomegranate, pomelo, chunky cured salmon, toasted peanut crust, white sesame, and crispy wonton skin. The coarser toasted peanut crust added a delightful crunch, while extra virgin olive oil introduced a subtle herbaceous note that elevated this refreshing and textured dish.

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Prawn Toasties 4.8/5

Among the starters, the Prawn Toasties ($19) stood out with their juicy king prawn paste. They offered chunky bites encased in an airy, perfectly crisp fried bun. Paired with a chili-dipping gravy, it was a harmonious and satisfying bite.

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Crispy Shredded Duck Pancakes 4.5/5

The Crispy Shredded Duck Pancakes ($32) provided a creative twist on the classic Peking Duck. The shredded duck was tender and succulent, complemented by crispy bits and served with soft, chewy wraps that tied the elements together beautifully.

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Hot & Sour Soup 2/5

The vegetarian menu offers a Hot & Sour Soup ($14) loaded with tofu, mushrooms, vegetables, vinegar, and a dash of chilli oil for a spicy kick. It was vinegary enough but left an aftertaste that didn't quite work for me.

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Crispy Orange Kurobuta Pork 2.5/5

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Taiwanese-Style Three Cup Beef Tenderloin 3/5

The menu offers a wide selection of mains. The Crispy Orange Kurobuta Pork ($32), an elevated take on sweet and sour pork, delivered succulent pork morsels, but the overly thick and sweet sauce was overwhelming. The Taiwanese-Style Three Cup Beef Tenderloin offered a slightly more balanced flavour, though it leaned towards sweetness as well.

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Steamed Whole Fish 3/5

The Steamed Whole Fish ($112) featured the Catch of the Day, classic with crispy ginger, julienned scallions, and premium soy sauce.

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Steamed Free-Range Chicken with Herbs & Hua Tiao Wine 4/5

The Steamed Free-Range Chicken with Herbs & Hua Tiao Wine ($36) was simple but delivered light and comforting flavours with aromatic herbs and the depth of premium Hua Tiao wine. This homely dish, reminiscent of chicken soup, was particularly memorable.

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Wok Breath Fried Hor Fun 3/5

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Lobster Fried Rice 3/5

Classic dishes like the Wok Breath Fried Hor Fun with Fish ($26) impressed me with a decent amount of wok hei, though the fish slices were rather bland. The Lobster Fried Rice ($42) featured chunks of lobster and boasted distinct grains and flavorful notes from cai po and garlic, but the unexpected sweetness overshadowed its savoury profile.

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Stir-Fried Crunchy Leafy Greens 4.5/5

Stir-Fried Crunchy Leafy Greens ($16) featured a mix of Chinese kale and mini chard that were just given a quick sauté with fried garlic cloves, white pepper, and rice wine, preserving the freshness of the greens.

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Golden Pineapple Tart 3.5/5

The Lunar New Year-themed menu features a special cocktail and a dessert — the Golden Prosperity Punch ($20) and Golden Pineapple Tart ($18).

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The Joyous Reunion Set Menu ($138++ per pax) is designed for groups with a minimum of four pax, includes three delectable starters, a comforting soup dish, and three seasonal main dishes, all served with a side of vegetables and your choice of rice or noodles. A specially curated vegetarian menu is also available.

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.


Chopsuey Cafe
10 Dempsey Road
#01-23
Singapore 247700
Tel: +65 6708 9288
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Nearest MRT: Napier (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 11am - 11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 1130pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Napier MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to bus stop at Napier Station (Stop ID 13011). Take bus number 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123 or 174. Alight 2 stops later. Take the stairs up to Dempsey Road. Walk up to Dempsey Hill. Walk right to the back of the cluster. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Iru Den @ Scotts Road - A Refined Dining Experience with Taiwanese Ingredients

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My first encounter with Iru Den, then called IL Den, was when it was a small, 8-seater hidden gem in Orchard Plaza. Today, Chef Javier Low has transformed Iru Den into an elegant establishment on Scotts Road, with a main dining area, counter seating, and a private room accommodating up to 31 guests. Chef Javier has reimagined his menu along with the expanded space, now featuring Taiwanese ingredients crafted with a Japanese-European approach. The Chef's Experience Autumn Menu ($258++) consists of 9 creative courses, each thoughtfully curated to showcase Taiwan's unique flavours.

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Snow Crab Cake 4.5/5

The meal started with a trio of snacks, beginning with the Snow Crab Cake. Made with Hokkaido snow crab seasoned with ginger and garlic, the crab was coated in flour and egg and then deep-fried to a golden crisp. Topped with a mixture of snow crab, sour cream, and crème fraiche, this dish was a luxurious bite that set the tone for the rest of the meal.

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Five-spiced Duck Croquette 4/5

Next, the Five-Spiced Duck Croquette featured tender, confit duck flavoured with aromatic five-spice. Shaped into a croquette, coated in ciabatta crumbs, and fried to golden perfection, this savoury treat was topped with Taiwanese red chilli, adding a hint of spice to round out the flavours.

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Prawn Toast 4.2/5

Inspired by Taiwanese Moonlight cakes (月光饼), the Prawn Toast was a delightful creation made with finely chopped ama ebi, coated in panko and fried to a crisp. Finished with a drizzle of Taiwanese lovage oil, this dish bursts with bold, herbaceous flavours, offering a complex interplay of taste and texture in each bite.

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Homemade Ciabatte with Cai Pu Brown Butter 4/5

For the bread course, we were served Homemade Ciabatta with Cai Pu Brown Butter, featuring aged, sun-dried radishes from Pingtung, Taiwan. Accompanied by a warming Chicken Broth Soup with cai pu and Taiwanese green chillies, this course was rich with umami flavours and provided a comforting prelude to the upcoming dishes.

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Aged Kampachi with Taiwanese Plums, Dill Oil and VerJus 4.5/5

This dish showcased Chef Javier's skilful ageing technique by incorporating two Taiwanese ingredients — Penghu-sourced Kampachi and Taiwanese plums. The Kampachi, aged for four days and lightly charred over charcoal, was paired with dill oil, verjus, and Taiwanese plums. The resulting dish was bright and refreshing, perfectly balancing the fish's richness with the plums' acidity.

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Prawn XO, Provence Sauce 4.2/5

The Prawn XO Provence Sauce was a standout course featuring Carabineros (Spanish red shrimp) from Yilan, Taiwan. Prepared two ways, the prawn flesh was brushed with a special XO sauce made from Taiwanese flying fish innards, while the head was deep-fried to a satisfying crunch. Paired with a rich, prawn-stock-based Provence sauce, this course was a flavorful tribute to the complexity of Taiwan's seafood.

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Uni, Wheat Noodles & Hanawasabi 4.5/5

One of Iru Den's signature dishes, the Taiwanese Somen, was a symphony of textures and flavours. Tossed in white wine vinegar dressing with shallots, diced Taiwanese octopus, wasabi, and sawtooth herb (Ci Cong), the somen noodles were topped with Hanawasabi, adding a delicate floral note. The herb's robust, citrusy, and slightly peppery flavour complimented the uni, creating a memorable dish.

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Tilefish, Green Chilli & Katsuo Dashi 4.2/5

Chef Javier presented Tilefish (Amadai) for the fish course, with scales left intact and fried skin-side down to a crisp finish. Paired with rich katsuo dashi and pickled Taiwanese green chillies, this dish perfectly contrasts the fish's flaky, tender flesh and the zesty, umami-laden broth.

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Wagyu 4.5/5

The Japanese Beef Short Rib is perfectly cooked — remarkably tender and juicy, with a rich, savoury depth. Paired with Taiwanese pumpkin, which adds a subtle sweetness, the dish achieves an elegant balance that enhances the flavour profile of the beef. The highlight, however, is the Maqaw jus. This native Taiwanese pepper from the mid-altitude mountains introduces a bright, citrusy note with hints of lemon and lemongrass, adding complexity and a gentle warmth to each bite. The combination of the beef's richness, the pumpkin's sweetness, and the vibrant maqaw makes for an exquisite and well-composed dish.

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Sanma Claypot Rice 4.8/5

The Sanma Claypot Rice featured Pacific Saury sourced from Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The fish, harvested during autumn for its tender, oily texture, was dry-aged for three days, salt-cured, and lightly grilled over charcoal. Cooked with Hokkaido Yumepirika rice, the sanma's fat infused the grains, creating a deeply flavourful base with ginger, garlic, mushroom, pork lard, and kale. This seasonal donabe was comforting and rich, capturing the essence of autumn.

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Muah Chee 4/5

Muah Chee was served alongside dairy-free goma (black sesame) ice cream and cashew nuts for dessert. A beloved traditional snack in Taiwan, this chewy, nutty treat provided a satisfying conclusion to the meal, merging simplicity with nostalgia.

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Petit Four 4/5

The meal concluded with a Financier for Petit Four, perfectly moist inside and crisp exterior. This small, delightful bite was the perfect end to an exceptional dinner experience.

Chef Javier Low's Iru Den has successfully evolved from a small, intimate spot into a refined dining destination. His commitment to Taiwanese ingredients, paired with Japanese and European techniques, makes the Chef's Experience Autumn Menu a captivating journey through nuanced flavours and thoughtful presentations. Iru Den is a must-visit for those looking to experience the harmony of Taiwanese ingredients with global culinary styles.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Iru Den
27 Scotts Road
Singapore 228222
Tel: +65 8923 1127
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Nearest MRT: Newton (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right on Scotts Road. Walk down Scotts Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Binary @ Palais Renaissance - Celebrating One Year Milestone With A Revamped Menu

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Binary at Palais Renaissance is a gastro-bar that conceptualises its menu based on the concept of Binary. Presenting a single produce in both Asian and Western versions, you can choose either one flavour or even both if one intrigues you just as much as the other. One year on, Binary has recently refreshed its menu to incorporate new creations in a more considered format that better reflects its binary approach towards cuisine.

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Signature Kubaneh Bread 5/5

Kubaneh is a Jewish Yemeni pull-apart bread, and what we had was done using the chef's very own winning formula. Apparently, this Signature Kubaneh Bread ($14) has made itself quite a name for the past year. And indeed, it was on every occupied table. Its beautiful gold crust illuminated in the light, and pulling it apart revealed the soft and fluffy interior. While some like it slathered with the accompanying garlic butter and kombu butter, I enjoyed it equally with the small plates and mains that were served after.

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Octopus/Lao Gan Ma Chilli Crisp 4.5/5

From Small Plates Section ($18 each), we were first served with Octopus tossed with Lao Gan Ma Chilli Crisp (+$14) was moreish and definitely the most innovative way of presenting a grilled octopus. Using the household Lao Gan Ma Chilli, the crisp itself was piquant with a desired amount of heat. The grilled octopus is served thoughtfully sliced up instead of whole, allowing each slice to be enjoyed easily with the crisp without having to slice it up with utensils.

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Sesame Prawn Toast 2/5

The following Small Plate, however, paled in comparison. The Asian approach of the Tiger Prawns is presented through a Hong Kong-style sesame prawn toast. A housemade tiger prawn paste is spread onto white bread, deep-fried and finished with a drizzle of kecap manis sauce. The idea is appealing, but not our greasy toast and the salty prawn paste.

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Fresh Burrata 4.5/5

Coming to the single produce Cheese, we had a vegan-friendly Western style - Fresh Burrata, served with homemade impossible meat sauce and basil. The meat sauce was impossibly delicious! Like a good bolognese sauce, it was well seasoned with herbs, spices and sweetness from plumb tomatoes, and the minced impossible had a nice bite to it, unlike some other vegan versions, which turned out somewhat mushy. It was indeed a fitting match with the divine pillowy soft burrata.

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Wagyu Petit Tender 3/5

The Asian-style Wagyu Petit Tender is new, glazed with savoury char siew sauce. My favourite parts were the tail and front, fully caramelized on one side. Unfortunately, the larger slices in between were a tad underseasoned.

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King Prawn 2.5/5

We had King Prawn (tasting portion) oven baked with cajun herb butter for the Mains. The flavours were good, but the prawns lacked the desired firmness.

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Oven-Roasted Whole Spatchcock Chicken 4/5

We also had Asian-style Oven-Roasted Whole Spatchcock Chicken (tasting portion). It has the flavours of an Asian soy chicken but is even tastier with a savoury-sweet, slightly charred skin. The meat was tender, and even the lean breast meat portion was delectable.

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Grilled Asparagus 3.5/5

New highlights under Sides ($14) include a Grilled Asparagus flavoured with housemade egg aioli, grated Parmigiano and salt-cured egg yolk. I couldn't taste the latter as it was being grated, but overall, it was an excellent complement to the mains.

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Hongkong Egglet 4/5

The Dessert section surprised us with an unexpected offering - Hongkong Egglet with blue sea salt ice cream, yuzu jam and chocolate balls. I enjoyed it far more than any egglet I have tried in Singapore. You get an abundance of textures. Some egg pockets were fluffy, some were crisp on one side and doughy on the other, just like a typical egglet. I was impressed! The accompaniments are odd though. Perhaps they should just serve in Hongkong style, with condensed milk, sugar and peanut butter.

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Alongside Binary also debuts a cocktail menu that adopts the same binary presentation, where you get a list of Classic offerings synergised with another list with an Asian style.

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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.


Binary
Palais Renaissance
390 Orchard Road
#01-01A
Singapore 238871
Tel: +65 93630101
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours
Sun-Tue: 1130am - 1030pm
Wed–Sat: 1130am to 12midnight

Direction:
Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Wheelock Place. Walk to traffic junction of Orchard Road and Angullia Park. Cross the road to Royal Thai Embassy. Turn left and continue down Orchard Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Jiang-Nan Chun @ Four Seasons Hotel Singapore - Launched Signatures by Executive Chinese Chef Albert Au

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Michelin-starred Jiang-Nan Chun at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore has recently launched Signatures by Executive Chinese Chef Albert Au. Available at both lunch (Six-course $178/pax) and dinner (Seven-Course at $198/ pax), menus showcase fresh, seasonal produce in dishes executed by weaving fresh, seasonal produce and a passion for bringing a dynamic perspective to classic techniques.

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Jiang-Nan Chun Trilogy 4.8/5

Dinner is a seven-course experience that begins with a Jiang-Nan Chun Trilogy. It was a plate of 3 very luxurious bites - starting from a succulent and meaty Blue Prawn Toast, followed by a brilliantly executed slice of Crispy Suckling Pig layered with red wine jelly and a generous dollop of osetra caviar, and rounding off the first course is the signature Honey Glazed Pork Collar.

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Double-boiled Fish Maw Soup 4.5/5

Next up, we have the classic Double-boiled Fish Maw Soup. It is doubled boiled for 6 hours with Sea Whelk and Dried Scallops, resulting in a gelatinous texture.

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Braised Star Garoupa Fillet 4.8/5

The next course was my favourite, which features a wild-caught Braised Star Garoupa Fillet with Daikon in Superior Sauce. Chef Albert specially chose the Japanese daikon for its flavours, and it went all tender and sweet in the rich superior sauce. The fish on its own was outstanding, but the addition of the perfectly stewed daikon brought the dish up a notch.

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Boston Lobster 4/5

The next dish highlights a style of cooking 避风塘 that is said to originate from Hongkong Causeway Bay. Such a cooking method was traditionally used with seafood. Here we had an elevated version using Boston Lobster with fragrant Garlic and Dried Chilli. Known for its aroma and robust flavours, the garlic and dried chilli brought out the lobster's sweetness, especially when the meat remained tender and juicy.

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Braised Pork Belly with Pineapple 4.2/5

The next course is another Chef's signature - Braised Pork Belly with Pineapple. When the dish was served, there was an immediate pleasing waft of citrusy orange peel coming through. To counter the meat's richness, the pork belly was braised together with pineapple and other dried fruits for their tartness and acidity.

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Handmade Noodles with Baby Abalone and Vegetables 4.8/5

The last savoury dish was a highlight for me as well - an extraordinarily homely and comforting Handmade Noodles with Baby Abalone and Vegetables. Both the broth and the texture of the noodles were superb, reflecting Chef Albert's culinary expertise and knowledge.

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Oolong Tea infused Jivara Chocolate Sphere with Kumquat 3.5/5

Dessert is Oolong Tea infused Jivara Chocolate Sphere with Kumquat. It was pretty interesting to see a kumquat replacing the usual orange. I feel the extra acidity from the citrusy kumquat filling worked even better with the chocolate.

You can also opt for a pairing of Taittinger Prestige Rosé and fine wines, curated to perfectly complement the full seven-course menu, available at $298 per person. For dining reservations, please speak with Jiang-Nan Chun at 6831 7220 or email jnc.sin@fourseasons.com.

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.


Jiang Nan Chun (江南春)
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Second Floor
190 Orchard Boulevard
Singapore 248646
Tel: +65 68317220
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

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 walking along Orchard Road. Walk to Hilton Hotel. Go to level 2. Follow the passageway to Four Seasons Hotel. Walk to destination. Journey time is about 12 minutes. [Map]