Jiak Kim House @ Jiak Kim Street (Kim Seng Road) - Former Zouk Transformed into a Beautiful Modern Asian Restaurant by The Brewerkz Group

Stepping into the former Zouk, one encounters the metamorphosis into Jiak Kim House, an enchanting dining venture brought to life by The Brewerkz Group. Chef-Partner Seow Tzi Qin takes the reins, introducing an inventive menu that weaves modern Asian cuisine with Southeast Asian flavours, all within a contemporary framework. This establishment is more than a restaurant; it celebrates evolution against the backdrop of Zouk's storied past.

The dinner commences with complimentary rotating bread, with the noteworthy Bolo Bun stealing the spotlight with its century egg and salted egg filling. This treat could easily grace the shelves of a bakery. Following this, an Amuse Bouche takes the stage, presenting a delightful ensemble of crunchy jellyfish paired with a palate-refreshing sorbet, setting the tone for the dining experience.

Chilli Crab Pie Tee 4/5

7-Herbed Crab Cake, Assam Mayo 4.8/5

Spanish Mackerel Otak Otak, Green Curry 3.8/5

Lamb Golash Croquette, Mint Coriander Coulis 4.5/5

For those venturing into Jiak Kim House for the first time, I strongly recommend having the Tingkat of Memories ($36). This ensemble features four distinct items: the 7-Herb Crab Cake with Assam Mayo, Lamb Goulash Croquette with Mint Coriander Coulis, Chilli Crab Pie Tee, and Tri-Colour Otak Otak. These items aptly exemplify Chef TQ's culinary vision and the establishment's unique gastronomic style. Moreover, they offer a vibrant introduction to the rich and diverse flavours of Southeast Asian cuisine.

Mushroom Herbal Tea 'Macchiato' 5/5

The Mushroom Herbal Tea 'Macchiato' ($22) is the chef's creative take on the beloved local Bak Kut Teh. The concoction comprises peppery mushroom consommé infused with a fragrant herb and spice blend. Topped with a frothy green peppercorn foam, the dish is served with a delightful side of playful mini dough fritters. I found joy in dipping the dough fritters into the comforting and flavoursome soup, a reminiscent act of savouring local Bak Kut Teh delightfully.

Hay-Smoked Wagyu Hamburg 4/5

The Hay-Smoked Wagyu Hamburg ($28) draws inspiration from the Vietnamese Bo La Lot. This delectable dish features juicy chargrilled patties made from a succulent blend of chuck, short rib, and pork belly, expertly wrapped in fragrant shiso leaves. Accompanied by a tantalising green pepper sauce, the dish is complemented by fresh kimchi pickles at the side, adding a delightful touch that helps balance the richness of the flavours.

Herbal Scallops 'Pao Fan' 4/5

The Herbal Scallops 'Pao Fan' ($42) received mixed reviews from some dining companions who felt it fell short of the traditional Chinese Pao Fan dish's expectations. Despite presenting components like puffed rice, the dish deviated from the anticipated experience. Rather than a faithful representation of Pao Fan, it resembled more of a scallop dish paired with earthy cordyceps and briny ikura in dashi buerre blanc. Nevertheless, it was still enjoyable as a scallop dish on its own.

Garum Quail Panggang 4.5/5

The Garum Quail Panggang ($46) left me in awe of Chef TQ's cooking. It stands as the most delightful way I've experienced quail thus far. The quail, expertly butterflied and beautifully chargrilled, is served alongside creamy celeriac mash, truffle sauce, crispy lotus root chips, and deep-fried cauliflower bhaji. The combination of flavours and textures in this dish is truly magical.

Kam Heong Sambal Grouper 4.2/5

The Kam Heong Sambal Grouper ($40) showcases a boldly flavoured Tiger Grouper fillet marinated overnight in black peppercorns and homemade sambal. Paired with lively mangosteen salsa and served alongside cilantro rice, the dish presents a delightful fusion of robust flavours and diverse textures, creating a unique and memorable dish.

Beef Tongue-To-Tail 4/5

The Beef Tongue to Tail ($42) presents fork-tender spice-infused rendang short ribs, torched ox tongue, and braised oxtail. Accompanied by domino potatoes adorned with grated coconut, smoky grilled shishito peppers, and a refreshing rojak salad, the dish artfully showcases the diverse and delectable facets of the cow.

Challans Duck Two Ways 4/5

The Challans Duck Two Ways ($48) is meticulously roasted to a beautiful pink, accompanied by a tangy sour plum sauce and served alongside a salted vegetable risotto. Despite the tender and flavourful duck meat, some diners felt it lacked the pronounced Southeast Asian flavours evident in the other dishes.

Snow Peak 4/5

The ethereal Snow Peak ($22) unveils a Moutai and pineapple-infused sorbet nestled on a bed of diced scoby, draped in a delicate coconut jelly, and adorned with guava, strawberries, and playful lime meringue shards. This dessert is a delightful and refreshing conclusion to the meal.

Jiak Kim 4.5/5

Jiak Kim ($22), literally translating to 'eat gold,' is an exquisite flower-shaped dessert adorned with gold foil. This dessert combines layers of roselle hawthorn jelly, earl grey mousse, Berriolette compote, and namelaka chocolate cream, delivering a harmonious blend of flavours and textures.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Jiak Kim House
5 Jiak Kim Street
#01-16/17
Singapore 169426
Tel: +65 98315430
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Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock Road MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to traffic junction Kim Seng Road and Havelock Road. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Kim Seng Road towards Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. Turn right onto Jiak Kim Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Chef Chan's Private Dine @ Scotts Road - Preserving Legacy, Crafting Excellence

Nestled within the premises of Indocafe along Scotts Road is Chef Chan Private Dine, spearheaded by Chef Wong Hong Loong, the skilled disciple of the renowned Chef Chan Chen Hei. While it might initially seem perplexing to name a restaurant after a chef not leading the kitchen, Chef Chan Chen Hei's prestigious legacy in the Chinese culinary realm justifies this choice. The restaurant promises a repertoire of Chef Chan's classic dishes, complemented by contemporary twists under the meticulous guidance of Chef Wong Hong Loong.

Abalone with Caviar / Maitake Mushroom "Kung Fu" Soup 4.2/5

We had the Dinner Set Menu by Loong Shi Fu, priced at $188+ per person, and the evening commenced with an amuse-bouche featuring Abalone with Caviar and a Maitake Mushroom "Kung Fu" Soup. The prized abalone, sweetened with caviar and immersed in the earthy essence of maitake mushroom, offered a tantalising prelude to the gastronomic feast.

Golden Morsels - Foie Gras with Shrimp Paste 3.8/5

Golden Morsels - Iberico Pork with Chive Dumpling 4/5

Golden Morsels - Marinated Quail Leg with Five Spices 4.2/5

The Golden Morsels trio followed, presenting a symphony of flavours. The Foie Gras with Shrimp Paste, boasting a crispy exterior, danced on the palate with a delightful medley of textures. Iberico Pork with Chive Dumplings showcased juicy dumplings infused with the essence of chives, while the Marinated Quail Leg with Five Spices provided a herbal and tender interlude.

Wellness Chicken Soup 5/5

The Wellness Chicken Soup emerged as a highlight, a potently brewed elixir resulting from a 12-hour simmer of whole chicken with ginseng. Served in a teapot and poured theatrically into individual bowls, the rich and flavoursome soup hinted at the essence of pure chicken essence.

Steamed Spotted Grouper with Homemade Tofu and Egg White 4/5

The Steamed Spotted Grouper, harmoniously paired with Homemade Tofu and Egg White, showcased the delicate flesh of the grouper enrobed in silky steamed egg white—an ode to the chef's artistry.

Poached Australian Cabbage with Double Boiled Chicken Broth 4.8/5

The Poached Australian Cabbage, immersed in Double-Boiled Chicken Broth, symbolising abundance and fortune, unfolded as a visual delight. The cabbage, served blooming at the table, captured the essence of softness and sweetness.

"Loong Shi Fu" Signature Crispy Sakura Chicken 5/5

An iconic Chef Chan's dish is the "Loong Shi Fu" Signature Crispy Sakura Chicken, which features paper-crisp skin, revealing tender and moist meat beneath. The impressive texture and flavour profile invoked the essence of a perfectly executed dish.

Wok-Fried Kway Teow with Seasonal Fresh Crab Gravy 4.2/5

The Wok-Fried Kway Teow with Seasonal Fresh Crab Gravy emerged as a stellar dish — a fusion of silky flat rice noodles infused with "Wok Hei" and adorned with a rich crab roe gravy, complemented by crispy noodle bits for an added crunch.

Chilled Supreme Bird's Nest with Rock Sugar 3.5/5

Rounding off the feast, the Chilled Supreme Bird's Nest with Rock Sugar provided a light and nourishing dessert. Additionally, Little Sweets comprising Mochi coated in peanut and Nian Gao with a thin crisp batter served as delightful petits fours.

Little Sweets 4/5

In conclusion, Chef Chan Private Dine masterfully preserves the legacy of Chef Chan Chen Hei, weaving traditional excellence with contemporary flair through Chef Wong Hong Loong's skilled hands. Each dish served unfolds as a symphony of flavours, a testament to the richness of Chinese gastronomy. The restaurant is not merely a dining establishment; it is a celebration of heritage, a gastronomic journey that intertwines the past and present in every exquisite bite. Chef Chan Private Dine undoubtedly holds a distinguished place in Singapore's vibrant F&B landscape.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Chef Chan's Private Dine
(within INDOCFE - Peranakan Dining)
35 Scotts Road
Singapore 228227
Tel: +65 6737 0895
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Nearest MRT: Newton (DT, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 930pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Newton MRT station. Take Exit A. On Scotts Road, turn right and walk down Scotts Road towards Orchard Road direction. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Yàn (宴) @ National Gallery Singapore - Savour the Flavours of Autumn with Yàn’s New Seasonal Nourishing Menu

Savour the flavours of Autumn with Yàn's new seasonal nourishing menu from 1 September to 31 October 2023. Marrying Yàn's forte in Cantonese cuisine and the spirit of the changing season, the restaurant's chefs have thoughtfully put together new selections that are wholesome and nourishing.

The menu offers both an a la carte list (from $12) and a 6-course set menu ($138 per diner, min. of 2 diners). We had the opportunity to sample dishes from both menus.

Mini Buddha Jumps Over the Wall 4.2/5

While the name says "mini", the portion of the Mini Buddha Jumps Over the Wall ($78 a la carte/part of 6-course set menu) was far from that. The comforting clear broth was a result of an eight-hour double boiling process. It features quality ingredients, including an Australian three-head whole abalone, sea cucumber, ginseng, pig's tendons and shiitake mushrooms.

Upon serving, the Australian three-head whole abalone is carefully separated from the pot, ready to be prepared as a second dish.

Australian Three-Head Whole Abalone 4.5/5

In its second preparation method, the Australian Three-Head Whole Abalone is thoroughly braised in oyster sauce and shrimp roe to enhance its presented flavours further. The abalone, cooked this way, was incredibly tender and carried the rich umami notes wonderfully.

Crispy Whole Quail 4/5

Inspired by the traditional Crispy Skin Chicken - Cui Pi Ji, Yàn has crafted its rendition featuring quail. The Crispy Whole Quail ($38 a la carte/part of 6-course set menu) is fried to a delicate crisp. It's served with minimal salt, pepper, and five-spice powder condiments, allowing the meat to take the spotlight.

Pan-fried Venison Steak with Chef’s Special Sauce 4/5

Another featured meat dish is the Pan-fried Venison Steak with Chef's Special Sauce ($12). This dish is a tribute to the 1970s period when Cantonese chefs explored adapting Western dishes to Cantonese palates. The New Zealand venison fillet is marinated in a special sauce mixture before being pan-fried and served with the reduced marinade.

Steamed Eel with Minced Garlic and Shredded Mandarin Peel 4.5/5

A unanimous favourite at the table was the Steamed Eel with Minced Garlic and Shredded Mandarin Peel ($20/100g a la carte/part of 6-course set menu). The intentional choice of eel aligns with its 'nourishing' theme and is thoughtfully deboned to pair with minced garlic, shredded Xin Hui mandarin peels and a Cantonese-style housemade light soy sauce. The peels were an interesting addition, with its bitter and citrusy notes.

Double-boiled Almond Cream Served in a Mini Pumpkin 4/5

We ended our meal with a nourishing dessert, the Double-boiled Almond Cream Served in a Mini Pumpkin (Part of $138 Set Menu). I am not a fan of almond creams, but I appreciated how fresh-tasting it was, with a mild sweetness and a lighter consistency.

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.


Yan Restaurant (宴)
National Gallery Singapore
1 St Andrew's Road
#05-02
Singapore 178958
Tel: +65 63845585
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit D. Turn left and walk down North Bridge Road. Turn left onto Coleman Street. Walk down Coleman Street. Walk to destination. Journey time around 5 minutes. [Map]

Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant @ Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel - A Resplendent Spring Celebration With Exclusive Set Menus

Celebrate Lunar New Year celebration at Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel with Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant's exclusive 6 or 8-Course Set Menus. The menus feature dishes using a luxuriant selection of fresh seafood and premium meats. Price starts from $118.80++ per person, available from 26 December 2022 to 5 February 2023.

Yu Sheng

Kickstart your celebratory meal with a toss with six Yu Sheng varieties, starring an auspicious selection of Rock Lobster, Hokkaido Scallop, King Salmon, Yellowfin Tuna and Caviar, accompanied by choice of citrusy yuzu dressing or traditional dressing. Auspicious Imperial Yu Sheng includes Australian Lobster, Sea Urchin, Hokkaido Scallop, Salmon Roe, Tuna and Caviar.

Eight Treasures Imperial Pot with Bird’s Nest

Wan Hao Eight Treasures Imperial Pot with Bird’s Nest 贵妃煲 (For takeaway and delivery: $508/ 5 pax; $928/10 pax) is all about nourishing your body with collagen and nutritional goodness. Ingredients include Bird’s Nest, 10-Head Australian Abalone, Fish Maw, African Premium Sea Cucumber, Black Moss Dace Fish Beancurd Bag, Live Prawn, Pork Tendon, Free-Range Chicken and Japanese Shiitake Mushroom. This modern take on a traditional Pen Cai symbolises endless harmony and prosperity.

Steamed Garoupa Fillet with Caviar, Golden Superior Sauce and Chinese Mustard Green

The exclusive set menus include seafood dishes such as Steamed Garoupa Fillet with Caviar, Golden Superior Sauce and Chinese Mustard Green. The superior sauce was tasty - it was vibrant with sweetness from pumpkin, laced with a slight fruity tartness from tomato, and punctuated with hints of bitterness from the Mustard Green.

Roasted Australian Quail with Fermented Red Beancurd

This Roasted Australian Quail with Fermented Red Beancurd was mouthwatering the moment it was served, and it was indeed finger-licking good. The brine gave an excellent brush of umami-ness to the tender and moist quail meat.

Steamed Roe-Crab with Glutinous Rice

Our rice dish was a Steamed Live Crab with Roe and Wok-Fried Glutinous Rice with Hong Kong Chinese Sausage. I like how the sweet crab meat mingled with the savoury rice.

Bird’s Nest with Premium Hokkaido Melon

The desserts were definitely one of the highlights. Bird's Nest with Premium Hokkaido Melon carries the melon's natural sweetness with only a tiny amount of cream added to bring the ingredient together.

Cempedak Custard Golden Nian Gao Tart, Osmanthus with Red Dates Rice Cake

We had a taste of the newly launched Cempedak Custard Golden Nian Gao Tart (8 pieces Golden Nian Gao Tarts $32). A blend of creamy custard filled with sweet fibrous cempedak fruit within the crispy and buttery crust tart. We also sampled a piece of the Osmanthus with Red Dates Rice Cake 桂花杞子枣皇糕 ($58nett), which carries very soothing flora notes emanating from the osmanthus.

For dining reservations, please call 6831 4605, email mhrs.sindt.fb.reservations@marriotthotels.com or visit https://www.wanhaochineserestaurant.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.


Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant (萬豪軒)
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Level 3
320 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Tel: +65 68314605
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun & PH: 1130am - 3pm, 630pm - 1030pm

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

Full Circle by J-man @ Thye Hong Centre - Semi-Fine Dining Restaurant Hidden Within A Business Centre

Full Circle by J.man at Thye Hong Centre is a semi-fine dining restaurant serving progressive Asian cuisine, helmed by Chef Jay Teo. Its circular logo, with a stray end, symbolise the start of a new journey for Chef Jay - from culinary school as a trainee to a fully-fledged Chef, then back to being an instructor, completing a full circle with him back being a chef once again. Weekdays dinner and Saturday lunch feature a $168 Tasting Menu, alongside an option for Full Wine Pairing $128 and Abridged Pairing $88.

‘Lap Cheong’ Croquette

Cured Mackerel

The Tasting Menu is really interesting. I experienced five unique 'snacks', followed by a 'bread' item with a wine pairing. We started with a rose to complement the savoury snacks.

Smoked Chicken Cigar

‘Char Siew’ Tartlet

Cured Mackerel and 'Lap Cheong' Croquette were served together, followed by Smoked Chicken Cigar and 'Char Siew' Tartlet. Though dainty in size, each was packed with flavours. The Char Siew tartlet came loaded with caramelised fatty goodness and was rich and mouth-filling.

Blue Swimmer Crab Broth

Oyster Bread

The items that made a statement for me were the Blue Swimmer Crab Broth and Teochew oyster puff-inspired Oyster Bread. 2kg of blue swimmer crab to produce a litre of broth; hence each bowl is a full-bodied broth with depths of flavours. Sandwiched between each fluffy bread is a plump oyster, complementing each other perfectly.

Hokkaido Scallop 4.5/5

Hokkaido Scallop features a refreshing mix of Hokkaido scallop and water chestnut. Green apple slices and ginger flower sorbet served with pickled jicama jus added to that lightness and crunch. After all the savoury snacks, this refreshed my tastebuds with its citrus-forward flavour profile.

Obsiblue Prawn 3.8/5

The next course was Obsiblue Prawn, served with piquant pineapple, bamboo shoot and tamarind chutney, and coconut cream spiced with kaffir lime leaves and tamarind oil. I love how the tropical flavours played out in this dish and the mingling of the cold and warm elements, producing a very cohesive dish.

Quail 2.5/5

One of the mains featured was Quail served in 2 ways - one with angelica root infused jus and the other deep-fried with a tempura batter. Either way didn't quite work for me.

Duroc Pork Belly 4.8/5

On the other hand, the Spanish Duroc Pork Belly was deeply satisfying. Each laced with perfectly crisped skin amazed me with its clean flavour and optimal lean meat and fats ratio. Drawing ideas from Korean BBQ, diners are given lettuce to wrap each piece of pork belly, with coriander pesto and fish sauce caramel on the side to slather them with. Similar to kimchi, there are also some pickles to help cut the meat's richness. I was surprised that I was able to finish all of it without feeling of being overloaded. Thumbs up for this dish!

Red Snapper 4.5/5

You can choose to add on a Red Snapper course (+$28). Reminiscent of otah, the snapper was aromatic with the warm notes of banana leaf. Slathered with laksa rempah and coconut, the snapper was delicious with punchy spices. The juicy pomelo salad served on the side was an equally thoughtful touch to the dish.

Pre-dessert

There's also a pre-dessert course - Chrysanthemum Jelly with Goji Berry Sorbet. The chrysanthemum scent was uplifting, and I enjoyed how the sorbet sweetened the jelly, which carries a slightly bitter note.

Porcini Parfait 4.5/5

Dessert was a Porcini Parfait with Miso Sorbet paired with sesame crumbles and poached pear. Savoury ice creams are common, but I rarely get to try a plated dessert that is so well executed. The porcini had a distinctive taste but melded harmoniously with the miso sorbet, with added textures and nuances from the sweet pear and nutty sesame crumble.

Sweet Endings 4.5/5

Summing up our meal was Sweet Endings, featuring 9-spice Madeline and adorable Kaya Toast Macarons. The latter had a crust creatively done by mixing real toast with meringue to create the bread-meringue crust. The kaya custard had just the right amount of sweetness for the pandan flavour to come through.

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.


Full Circle by J-man
Thye Hong Centre
2 Leng Kee Road
#01-05
Singapore 159086
Tel: +65 80310141
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Nearest MRT: Redhill (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue: 6pm - 1030pm
Wed-Sat:12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
(closed on Sun & Mon)

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]