Pi Food (香江小厨) @ Dhoby Ghaut - Teochew Menu Revamp Led by New Esteemed Chef from China’s Teochew Region

Renowned Chef Chen Kai Bin, hailing from China's Teochew region, has recently joined Pi Food, bringing with him a wealth of culinary expertise. Boasting an impressive culinary background, Chef Chen served as the Head Chef at the Garden Hotel's 4-star restaurant for eight years.

With his arrival, Pi Food has undergone a menu revamp, featuring a diverse selection of Teochew dishes.

Teochew Raw Marinated Crab 4.5/5

Marinated for four hours in a unique mix of Teochew fish sauce, lemon, garlic, chilli and coriander, this Teochew Raw Marinated Crab ($25) will appeal to seafood fans. I especially enjoyed the freshness of the coriander and the zesty-spicy flavours paired with the sweet crab meat. Apart from crab, the restaurant also offers Prawns ($24) and Clams ($16), which are prepared similarly.

Teochew Braised Platter 4.2/5

The Teochew Braised Platter ($32) offers a variety of braised duck, pork belly, intestine and soft beancurd. Carefully infused with over 20 herbs and spices, it results in a comforting depth of flavour.

I especially enjoyed the succulent duck slices and my dining companion liked how clean the intestines were.

Teochew Seafood Claypot Congee 4.2/5

Chef Chen's Teochew Seafood Claypot Congee ($48) combines a medley of prawns, crab and dry scallops in congee. This comforting main was served bubbling hot in the claypot with housemade chilli dips on the side. While the congee leaned more bland than I expected, the freshness and sweetness of the seafood shone through, complemented by the tang of the chilli sauce.

Steamed Yellow Croaker with Puning Soybean Sauce 4/5

For our fish dish, we had the Steamed Yellow Croaker with Puning Soybean Paste Sauce ($28), which was infused with Puning soybean paste sauce before steaming, complementing the sweetness of the fish.

Deep-fried Prawn Paste Pork Ribs 4.5/5

The Deep-fried Prawn Paste Pork Ribs ($22) is reminiscent of our local favourite Har Cheong Gai. I thoroughly enjoyed these tender and crisp pieces which were so flavourful!

Teochew Fried Oyster Omelette 3.8/5

I was less of a fan of their Teochew Fried Oyster Omelette ($16) as it was much more oilier than I preferred. This rendition by Pi Food has a higher ratio of starch to egg.

Braised Sweet Potato & Yam 4.5/5

Finally, we ended our meal with the Braised Sweet Potato & Yam ($10). It is a lovely dessert for us, with the strips of sweet potatoes and yam encased in a sweet and ultra-thin crust drizzled with a dash of fragrant shallot oil.

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.


Pi Food 香江小厨
9 Penang Road
#01-18
Singapore 238459
Tel: +65 9239 0686
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Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am - 10pm
Sun: 1030am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk straight to Penang Road. Cross the right. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

SHAO Tapas (烧) @ Holland Village - A New Modern Teochew Tapas-style Restaurant By SHAO (烧)

SHAO Restaurant, renowned for its Teochew cuisine at Frankel Avenue, has expanded with SHAO Tapas (烧), a new Teochew tapas-style restaurant located in the bustling district of Holland Village. The atmosphere at SHAO Tapas exudes contemporary style and vibrancy, offering diners a modern setting to savour bold and flavorful Teochew dishes. To elevate the dining experience, they also feature a well-crafted bar menu, serving creative cocktails that perfectly complement the diverse flavours of their cuisine.

Pan Seared Black Ink Cuttlefish Sausage 4.5/5

Pan Seared Black Ink Cuttlefish Sausage ($18) kicks off the meal, presenting an unusual but delicious creation. The use of squid ink elevates its savoury profile, while the texture is slightly crunchier than a typical sausage. The pan-searing process enhances the aroma, making this cuttlefish sausage highly addictive.

Raw Roe Crab Marinated with Shao Xsing Wine in Teochew Style (500g) 4.2/5

Raw Roe Crab Marinated with Shao Xsing Wine in Teochew Style ($78) is a must-try for those with adventurous palates. Unlike typical raw crab dishes, it's surprisingly devoid of any fishy taste. This dish is a palate-pleasing blend of aromatics that complements the crab's natural sweetness.

Baby Pomfret 3/5

Previously savoured at the Frankel outlet, the Baby Pomfret ($9 for 5pc, $16 for 10pc) is a cute dish deep-fried to a satisfying crispiness, allowing diners to enjoy the entire fish. However, the appreciation of this dish largely depends on personal preferences, as there is little beyond its crispy texture to make it a standout fish dish. So, diners should consider their expectations and preferences when ordering this dish.

Braised Combination Platter 4/5

An essential element of Teochew cuisine lies in its mastery of braised dishes. We opted for the Braised Combination Platter ($28), which included Pork Belly, Pig's Skin, Pig's Intestine, and Tofu. To enhance the dining experience, it was accompanied by a traditional Teochew white vinegar dip, which perfectly complemented the braised items. The only drawback is that the pork belly was excessively fatty for my taste. It might reflect a shift towards healthier eating choices as we age.

Grilled Pork Jowl 4/5

Although not a traditional Teochew dish, the Grilled Pork Jowl ($18) is well-executed, with a tender texture and a delightful sweet sauce.

Poached Crispy Rice in Seafood Stocks 4.8/5

The Poached Crispy Rice in Seafood Stocks ($34) was undoubtedly one of our favourite dishes, providing a hearty and comforting experience. This dish featured a rich seafood broth accompanied by grouper fillets, scallops, and prawns. What set it apart was the rice, which retained its grainy texture, offering that distinct Teochew preference for a delightful bite.

Yam Paste 4.2/5

To end on a sweet note, the Yam Paste ($10) includes a surprise addition of osmanthus to the creamy yam paste, enhancing its fragrance and sweetness.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


SHAO Tapas (烧)
Holland Village
44 Lorong Mambong
Singapore 277697
Tel: +65 6993 9333
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Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 430pm - 1130pm
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 1130pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Lorong Liput. Turn right onto Lorong Liput. Walk down Lorong Liput and turn right onto Lorong Mambong. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.[Map]