Tien Court @ Copthorne King’s Hotel - Celebrates 35th Anniversary With A Fresh Menu

Tien Court, located at Copthorne King’s Hotel, celebrates its 35th anniversary with a fresh menu curated by Master Chef Lui. With a lifelong dedication to Teochew cuisine and a profound cultural insight, Chef Lui's menu highlights the natural flavors and freshness of ingredients, ranging from seafood to poultry and vegetables.

Assorted Dim Sums 4/5

The Dim Sum menu is a highlight, featuring delectable offerings like the Teochew Steamed Crystal Dumpling, plump with a juicy mixture of dried shrimp, preserved radish, and turnip, wrapped in delicate translucent skin. Equally delightful is the pan-seared Teochew Chai Kueh, boasting a well-made kueh skin with a tasty seared exterior. One notable item is the Crispy Teochew Dumpling, featuring an airy crust filled with succulent prawn and bamboo shoot.

Double-boiled Fish Maw Nourishing Soup 5/5

The Double-boiled Fish Maw Nourishing Soup was stunning with a generous portion of premium fish maw complemented by chicken collagen, bamboo shoots, and an array of herbs. Slow-cooked for hours, the result was a velvety broth with a rich depth of flavor, offering a nourishing and satisfying experience.

Braised Sliced Silver Hill Irish Duck 4/5

An elevated take on the traditional Teochew braised duck is the Braised Sliced Silver Hill Irish Duck. While the use of Irish duck doesn't necessarily make the dish tastier than its regular counterpart, the addition of extra fats enhances its richness. However, what stood out for me is the aromatic and herbaceous braising sauce.

Signature Teochew Puning Fermented Bean Chicken 4.5/5

The Signature Teochew Puning Fermented Bean Chicken showcases the unique ingredient of Puning fermented bean paste. This dish features a whole chicken marinated in a mixture of Puning fermented beans — a specialty from the city of Puning — along with aromatics like ginger and pandan leaves. The chicken is gently baked in a claypot over fire. The meat emerged succulent, accompanied by a sauce that balanced sweetness with a subtle tang, offering a complex and enticing flavour profile.

Pan-fried Cod Fish with Superior Soy Sauce 5/5

Signature Braised White Teat Sea Cucumber 5/5

We had 2 excellent seafood dishes. The Pan-fried Cod Fish was executed with a perfect crust flavoured with a light superior soy sauce. The Signature Braised White Teat Sea Cucumber in oyster sauce is a memorable dish - Deep fried after braising, the sea cucumber had a delectable chewy and bouncy texture, contrasted with its crisp skin. This preparation also allowed it to absorb the oyster sauce better, elevating its flavours.

Teochew-style Oyster Omelette 3.5/5

The Teochew-style Oyster Omelette is prepared with Master Chef Lui’s special fish sauce blend. The egg and flour mixture is fried to a crisp perfection, with plump oysters nestled beneath it. While the dish delivered as expected, juicier and plumper oysters would have elevated its taste and flavour.

Signature Teochew Wok-fried Hor Fun 4/5

Signature Teochew Wok-fried Hor Fun with diced kailan and preserved radish hor fun boasts a remarkable infusion of wok hei. While the hor fun base itself leans slightly towards the bland side, it's elevated by the abundance of umami-rich flavors and textures from the other ingredients. Each mouthful is a delightful combination of wok hei and diverse flavours.

Steamed Yam Paste 5/5

The Steamed Yam Paste 'Orh Nee' with pumpkin and gingko nut stands out as one of the finest I've tasted from a restaurant. The yam paste had the right amount of sweetness, complemented by tiny yam chunks within that added texture. For those craving extra sweetness, a side of sugar syrup is provided.

Other than A curated range of set menus with Individual and Group Set Menus are available, priced from $78 per person for a 7-course exploration menu to 8-course family-style menu for a party of 10 for $1,088.

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.


Tien Court Restaurant
Copthorne King's Hotel
403 Havelock Road
Level 2
Singapore 169631
Tel: +65 63183193/ 63183198
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Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Fort Canning (DT Line), Tiong Bahru (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite Subordinate Court (Stop ID 06171). Take bus number 51 or 186. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Shell House (Stop ID 04329). Take bus number 64 or 123. Alight 2 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10169). Take bus number 123. Alight 5 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

Claypot & Cooked Food Kitchen @ Chinatown Complex Food Centre - Cantonese Fare that Opens Only for 3 Hours

Claypot & Cooked Food Kitchen is a humble hawker stall nestled in a corner of Chinatown Complex Food Centre, helmed by Uncle Hong, who brings forth traditional Cantonese delicacies honed through years of experience at renowned Chinese restaurants, including the iconic Lai Wah Restaurant, established in 1963 by the legendary "Four Heavenly Kings of Singapore Cantonese Cuisine".

Braised Fish Head 4.2/5

Getting a taste of the stall's offerings requires some strategic planning due to its limited operating hours. To secure a meal, one must arrive well before lunchtime. We arrived at 9:30 am to place our order, and by 11 am, our dishes were served. Unfortunately, those who came later, around 11 am, were all turned away.

Taking the spotlight first is the Braised Fish Head ($25), an impressive dish both in portion size and flavour. The fried fish head is generously bathed in a light yet flavourful gravy, accompanied by vegetables, tofu, and taro.

Sweet and Sour Pork 4/5

Among the array of claypot delights, the signature Sweet and Sour Pork ($7) stands out. Crispy pork, cloaked in a delicate batter, is enrobed in a sweet and tangy sauce, possibly tinged with hawthorn for a unique zesty twist.

Claypot Pork Liver 4.2/5

The Claypot Pork Liver is a true gem. It boasts thick slices of pork liver cooked to perfection in a savoury brown sauce infused with the aromatic essence of ginger and scallions, sizzling in the claypot.

Sea Cucumber Stew 4/5

The Sea Cucumber Stew presents bouncy sea cucumber alongside succulent roasted pork, mushrooms, and cabbage, all bathed in a rich and flavourful sauce.

Sambal Kang Kong 4/5

For those craving a kick of heat, the Sambal Kang Kong delivers, offering crunchy kang kong stir-fried to perfection in a spicy and aromatic sambal sauce, providing a burst of flavour in every bite.

Prawn Paste Chicken 3.8/5

While the Prawn Paste Chicken doesn't quite steal the show like its counterparts, it still holds its own with its mild yet satisfying prawn paste flavour.

Salted Fish Char Siew Shrimp Fried Rice 4/5

Finally, the Salted Fish Char Siew Shrimp Fried Rice wraps up the meal with its fragrant aroma and comforting wok hei, offering a simple yet satisfying conclusion to a wonderful meal.


Claypot & Cooked Food Kitchen
Chinatown Complex Food Centre
335 Smith Street
#02-83
Singapore 050335
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10:30am - 12:30pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Pagoda Street. Turn right onto Trengganu Street and walk to the end of the street. Cross Smith Street and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to Sago Lane. Turn left and walk down Sago Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Peach Blossoms @ PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay - Usher in The Majestic Year of The Dragon

Herald the Year of the Dragon with an array of Lunar New Year dine-in menus and takeaways at Peach Blossoms, curated by Executive Chinese Chef Edward Chong and his team. Six luxurious set menus are being presented this year, and we had the pleasure of trying the Year of the Dragon Imperial set at $398 per person.

Peach Blossoms Auspicious Yu Sheng 4/5

Peach Blossoms Auspicious Yu Sheng comprises a vibrant medley of fruits and vegetables, with individual serving of Kanpachi and Hokkaido Uni. The abundant fruits include fresh strawberries, kiwi, jackfruit, nashi pear, rockmelon, honeydew, and jambu.

Double Boiled Geoduck and Chicken Mousse Soup 4/5

Double Boiled Geoduck and Chicken Mousse Soup features a delicate butterfly-shaped chicken mousse and thin slices of geoduck blanched in the soup itself. Boiled over eight hours with free-range chicken, the soup is further sweetened with corn and peas.

Braised Dried Abalone, Fish Maw and Chicken 5/5

The next course is a dish that requires expertise and skills for execution - Braised Dried Abalone, Fish Maw and Chicken. The South Africa dried abalone is laboriously prepared in-house over the course of 2 to weeks. The abalone is complemented with a free-range chicken drumstick, expertly deboned with the meat removed. It is then stuffed with fish maw and sauce before being cooked.

Japanese Sea Cucumber, Sturgeon Fish Tendon Dumpling 4.5/5

The following course is an exquisite dish - Japanese Sea Cucumber, Sturgeon Fish Tendon Dumpling with Superior Sauce. Sturgeon fish is chosen for its head resembling a mythical dragon to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. The fish dumpling filling combines sturgeon meat and its prized tendon. A succulent Japanese sea cucumber in a sweet pumpkin and sturgeon broth is served alongside. The pan-fried Japanese sea cucumber had an enjoyable bouncy texture, further enhanced by its sturgeon meat filling.

Snow Crab and Wild Mushrooms 4/5

Next, we indulged in Snow Crab and Wild Mushrooms, served with Thai Jasmine Rice. The rice was savoury with nuttiness and crunch from toasted pine nuts. The snow crab leg meat was presented in a chawanmushi style, elevating it into a more complete dish.

Desserts 5/5

Desserts were the highlight for me. Aesthetically presented in a Japanese garden-like setting, we had Green Tea Puff with Osmanthus, Pineapple Sorbet and Red Date Cake. The latter was my favourite, reminiscent of a red bean rice cake. The Green Tea Puff was creatively crafted with cucumber slices, imparted a delightful crunch and flavour that perfectly complemented the green tea paste. The Pineapple Sorbet pleases in the form of a majestic stone lion for prosperity this Lunar New Year.

Peanuts and Pine Nuts Soup 5/5

Concluding the meal was a warm and comforting Peanuts and Pine Nuts Soup encased in an eye-catching shell, which can be cracked open with a mini golden mallet to usher in the brand new year.

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, Peach Blossoms presents six specially curated Lunar New Year set menus, which include the seven-course Blessings set at $2,388 per table of 10. The six-course Year of the Dragon Imperial set is at $398++ per person.

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.


Peach Blossoms
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
Level 5
6 Raffles Boulevard
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 68451118
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Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line), Promenade (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 630pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 3pm, 630pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn right and walk down Raffles Boulevard. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Raffles Boulevard. Cross the road at Millenia Walk or Marina Square. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant @ Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium - Lavish CNY Set Menus and Takeaways

Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium ushers in the Year of the Dragon with a line-up of perennial favourites for takeaways and seven celebratory set menus for dine-in.

Boston Lobster and Ikura Yu Sheng with Passion Fruit Sauce 4.5/5

Boston Lobster and Ikura Yu Sheng with Passion Fruit Sauce ($268) - Xin Cuisine's Boston lobster yu sheng enticed with sweet and chunky lobster meats, complemented by a tangy-sweet passion fruit sauce. The occasional burst of saltiness from the ikura balanced the overall sweetness of the dish. Additional salmon, abalone, and crackers are also available for ordering.

Xin’s Roast Suckling Pig 4/5

Xin's Roast Suckling Pig ($508/whole pig) will not disappoint with its exceptional crisp skin for an opulent feast. One day in advance is required for takeaway order.

Braised Stuffed Scallop with Sea Cucumber in Abalone Sauce 4/5

We tried several dishes from their set menus. Braised Stuffed Scallop with Sea Cucumber in Abalone Sauce features a scallop with a prawn stuffing that enhances the texture and flavour, resulting in a delightfully meaty bite. The exquisitely prepared sea cucumber contributes to the dish with its soft and tender qualities.

Australia Beef Short Rib 4.5/5

The Australia Beef Short Rib, braised with red wine, showcased a fork-tender meat. The red wine sauce heightened the rich flavours of the meat.

Crab Roe Seafood Fried Rice 5/5

The Crab Roe Seafood Fried Rice was truly delectable, offering delightful textural bites from chunky prawns and scallops. What made it exceptional were the fried rice puffs skillfully tossed into the mix before serving. This added an additional layer of bite and infused a moreish aromatic flavour to the dish.

Xin's Deep Fried Nian Gao 3/5

For dessert, we had Xin's Deep Fried Nian Gao. While the Nian Gao was wonderfully soft and chewy within the crust, I didn't quite enjoy the aftertaste of the batter.

Xin Cuisine's Chinese New Year Takeaways are available for order from 1 December 2023 till 24 February 2024 through its e-shop (singaporeatrium.holidayinn.com/eshop). Xin Cuisine's set menus are available for order/dine-in starting 3 January 2024, and reservations for the Chinese New Year reunion dinner are now open.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant
Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium
Level 4
317 Outram Road
Singapore 169075
Contact: +65 31382531
Facebook
Website 
Nearest MRT: Havelock Road (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 5. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Si Chuan Dou Hua @ PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road - Celebrate Chef Leung Wing Cheung’s 12 Years At The Helm With 12 Of His Signature Dishes

Si Chuan Dou Hua first found itself in our local F&B scene in 1996, with its founding outlet on Beach Road. Fast forwarding to today, the restaurant has two other spaces in the iconic UOB Plaza and PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road.

This year marks the 12th anniversary of Guangdong-born Executive Cantonese Chef Leung Wing Cheung's 12th year helming the restaurant at PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road. Chef Leung has an impressive 40 over years of experience cooking Cantonese cuisine.

To mark this joyous occasion, Chef Leung invites diners to travel back in time, specifically from the 1970s to 1980s, to enjoy delicacies inspired by his hometown of Guangdong, China. Aptly named Chef Leung''s 12th Anniversary: A Classic Feast 梁师傅十二周年: 梁家经典怀旧五味篇, this time-limited menu features 12 specially crafted dishes, all of which are rare Cantonese and Sichuan dishes, seen on the restaurant's menu for the very first time.

From now till 31 May 2023, diners can enjoy a Buy-3-Free-1 or Buy-6-Free-2 promotion with any orders from this anniversary menu. Each dish is priced at $33.

Wok-Fried Squid Stuffed with Prawn Paste, Bi Feng Tang Style 4.2/5

We first had the Wok-Fried Squid Stuffed with Prawn Paste (避风塘百花酿吊片), featuring Chef Leung's take on "har gao" in the shape of a squid. The Hong Kong sun-dried squid pieces are stuffed with prawn paste, fried, and paired with an addictive base of crunchy rice crackers, shrimp and garlic.

Stewed Seafood with Assorted Vegetables and Crystal Vermicelli Served in Casserole 4/5

Introducing the Stewed Seafood with Assorted Vegetables (海味粉丝什菜煲) on the menu was meant to recreate regal one-pot-stews often made during festive seasons. Flavours here are more delicate while carrying a depth of sweetness from slow-cooking dried shrimps and squid. What we appreciated was the clean stock that contains no artificial flavourings. Main toppings include fish beancurd, broccoli and crystal vermicelli.

Poached Giant Garoupa Fillet with Luffa Melon in Fish Stock 4.5/5

One of our favourites for the night was the Poached Giant Garoupa Fillet with Luffa Melon in Fish Stock (鱼汤胜瓜浸龙趸球). The cloudy broth was brimming with natural sweetness and creaminess from hours of simmering fish bones and meat. I particularly enjoyed the addition of black fungus and, my favourite luffa, for the refreshing crisp. My only gripe was that I preferred a cleaner texture on the giant garoupa fillets instead of the slightly floury mouthfeel.

Slow-Cooked Roast Duck with Sea Cucumber and Shrimp Roe 4.2/5

The Slow-Cooked Roast Duck with Sea Cucumber and Shrimp Roe (虾子海参焖火鸭煲) was served sizzling hot in a claypot. The mix of tender slow-cooked duck, sea cucumber, shrimp roe and tofu skin rolls were covered in a sweet seafood-based gravy.

Boiled Sliced Venison with Spicy Chilli Sauce 4.5/5

Most of my dining companions and I have not had many venison dishes before, but we thoroughly enjoyed the Boiled Sliced Venison with Spicy Chilli Sauce (沸腾爽滑鲜鹿肉). Using the same Si Chuan recipe from Chef Leung's childhood, it features tender and lean venison slices that were first boiled before adding to the numbing spicy chilli sauce. Digging into it past the peppercorns, minced garlic and dried chillies, you will also see strips of celtuce, leek and beansprouts which provide a complementary crunch.

Steamed Kampong Chicken with Fragrant Scallion Oil 4/5

Using a fragrant house-made scallion oil, the Steamed Kampong Chicken (葱油走地鸡) has tender meat and silky skin.

Poached Tianjin Cabbage Topped with Dried Shrimp and Conpoy in Superior Stock 3.5/5

Next was the Poached Tianjin Cabbage (虾亁瑶柱扒津白), which had dried shrimp and conpoy toppings. While we enjoyed the depth of the clear superior stock, we wished for more, especially the portion, considering its price tag.

Pan-Fried Tofu Stuffed with Minced Fish Paste in XO Sauce 4/5

Another classic dish is the Pan-Fried Tofu Stuffed with Minced Fish Paste in XO Sauce (极品酱鱼腐煎豆包). The rich and slightly spicy XO sauce with dried scallop bits scattered on top would go great with a bowl of white rice. Each piece of pillowy soft tofu is stuffed with minced fish paste.

Sauteed Egg with Kurobuta Honey Pork 3.8/5

The Sauteed Egg with Kurobuta Honey Pork (黑豚叉烧炒滑蛋) was much smaller than we expected but was creamy and buttery. The slices of Kurobuta pork were tender and lent a sweetness.

Sauteed Minced Fish with Celery, Honey Peas, Celtuce and Bell Pepper 4/5

We learnt that this dish of Sauteed Minced Fish (生煎鱼崧炒荷芹) is one typically eaten during New Year in the past but is less commonly found around now due to its laborious cooking process. First, the minced fish paste is fried and thinly sliced before being sauteed with sweet celery, honey peas, celtuce and bell pepper.

Pan-Fried Minced Pork with Salted Fish 3.8/5

Finally, the Pan-Fried Minced Pork with Salted Fish (马友咸鱼生煎肉饼) features lean pork laced with bits of salted fish. While we enjoyed the texture of the patties, we found these too salty for our liking.

My dining companions and I don’t take beef, but the last of the 12 dishes is the Wok-Fried Rice Noodles with Sliced Wagyu Beef and Bitter Gourd 和牛凉瓜炒河粉.

Alongside the Buy-3-Free-1 / Buy-6-Free-2 promotion, diners can enjoy 30% off one of Si Chuan Dou Hua's signature dishes. The selection includes Signature Roast Duck with Truffle Sauce (Half $68, Whole $128), Double-boiled Soup of the Day ($30), Signature Bean Curd Medley ($28) and Signature Claypot Rice with Waxed Meat ($36).

Reservations are recommended and can be made via https://www.tablecheck.com/en/parkroyal-kitchener-road-si-chuan-dou-hua/reserve/landing.

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.


Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
181 Kitchener Rd, Level 3
Singapore 208533
Tel: +65 31385359
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Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Weekday Lunch: 1130am to 3pm
Weekend and PH Lunch: 1130am to 115pm, 130pm to 3pm
Daily Dinner: 6pm to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk down Kitchener Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]