Crystal Jade CNY 2025 - A Treasury of Lunar New Year Specialties to Savour at Crystal Jade Group of Restaurants

Crystal Jade ushers in the Year of the Snake with an exceptional array of festive dishes and set menus across its 17 outlets. Featuring both classic favourites and innovative creations, the offerings showcase the restaurant's hallmark artistry and dedication to authentic flavours. I had the privilege of sampling some highlights, and here's a rundown of the delectable experience.

Premium Prosperity Yu Sheng 5/5

The Premium Prosperity Yu Sheng ($128/$198) is an absolute standout. Showcasing Fresh South African Abalone, Great Amberjack Fish, and Australian Scallop, this dish is elevated by a medley of fresh and dried fruits, candied walnuts, and crispy Hsin Chu bee hoon. Deep-fried yam strips further enhance its textural appeal. With its refreshing taste and harmonious interplay of flavours, this Yu Sheng is hands down one of the best I’ve had this year.

Braised Superior Bird's Nest in Pumpkin Thick Soup 5/5

A bowl of comfort and indulgence, the Braised Superior Bird's Nest in Pumpkin Thick Soup ($68/pax) is a luxurious treat. Enriched with an assortment of seafood and Hokkaido Sea Urchin, the velvety pumpkin base imparts a natural sweetness that complements the nourishing bird's nest. It is a truly delightful and memorable dish.

Air-flown French Turbot Fish Prepared Two-ways 4.2/5

Crystal Jade's Air-Flown French Turbot ($24/100g) celebrates this delicate flatfish in two renditions: sautéed and deep-fried. Served with asparagus and black fungus, the preparation highlights the fish's natural sweetness while offering a delightful contrast of textures.

Shanghainese Style Treasure Pot 4.8/5

The Shanghainese Style Treasure Pot ($128), designed for 3-4 diners, is a refreshing take on the traditional pen cai. Brimming with ingredients such as homemade egg dumplings, mushrooms, prawns, oysters, and fish maw, this rustic one-pot dish is enveloped in a luscious yet lighter sauce — perfect for those seeking a healthier and less heavy alternative.

Salt-Baked Kampung Chicken with Hairy Fig 4.8/5

A crowd favourite, the Salt-Baked Kampung Chicken with Hairy Fig ($68.80) delivers exceptional flavour. The natural sweetness of the hairy fig complements the savoury, tender kampung chicken, making this dish a true celebration of balanced flavours.

Golden Vegetarian Yam Ring with Assorted Vegetable Medley 4.2/5

Vegetarian diners (and even non-vegetarians!) will enjoy the Golden Vegetarian Yam Ring with Assorted Vegetable Medley ($38). Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, the fragrant yam ring pairs wonderfully with the vibrant vegetable medley, offering a delightful textural contrast.

Apple-shaped Mochi with Apple Cinnamon Puree 4.2/5

Crystal Jade showcases its creative flair with the Apple-Shaped Mochi with Apple Cinnamon Purée($8.80 for 3pc). This delicate dessert combines mochi's soft, chewy texture with a warmly spiced apple cinnamon filling, making it a unique and satisfying end to the meal.

Mango Pomelo & Sago Jelly 4.2/5

A playful twist on the classic dessert, the Mango Pomelo & Sago Jelly ($32.80) reimagines the traditional flavours in a visually stunning and refreshing jelly form. It’s a light and delightful finale to any festive feast.

Crystal Jade's Lunar New Year dining runs from 8 January to 12 February 2025 across all outlets, with set menus catering to up to 10 persons. Takeaway delicacies can be pre-ordered online at estore.crystaljade.com from 20 November 2024 to 8 January 2025 and at outlets starting from 11 November 2024. Collections will be available from 8 January to 12 February 2025 at select outlets. With its expertly curated menu and a wide range of festive delights, Crystal Jade ensures a prosperous and memorable Lunar New Year celebration for all.

Note: This is an invited tasting.

Tan Xiang (炭香) Charcoal Fishhead Steamboat @ Polaris Woodlands - Bringing the Delectable Fishhead Steamboat to the Northern Region of Singapore

Tan Xiang Charcoal Fishhead Steamboat, the brainchild of celebrity Ben Yeo and Chef Cao Yong, has swiftly become a household name in Singapore's dining scene. With their flagship outlet in Kallang already drawing crowds, their newest establishment in Woodlands promises to bring the same delectable fishhead steamboat and zichar dishes to the northern region of Singapore.

During the bustling grand opening, we seized the opportunity to indulge in their 5-6 Pax Set Menu ($158), a tantalising spread featuring a selection of signature favourites and enticing new creations.

Signature Red Grouper Head Hotpot

At the heart of our feast was the Signature Red Grouper Head Hotpot. Delighting our taste buds, the fish slices were served separately from the bubbling broth, ensuring they remained impeccably tender without being overcooked. Compared to their other outlets, the soup base at the Woodlands branch boasts an even richer depth of flavour, probably owing to some subtle tweaks and enhancements. Regardless, each spoonful of the aromatic broth was a triumph for the palate.

Signature XO Charcoal Yam Ring

An intriguing departure from the conventional yam ring, the Signature XO Charcoal Yam Ring captivated us with its striking black hue, courtesy of the infusion of charcoal powder. Beneath its crispy exterior, the yam ring exuded a delightful fragrance and a distinct yam flavour. It was adorned with succulent prawns, scallops, snow peas, and cashew nuts stir-fried to perfection in a fragrant XO sauce.

Stir-fried Mushroom with Chinese Kale

For a refreshing vegetable dish, we savoured the 3-in-1 Stir-fried Mushroom with Chinese Kale, a delightful medley of textures and flavours. Unlike the standard fare, this dish incorporated mushrooms alongside the customary beansprouts, offering an extra layer of crunch and depth to the dish.

Zhen Jiang Spare Ribs

The Zhen Jiang Spare Ribs captivated our palates with their tantalisingly sweet caramelised crust, each tender morsel bursting with succulent juiciness. The delightful balance of sweet and savoury flavours left us longing for more.

Signature Hometown Spring Chicken

A newcomer to the menu, the Signature Hometown Spring Chicken stole the spotlight with its tender, succulent meat. Poached to perfection, the chicken, likely sourced from kampong chickens, boasted a luscious texture and was beautifully complemented by a generous heap of ginger.

Claypot Fragrant Drunken Clams

The aroma of the Claypot Fragrant Drunken Clams teased our senses as it arrived at our table. Each plump, juicy clam was bathed in a fragrant Hua Diao wine, infusing the dish with an irresistible depth of flavor that left us craving for more.

In summary, Tan Xiang Charcoal Fishhead Steamboat in Woodlands continues to uphold its reputation for delivering exceptional culinary experiences. With its winning combination of signature favourites and innovative new creations, it's no wonder that this establishment has quickly become a go-to destination for discerning food enthusiasts in the North.


Tan Xiang (炭香) Charcoal Fishhead Steamboat
Polaris
101 Woodlands Ave 12
#01-06
Singapore 737719
Tel: +65 8465 5070
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Nearest MRT: Admiralty (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Admiralty MRT station. Take Exit C. Cross the road and walk to bus stop opposite Admiralty MRT station (Stop ID 46771). Take bus number 904. Alight 3 stops later. Walk to Woodlands Lane. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Joyden Canton Kitchen Chinese New Year Reunion Set Menus

Joyden Canton Kitchen unveil a line-up of prosperous reunion set menus to welcome the Year of the Rabbit. This Lunar New Year, the restaurant presents a repertoire of reunion set menus showcasing appetising yam and duck creations. In offer are two sumptuous six-course (from $288) and eight-course ($688) menus, available for dine-in from 2 January to 5 February 2023.

Crispy Yam with Salmon and Abalone Prosperity Yu Sheng 3.5/5

Toss to a new year of happiness, prosperity and longevity with Joyden's Crispy Yam with Salmon and Abalone Prosperity Yu Sheng ($78), comprising velvety slices of salmon, yam strips, julienne carrots, pomelo and crushed roasted peanuts in piquant plum sauce. I love the addition of the crispy yam sticks for additional textural enjoyment.

Traditional Crispy Szechuan Fragrant Duck 4/5

A splendid offering for this Lunar New Year is the Traditional Crispy Szechuan Fragrant Duck. It is marinated with a medley of aromatics, steamed and then deep-fried to render a beautiful crispy skin on the outside and tender meat inside. It is served alongside a homemade sambal and kumquat sauce for a sweet and spicy kick that is the perfect foil for the deep-fried bird.

Traditional Braised Eight Treasure Duck 4.2/5

Another impressive duck dish is the Traditional Braised Eight Treasure Duck braised for two and a half hours. The fork-tender duck is stuffed with an array of eight moreish ingredients: water chestnut, chestnut, shiitake mushroom, lotus seed, lily bulb, ginkgo, roast pork, garlic, cloaked in a luscious oyster-based sauce.

Yam Ring with Pork Loin & Fresh Scallops in XO Sauce 4.2/5

Besides the duck-centric dishes, customers can look forward to the nostalgic crispy homemade Yam Ring with Pork Loin & Fresh Scallops in XO Sauce. The yam ring is fried to perfection with a crisp exterior and creamy interior. Nestled within it is a treasure trove of pork loin, scallops, cashew nuts, asparagus, shiitake mushroom and bell peppers stir-fried in robust XO sauce.

Handmade Seafood Beancurd with Slow Braised Shanghai Baby Cabbage 4.8/5

The Handmade Seafood Beancurd with Slow Braised Shanghai Baby Cabbage looks unassuming, but it is a tasty and comforting dish. The seafood beancurd is pillowy soft while the soft cabbage soaked up the delicious broth.

Steamed Fragrant Glutinous Rice with Yam and Chinese Sausage 3.5/5

The Steamed Fragrant Glutinous Rice with Yam and Chinese Sausage features fluffy, sticky rice accompanied by diced chicken, dried shrimp, Chinese sausage, shiitake mushroom and yam cubes, topped with strips of egg and deep-fried Kai Lan leaves. It is like a huge rice dumpling fragranced by Chinese sausage.

Yam Sago 4/5

Wrapping up the dinner, I opted for the Yam Sago, a change from the usual mango sago. The rendition tastes like bubur cha cha less the sweet potatoes and tapioca cubes.

EXCLUSIVE CHINESE NEW YEAR PROMOTIONS
Dine-in Promotions
From 8 December 2022 to 28 February 2023:
• Customers to receive a set of Prosperity Red Packets with a minimum spend of $50.
• Customers to receive an exclusive Prosperity Cushion with a minimum spend of $130.

Takeaway Promotions
From 7 December 2022 to 5 February 2023:
• Members to enjoy 15% off with a minimum purchase of two festive delights.
• UOB card members to enjoy 10% off with a minimum purchase of two festive delights.
• Add on smoked salmon slices for $15 (U.P. $18) with any ‘Yu Sheng’ purchased.
• Stand a chance to win a free exclusive Prosperity Cushion:
    o Follow @JoydenConcepts on Facebook or Instagram
    o Snap lo hei moments with the Lo Hei Mat that comes with each set of takeaway ‘Yu Sheng’
    o Post a photo with the hashtag #CNYWithJoyden on Facebook or Instagram
Note: Prices stated are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing GST

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Joyden Canton Kitchen
HillV2
4 Hillview Rise
#02-21
Singapore 667979
Tel: +65 64659988
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Nearest MRT: Hillview (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 5pm - 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hillview MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk straight to Hillview Road. Turn right onto Hillview Road. Walk down Hillview Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tang Xiang Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat @ 5 Kallang Food Centre - Popular Fish Head Steamboat By Mediacorp Celebrity Ben Yeo & Chef Cao Yong

Mediacorp celebrity Ben Yeo and Chef Cao Yong have partnered to open Tang Xiang Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat at 5 Kallang Food Centre. The new zichar stall is located in an industrial food canteen selling Signature Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat and an array of zichar dishes. The stall is so popular that the wait can be up to two hours long.

Red Grouper Steamboat 4.5/5

A must-try here is their Signature Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat which comes with two options - Giant Grouper Steamboat ($40/ $60/ $88) and Red Grouper Steamboat ($48/ $68/ $88). Each steamboat comes with fried fish head, round cabbage, yam, seaweed, tofu, tomato and a separate plate of fish slices. The robust broth s refillable too.

Unlike other fish head steamboat places, the concept at Tang Xiang Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat allows diners to add on ingredients for the steamboat, similar to having hotpot concept.

Fried Prawn Roll 4.5/5

Besides the fish head steamboat, the stall woks up an array of delightful zichar dishes too. We had the Fried Prawn Roll ($12/ $18/ $24). It is meaty and plump, with a light crispy coat on its exterior, giving it an extra textural enjoyment.

Royale Chives with Bean Sprout 4/5

For a balanced diet, we had the Royale Chives with Bean Sprout ($12/ $18/ $24). I enjoyed how the contrasting textures of the vegetables complemented each other for a delectable crunch.

Salted Egg Squid 4.5/5

The salted egg sauce for the Salted Egg Squid ($18/ $26/ $36) is legit goodness. It is probably one of the better salted egg squid I have eaten. Both flavour and texture are executed perfectly, with the addition of curry leaves lifting the taste profile.

Signature XO Yam Ring 4.2/5

Unlike the usual yam ring, the Signature XO Yam Ring ($28) here is black, infused with charcoal powder and comes with seafood instead of the usual chicken and vegetable. It is an elevated version of the traditional yam ring and an instagrammable one.

Claypot Spicy Chicken 4/5

Fragrant and tender is the Claypot Spicy Chicken ($15/ $22/ $30). Though the description said it is a spicy dish, I find it otherwise. The spiciness is very mild. I feel it is suitable for kids too.

The zichar stall is very popular, and the wait can be up to 2 hours. Hence, I highly recommend making reservations and pre-ordering your dishes before going down.


Tang Xiang Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat
5 Kallang Place
Singapore 339152
Tel: 8847 3776 (reservation via text only)
Nearest MRT: Bendemeer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon, except PH)

Direction:
1) Alight at Bendemeer MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk down Kallang Bahru Road towards Kallang Place. Turn right onto Kallang Place. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

JUMBO Signatures @ Marina Bay Sands - JUMBO Group’s New Premium Dining Concept

Stepping into JUMBO Signatures at Marina Bay Sands, you will notice a difference in ambience and decor from the other familiar Jumbo Seafood restaurants. Opened in January this year, JUMBO Signatures is also JUMBO Group’s first premium dining concept. The 76-seater restaurant houses 3 VIP rooms suitable for meetings, intimate gatherings and celebrations.

Three different menus were curated to cater to various groups of diners. Besides the Signatures Ala-Carte Menu, the Executive Set Lunch offers 3-course at $58 per pax and 4-course at $62 per pax. During this visit, we tried their Signatures Tasting Menu ($158 per pax).

You will enjoy an 8-course meal, amuse bouche, and a palette cleanser. In addition, a wine pairing is available for a top-up at $118 per pax. Menu items are refreshed every couple of months to ensure that the best-quality ingredients are used.

Marinated Jellyfish, Seafood Cone 4/5

We started the meal with two appetising amuse bouche, the Marinated Jellyfish and Seafood Cone. The marinated jellyfish was tangy and crunchy. The seafood cone, which comes in a charcoal cone, has a tasty mouthful of prawn, mango, cucumber and salad cream.

Shelled Prawn Fried with Seaweed and Pork Floss 4/5

Moving on to starters, we had the Shelled Prawn Fried with Seaweed and Pork Floss. I was excited to try this, as this is a creation inspired by Baoshifu 鲍师傅, a China pastry shop that specialises in seaweed meat floss cakes. I enjoyed the crisp pork floss and seaweed mix here. The prawn was fresh with a slight crunch.

Scallop Wrapped in Yam Ring 4.2/5

The Scallop Wrapped in Yam Ring had smooth yam purée around a juicy scallop, served with a house-special sweet sauce. The thin exterior had a delightful crisp.

Chilled Hand-Shredded Live Australian Lobster with Fruit Salad in Sesame Dressing 3.8/5

The last starter was the Chilled Hand-Shredded Live Australian Lobster with Fruit Salad in Sesame Dressing. The lobster meat was firm and fresh, but the dressing was a touch too heavy. I would have liked it done lighter to allow more of the meat's natural sweetness to come through.

Collagen Soup with Fish Maw and Bamboo Pith 4.8/5

There's no additional starch used in the Collagen Soup with Fish Maw and Bamboo Pith. Instead, it's lightly peppered and thickened through hours of simmering chicken bones, pork fat and pork skin. You will find dried scallops, fresh fish maw, goji berries and bamboo pith in it as well. It was extremely comforting and nourishing, and the slices of fish maw were very tender.

Chilli Mud Crab Pincer 4.8/5

Singaporeans would definitely be familiar with JUMBO Seafood's award-winning chilli crab. Here they offer the Chilli Mud Crab Pincer that is thoughtfully deshelled for you to sink your teeth right into. There's a good heat in the chilli crab sauce made with ten over spices, perfect with the side of crispy fried mantou.

Pomegranate Soda

Before the next course, we had a palate cleanser of Pomegranate Soda.

Sliced Luffa Melon in Collagen Soup 4.5/5

In the Sliced Luffa Melon in Collagen Soup, the luffa is carefully hand sliced into noodle-like strips and served in yet another comforting collagen soup, with fried shredded conpoy, Jin Hua ham and Sakura ebi. I enjoyed the smart addition of crispy ebi that gave extra texture and flavour.

‘Yuan Yang’ Fried Rice with Cod Fish and Fresh Mushroom 4/5

There are two carbs options for the next course. First is the 'Yuan Yang' Fried Rice with Cod Fish and Fresh Mushroom. It's a hearty dish studded with scallop bits, cod fish, king oyster mushroom, tobiko and crispy rice.

Udon with Sliced Abalone 3.8/5

The Udon with Sliced Abalone is much lighter in comparison, which uses a dashi base.

‘Cheng Teng’ with Bird’s Nest and Peach Resin 3.5/5

We had the mildly sweetened 'Cheng Teng' with Bird's Nest and Peach Resin for dessert. You can choose to have this hot or cold.

Signature Fragrant Rice in Rich Seafood Broth 4.8/5

From the a la carte menu, we had the Signature Fragrant Rice in Rich Seafood Broth ($38). Jasmine rice, crispy rice, fresh mud crab meat and botan ebi is served in a hot stone bowl before the umami-rich prawn broth is poured over. On the side, you also get to enjoy a fried botan ebi prawn head that's lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. I loved the rich seafood sweetness here!

Durian Tart paired with Ice Cream 4/5

The Durian Tart paired with Ice Cream ($14) comprises handmade Mao Shan Wang durian pureé, coconut ice cream and pandan sauce. I thought the tart worked sufficiently well on its own. I expected it to be very rich and sweet, but the well-balanced pureé was quite a delight.

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.


JUMBO Signatures
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Singapore
B1-01B
2 Bayfront Avenue
Singapore 018972
Tel: +65 66887023
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bayfront (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch
Mon-Fri, Eve of Public Holidays: 11.30am - 3pm
Sat-Sun, Public Holidays: 12pm - 3.30pm

Dinner
Sat-Thurs, Public Holidays: 5.30pm - 10.30pm
Fri-Sat, Eve of Public Holidays: 5.30pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bayfront MRT station. Take Exit C or D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.  [Map]