Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant (锦记海鲜火锅) @ Joo Chiat

I love to eat steamboat because it is a joy to be eating with a group of people together with lots of varieties on the table. I have passed by Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant at Joo Chiat on several occasions and the restaurant is always crowded. However I have not visited the restaurant until recently with a group of HungryGoWhere foodies.

Dipping Sauces

Two types of dipping sauces are served here. My favourite is the combination of soy sauce, chopped red chilli, spring onions and fried garlic dipping sauce. For those looking for a more fiery kick, the bright orange chilli sauce will sure break one into a sweat.

The steamboat here is ala carte style. The owner a Teochew himself believes the importance of freshness and authenticity of the ingredients determines the quality of the dishes. Only one choice of soup base here that is boiled over 5 hours using chicken bone, shark bone and other high quality secret ingredients resulting in a natural sweet taste.

Homemade Fish Balls 4.5/5

The restaurant freshly hand made their own Fish Balls ($5) daily. The fish balls were very bouncy and springy.

Fish Kway Teow 4.2/5

Made with fish paste, the Fish Kway Teow ($5) was firm in texture and came with a delectable bite.

Spinach Fish Paste Noodle 3.8/5

I applauded the creativity of the chendol like Spinach Fish Paste Noodle. I understand it is a new creation by the restaurant. Although the texture was very enjoyable, I find it a bit too small in size to enjoy it to the fullest. It felt like the taste got lost among the more flavourful ingredients and soup.

Chef's Recipe Squid Ball 4.8/5

Similar to the fish paste, the Chef's Recipe Squid Ball ($8) totally won me over. This is a must try. Unlike fish paste, the squid paste had a robust and springy texture. Bite size chestnut in the squid paste was an added texture enjoyment.

Top Rated Fish Maw 4.8/5

The superior Top Rated Fish Maw ($38) was imported from the best grade in Indonesia. The fish maw does not have the fishy taste, soft and firm absorbing the sweetness of the soup.

Prawn Wanton  4/5

Pork Dumpling 4/5

Fried Dou Gen 4/5

The steamboat menu offers a huge selections of ingredients such as Prawn Wanton ($6), Pork Dumpling ($5) and Fried Dou Gen ($4). All were quality ingredients with delish and generous fillings.

Japanese Crab Stick 4.2/5

The Japanese Crab Stick ($5) is unlike the low quality imitation crab stick who can get at supermarket. I have to admit these were the closest to the real thing I have ever tasted.

Fresh Sea Prawn 4.5/5

The Fresh Sea Prawn (market price) was big and succulent. These deep sea prawns had a firm and crunchy texture with a nice sweetness to it.

Silver Promfret 4.5/5

What is Teochew steamboat without the promfret. The Silver Promfret (market price) was really fresh. This is also my prefer fish for steamboat as it has very little scales. Cooking it in the steamboat gave the soup the extra natural sweetness.

USA Prime Beef and Pork Belly 4.2/5

If you are a meaty person, the restaurant also offers different types of meat imported from USA and Brazil. The USA Prime Beef ($10) and Pork Belly ($8) will be a good addition to the steamboat feast with its premium quality.

Pork Knuckle 4/5

Besides the traditional Teochew Steamboat, the restaurant offers a range of speciality dishes created by the chef. The Pork Knuckle ($30/$35) was one of the popular dishes at the restaurant. The pork knuckle has a nice crackling skin and the meat was not too fat.

Golden Prawns 4.5/5

Golden Prawns

An appropriate name for the Golden Prawns ($20/$30) which was fried to a nice golden colour. Having tried butter prawns and cereal prawns, the golden garlic prawns is my new found love. The garlic taste was not overpowering and the prawn was fresh and crunchy.

Teochew Style Sea Cucumber 4.2/5

The Teochew Style Sea Cucumber ($30/$35/$40) stuffed with minced meat and mushroom filling was very well executed. The sea cucumber was firm but yet soft in texture with a nice balance of flavours and textures.

Yam Paste with Gingko Nut 2.5/5

Wrapping up the dinner was the classic Teochew Orh Nee or Yam Paste ($15/$25). I was looking forward to it since it is one of my favourite desserts and it is prepared by a Teochew restaurant. The yam paste was unfortunately on the dry side and did not have a smooth texture. I had a tough time finishing it, felling short of my expectation.

The restaurant promises Money Back Guarantee if the food is not good. Although the price maybe a bit on the high side for steamboat, the restaurant promises fresh and premium ingredients. In addition, the cooked dishes were top notch too.


Teochew Traditional Steamboat Restaurant (锦记海鲜火锅)
176 Joo Chiat Road
#01-01
Singapore 427447
Tel: +65 63488924
Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line), Dakota (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 5pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Head south towards Geylang Serai Malay Village. Cross Geylang/Changi Road and continue onto Joo Chiat Road. Turn left into Joo Chiat Place. Journey time about 20 minutes.

2) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Walk to Bus Stop at Blk 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take Bus 33 towards Bedok Bus Interchange. Alight 5 stops later. Cut across the carpark and walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes.

Senso Ristorante & Bar @ Club Street

Established in Singapore in 2000, Senso Ristorante & Bar known for its authentic Italian fine dining cuisine has been around for 12 years. Stepping into the restaurant, you are first welcome by the reception which felt like being in a hotel lobby. After walking through the front area, you felt like being transported to another world. The restaurant has an al fresco dining area at the courtyard which has a rustic charm while the main dining hall is both cozy and classy.

A basket of complimentary assorted breads were served upon placing our order.

Scallops in Shell 3.8/5

For antipasti, I have the Scallps in Shell ($28). The pan seared scallp was served with sauteed spinach and topped with candied Italian tomatoes. While I enjoyed the scallop and spinach, I though the candied Italian tomatoes was too sweet that disorted the balance of the dish.

Mediterranean Tuna 4/5

My partner ordered the Mediterranean Tuna ($26) for her antipasti. The tuna was beautifully pan seared with sesame seeds and sat on a bed of eggplant puree and eggplant caponata. I didn't try it but my partner seemed to enjoy it a lot.

8 Hour Braised Beef Cheek 'Al Cacciatore' 3.5/5

For my main, I have the 8 Hour Braised Beef Cheek ($38). The braised beef cheek was tender and melted in the mouth. It is accompanied with bacon, buttom mushroom and bread chips served with glazed carrots and Senso puree. Although I like the texture of the beef cheek, the flavour of the whole dish was abit too heavy for me. The nature flavour of the beef cheef was overshadowed.

Senso Bolo'bster Lasagna 4.5/5

I took a bite of the Senso Bolo'bster Lasagna ($32) and it was so good. The homemade lasagna with fresh lobster and tomato sauce got me excited as it is something different and new for my palate. A well executed dish with a beautiful balance of flavours and textures.

Creme Brulee 4/5

Interestingly the Creme Brulee ($16) was served in 2 version, the original and coffee flavours. It was served with strawberry and homemade strawberry sherbet. I really like the coffee flavoured creme brulee which had a nice coffee aroma. The strawberry sherbet was also very fruity and freshing.

Chocolate Lava Cake 4/5

Needing 15 minutes to prepare, the Chocolate Lava Cake ($18) served with passionfruit and vanilla ice cream was classic but delish. The lave cake was warm and moist like a hot dark chocolate eruption.

Senso Ristorante & Bar although is a fine dining restaurant, the atomsphere was rather relax. Service was also impeccable.


Senso Ristorante & Bar
21 Club Street
Singapore 069410
Tel:+65 62243534
Website: http://www.senso.sg
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line, DT Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat: 6pm - 1030pm
Sun: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Club Street. Turn left on Club Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk down Upper Cross Street to junction of Upper Cross Street and South Bridge Road. Continue down Upper Cross Street and turn right onto Club Street. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]