Long Chim @ Marina Bay Sands

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands saw a refreshed line up of celebrity chef's restaurants with Long Chim by David Thompson as one of the latest additions. The acclaimed chef and restaurateur has brought Namh London a Michelin star before opening Namh Bangkok, getting the top spot in San Pellegrino’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014. With such awards and recognition under his belt, I am excited and glad to know the chef has opened Long Chim in Singapore, serving his renditions of Thai street food.

Thai Milk Tea 2.5/5

I have to say my dinner at Long Chim did not start on the right foot. The rendition of the Thai Milk Tea is kind of acquire. It is not the usual taste we are used to or even familiar with. I would advise to give this a miss.

Green Papaya Salad 4/5

The crunchy Green Papaya Salad comes with a medley of Thai flavours, sweet, sour and spicy all in one plate, showcasing the characteristic of Thai cuisine.

Chiang Mai Chicken Relish with Cabbage 4.2/5

The Chiang Mai Chicken Relish with Cabbage ($14) is a robust play of different textures and flavours in the mouth with the crunchy cabbage giving the richness a refreshing balance.

Beef Skewers 3/5

The Beef Skewers ($16) was marinated in a rich marinade such as cumin, coriander and tumeric. The flavour is quite intense. However I did not quite enjoy the texture, I find it too minced or soft. I still prefer a bit of bite to it.

Green Curry with Wagyu Beef 2.5/5

Another disappointment on the menu is the Green Curry with Wagyu Beef ($22) served with roti. The whole execution was too oily. While the best quality of meat is used, there were only a tiny few pieces of them swimming in the pool of gravy.

Grill Squid Southern Style 4.5/5

Among the dishes I tried at Long Chim, the Grilled Squid in Southern Style ($16) has to be my favourite. Coated with a delectable spicy and coconut cream sauce, coupled with the charred aroma, this is indeed addictive.

Stir Fried Chinese Broccoli with Crispy Pork Belly 4/5

The Stir Fried Chinese Broccoli with Crispy Pork Belly in Oyster Sauce ($22) is probably one of the most value for money dish with its large servicing and huge pieces of sio bak. Except for the fact that the oyster sauce was a bit on the heavy side, this is a homely and comforting dish to go with a bowl of rice.

After trying the food at Long Chim, I did walk away feeling a bit disappointed. There were hits and misses. But the more troubling thought it whether it is worth to pay that sort of price for rendition of Thai street food while there was not really a wow factor.


Long Chim
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
2 Bayfront Avenue
Atrium 2, L2-02
Singapore 018972
Tel: +65 66887299
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Website
Nearest MRT: Bayfront (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 12midnight
Fri: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 1am
Sat-Sun: 530pm - 1am

Direction:
1) Alight at Bayfront MRT station. Take Exit D. Walk to Hermes at Level 1. Take the lift beside it to level 2. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh @ Sixth Avenue (Bukit Timah)

I have known Jabez from Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh when I first visit his flagship outlet at Simpang Bedok back in January 2014. Since then, it has grown from strength to strength expanding his business into Indonesia as well as another 2 new outlets in Woodland Close and Sixth Avenue. I am glad that it has opened the latest outlet at sixth avenue which is near home. Now I need not travel all the way from West to East to satisfy my craving for Bak Kut Teh.

Bak Kut Teh Soup 4/5

My favourite at Soon Huat has to be their Dry Bak Kut Teh but I decided to try the Bak Kut Teh Soup ($11.80) today. The portion I ordered is good for two. In the claypot, I can find pork ribs, golden mushrooms, tau kee, pig liver and pig stomach. The soup base is a recipe that Jabez created which is an in between of the herbal and pepper versions of Klang and Teochew bak kut teh.

Salted Vegetables 4/5

I always love to order a plate of Salted Vegetables to go with bak kut teh. It was cooked to a nice softness and a nice balance of saltiness and sweetness.

Braised Tau Kee 3/5

I am not sure whether Soon Huat has changed their Tau Kee supplier but it seems like the quality of the Briased Tau Kee has dropped. It still has the crispiness but I remembered there was a bite or chew to it but somehow the one I had here felt hollow inside. The braised sauce was also on the greasy and salty side. I hope it is only one of those bad days.

A lot of restaurants when they expanded, the quality control seems to fall. I really hope that it is one off day during my visit in some of the items I tried. Nevertheless, I am glad that Soon Huat has opened its latest outlet near my place.


Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh
Good Good Eating House
24 Sixth Avenue
Singapore 276481
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Nearest MRT: Sixth Avenue (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 930pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Sixth Avenue MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk straight to Sixth Avenue. Turn left onto Sixth Avenue. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]