Empress @ Asian Civilisations Museum

photo credit: Empress

The Empress at Asian Civilisations Museum is the latest and first  Chinese cuisine concept of the Prive Group. The restaurant facing the waterfront of the Singapore river, is an extension of the historical bulding, Asian Civilisations Museum. The design of the restaurant features a balanced mix of history and Chinese elements with a high ceiling indoor dining area, a private room as well as an outdoor dining terrace

Crispy Aromatic Duck Salad 4.2/5

We started our dinner at Empress with the Crispy Aromatic Duck Salad ($18). A salad menu? This is something new for a Chinese restaurant. The bowl of greens come with baby spinach, micro herbs, Asian pomelo, nashi pears, goji berries, cucumbers, spring onions, chinese figs. The medley of ingredients are perfectly hold together with the plum citrus dressing, giving it a sweet tangy finishing on top of the different play of textures.

Triple Roast Platter 4/5

The Triple Roast Platter ($28/$42/$56) comes with Empress Char Siew, Crackling Roast Pork, Empress Sticky & Sweet Pork Ribs. The glittering char siew using pork belly lacked the roasted firmness and aromatic char. The sticky and sweet pork ribs has a firmer bite to it and works better with the sweet sauce. Lastly the must try is the crackling roast pork or sio bak. it has a biscuity skin that reminded me of my favourite sio bak stall from Cross Way Bay Hong Kong Roasted Meat.

Crispy Cod Bi Feng Tang Style 3.5/5

An addictive appetiser is the Crispy Cod Bi Feng Tang Style ($12/$18/$24) with caramelised shallots and chilli. Could not really taste the cod but the crispiness coupled with the salt and pepper seasoning is very enjoyable. Unknowingly we were fighting for the last few pieces.

King Prawn Dumpling in Supreme Broth 4/5

Teapot Soup 4/5

For the soup, we tried both the King Prawn Dumpling in Supreme Broth ($14/pax) and Teapot Soup ($14/pax). Both soup bases are rich, comforting and flavoursome. I could not decide which is my favourite as they are both delicious. End of the day, I guess it really depends on the mood. Whether you prefer something more sumptuous or delicate.

Lobster Mapo Tofu 3.8/5

At Empress, they have up the game with adding lobster to the mapo tofu. The Lobster Mapo Tofu ($28/$42/$56) comes the silky smooth tofu with bouncy chunks of lobster meat. I felt that the spicy level was rather toned down. I was hoping for a more fiery kick to it.

Sweet & Sour Pork 4.5/5

I like the version of Sweet & Sour Pork ($24/$36/$48) at Empress. Instead of the usual pork cubes with a thick layer of batter, the version here is cut into pork slices with a very thin layer of batter. Probably my own preference but the pork slice's texture is more enjoyable. Aged vinegar is also used to bring out the sourness, with the lychee lending a sweet fruity finish.

Dragon's Breath Angus Beef Hor Fun 3/5

With such a majestic name, Dragon's Breath Angus Beef Hor Fun ($22/$33/$44), I was having a high expectation for the dish. Unfortunately, I think the dragon was out of breath during my visit. Besides the tender slices of Angus beef, the bowl of dry fried rice noodles fell short of my expectation with the saltiness of the sauce throwing the balance off.

Crispy Prosperity Nian Gao, Yam & Sweet Potato Stack 4/5

The main surprise I get from Empress is actually their dessert. Never would I expect a Western trained pastry chef to work alongside a Chinese chef in the kitchen, creating western dessert with Chinese elements. A popular Chinese New Year dessert, the Crispy Prosperity Nian Gao, Yam & Sweet Potato Stack ($12/pax) has made it to the menu permanently. It is accompanied with salted peanut, toffee, coconut ice cream to complement the East meets West creation.

Sticky Date & Longan Pudding 3.8/5

Looked rather ordinary is the Sticky Date & Longan Pudding ($12/pax) with gula melaka butterscotch, walnuts, goji berry & vanilla swirl ice cream. Although the date pudding is cakey instead of being sticky and moist, what surprises me is the pieces of dried longan inside the pudding. I never expect the combination to work, but it did.

Cempedak Creme Brulee 4.2/5

The last time I had Cempedak Creme Brulee ($13/pax) was at Orchard Cafe, Orchard Hotel. But not many restaurants do it as cempedak can be quite strong and acquire in taste. I personally likes cempedak and hence I was delighted to have the dessert on the menu. The pastry chef does a good job in the creme brulee, bringing out the flavour of the acquire fruit yet not throwing the balance of the dessert off.

Peanut Coated Black Sesame Mochi Balls 3/5

I enjoyed the soft and chewy texture of the Peanut Coasted Black Sesame Mochi Balls ($12/pax). However as a dish, I thought it lacked a bit on contrast, with a singular flavour of sesame.

If you are looking for a Chinese restaurant with a great ambience and view, Empress will be a good venue. I would recommend trying the crispy duck salad, soup, roasted pork and sweet & sour pork. Do also save a bit of space to try some of the unique dessert creation.


Empress
Asian Civilisations Museum
1 Empress Place
#01-03
Singapore 179555
Tel: +65 62388733
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles Place MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk towards the river. Cross the bridge. Turn left and walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]

Ramen Keisuke Lobster King @ Clarke Quay

The Ramen King, Chef-owner Keisuke Takeda does it again with its 10th outlet in Singapore introducing the first ever Lobster Stock Ramen, available in 4 different styles. Ramen Keisuke Lobster King is located at Clarke Quay, strategically just beside the soon to be opened Zouk, it will be a perfect supper place for the party-goers

Frozen Kirin Draft 4.2/5

We started with some pre-drinks before checking out the new unique ramen. The Frozen Kirin Draft ($16) caught my attention as I have not tried frozen beer before. It comes with an icy layer of foam, probably that helps to trap the coolness of the beer, and kept it more chilled.

Stir Fried Mushroom with Garlic and Butter 4/5

Accompanying our draft beer, we ordered some light bites to go with it. The Stir Fried Mushroom ($8.80) is cooked to fragrant together with butter and garlic, accentuating the whole flavour.

Prawn Gyoza 3.5/5

The Prawn Gyoza ($8.80 for 3 pc) is rather unique. Initially I thought it is like wanton where the prawn and meat are minced and mixed together. Instead, it is served with the whole prawn with a layer of marinated minced pork wrapped in gyoza skin. I thought it felt a bit hollow or airy inside as the mixture did not fully fill the interior of the gyoza.

Chicken Nanban with Homemade Tartar Sauce 4.5/5

The Chicken Nanban ($9.80) is a must try at Ramen Keisuke Lobster King. It comes with a homemade tartar sauce that goes very well very with the fried chicken. It was so good that I was hoping to bring back the sauce home to make sandwich for my breakfast.

At Ramen Keisuke Lobster King, you can help yourself to the unlimited serving of bean sprouts and hard boiled eggs.

Lobster Broth Ramen, Clear Soup 4/5

Chef Keisuke uses the French technique to make his lobster broth. He imported French rock lobsters, for its rich and abundant roe and flavour to make the broth. The shells are pan fried, crushed into small pieces and simmered for 6-8 hours with herbs and vegetables to create the clear soup. This is how the base of the Lobster Broth Ramen, Clear Soup with All Toppings ($19.90) is made. We choose all toppings option that comes with seaweed, bamboo shoot, prawn wanton, deep fried prawn ball, pork chashu and chicken chashu. The broth which is dark in colour is really rich and robust, it reminds me of our local prawn mee soup.

Miso Lobster Broth Ramen 4.2/5

Compared to the Clear Soup, I would preferred the Miso Lobster Broth Ramen with All Toppings ($20.90). The soup base with the addition of miso gives it a more balanced flavour.

Lobster Broth Ramen, Rich Soup 4.5/5

My favourite is the Lobster Broth Ramen, Rich Soup with All Toppings ($20.90). The soup base is more creamy in texture. I was told that chicken feet was used to get the creaminess. The rich soup base is more distinct in the essence of the lobster. In fact, it reminds of lobster bisque.

Spicy Miso Lobster Broth Ramen 4/5

Singaporean loves spicy food and it is appropriate to have the Spicy Miso Lobster Broth Ramen ($21.90) on the menu. Using 3 different types of chilli for the bowl of spicy ramen, I still find it lacking the punch that will make me break into a sweat.

Fluffy Omelet Rice 4/5

Besides the light bites and ramen, Ramen Keisuke Lobster King also offers the Fluffy Omelet Rice ($10.80) on their menu. Indeed the omelet was fluffy and creamy but what tickled my taste buds is the flavoursome beef stock of the curry sauce. Hidden underneath the fluffy egg is a bed of tomato flavoured rice.

Chef Keisuke never get fail to surprise us with his innovation and creativity, always bring ramen to a new level while not deviating from the tradition. Watch this space as I hear words that the eleventh outlet will be opening soon, offering Crab Broth Ramen. For diners that plans to check out the new ramen place, do note that this is lobster broth ramen not lobster ramen. Hence do not expect to find lobster in ramen except for the soup.


Ramen Keisuke Lobster King
The Cannery
3C River Valley Road
#01-07
Singapore 179022
Tel: +65 62552928
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 6pm - 5am

Direction: 
1) Alight at Clarke Quay MRT station. Take Exit E, F, C or G. Walk towards the river. Cross the river. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]