Yu Zhong Bu Tong (鱼众不同) @ Wisma Atria Food Republic - Fresh Daily Live Harvest From Coastal Fish Farm to Food Court Concept

Yu Zhong Bu Tong (鱼众不同) brings the freshest daily live harvest from local Singapore-based coastal fish farm directly to the public at Wisma Atria, Food Republic at a value for money price. To ensure uncompromised freshness, live fresh marine fish from its farm, located less than an hour’s drive away, is delivered daily to the kitchen. Fish at Yu Zhong Bu Tong is hence always fresh.

Collagen Fish Soup 3.5/5

The Collagen Fish Soup ($9.80) comes with tofu, enoki mushroom, romaine lettuce and a bowl of rice. I like the idea that for under $10, I get to settle a meal in Orchard Road. Though it is labelled as collagen fish soup, you don't get that rich gelatin mouth fill.

Spicy Poached Fish Soup 3.5/5

The Spicy Poached Fish Soup ($9.80) comes with two choices of sides and a bowl of rice. Side choices include enoki mushroom, big beansprouts, black fungus, tofu skin, lettuce, tomatoes, tapioca noodles and more. More add-ons are also available at a top-up for those with bigger appetites. I felt the mala is not fiery enough, though.

Sauerkraut Fish Soup 3.5/5

Like the spicy poached fish soup, the Sauerkraut Fish Soup ($9.80) comes with 2 choices of sides and and a bowl of rice. The 6-month-old naturally fermented pickled mustard sauerkraut lends an appetising acidity. However, it lacks the bold and punchy kick from the peppercorn.

Tomato Fish Soup 4/5

The surprise among the four styles of fish soup has to be the Tomato Fish Soup ($9.80), and it's one of my favourites out of the four I tried. The sweet broth is made from fresh tomatoes, sweetened with generous servings of live fresh fish slices.

Zesty Winter Melon 3/5

There are a number of sides to complement the various fish soup flavours, such as the Zesty Winter Melon ($3.80). The zesty came from the orange flavoured sauce drenched over the winter melon.

Fried Fresh Fish Bites with Mustard Dip 4/5

The Fried Fresh Fish Bites with Mustard Dip ($7.80) is crispy on the exterior and moist inside. It is a delectable bite fragrant by the sprinkles of sesame seeds.

Fresh Green Mussels with Spicy Sauce 4/5

Last but not least, I had the plump and juicy Fresh Green Mussels with Spicy Sauce ($7.80) that is harvested and delivered live daily to the stall. The live mussels are simply poached and served alongside Chef's special spicy sauce. I prefer to enjoy the briny and sweet mussel on its own, to enjoy its natural flavour.

I applaud the farm to table concept of bringing freshly harvested seafood at an affordable price to the masses in a food court setting. The concept will work, but I feel Yu Zhong Bu Tong still needs to improve its cooking. While the concept is good, you still need to win over the customer's love for the food for it to work.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yu Zhong Bu Tong (鱼众不同)
Wisma Atrium
Food Republic
435 Orchard Road
#04-21
Singapore 238877
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1115am - till sold out

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

Yanxi Dim Sum & Hotpot @ Chin Swee Road - Creative Take On The Traditional Dim Sum

Together with a couple of friends, we visited Yanxi Dim Sum & Hotpot for lunch. Two pre-eminent chefs, former Executive Chef of Mott 32, Chef Chan Wai Keung and former Dim Sum Chef at The Fullerton Hotels & Resorts Singapore, Chef Ben Yapp helm the restaurant. The duo brings their culinary expertise to Yanxi steamboat, elevating the hotpot experience with tantalising starters and bespoke dim sum.

Tobiko, Prawn & Scallop, Water Chestnut and Egg White Dumpling 4.5/5

As we were there for lunch, we didn't have the hotpot. Instead, we had dim sum and their signature items. We started with the Tobiko, Prawn & Scallop, Water Chestnut and Egg White Dumpling ($10). The dumpling is beautiful crafted, showing the chef's creative take on quintessentially traditional fare

Yanxi Prawn and Petai with Sambal Chilli Dumpling 3.8/5

Next is the Yanxi Prawn and Petai with Sambal Chilli Dumpling ($11). It looks like any ordinary prawn dumpling from the exterior. However, it is a bold and acquired creation incorporating the acquired petai into the morsel paired with sambal chilli.

Quail Egg & Bonito Flakes Siew Mai 4.5/5

Indeed the dim sum items at Yanxi is unique compared to other restaurants. The classic siew mai is given an elevated transformation in the Quail Egg & Bonito Flakes Siew Mai ($12). The traditional siew mai may be too heavy with its meaty stuffing. Hence the addition of quail egg lightens the enjoyment, with the bonito flakes lifting the taste profile.

Netted Prawn & Tobiko, Spinach Infused Rice Roll 4.2/5

Even the classic rice roll is given a new facelift in the Netted Prawn & Tobiko, Spinach Infused Rice Roll ($12). Not only is it beautiful, the exquisite rice roll stuffed with crunchy prawn is packed with a playful touch of textural enjoyment.

Mapo Tofu in Crispy Beancurd  Skin Roll 4.8/5

The Mapo Tofu in Crispy Beancurd Skin Roll ($9) is an unexpected creation with fragrant mapo tofu. I doubt I have seen or eaten the dish anywhere before. It is a fantastic creation.

XO Sambal Carrot Cake 4/5

XO Sambal Carrot Cake ($9) is common, but it is uncommon to be presented as such. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, this is delectable but fell short of the wow factor I got from the other dim sum items.

Fried Yam, Abalone and Kurobuta Okinawa 4/5

The Fried Yam with Abalone and Kurobuta Okinawa ($15) is a luxury take of the fried yam.

General Tso's Chicken 4.2/5

Besides the quintessential dim sum items, there are several signature dishes on the menu, such as the General Tso's Chicken ($16) and Hong Kong Golden Garlic Pork Short Ribs ($12). The General Tso's Chicken is smoked in a glass dome, infused with smokiness on top of the tender and sweet chicken pieces.

Hong Kong Golden Garlic Pork Short Ribs 4/5

As for the Hong Kong Golden Garlic Pork Short Ribs, the pork short ribs are cooked in Bi Feng Tang style. It is coated in an aromatic pool of fried garlic, complementing the fork-tender pork.

MICHELIN Herbal Seafood Ee Fu Noodles 4.2/5

I am not sure why the noodle dish is named MICHELIN Herbal Seafood Ee Fu Noodles ($18). My guess is this is a dish that the chef has created in his previous restaurant that could have won a Michelin star. Nevertheless, the plate of slurping goodness is brimming with fresh seafood such as prawn, scallop and fish in a herbal broth. However, I find the herbal taste is relatively mild.

Hokkaido Milk Charcoal Egg Tart 4.5/5

The finale has to be the Hokkaido Milk Charcoal Egg Tart ($16 for 6pc). The freshly baked has a creamy, gooey cheese custard filling encased in a crumbly charcoal pastry. For something cold and refreshing, go for the Jackfruit Sago.

Though I did not try their hotpot, their dim sum items already left a very deep impression. Of course, the price is a bit expensive compared to most dim sum places, but you get quality, creativity, and unique dim sum that you don't get in most dim sum places. I have since recommended many friends to check out their dim sum selection.


Yanxi Dim Sum & Hotpot
175A Chin Swee Road
Singapore 169879
Tel: +65 88589711
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Website
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 3pm, 530pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to bus stop opposite State Court (Stop ID 06171). Take bus number 174. Alight 1 stop later. Walk up the hill to Hotel Re!. Walk to the building beside Hotel Re!. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]