Friday, June 3, 2022

Guo Jiang (锅匠) @ Mosque Street - The Best Of Both Worlds With Half-Half Pot

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Located along Mosque Street is Guo Jiang (锅匠), a Szechuan restaurant located at the heart of Chinatown. The restaurant seemed quite popular because even when we had made a reservation, we still had to wait for a while for our table as the restaurant was full.

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We decided to go for the half-half pot, which consists of Chicken Stew in Signature Mala Sauce with Baby Yam and Bamboo Shoots (烟笋芋儿鸡) and Fresh Fish Fillet in Sichuan Pickled Mustard (老坛子酸菜鱼).

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I enjoyed the stewed chicken in mala sauce and fish fillet in Sichuan pickled mustard. The stewed chicken was tender with the soft yam soaking up the fragrant mala sauce. As for the fish fillet, they are fresh and generous, swimming in the pungent Sichuan pickled mustard broth.

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Not to forget to have the chicken and fish with the special house sauce.

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Fresh Cucumber Salad

I would recommend having the Fresh Cucumber Salad (凉拌黄瓜) to freshen up the palate. It is refreshing and crunch but also a tad spicy.

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Pig Ear

Though the soft bone of the Pig Ear (猪耳朵) gives a delightful and crunchy bite, the gaminess is too strong for my liking.

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Overall, I enjoyed the meal at Guo Jiang. If it is the first time visiting the place, I recommend the half-half pot, where you get to try the best of both worlds. Besides that, the portion is also quite generous.


Guo Jiang (锅匠)
38 Mosque Street
Singapore 059516
Tel: +65 62226838
Nearest MRT: Chinatown (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to New Bridge Road. Turn right at New Bridge Road and walk to Mosque Street. Turn right onto Mosque Street and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant @ Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy - All New A La Carte & Dim Sum Menu In Support Of Local Produce

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Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant, located at Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy, introduces new a la carte and dim sum items to support our local produce and reduce the reliance on food imports. Chinese Executive Chef Victor Lee has curated a mouth-watering menu sourcing vegetables and fish from the local farms, incorporating them into the revamped menu.

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Wok-fried Daikon Cake with XO Sauce 4.5/5

A must-try is the Wok-fried Daikon Cake ($10) from the dim sum menu with XO sauce. Coated in umami XO sauce, the wok-fried daikon is crispy on the exterior and soft inside. Topped with shredded egg and beansprouts, they give the daikon cake a lift in flavour and texture.

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Jia Wei Butterfly Pea Har Gow 4.2/5

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Butterfly Pea Rice Roll with Australian Scallop 3.8/5

Giving the classic Har Gow and Rice Roll a modern take is the Jia Wei Butterfly Pea Har Gow ($7.80 for 3pc) and Butterfly Pea Rice Roll with Australian Scallop ($8.80). The Har Gow was plump with crunchy prawns. As for the rice roll, I find the scallop stuffing an unusual choice as the ingredient itself is rather bland in taste. Thanks to delicious soy sauce that lifted the flavour profile.

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Crispy Local Soft Shell Crab with Ice Plant 4/5

Moving to the a la carte menu, we started with the Crispy Local Soft Shell with Ice Plant ($22 per serving). A refreshing combination of crispy soft shell crab paired with crunchy ice plant. The whole enjoyment is brightened with the addition of ume infused tomato and yuzu dressing.

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Curly Kale Soup 4/5

I am not a fan of kale, but that does not deter me from finishing the Curly Kale Soup ($20 per serving) cooked with braised crab meat and beancurd. It doesn't have the earthy Kale taste, which I dislike. Instead, it felt more like having a bowl of chicken soup with the braised crab meat and beancurd giving it a substantial mouthfeel.

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Corn-fed Har Cheong Chicken Slider 4.2/5

One of my favourite dishes for the night is the Corn-fed Har Cheong Chicken Slider ($28) drizzled with yuzu dressing, giving it a tangy kick. A crispy and tender chicken fillet is sandwiched between a soft and fluffy bun. I enjoy the textural combination of soft, fluffy, tender and crisp, all coming together in a delicious bite.

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Wok-fried Celtuce Stem 4.5/5

It is my first time trying celtuce stem, and I was surprised by how much I like it. The Wok-fried Celtuce Stem ($24) cooked in Szechuan dried chilli has a delectable sweetness and a delightful crunchy texture.

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Crispy Egg Noodle 4.2/5

Regulars can still look forward to perennial favourites and signature dishes on the menu. One of them is the Crispy Egg Noodle ($26) in chicken broth gravy. It even comes with fresh seafood such as prawns and fish slices.

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Chilled Homemade Coconut Pudding 4.8/5

Wrapping up our dinner is the Chilled Homemade Coconut Pudding ($15 per serving) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The pudding made from fresh coconut water is light and refreshing. It is just a perfect dessert to end the night. 

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Jia Wei Chinese Restaurant
Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy
50 East Coast Road
Level 2
Singapore 428769
Tel: +65 63405678
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Dakota (CC Line), Paya Lebar (EW Line, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Dakota MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Block 99 (Stop ID 81181). Take bus number 31. Alight 6 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop along Paya Lebar Road (Stop ID 81111). Take bus number 43, 76, 134 or 135. Alight 8 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 18 minutes. [Map]