YUN NANS (云海肴) @ ION Orchard - New Outlet With Garden-Within-A-Restaurant Theme In The Heart Of Orchard Road

One of my favourite Chinese Restaurants, YUN NANS (云海肴), has opened its latest and fourth outlet at Ion Orchard, in the heart of Orchard Road. The new space seeks to transport diners into a garden landscape, designed as a scenic garden-within-a-restaurant.

Steam Pot Chicken Soup with Lily Bulb 4.2/5

With the new opening, the restaurant also introduced new dishes, such as the Signature Steam Pot Chicken Soup ($32.90) is given an elevation with the addition of Lanzhou Lily Bulb. The lily bulb gives the light and nourishing soup an extra lift in sweetness.

Pomelo Salad with Osmanthus Dressing 4/5

The Pomelo Salad with Osmanthus Dressing ($10.90) is a refreshing and invigorating salad tossed in house-made osmanthus honey sauce, giving it a sweet and fruity finishing. Fresh lily bulb is added for that extra crispiness.

Lychee Prawn Ball 4.2/5

Shaped and looking like lychee is the Lychee Prawn Ball ($20.80). It is freshness at its best. Fresh prawns are hand-beaten to a paste, shaped into bite-sized balls and deep-fried till crispy. While the exterior is crisp, the inside is crunchy, bursting with juicy tenderness from the prawns.

Hotplate Milky Tofu with Spicy Garlic Sauce 4.8/5

A delightful new dish that goes very well with a bowl of rice is the Hotplate Milky Tofu with Spicy Garlic Sauce ($16.80). The famed Yunnan milky tofu's pillowy soft texture is achieved using Shiping's unique spring water, drenched in an appetising specially concocted spicy garlic seafood sauce.

Sauteed Cabbage with Dried Chillies 4.5/5

Sometimes simple is the best, for example, the Sauteed Cabbage with Dried Chillies ($13.80). It is simply stir-fried with garlic, thin slices of pork and dried chillies, bringing out the natural sweetness of the cabbage.

Charcoal Grilled Chicken Skin and Gizzard 4.2/5

Marinated with an in-house mix of Yunnan's spices and grilled over a charcoal fire, the Charcoal Grilled Chicken Skin ($2.80 per skewer) and Gizzard ($2.80 per skewer) are packed with beautiful aroma from the spices. The skewers are deliciously good for a few glasses of beer.

Braised Fish Maw with Porcini Mushroom

The treasure pot of Braised Fish Maw with Porcini Mushroom ($42.80 / $52.80) comprises wild porcini mushrooms harvested from the highlands of Yunnan, fresh fish maw, Yunnan solo clove garlic, Chinese yam, and Yunnan Qiubei Chillies. The ingredients are braised over a slow flame, giving the fish maw a soft texture and retaining its collagen content.

Claypot Rice with Minced Beef and Crispy Red Bean $24.90

Lastly, wrapping up our dinner is the Claypot Rice with Minced Beef and Crispy Red Bean ($24.90). It is like the Chinese take on the donabe. The stewed rice is cooked in a special in-house sauce and served with crispy red beans, minced beef, ham, crisp-fried pork lard, spring onions and salted vegetables. Mix everything together to end the meal in a finale

Note: This is an invited tasting.


YUN NANS (云海肴)
ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
#B3-17
Singapore 238801
Tel: +65 65130828
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Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 10pm
Sat-Sun, PH: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Boyutei @ Ann Siang Hill - New French-Japanese Cafe By One-Michelin Starred Whitegrass And Tea Artisans Hvala

Boyutei is an exciting new collaboration between the one-Michelin starred Whitegrass and tea artisans Hvala. Their menu sees French-Japanese fusion cuisine ranging from sandos to sweet and savoury crepes. The savoury items are crafted by Whitegrass Head Chef Takuya Yamashita, while Hvala focuses on their area of expertise, desserts and beverages.

Wagyu Sukiyaki Tamago Sando

There are 4 types of sandos currently. The Wagyu Sukiyaki Tamago Sando ($24) has slices of braised wagyu beef, red onions, cabbage, chives, and an onsen egg served on toasted brioche.

Ebi Katsu Sando 3/5

The Ebi Katsu Sando ($22) has a thick and crunchy ebi katsu with tomatoes, cabbage, a drizzle of tartar sauce, and homemade chilli. Apart from the beef and prawn options, the other 2 sandos are chicken and veggie.

Cha Soba 3/5

For a noodle dish, the Cha Soba ($24) is presented with kinshi tamago strips and slices of unagi with momiji oroshi. The wedge of lemon helps to add some brightness to the dish.

Niku Miso Chazuke 

Served with a side of dashi broth, the Niku Miso Chazuke ($18) has Japanese white rice paired with moromi miso flavoured minced beef and a mix of chives and crispy genmai bits. Flavours here are lighter.

Seafood Mentaiko Crepe 3.5/5

One of the highlights of Boyutei's menu would be their lineup of crepes that carry strong French-Japanese fusion. The Seafood Mentaiko Crepe ($22) has a mix of prawns, squid, bacon, cabbage and tomato enveloped in a thin and soft crepe with a slight chew. It's finished with mentaiko mayo and shredded nori.

Fans of matcha desserts will be familiar with Hvala. They've brought a wide range of teas from an exclusive partner farm and are showcasing them here through the beverages and newly conceptualised plated desserts.

Goma Matcha Crepe 4.5/5

In the Goma Matcha Crepe ($14), you will find a layer of bittersweet matcha pastry cream between the matcha crepe, topped with matcha ice cream and goma crumbles. The goma crumbles were roasty and fragrant, helping to tie all the elements together nicely.

Matcha Goma Garden 4.2/5

If you are a fan of warabi mochi, the Matcha Goma Garden ($17) has a fun assembly of them, together with matcha ice cream, cinnamon sand and a handcrafted goma nama chocolate. The pieces of warabi mochi were soft, while the nama chocolate was decadent with a subtle roasty fragrance.

Black Forest Tart 4/5

The Black Forest Tart ($17) offers something different with its dark chocolate fondant, cherry compote, chocolate soil and rum ice cream. The mini bursts of sweet cherry in the bittersweet dark chocolate were a pleasant surprise.

Matcha Latte, Sakura Smoked Cold Brew Tea

Drinks wise, there’s a whole range of Chinese teas, Japanese teas, cold brews, straight matcha and lattes. Hvala’s classic Matcha Latte ($9) is available alongside Genmaicha and Hojicha Lattes. You can customise your ice and sugar levels, as well as if you’d prefer the use of fresh milk or oat milk.

The Sakura Smoked Cold Brew Tea ($12) is an interesting drink. You will first meet with a light smoky aroma before hints of sakura and sour cherry come through.

Photos and words by Jo. A girl who loves her Mala (麻辣) at Da La (大辣), discovering hidden food gems and a good cup of matcha latte. Note: This is an invited tasting.


[CLOSED]
Boyutei
28 Ann Siang Road
#01-02
Singapore 069708
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line), Chinatown (DT Line, NE Line), Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Continue to the end of Amoy Street. Climb the stairs beside Siang Cho Keong Temple, up Ann Siang Hill. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk down Maxwell Road towards Kadayanallur Street (beside URA building). Turn right onto Kadayanallur Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

3) Alight at Chinatown MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Pagoda Street to South Bridge Road. Cross the road and turn right. Walk down South Bridge Road. Turn left onto Ann Siang Hill. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]