We first heard of Chef Renee's Jelebu Dry Laksa during the Circuit Breaker period for their popular home-based dry laksa that came with various toppings. After a pop-up collaboration last year, Tipsy Collective and Jelebu have joined hands to open their first physical space in Vivocity! Their menu has expanded further than laksa, with several dishes inspired by Chef Renee's family recipes.
Scallop & Otah Pillow 3.5/5
In the Scallop & Otah Pillow ($18/3pc), you have avruga caviar, torched Hokkaido scallop and otah mousse sitting on a crunchy nori cracker. The otah mousse was rich and spiced well, but we wished it didn't mask the scallops' sweetness as much.
.Larb Moo on Perilla Leaf 4/5
The Larb Moo on Perilla Leaf ($18/3 Pieces) was the crowd's favourite. It's best eaten like a taco. The perilla leaf forms the base, with Thai-spiced minced pork, shallot, pickled cherries and crispy pork crackling on top. I usually find the taste of perilla leaves slightly overpowering, but here, you get a lovely minty freshness that complements the flavourful minced pork. It doesn't look like it, but this mouthful also packed a solid kick of heat.
Grilled Tiger Prawn Jelebu Dry Laksa 3.8/5
You can't miss out on trying the signature Grilled Tiger Prawn Jelebu Dry Laksa ($18). Unlike the usual thick bee hoon, Jelebu uses thin rice noodles simmered in a house-made laksa broth with an add-on of their secret rempah recipe.
The spice level here is moderate, and the flavours were surprisingly less rich than we expected. I prefer one that's stronger and richer in crustacean sweetness. The tiger prawns were torched to a smoky fragrance, but we were slightly disappointed with the mushy texture. However, we did enjoy the crunchy shrimp for added texture.
Duck Confit with Teochew Braised Risotto 4/5
The Duck Confit with Teochew Braised Risotto ($26) is inspired by Chef Renee's grandma's braised duck, featuring modern touches like an onsen egg and a bed of risotto while not forgetting the traditional elements like beancurd and a tangy chilli on the side. It's not like your typical risotto, as it boasts a softer and wetter texture, with distinct five-spice flavours that reminded us of kway chap and Teochew braised duck porridge. The duck confit was super tender and fell off the bone with ease.
Assam Barramundi Fillet 4/5
If you're looking for a sharing dish that pairs well with rice, the Assam Barramundi Fillet ($32) is a good option. The tangy assam curry sauce is fragrant with generous use of julienned ginger flowers and is paired with tomatoes, brinjal and lady fingers. The chunky fillet came tender with crisped skin, while the extra crunchy tau pok topping worked great for texture and soaking up the curry.
Kaya Goreng 3/5
For dessert, the Kaya Goreng ($12) features coconut ice cream, chocolate soil, salted peanuts and mini cones filled with kaya coconut mousse. The recommended way to have this is to scoop up some ice cream and have it topped on the cone. However, most of us found it sweeter than we would have liked and would prefer a better balance.
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.
Jelebu Dry Laksa
VivoCity
1 Harbourfront Walk
#02-48
Singapore 098585
Tel: +65 97216560
Website
Nearest MRT: Habourfront (CC Line, NE Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am to 10pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Harbour Front MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]
