Crystal Jade CNY 2023 - Hop Into A Bountiful Year Of The Rabbit

Celebrate Chinese New Year at Crystal Jade Group of restaurants with festive dishes and menus designed for dining in and takeaway. Meticulously put together by Group Executive Chef Martin Foo and his stellar team of chefs, the 2023 Lunar New Year line-up encompasses limited-time festive dishes and a variety of set menus catered for different group sizes for dine-in, as well as thoughtfully-curated and convenient takeaway specialities.

Golden Harvest Sea Cucumber Yu Sheng 4.2/5

Most Yu Sheng offered at Chinese New Year dinners are of the sweet version. For a change this year, Crystal Jade has introduced the Golden Harvest Sea Cucumber Yu Sheng ($138/ $208), a savoury Shunde-style Yu Sheng comprising of crunchy frisee lettuce, cucumber, ice plant, kaffir leaves, onions, carrots, jellyfish head, pomelo, dried permission, red capsicum, giving the Lo Hei a wholesome combination of vibrant colours. The use of sea cucumber is also unique from the usual fish slice and abalone. Available at all Crystal Jade fine dining restaurants.

Poached Wild Soon Hock in Pickled Tomato Soup 4.8/5

The Poached Wild Soon Hock in Pickled Tomato Soup ($16/100g) left an impression for its sweet and tangy tomato-based soup punctuated with pickled mustard leaves. The poached live Soon Hock is further topped with black fungus, deep-fried garlic and ginger, complemented by the delicious pickled tomato soup.

Dang Gui Crispy Salted Chicken 4.2/5

Available at Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen, La Mian Xiao Long Bao, and Jiang Nan is the cordyceps-infused Dang Gui Crispy Salted Chicken ($19.80 Half/ $36.80 Whole). Coated underneath the crispy and subtle herbal-infused chicken skin is delectable and tender chicken that both young and old will enjoy.

Bountiful Abalone Treasure Pot 4.8/5

A dish that I look forward to every Chinese New Year is the pen cai. Available for festive takeaway to dine in the comfort of the home is the Bountiful Abalone Treasure Pot ($393.80). The timeless classic consists of 20 premium ingredients (8-head Abalone, Australian Sea Cucumber, Fresh Prawns, Roasted Pork, Pork Knuckle, Duck Web, Shiitake Mushroom, Fish Curd, Prosperity Fish Roe Money Bag and more) braised in a full-bodied, thick sauce.

Peach Gum, Lotus Seed and Lily Bulb in Luo Han Guo with Wendong Ginger Sweet Soup  4.2/5

We had the Peach Gum, Lotus Seed and Lily Bulb in Luo Han Guo with Wendong Ginger Sweet Soup to wrap up the dinner on a sweet note. A light and refreshing sweet soup to wash down all the richness. It is also my first time having Nian Gao wrapped in wonton skin and deep-fried. The Crispy Ginger with Orange Peel Nian Gao is another delicious way to enjoy Nian Gao.

Crispy Ginger with Orange Peel Nian Gao 4/5

Chinese New Year dining at Crystal Jade restaurants will commence from 4 Jan 2023 (select outlets will be closed on 22 Jan 2023) and set menus for up to ten persons are available. Reservations can be made at outlets or online via https://inline.app/booking/cj.

Festive takeaway goodies can be pre-ordered online at estore.crystaljade.com and outlets from 21 Nov 2022 to 5 Feb 2023 and are ready for pick up from outlets island-wide from 4 Jan 2023.

Note: This is an invited tasting

Sushi Kyuu @ Orchard Plaza - 20-Course Omakase At $99 Promotional Price (U.P. $129++) For 1st Seating

Sushi Kyuu, located at Orchard Plaza, is a new omakase restaurant concept under the same group as the four-time Michelin Plate awardee between 2018-2022, Kappo Shunsui. Serving high quality seasonal ingredients is what Sushi Kyuu is all about, flown in from Toyosu, Japan. Diners can choose between two omakase course menus - the Omakase ($129++) or Premium Omakase ($159++) that offers 2-3 more courses, including a luscious uni roll.

We had the Omakase ($129++), with a total of 20 courses on the menu. The menu line-up features 10 pieces of Sushi and a Maki, and in between are courses such as sashimi, soup and dessert.

Akimo 4/5

For a start, we had a very yummy savoury Akimo made with Monkfish Liver, drizzled with citrusy ponzu sauce.

Dashi Soup 3/5

Sashimi 4.2/5

After cleansing our palate with a light Dashi Soup, we had the Sashimi course showcasing Shark Skin Flounder, Scallop and French Mackerel. The scallop was plump and had an almost creamy texture.

Hirame 4.2/5

Ika 4/5

Kinmedai 4.5/5

Mekajiki 4/5

What followed consecutively were 4 sushi -Hirame, Ika, Kinmedai and Mekajiki

Chawanmushi with Wakame 4/5

Next was Chawanmushi with Wakame, which is also one of my favourite courses of the night. The flavour of the wakame worked surprisingly well with the egg layer.

Buri 4.5/5

Amami-zuke 4.5/5

Chu-toro 4.2/5

Another 3 sushi were served - Buri, Akami-zuke and Chu-toro. I really enjoyed the Akami-zuke in particular. I learnt that the tuna's belly has a red section named akami, and when marinated in shoyu, it is named "zuke". The shoyu-infused tuna definitely had a much more flavour profile to it.

Unagi Sandwich 4.5/5

An interesting course Unagi Sandwich. Though its presentation was a tad flimsy, the combination of aburi unagi, plump sushi rice and roasted nori was just mouthwatering good.

Satsumaage 4.8/5

Next is Sushi Kyuu's homemade Satsumaage, a homely dish that is the tastiest fish cake I have ever had.

O-Toro 4.5/5

Aji 4.5/5

The last 2 sushi we had was O-Toro, an all-time favourite, and Aji.

Maki Roll 3.8/5

The Maki Roll could have been better if not for the over dose of shoyu.

Seasonal Pickles 3/5

Overflowing Ikura Rice Bowl 3.5/5

After Seasonal Pickles, a much anticipated Overflowing Ikura Rice Bowl was served, with an accompanying bowl of comforting Miso Soup. Despite the overloading amount of Ikura, the rice bowl did not become overly saltish but rather moreish instead.

Mochi 3/5

As Chinese New Year is approaching, Sushi Kyuu keeps the tradition going and served us homemade Mochi, with red bean paste and kinako.

The menus change with the season's offerings. Sushi Kyuu is currently offering the Omakase menu at a promotional price of $99 (UP $129++) for a limited time only, which is available only at the 5:30pm or 6pm seatings (not available for the 8:15pm seating).

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sushi Kyuu
Orchard Plaza
150 Orchard Road
#03-55
Singapore 238841
Tel: +65 88764733
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 6pm (1st Seating), 814pm (2nd Seating)
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT Station. Take Exit D. Walk to traffic junction of Orchard Road and Killiney Road. Cross the road. Walk to Orchard Plaza. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]