Tan Xiang Yuan @ Dickson Road - A Seafood Hotpot Haven and Chinese Delights By Actor Ben Yeo

Nestled within a charming two-storey shophouse along Dickson Road, Tan Xiang Yuan offers a delightful array of Chinese dishes, opened by actor and host Ben Yeo. While their signature seafood hotpot steals the spotlight, the restaurant also presents a diverse selection of Chinese cooked dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Signature Seafood Hotpot 4/5

The centerpiece of Tan Xiang Yuan is their Signature Seafood Hotpot ($98/$188), a culinary masterpiece that is served over a charcoal fire. The broth, simmered for eight hours with prawn shells, old hen, and pork bones, exudes a rich and sweet flavor that is packed with seafood goodness. Sliced fish, yam, prawns, abalone, scallops, and more adorn the hotpot, creating a seafood extravaganza that will leave you craving for more.

Black Vinegar Pork Trotter Jelly 3/5

For a modern twist on a traditional favorite, the Black Vinegar Pork Trotter Jelly ($6) takes the stage. These mini sphere-shaped delights offer a unique and delicate rendition of the classic Teochew pig's trotter jelly, although the portion size may leave you longing for more.

Mao Shan Wang Durian Chilli Crab Ball 4/5

Prepare for a surprising combination with the Mao Shan Wang Durian Chilli Crab Ball ($12/pc), an appetizer that encases the bold flavors of durian and chili crab in a crispy shell. This unusual fusion surprisingly works, creating a burst of flavors that will intrigue your taste buds.

Handmade Fish Curd with Luffa Melon 2.5/5

Unfortunately, not all dishes at Tan Xiang Yuan live up to expectations. The Handmade Fish Curd with Luffa Melon ($20/$30/$40), while comprising luffa, handmade fish curd, black fungus, carrot, and mushroom, fell short in terms of flavor. It lacked seasoning, leaving a bland impression on the palate.

Signature Fried Rice 2.8/5

The Signature Fried Rice ($22/$33/$44), a staple dish in any Chinese restaurant, also failed to impress. With its lackluster taste and ordinary presentation, it did not meet the expectations one would have for a restaurant of this caliber.

Hand Drizzled Roast Chicken 4.2/5

However, Tan Xiang Yuan redeems itself with their Hand Drizzled Roast Chicken ($26 Half/ $48 Whole), a dish that showcases the artistry of drizzling hot oil over the chicken to achieve a crispy skin while keeping the meat tender and juicy. The result is a flavorful and satisfying poultry indulgence.

Signature Beef Cubes 4.2/5

To spice things up, the Signature Beef Cubes ($26/$39/$52) stir-fried in a piquant black pepper sauce take the spotlight. The succulent meat, infused with the aromatic black pepper, creates a mouthwatering symphony of flavors that will leave you craving for more.

Overall, Tan Xiang Yuan at Dickson Road offers a memorable dining experience with its show-stopping seafood hotpot and a mix of Chinese dishes. While some dishes may fall short of expectations, the restaurant's highlights shine through, making it a worthwhile destination for seafood lovers and Chinese cuisine enthusiasts alike.


Tan Xiang Yuan
1 Dickson Road
Singapore 209493
Tel: +65 80585527
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Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am to 3pm, 530pm to 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Jalan Besar MRT statton. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to Dickson Raod. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

BHC Chicken @ Marina Square - Popular Korean Fried Chicken Chain Arrives In Singapore Serving Popular Signatures

BHC Chicken, one of South Korea’s most popular fried chicken chains, has arrived in Singapore with a range of its best-selling signatures!

Even though they have opened for over a couple of weeks, they still sport a long queue of diners. This is BHC Chicken's first outlet in Singapore and the fourth internationally. They are located on the second floor of Marina Square, right next to where Eccellente by HAO mart sits.

BHC Chicken Sides 3.8/5

We started with a variety of sides, namely the Cheese Balls ($5.90 for Original, $6.90 for Bburing), Bburing Cheese Stick ($6.90) and Bburing Corndog ($6.90).

The crowd favourite among them is the Cheese Balls of mochi-like spheres with molten cheese within. These are fried to a crunch on the outside while retaining the soft and stretchy chewiness inside. The Bburing Cheese Stick has sticks of breaded cheese, while the Bburing Corndog has sausages with a thicker breaded exterior. Both have a generous coating of the Bburing seasoning, a highlight at BHC Chicken.

Sotteok 3.5/5

The last of our appetisers was Sotteok, which is Korean sausage skewered with rice cake. It costs $5.90 for the spicy Red King or $6.90 for the Bburing option. The rice cakes were a little hard in texture for our liking.

Rabokki 3.8/5

Apart from the range of fried chicken, the menu has different kinds of mains. The Rabokki (from $12.90) has rice cakes, ramyeon, Korean fishcake and a hard-boiled egg in a spicy-sweet sauce. It is a bit pricey for what it has, but it was appetising and quite comforting.

Kimchi Fried Rice 3.8/5

The unassuming Kimchi Fried Rice ($9.90) was a surprising dish for us. We liked the sweet and tangy flavours from the fried red kimchi, which made me keep going back for more. That said, I would have loved the addition of Korean crispy seaweed as garnish and if the rice was not as wet.

Bburinkle 4.2/5

Bburinkle is BHC Chicken's signature chicken flavour. It has fried chicken coated in cheese and vegetable-flavoured seasoning, served with Bburing Bburing dip, a creamy and lighter dip version of the same seasoning. As a result, this has a unique garlicky, sweet and cheesy flavour, unlike the usual Korean fried chicken options you typically expect.

My dining companions and I thought the dip was optional as it was already very flavourful on its own. However, this is best to share as it can get quite heavy after a while. What we liked most was how succulent the chicken meat was, and not greasy even though it was deep fried. Prices of the chicken vary across flavours - a whole chicken is priced from $29.90, wings at $23.50 and boneless at $28.

Hot Retro 4.2/5

If you are a fan of no-frills classic fried chicken like me, check out BHC's Retro. Deep fried in sunflower oil, you will get to enjoy juicy chicken meat with a well-coated crunch in its original form. For that additional kick of appetising spice, opt for the Hot Retro. The spice is manageable and leans to the mild side.

Macho King 3.8/5

The last of the flavours we tried was the Macho King, which uses a coating of aged soy sauce and a sweet honey-based oriental sauce. This was my least favourite of the three as I found the sauce too overpowering for the batter and the chicken. If you are ordering this, dig into it immediately upon serving for the maximum crunch.

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.


BHC Chicken
Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard
#02-332A, #02-332F
Singapore 039594
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Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line), Promenade (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 330pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B and D. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 6 minutes. [Map]