Qiu Jin Xiao Chao 秋金小炒 @ Harbourfront Centre - Bringing Authentic and Affordable Sichuan Set Menus to Singapore with 28 Years of Experience

After 28 years of experience serving up Sichuan cuisine in China, Qiu Jin Xiao Chao 秋金小炒 has now stepped into Singapore with its first overseas outlet here in Harbourfront Centre. It specialises in local family-style Sichuan dishes that are served in bigger portions at a more affordable price tag.

The eatery offers a more casual dining setting with an a la carte menu and various types of set meals that fit different group sizes. These include Single Meals, Couple Meals, Family Meals and Deluxe Family Set meals. Generally, the dishes here are more heavily seasoned.

Sichuan Pepper Fried Chicken 4/5

Served on a huge oriental metal plate, the Sichuan Pepper Fried Chicken ($16.80) boasted a copious amount of dried chilli and fried chicken bites mixed in.

My dining companion and I appreciated how the chicken bites were not as bony but would have also preferred it to be more crunchy and less oily. The heat in this was manageable, at about medium spice level.

Mapo Tofu 4.2/5

The standout dish of the night for us was the Mapo Tofu ($8.80). Its addictive spicy bean sauce and chilli-based gravy are heavily seasoned but were surprisingly not as spicy as they looked. This was great to pair with white rice, and the portion of gravy with soft tofu cubes was also more than sufficient to share in a group. If you eat beef, check out the Wagyu Mapo Tofu - we heard it is one of their best-selling dishes!

Fried Diced Chicken with Corn 3/5

The Fried Diced Chicken with Corn ($12.80) paled in comparison to the other dishes with a lightly savoury mix of chicken cubes and corn. I recommend skipping it and trying the other dishes.

Sour & Spicy Pickled Fish 4/5

Another dish we enjoyed was the Sour & Spicy Pickled Fish ($24.80). Albeit a little oily, it had a well-balanced broth in its spicy and tangy flavours. The slices of fish were thick and tender.

Wuchang Rice

I appreciate the quality of the rice at Qiu Jin Xiao Chao. We learnt that the restaurant only uses premium Wuchang Rice which has been known to be more fragrant. They elevate that further by using bottled spring water from Nong Fu Spring and serving each day's rice with a different type of vegetable mixed in. On the day of our visit, they were serving carrot rice!

Overall, we found Qiu Jin Xiao Chao a good spot for group meal gatherings which offers satisfying quality dishes that would not break the bank.

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.


Qiu Jin Xiao Chao 秋金小炒
Harbourfront Centre
#01-45/46
1 Maritime Square
Singapore 099253
Tel: +65 9172 8296
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Nearest MRT: Harbourfront (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 9pm

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

Konyo @ Cuppage Terrace - Exploring Authentic Filipino Flavours in the Heart of Orchard Road

In my quest to uncover the vibrant world of Filipino cuisine, I found myself at Konyo, nestled amidst the bustling Orchard Road at Cuppage Terrace. With a craving for something new and exciting, I gathered my foodie friends to explore this modest haven that promised a specially curated selection of Filipino delights.

Cheese Sticks 3/5

To kick off our culinary adventure, we dived into the appetising world of Cheese Sticks ($8). These golden-brown wonders were a true delight – crispy, wanton-like skin enveloping oozing cheese within. The symphony of textures was made even more melodious with the accompaniment of mentaiko sauce, creating a satisfying balance of flavours.

Sisig Manileno 3.5/5

Our journey through Filipino cuisine continued with the Sisig Manileno ($18), a renowned street food sensation. Served sizzling hot, this dish was an orchestra of bold flavours and intriguing textures. Chopped pig parts and chicken liver danced with a spicy sour dressing, creating an unforgettable symphony for the taste buds. The only note slightly off-key was its saltiness, a minor hiccup in an otherwise harmonious composition.

Tilapia with Ensalada Espesyal 4/5

For those craving a wholesome sharing experience, the Tilapia with Ensalada Espesyal ($32) was an excellent choice. The whole fried tilapia took centre stage, accompanied by a medley of boiled okra, sweet potato leaves, fried eggplant, and a refreshing onion and tomato salad. This dish was a balanced diet on a platter, with an array of greens and flavours. The homemade bagoong isda – a type of fish paste – added a unique Filipino touch to the ensemble.

Liempo Inasal 4.2/5

The Liempo Inasal ($16) showcased Filipino grilling expertise. The pork belly is marinated with calamansi juice, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, and coconut vinegar. It is grilled to tender, succulent, and kissed by the smokiness of the grill. Each bite was a delightful journey through layers of flavours, leaving a memorable imprint on the palate.

Chicken Inasal 4.5/5

However, the true star of the show was the Chicken Inasal ($18 Half/ $32 Whole). The chicken showcased the pinnacle of Filipino grilling prowess and was marinated using the same blend of calamansi juice, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, and coconut vinegar. The flavours seemed to have seeped deeper into the chicken meat, creating an irresistible symphony that captured the essence of Filipino cuisine. This dish emerged as a clear favourite among our party, a testament to its impeccable execution and rich flavours.

In conclusion, Konyo at Cuppage Terrace serves as a gateway to the diverse world of Filipino cuisine. While some minor notes might have missed their mark, the overall harmony of flavours and textures made this culinary exploration memorable. With its specially curated selection of Filipino dishes, Konyo offers a glimpse into the heart and soul of the Philippines right in the heart of Orchard Road.


Konyo
Cuppage Terrace
29 Cuppage Road
Singapore 229456
Tel: +65 9770 9489
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Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 3pm - 1030pm
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Somerset MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to ground level. Cross the road. Turn right and walk down Orchard Road. Turn left onto Cuppage Road and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]