Saturday, October 7, 2023

Fu Xiao Xian (抚小鲜) @ Bugis Junction - $12.80 Customisable Individual Fish Set Meals Available with 5 Different Soup Bases

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Fu Xiao Xian (抚小鲜) opened its doors in Bugis last year, offering diners their speciality of Yunnan-style cooking and pressure-steamed fish. The restaurant prides itself on not using any MSG, preservatives, additives, or artificial flavours.

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Their signature dishes, such as the Paper Wrapped Fish and Fish Hotpots, are more suitable for group sharing, but the new Individual Fish Set Meals ($12.80) would satisfy those seeking a quick and convenient meal and that of solo diners. These sets, available all day, allow you to customise by choosing your preferred soup base, adding two sides, and coming complete with a bowl of rice and a beverage.

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Five different soup bases are available - the Spicy Fish, Vitamin C Tomato Fish, Sauerkraut Fish, Original Bone Broth Fish and Pumpkin Lemon Fish with Sauerkraut. By default, the set uses sea bass fillet, but you can opt to top up $2 for a swap to dory fish.

For the sides, each set allows two to be added in. These include enoki mushroom, black fungus, sweet potato vermicelli, beancurd, beancurd skin, bean sprouts and potato slices.

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While waiting for your food to be ready, you can head to the self-service sauce station to prepare your bowl of condiments. We were pleasantly surprised to find fresh fruits offered for all diners as well. On the day of our visit, there were oranges and slices of watermelon.

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Original Bone Broth Fish 3.8/5

We decided on the Original Bone Broth Fish with sea bass fillet, potato slices and beancurd for our first set. Unfortunately, the richness of the broth was just average, and despite the generous portion of broth, the slices of fish included were cut pretty thin and came in small numbers. While tender, the slices were also a tiny bit fishy.

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Pumpkin Lemon Fish with Sauerkraut 4/5

Our preferred soup base between the two we tried was the Pumpkin Lemon Fish with Sauerkraut. While the sweet pumpkin flavour was relatively subtle, the zesty lemon notes complemented the sauerkraut and the amount of spice well. We opted to add black fungus and sweet potato vermicelli, which thoroughly soaked up the broth. I would have preferred this to be much less oily though.

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Deep Fried Crisp Pork 4/5

We also had a side of Deep Fried Crisp Pork ($7.80) to share. I would have liked these a lot meatier, but I liked the savoury marinate and its crunch that wasn't too oily. The seasoning was actually pretty addictive.

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.


Fu Xiao Xian
Bugis Junction
#01-88/89
200 Victoria Street
Singapore 188021
Tel: +65 8787 6791
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Nearest MRT: Bugis MRT (EW, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
11am to 10.30pm Daily

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

Friday, October 6, 2023

SIRI House @ Dempsey Hill @ Bubbles & BBQ Experience amidst The Lush Greenery of Dempsey Hill

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Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill, Siri House presents an enchanting open-air dining escapade known as Bubbles & BBQ. Tailored for groups of 12 or more, this opulent garden soiree showcases a live BBQ station brimming with contemporary Asian BBQ delicacies. To elevate the experience, guests have the option to bedeck their tables with exquisite tropical adornments courtesy of Estilo & Co. These include hanging, table, and buffet floral centrepieces that infuse a touch of nature's elegance. And for a bit of effervescence, a champagne bar cart awaits, where patrons can concoct their own bubbly elixirs using fresh fruit, citrus, herbs, and liqueurs.


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Siri House’s Bubbles & BBQ Private Dining Experience unfolds in three captivating packages:

1. Standard Package: Priced at $128++ or $148++ per person, this package entitles you to savour the live BBQ station's offerings, relish the buffet spread, and dine amidst a basic table setup.

2. Tropical Chic Package: For $208++ or $228++ per person, this package embraces the live BBQ station, the sumptuous buffet, and the enchantment of a stunning tropical table setup bedecked with captivating floral centrepieces by Estilo & Co.

3. Champagne Trolley Add-on: Available for $108++ per person, this add-on enriches your experience with 2 hours of free-flowing Champagne accompanied by delightful accompaniments.


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Apple Coleslaw 4.5/5

Diving into the delectable spread, We commenced with the Apple Coleslaw, a delightful blend of red and white cabbage, mesclun, green apple, raisins, cashews, and house-pickled carrots. The addition of house-pickled carrots provides a tantalizing textural contrast.

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Arugula Beet Salad 4/5

Another vibrant salad, the Arugula Beet Salad, combines arugula, pickled beetroot, pomelo, feta, and pistachios, elevated by a zesty dressing comprising yuzu kosho, yuzu juice, lime juice, and olive oil.

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Nori Potatoes 4.8/5

The Nori Potatoes are a delightful treat, featuring cut potatoes blanched and deep-fried, then elevated with a dash of nori seaweed butter. The result? Fluffy and utterly addictive potato bites.

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Nuoc Cham Street Corn 4/5

Grilled yellow Corn is impeccably dressed in Siri House's rendition of Nuoc Cham, featuring minced grilled spring onions, shallots, ginger, garlic, coriander, fish sauce, and lime juice, all perfectly punctuated with a drizzle of hot oil. This dish delivers sweet corn with a delightful hint of spiciness.

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Mushroom Risotto 4.5/5

Japanese rice takes on a whole new dimension in the Mushroom Risotto, infused with a blend of burnt onion dashi and burnt mushroom puree. The dish is beautifully seasoned with the essence of burnt nori, creating a comforting and flavorful rice experience.

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Green Curry Baked Mussels 4.2/5

The Mussels are bathed in a flavorful paste crafted from green chilli, coriander, lemongrass, holy basil, coconut milk, and coconut cream, with a rich finish of garlic butter. It's a Thai-inspired delight that marries beautifully with the plump mussels.

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Sambal Grilled Barramundi 5/5

The Barramundi takes centre stage, adorned with a fiery sambal paste crafted from red chilli, shallots, garlic, lemongrass, galangal, and dried shrimp. Slow-cooked and nestled in banana leaves before grilling, it's a triumph of flavours. The sambal sauce deserves special mention—it's so good that it could easily outshine our local sambal stingray.


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Duroc Pork Collar 4.2/5

The succulent Pork Collar is marinated in a tantalising blend of hoisin, fish sauce, ginger, garlic, shallots, coriander, chilli, cardamom, and brown sugar, then sous-vide cooked and expertly grilled. The result is a hint of smokiness with the perfect ratio of lean and fats.

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Petite Tender 4.2/5

The Petite Tender Steak takes a journey through sous-vide cooking in olive oil, garlic, shallots, thyme, and tarragon before grilling. The finishing touch comes in the form of a housemade kombu aioli, where garlic aioli is artfully blended with charred onion puree, kombu, and lemon juice. This pairing elevates the tender beef to a mouthwatering

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Tarts 4/5

To conclude your culinary voyage, indulge in two delightful Tarts. The first is crowned with chocolate ganache and adorned with seasonal fruits, while the second is generously filled with housemade passionfruit curd, leaving a sweet and tangy impression.

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The enchanting experience is open for bookings for groups of 12 or more, from Tuesdays to Sundays, between 11:30 am and 8:00 pm. To make a reservation, you can email reservations.sg@sirihouse.com or book online via www.sirihouse.com/private-dining. A minimum of 7 days' advance notice is required to confirm date availability, and menu pre-orders are necessary 5 days ahead.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Siri House
Dempsey Hill
8D Dempsey Road
#01-02
Singapore 249672
Tel: +65 96670533
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Nearest MRT: Napier (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sat: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sun: 1130am - 4pm
(Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Napier MRT station. Take Exit 2. Walk to bus stop opposite Singapore Botanic Gardens (Stop ID 13011). Take bus number 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123 or 174. Alight 2 stops later. Walk up to Dempsey Hill. Walk right to the back of the cluster. Walk to destination. Journey time 12 minutes. [Map]