SHAO Restaurant, renowned for its Teochew cuisine at Frankel Avenue, has expanded with SHAO Tapas (烧), a new Teochew tapas-style restaurant located in the bustling district of Holland Village. The atmosphere at SHAO Tapas exudes contemporary style and vibrancy, offering diners a modern setting to savour bold and flavorful Teochew dishes. To elevate the dining experience, they also feature a well-crafted bar menu, serving creative cocktails that perfectly complement the diverse flavours of their cuisine.
Pan Seared Black Ink Cuttlefish Sausage 4.5/5
Pan Seared Black Ink Cuttlefish Sausage ($18) kicks off the meal, presenting an unusual but delicious creation. The use of squid ink elevates its savoury profile, while the texture is slightly crunchier than a typical sausage. The pan-searing process enhances the aroma, making this cuttlefish sausage highly addictive.
Raw Roe Crab Marinated with Shao Xsing Wine in Teochew Style (500g) 4.2/5
Raw Roe Crab Marinated with Shao Xsing Wine in Teochew Style ($78) is a must-try for those with adventurous palates. Unlike typical raw crab dishes, it's surprisingly devoid of any fishy taste. This dish is a palate-pleasing blend of aromatics that complements the crab's natural sweetness.
Baby Pomfret 3/5
Previously savoured at the Frankel outlet, the Baby Pomfret ($9 for 5pc, $16 for 10pc) is a cute dish deep-fried to a satisfying crispiness, allowing diners to enjoy the entire fish. However, the appreciation of this dish largely depends on personal preferences, as there is little beyond its crispy texture to make it a standout fish dish. So, diners should consider their expectations and preferences when ordering this dish.
Braised Combination Platter 4/5
An essential element of Teochew cuisine lies in its mastery of braised dishes. We opted for the Braised Combination Platter ($28), which included Pork Belly, Pig's Skin, Pig's Intestine, and Tofu. To enhance the dining experience, it was accompanied by a traditional Teochew white vinegar dip, which perfectly complemented the braised items. The only drawback is that the pork belly was excessively fatty for my taste. It might reflect a shift towards healthier eating choices as we age.
Grilled Pork Jowl 4/5
Although not a traditional Teochew dish, the Grilled Pork Jowl ($18) is well-executed, with a tender texture and a delightful sweet sauce.
Poached Crispy Rice in Seafood Stocks 4.8/5
The Poached Crispy Rice in Seafood Stocks ($34) was undoubtedly one of our favourite dishes, providing a hearty and comforting experience. This dish featured a rich seafood broth accompanied by grouper fillets, scallops, and prawns. What set it apart was the rice, which retained its grainy texture, offering that distinct Teochew preference for a delightful bite.
Yam Paste 4.2/5
To end on a sweet note, the Yam Paste ($10) includes a surprise addition of osmanthus to the creamy yam paste, enhancing its fragrance and sweetness.
Note: This is an invited tasting.
SHAO Tapas (烧)
Holland Village
44 Lorong Mambong
Singapore 277697
Tel: +65 6993 9333
Website
Nearest MRT: Holland Village (CC Line)
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 430pm - 1130pm
Sat-Sun: 12pm - 1130pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Holland Village MRT station. Take Exit B. Turn left and walk to Lorong Liput. Turn right onto Lorong Liput. Walk down Lorong Liput and turn right onto Lorong Mambong. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes.[Map]
