Crystal Jade Okinawa Fare Promotion Available Until 5 May 2024, Showcasing the Bountiful Produces From Okinawa

Recently returning from a trip to Okinawa, I found myself at Crystal Jade to explore their latest promotion, Flavours of Okinawa. This promotion, running until May 5th, 2024, celebrates the vibrant flavours and fresh produce of Okinawa, often referred to as the Hawaii of Japan.

Some of the ingredients from Okinawa that Crystal Jade will be using and incorporating into the dish are Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed, Sea Grape, Bittergourd and Brown Sugar.

Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed:
One of the stars of the promotion, Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed, takes centre stage in several dishes. Renowned for its briny flavour and delicate texture, this seaweed adds a distinct umami richness.

Sea Grape:
Another Okinawan gem is the Sea Grape. Rarely seen outside of Okinawa, this unique seaweed variety offers a burst of freshness and a delightful crunch, elevating dishes with its unique texture and flavour profile.

Bittergourd:
Bittergourd is a beloved ingredient in Okinawan cuisine. It is used in various dishes. Known for its creamy texture and mild flavour, bittergourd adds depth and richness to soups, stir-fries, and other delights.

Brown Sugar:
No exploration of Okinawan cuisine would be complete without the use of Brown Sugar, a staple ingredient in many traditional dishes. Adding a subtle sweetness and depth of flavour, Okinawan brown sugar lends a unique character to both savoury and sweet creations.

Chilled Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed 4/5

We began our dinner with the refreshing Chilled Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed ($22.80), a delightful dish paired with wasabi-aged vinaigrette, fresh lily bulb, and cherry tomato. Available at all Crystal Jade fine dining outlets, it sets the tone for the evening ahead.

Okinawa Sea Grapes 3.8/5

A rare find in Singapore, the Okinawa Sea Grapes ($19.80) showcased the uniqueness of Okinawan produce. Served on a bed of ice and paired with fragrant, spicy soy sauce, it offered a crunchy texture and a burst of flavour.

Crisp-fried Shredded Taro with Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed 3.5/5

Next, we indulged in the Crisp-fried Shredded Taro with Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed ($19.80 for 4pc), a harmonious blend of fragrant taro and briny seaweed, providing a multi-textural experience.

Crispy Okinawa Bittergourd & Shimeiji Mushroom with Salted Egg 3/5

While flavourful, the Crispy Okinawa Buttergourd & Shimeiji Mushroom with Salted Egg ($12.80) at Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen left me wishing for a more distinct salted egg flavour. Nevertheless, the addition of rice puff added an enjoyable crunch to the dish.

Pan-fried Prawn & Chives with Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed Pancake 3.5/5

Reminiscent of okonomiyaki, the Pan-fried Prawn & Chives with Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed Pancake ($13.80) at Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen was a delightful treat. Topped with prawns, chives, and seaweed, it offered a crisp and flavorful experience.

Spicy Szechuan Chicken with Okinawa Bittergourd 4/5

The Spicy Szechuan Chicken with Okinawa Bittergourd ($22.80) at Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao stood out as a bold and flavourful dish. The fragrant spicy sauce perfectly complemented the tender chicken and bittergourd.

Stewed Noodle with Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed & Prawn 3/5

Ending our savoury journey, the Stewed Noodle with Okinawa Mozuku Seaweed & Prawn ($15.80) provided a comforting experience. While the noodles were soft and silky, the flavour was subdued, probably to allow the seaweed to shine.

Acerola Cherry Mochi 3.5/5

We savoured the Acerola Cherry Mochi ($9.80 for 4pc) and Mini Chocolate Tart with Okinawa Brown Sugar ($8.80 for 4pc) for dessert. Both offered a sweet ending to our meal, with the latter standing out for its elevated aroma and indulgent sweetness from the brown sugar.

Mini Chocolate Tart with Okinawa Brown Sugar 4/5

Crystal Jade's Flavours of Okinawa promotion is a delightful exploration of Okinawan cuisine, showcasing the freshness and diversity of the region's produce. Available until May 5th, 2024, across various Crystal Jade outlets, it offers a tantalising glimpse into the tropical flavours of Okinawa.

Note: This is an invited tasting.

Surrey Hills Grocer @ Woodleigh Mall - Exclusive Month-long Collaboration Menu by Chef Damian D’Silva, Founder of Rempapa

Surrey Hills Grocer at Woodleigh Mall is introducing a fresh dining experience this April with a curated menu by Chef Damian D'Silva. Known for his multicultural cuisine at Rempapa, Chef Damian presents six specially crafted dishes exclusively for one month until 30 April 2024.

Located along The Woodleigh Mall's Heritage Walk, the Woodleigh outlet of Surrey Hills Grocer may require some navigation for first-time visitors. The air-conditioned environment accommodates up to 90 diners, making it an ideal gathering spot. Furry companions are welcome, too, with a dedicated menu tailored just for them.

Each Surrey Hills Grocer outlet offers a differentiated menu, ensuring diners experience new takes on familiar favourites. For instance, while the Woodleigh outlet serves Tom Yum Tater Tots, the ION outlet offers Mentaiko Tater Tots - a creative concept that adds variety to the dining experience.

Surrey's Homemade Iced Lemon Tea

I ordered the mildly sweet Surrey's Homemade Iced Lemon Tea ($8) from its extensive beverage list, which was made in-house using cold-brewed premium black tea dust and fresh lemons.

Berry Dragonfruit Smoothie

My dining companions went with the Berry Dragonfruit Smoothie ($13), Appily Ever After ($10) and Berrylicious Lemonade ($9).

Signature Nasi Lemak with Opor Ayam 3.8/5

We started with a few of Chef Damian's specialities first. Among what we had, we preferred the Signature Nasi Lemak with Opor Ayam ($25) - a classic nasi lemak ensemble featuring coconut rice, fried silver fish, sambal, a fried Nuyolk egg, and a side of opor ayam. The nasi lemak, with its fluffy and aromatic rice, was the biggest highlight. However, we found the opor ayam lacking the richness we anticipated. The traditional spiced coconut gravy was milder than expected, missing the aromatic notes of cumin and coriander. Nonetheless, the chicken remained tender.

Kerabu Ikan Tenggiri 3.8/5

I've not had Kerabu Ikan Tenggiri ($22) before, but the refreshing crunch and mildly spiced dressing were enticing. This traditional salad comprises barred Spanish mackerel, wing beans, cherry tomatoes, long beans, herbs and salted eggs. Considering the price tag, we were hoping for more significant portions of mackerel.

Peranakan Prawn Sambal 2.8/5

The Peranakan Prawn Sambal ($26) left us disappointed. Our prawns were dry and difficult to extract from their shells. Despite its sambal and shrimp paste base, intended to appeal to spice fans, the dish lacked the expected heat and flavour profile.

Skillet Squid Ink Pasta 4.5/5

The standout dish of the evening was unanimously the Skillet Squid Ink Pasta ($28), topped with creamy kewpie mayo. The briny and umami hints in the mouthfuls of broken squid ink pasta were addictive, and the addition of squid and shrimp further enhanced the experience.

Triple Truffle Fries 4.2/5

The Triple Truffle Fries ($19) is one of the few dishes available across the Surrey Hills Grocer outlets. Tossed in fragrant truffle olive oil and dusted with truffle powder, they are adorned with generous parmesan shavings. While they may not be the crispiest fries, their satisfying crunch and accompanying homemade truffle mayo dip made for a delightful sharing snack.

Matcha Udon 3.8/5

We were initially sceptical when we spotted the Matcha Udon ($26) on the menu, but with assurances from the staff, we decided to give it a try. The soft udon was cooked in a creamy white wine matcha sauce, accompanied by smoked pork belly, ramen egg, Korean seaweed flakes and grated parmesan cheese. Surprisingly, it was a pleasant combination, with the carbonara flavour taking the lead. We appreciated the balance that avoided being overly rich, but matcha lovers should note that the matcha bitterness was very subtle for what it's named. You'll find carbonara-based dishes prepared differently if you visit other Surrey Hills Grocer outlets.

The Signature Stack 4.2/5

The highly recommended Melburnian Pancake Parlour pancakes lived up to their reputation. Opting for The Signature Stack ($24) as our dessert, we were treated to two pieces of old-school style buttermilk pancakes, generously topped with vanilla crème chantilly, seasonal fruit compote, fresh berries, and sea salt butterscotch. The pancakes were worth a try, being somewhat fluffy and buttery. The additional crumbles littered on top added good texture contrast. For those with a sweet tooth, this also came with extra maple syrup and caramel sauce for drizzling. I recommend sharing this with a friend or two, as it gets heavy quickly.

While the prices are steep, we were fans of the restaurant's ambience and pet-friendly space. We enjoyed its main menu more than the seasonal offerings and look forward to trying the unique variations across its outlets.

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.


Surrey Hills Grocer
The Woodleigh Mall
#01-52/53
11 Bidadari Park Drive
Singapore 367803
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Nearest MRT: Woodleigh (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

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