Thursday, July 11, 2024

Min Jiang @ Goodwood Park Hotel - Min Jiang Reimagined: An Exquisite Showcase by Four Culinary Masters

MinJiangJul24-8

Min Jiang Reimagined An Exquisite Showcase By Four Culinary Masters’ - Chef Goh, Chef Sam Leong, Chef Forest Leong, Chef Chan

For a limited time from 22 July to 28 July 2024, Min Jiang Goodwood Park presents an exclusive collaboration featuring Michelin-starred chef couple Sam and Forest Leong alongside Min Jiang and Min Jiang at Dempsey's very own Master Chefs. Themed "Min Jiang Reimagined: An Exquisite Showcase by Four Culinary Masters", this collaboration offers two exclusive set menus for dine-in only at Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel. Here's a closer look at the culinary masterpieces we had the pleasure of experiencing.

MinJiangJul24-2
Abalone, Sea Cucumber, Wild-caught Eel Maw in Golden Organic Pumpkin Broth 4.8/5

MinJiangJul24-7
Uni & Jamón Ibérico 4.8/5

We kicked off the dinner with a bowl of golden soup, A Sea of Treasures, by Chef Sam Leong. This dish, featuring Abalone, Sea Cucumber, and Wild-caught Eel Maw in Golden Organic Pumpkin Broth paired with Uni & Jamón Ibérico, was a luxurious delight. The pumpkin broth's collagen-rich consistency, with its natural sweetness, complemented the delicacies excellently. A dollop of red vinegar enhanced the overall experience, adding a tangy depth to the broth.

MinJiangJul24-10
King Crabmeat in Light Curry Sauce with Seasonal White Asparagus 4/5

Chef Forest Leong brought a touch of Thai influence with The Ocean's Embrace, a dish comprising King Crabmeat in Light Curry Sauce with Seasonal White Asparagus. This dish skillfully merged her Thai heritage with contemporary French elements. The depth and savoury, spicy kick of the king crabmeat curry complemented the springy white asparagus perfectly, making this dish a standout.

MinJiangJul24-13
Slow-braised ‘Live’ South African Abalone 4/5

Simply executed to highlight the prized ingredient, A Dream So Deep featured South African Abalone slow-braised for two hours in a full-bodied concoction of abalone jus. Paired with lightly fried okra for extra textural contrast, this dish was a sublime testament to the beauty of simplicity in showcasing premium ingredients.

MinJiangJul24-16
Typhoon Shelter Turbot Fish Fillet and Soft-shell Crab 4.2/5

The Perfect Calm featured Turbot Fish and Soft-shell Crab done in typhoon shelter-style. A fragrant medley of breadcrumbs, scallions, garlic, curry leaf, dried chillies, and dried shrimp, expertly stir-fried to bring out the aromas, added depth and complexity to the dish. Each bite promised a satisfying explosion of textures and flavours, with a hint of spice that left us craving more.

MinJiangJul24-19
Slow-braised Wagyu Beef Cheek with Japanese Daikon 4.5/5

From the Prairies to Harmony showcased an innovative creation that seamlessly combined traditional Chinese culinary techniques with subtle Japanese flair. The tender Beef Cheek, slow-braised and paired with juicy Japanese Daikon, soaked up the delicate beef broth beautifully, making for a harmonious and flavourful dish.

MinJiangJul24-23
Barley Pearl Congee with Handmade Shrimp Balls and Dried Scallops 4.2/5

Chef Sam Leong's Smooth as Silk was a silky smooth Congee with celtuce, barley, and handmade shrimp balls cooked in a heady, opaque chicken broth. Topped with crispy dried scallops and served with salted egg salmon skin, this dish offered an irresistible crunch and was a comforting, umami-rich delight.

MinJiangJul24-26
Crispy Crepes, Meringue and Gold Laced Threads with Assorted Berries Gelato 4/5

We wrapped up the dinner with Chef Forest Leong's dessert creation, Playground in My Mind. This deconstructed version of Khanom Bueang, a traditional Thai street snack, was a visual and culinary treat. Topped with a sprinkle of crumble, fresh strawberries, and blueberries and finished with a scoop of assorted berries ice cream, this dessert was a delightful end to a remarkable dining experience.

MinJiangJul24-22

"Min Jiang Reimagined: An Exquisite Showcase by Four Culinary Masters" at Min Jiang Goodwood Park is not to be missed. Each dish, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, brings together the best of East and West, traditional and modern. Whether you are a fan of classic flavours or innovative creations, this limited-time collaboration promises an unforgettable dining experience.

THE SET MENUS (FOR DINE-IN ONLY)
22 to 28 July 2024
6-course lunch menu for min. 2 persons at $148++ per person
7-course dinner menu for min. 2 persons at $188++ per person

Dine-in reservations may be made via phone: 6730 1704, email: min_jiang@goodwoodparkhotel.com and https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/goodwood-park-hotel-min-jiang/reserve

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Min Jiang
Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Tel: +65 67301704
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk down Scotts Road to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

YUN NANS (云海肴) @ NEX - 50% Off Selected Dishes From 24 May to 1 August 2024

Restaurant 1

YUN NANS, a familiar name among Singaporeans, has introduced an innovative concept with YUN NANS Home at three of their heartland outlets. This new venture showcases authentic home recipes from Yunnan, featuring affordable prices and a delightful array of new dishes. One of the standout features of YUN NANS Home is its inviting and cosy atmosphere, reminiscent of a warm family dining experience. It's an ideal setting for enjoying hearty meals with loved ones. We tried an array of new and best-selling signature dishes. Let's start with the new ones.

Garlic Vermicelli Shrimp 1
Garlic Vermicelli Shrimp Casserole 4.5/5

Garlic Vermicelli Shrimp 3

The Garlic Vermicelli Shrimp Casserole ($26.90) is an absolute delight! Bursting with the aroma of fragrant garlic, fresh shrimp, and perfectly cooked vermicelli. This dish evokes memories of the classic Thai Goong Ob Woosen with a distinct Chinese twist. What sets it apart is the innovative use of a casserole, which keeps the dish warm without risking burnt vermicelli at the bottom, a common issue with traditional claypot serving. Every strand of vermicelli is lovingly coated in a flavourful sauce that harmonises the essence of garlic throughout. It is a perfect balance of flavours and textures that is simply irresistible.

Surprise Crispy Rice 1
Surprise Crispy Rice Stir-Fry 4.5/5

Intrigued by the promise of a 'surprise,' we were eager to try the Surprise Crispy Rice Stir-Fry ($11.90) and were pleasantly surprised by its delightful blend of crunchy puffed rice and the added texture of tobiko. Each grain of rice is evenly coated in a savoury soy sauce, enhancing its crunchiness and flavour profile. The dish also boasts a beautiful wok-hei aroma that leaves a lingering desire for more bites.

Loofah Gourd 1
Dried Scallop and Seafood with Loofah Gourd 3.8/5

We were told that this dish uses only young loofah gourd imported directly from Yunnan for its tender texture, paired with dried scallop, dried shrimps and clams. Dried Scallop and Seafood with Loofah Gourd ($15.90) is a comforting home-style dish that evokes memories of a dish prepared by one's mother at home. However, we found the flavour profile to be a touch too subtle for our palates. While the dish showcases fresh ingredients and a comforting texture, we wished for a more robust depth of flavours.

Sichuan Boiled Fish 1
Sichuan Boiled Fish 3.8/5

Bringing Sichuan classics to the table is the Sichuan Boiled Fish ($34.90), which features tender fish slices, crunchy bean sprouts, and black fungus immersed in a numbingly spicy broth. Nestled beneath is vermicelli that absorbs the aromatic broth, adding an extra dimension to the dish's texture. While we appreciated the dish's nuanced flavours and textures, our rating reflects a preference among hardcore Sichuan flavour enthusiasts for a more robust, spicier profile. However, it's worth noting that one of our parties, who typically avoid spicy foods, found this dish surprisingly enjoyable and ranked it among their top three favourites from our tasting session.

La Zi Ji 1
Boneless Spicy Chicken with Sichuan Peppercorns 4/5

Another Sichuan favourite, the Boneless Spicy Chicken with Sichuan Peppercorns ($16.90), showcases bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken thigh deep-fried to a perfect crispness. The chicken is generously coated with fragrant dried chillies and Sichuan peppercorns, delivering a balanced blend of heat and numbing spice. This dish disappeared from our table quickly, leaving us digging for more pieces of chicken that might be hidden underneath the mountain of dried chilli.

Steam Pot Chicken Soup 1
Steam Pot Chicken Soup 4/5

One of YUN NANS' signature dishes is the Steam Pot Chicken Soup ($29.90), prepared in a traditional handmade Jianshui claypot. This exquisite dish is made without a single drop of water, preserving the pure essence of its ingredients to deliver a light yet flavourful chicken soup. The broth is remarkably clean and free from any greasiness. Crunchy bean sprouts with chilli, peppercorn and an appetising spicy sauce accompany this delightful soup. This clever addition allows diners to create a unique cold dish by mixing the tender chicken pieces from the soup, elevating the dining experience.

Poached Pork Collar w Pickled Chili 1
Poached Pork Collar with Pickled Chilli 4.2/5

Lastly, we savoured another signature dish, the Poached Pork Collar with Pickled Chilli ($21.90-S/$27.90-L), a dish that had us reaching for more rice than usual. The broth was exceptionally flavourful with a slight spiciness, and tender pork collar slices were swimming in it. Accompanying the dish were slivers of fried potato that retained their texture and didn't become mushy. The pickled mustard greens elevated the broth, reminiscent of the vibrant flavours of another Sichuan favourite - Suan Cai Yu. This hearty dish delighted our taste buds and warmed our hearts.

Entrance

As part of this new concept, Yunnan has released 20 new home recipes, and selected dishes will be 50% off from 24 May to 1 August 2024. YUN NANS Home is available at its heartland outlets, Nex, Northpoint City, and Westgate.

Other new dishes include the Pork Belly with String Beans Shoots, Home-style Minced Pork with Eggplant Casserole, Spare Ribs Braised with Bitter Melon in Fermented Black Bean Sauce, Shanghai Stir-fried Rice Cake, Mom's Braised Pig's Feet and more.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


YUN NANS (云海肴)
NEX
23 Serangoon Central
Bl-15
Singapore 556083
Tel: +65 69707883
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Nearest MRT: Serangoon (CC, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit G and H. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]