Pacific Emporium @ Pan Pacific Singapore – Local Inspired Afternoon Tea, Where the Flavours of Singapore are Elevated to an Art

Are you looking for a delightful mid-day retreat? The Local-Inspired Afternoon Tea at Pacific Emporium might be just what you need. Set in the elegant lobby of Pan Pacific Singapore, this experience invites you to relax in charming floating pods. Enjoy a tranquil afternoon while savouring a selection of teas, coffees, or even a glass of champagne, accompanied by an array of delectable sweet and savoury bites.

We recommend beginning with the savoury items and then moving on to sweet treats, alternating between the two for a balanced experience. Explore a twist on beloved Southeast Asian cuisine with dishes such as Singapore Chilli Crab Meat in Egg Custard with Mini Bun, Hai Tien Lo's Salted Egg Yolk Yam Puff, and Penang Crispy Pork Lobak with Five Spices wrapped in Bean Curd Skin.

Penang Crispy Pork Lobak with Five Spices wrapped in Bean Curd Skin 3.5/5

Singapore Chilli Crab Meat in Egg Custard with Mini Bun 3.5/5

While the chilli crab meat sauce was well-balanced with a satisfying mix of sweetness and spice, the egg custard at the bottom lacked flavour. Additionally, it was challenging to combine all the elements into a single, cohesive bite.

Baba Ghanoush Avocado Tart 3/5

Originally, this item was served on a baguette, but customer feedback indicated that the baguette was too hard, leading to a switch to a tart shell. Unfortunately, the tart shell overshadowed the filling, which was relatively mild in flavour. As a result, the taste of the tart shell dominated, leaving the intended flavours of the filling barely noticeable.

Crabmeat on Melon 3.8/5

We also sampled an additional item from the savoury tier - Crabmeat on Melon Stick, elegantly topped with ikura. This dish offered a refreshing twist on the classic Italian Prosciutto e Melone, featuring sweet crabmeat paired with juicy melon for a delightful and visually appealing presentation.

Keyaki’s Wagyu Beef Sando 4/5

Our standout of the day was undoubtedly the Keyaki's Wagyu Beef Sando. This dish features a generous slab of exquisitely seasoned wagyu beef, nestled between two slices of perfectly toasted bread. The wagyu was tender and richly flavourful, complemented by the crispy, golden-brown toast that added a satisfying crunch.

Moving on to the sweets, we were presented with a selection of picture-perfect treats featuring local flair, including Mango Pomelo Sablé, Coconut Bandung with Chendol, and more. While there were a few hits and misses among the offerings, the overall experience was delightful and made for a charming afternoon tea.

Coconut Bandung with Chendol 3/5

Encased in a chocolate shell was the Coconut Bandung cream, topped with chendol and desiccated coconut. We had high hopes for this treat, but unfortunately, the flavours did not shine through as expected. The predominant taste was of the chocolate shell, overshadowing the subtle coconut and bandung elements.

Mango Pomelo Sablé 3.8/5

Hazelnut Crunchy Dark Choc 4/5

Our favourite of the sweets was the Hazelnut Crunchy Dark Chocolate. This treat struck a perfect balance, not overly sweet, and packed with robust hazelnut flavour in every bite. The dark chocolate provided a rich, slightly bitter contrast that complemented the crunchy texture and nutty essence.

Apple Yuzu Citrus 3.5/5

Raspberry Sakura Red Velvet 2.8/5, Pulut Hitam Brûlée Mousse 3/5

Two of the sweet items are available only from Monday to Friday. The Raspberry Sakura Red Velvet didn't quite suit our palate, but the Pulut Hitam Brûlée Mousse was a delightful twist on a familiar local dessert. The mousse combined the classic flavours of pulut hitam with a creamy brûlée texture, offering a refreshing and inventive take on a beloved favourite.

There are Local Experience Live Stations if you come on the weekends, where you get to try out five tantalising local delights of Prawn Noodle Soup with Fresh Tiger Prawn, Water Spinach, and Sliced Pork, Penang Tangy Assam Laksa, Wok Hei Char Kway Teow with Pacific Crab Meat, Local Fruit Rojak, and D24 Durian Crêpe.

For just an additional $20, you can elevate your afternoon tea experience with a glass of Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne, enhancing your tea or coffee with a touch of luxury.

We've also heard that the menu will be updated around October, so be sure to check their website for the latest offerings and updates.

Mondays to Fridays $68 per person | Includes a pot of TWG tea or a cup of Lavazza coffee $88 per person | Includes a glass of Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne in addition to a pot of TWG tea or a cup of Lavazza coffee

Saturdays and Sundays (with Live Stations) $78 per person | Includes a pot of TWG tea or a cup of Lavazza coffee $98 per person | Includes a glass of Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne in addition to a pot of TWG tea or a cup of Lavazza coffee

Two daily seatings from 1pm to 3pm (1st seating) and 4pm to 6pm (2nd seating).

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


Pacific Emporium
Pan Pacific Singapore
7 Raffles Boulevard
Level 1
Singapore 039595
Tel: +65 68268240
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
1st Seating: 1-3pm
2nd Seating: 4-6pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Aburi-EN @ Shaw House - New Izakaya Menu with Each Dish Priced Below $10

Aburi-EN has recently expanded its offerings with a brand-new Izakaya Menu, available across most of its outlets islandwide. Known for their range of donburi bowls, this Aburi-EN has recently expanded its offerings with a brand-new Izakaya Menu, available islandwide across most of its outlets. Known for its range of donburi bowls, this new addition brings a variety of meats, vegetables, and seafood, all priced under $10.

From 5pm daily, diners can enjoy their meal with a 1-for-1 Classic Highball or Asahi Beer promotion.

Pork Gyoza 3.8/5

We began our meal with the Pork Gyoza ($6.90 for 5 Pcs). The gyozas were filled with juicy and well-seasoned meat, though I would have preferred them with a little more crisp.

Sweet Corn with Butter Shoyu 3.5/5

Next up was the Sweet Corn with Butter Shoyu ($4.90). While the corn was slightly dry but still well-seasoned, bathed in a savoury blend of butter and soy sauce.

Mehikari Karaage 3/5

The Mehikari Karaage ($8.90), featuring deep-fried green eyes fish served with mayonnaise and shichimi, could have benefited from a crunchier texture. The flavour was decent but didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Crab Cream Croquette 3.5/5

The Crab Cream Croquette ($6.90) had a creamy, oozy centre and a crunchy exterior. Served with tartar sauce, these croquettes were enjoyable, though we were hoping for a stronger seafood flavour in the filling.

Hokkaido Buta Bara Asparagus Kushiyaki 4/5

One of my two favourites from the evening was the Hokkaido Buta Bara Asparagus Kushiyaki ($6.90). This dish featured crunchy asparagus wrapped in juicy pork belly, grilled, and glazed with a savoury seasoning.

Sumibi Chicken Yaki 4/5

My second favourite was the Sumibi Chicken Yaki (available at $5.50 for half and $9.90 for full). The charcoal-grilled chicken chunks were succulent and paired harmoniously with a bright and spiced yuzu paste, adding a refreshing citrusy kick to each bite.

Surume Ika Ponzu 4/5

Lastly, we tried the Surume Ika Ponzu ($9.90), a dish of grilled squid in ponzu sauce. While I wished the squid was less salty and offered in a larger portion, it was tender and had a satisfying fresh crunch.

Overall, the grilled items stood out the most during our meal. Currently, the Izakaya Menu is available at several Aburi-EN outlets, except for Jem and Paragon, where it has yet to be introduced.

Those interested in the full menu can visit Aburi-EN locations at Causeway Point, Chinatown Point, Guoco Tower, Isetan Scotts, Junction 8, NEX, and Tampines 1. A slightly adapted menu, excluding the Hokkaido Buta Bara Asparagus Kushiyaki and Kinoko Itame, will be available at Changi City Point, Jewel Changi Airport, Orchard Central, Suntec City, and VivoCity.

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.


Aburi-EN
Shaw House
350 Orchard Road
#01-K1
Singapore 238868
Tel: +65 6235 7616
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Nearest MRT: Orchard MRT (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alightat Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Take the underpass and walk to Shaw House. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]