Yan (宴) @ National Gallery Singapore - Ring in the Year of the Snake with an Abundant Feast

With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, Yan (宴) at the National Gallery Singapore is ushering in the festivities with a spread of traditional Cantonese delicacies. Featuring six specially curated dine-in set menus priced between $138++ and $288++ per person, the restaurant also offers an extensive array of a la carte dishes and festive treats, ensuring something for every palate. Here's a glimpse of the celebratory dishes that set the tone for an auspicious and indulgent year ahead.

Kaleidoscope of Prosperity Yu Sheng in "Shun De" Style with Yellowtail Slices and Sakura Shrimps

The Kaleidoscope of Prosperity Yu Sheng ($128/$178) offers a refreshing take on the traditional festive favourite. Inspired by the "Shun De" style, this version features a vibrant mix of julienned vegetables, crispy fried vermicelli, and a savoury soy sauce-based dressing that sets it apart from the usual sweet iterations. Elevated with the addition of sakura shrimps, it delivers a delightful crunch and layered flavour, making it a standout choice for a prosperous Lunar New Year toss.

Braised Chicken and Pumpkin Broth with Fish Maw and Conpoy

The Golden Pumpkin Broth with Fish Maw and Conpoy was a highlight of the meal. This rich and creamy soup blends chicken broth with golden pumpkin puree, creating a velvety texture and a subtle sweetness. A generous piece of Hua Jiao (fish maw) adds a luxurious touch with its bouncy, firm texture, making every spoonful deeply satisfying.

Sauteed Australia Scallops with Asparagus and Black Truffle Sauce

The Sautéed Australian Scallops left a lasting impression with their impressive size and plumpness. Lightly seasoned and sautéed to perfection, the scallops were delicately coated in a fragrant black truffle sauce, complementing their natural sweetness. Served alongside poached asparagus and stir-fried capsicums, this dish is both visually appealing and deliciously balanced.

Steamed Soon Hock Fillet with Sliced Yunnan Ham and Black Mushroom, Seasonal Green

Fish symbolises abundance during the Lunar New Year, and the Steamed Soon Hock Fillet exemplifies this tradition. Deboned and meticulously arranged with Yunnan ham, shiitake mushrooms, julienned ginger, and carrots, the Soon Hock is steamed to tender perfection. The ham's subtle saltiness enhances the fish's natural sweetness, making this dish a standout addition to the festive menu.

Poached Chicken marinated with Chinese Wine and Conpoy

One of the most memorable dishes of the meal was the Poached Chicken steeped in a flavourful blend of Chinese herbs, hua tiao wine, hairy fig, conpoy, and yellow gardenia. The gardenia lends the chicken a natural yellow hue while infusing it with a distinct herbal aroma. The tender kampong chicken is further elevated by the subtle sweetness and fragrance of the wine, making this dish a favourite.

Braised South Africa Whole Abalone with Noodles and Superior Oyster Sauce

The luxurious Braised South African Whole Abalone served with noodles, and superior oyster sauce was a fitting final savoury dish. The 4-head abalone, braised to perfection, showcased a delightful combination of bouncy texture and rich flavour, while the noodles soaked up the oyster sauce beautifully, making for a satisfying and indulgent plate.

Chilled Roselle Flower Jelly with Barley, Deep-fried Sesame Balls

Dessert was a two-part affair, featuring the Chilled Roselle Flower Jelly with Barley and Deep-fried Sesame Balls. The roselle jelly provided a refreshing and slightly tangy contrast to the hearty meal, while the sesame balls, filled with pandan lotus seed paste and melon seeds, offered a chewy texture and nutty aroma, thanks to the toasted sesame seeds. This harmonious combination of flavours and textures was the perfect way to conclude the meal.

Yan (宴) has curated an array of celebratory menus that beautifully blend traditional Cantonese flavours with contemporary touches. The Kaleidoscope of Prosperity Yu Sheng, the velvety Pumpkin Broth, and the decadent Braised Abalone are just a few highlights that exude festive indulgence. For those seeking a memorable dining experience to welcome the Year of the Snake, Yan is sure to deliver an auspicious feast.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Yan Restaurant (宴)
National Gallery Singapore
1 St Andrew's Road
#05-02
Singapore 178958
Tel: +65 63845585
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit D. Turn left and walk down North Bridge Road. Turn left onto Coleman Street. Walk down Coleman Street. Walk to destination. Journey time around 5 minutes. [Map]

9Toast Cafe @ Singapore Shopping Centre - Cosy Cafe Specialising in Korean-inspired Taro Lattes & Honey-Glazed Toasts

9Toast Cafe is a cosy cafe tucked along the exterior of the Singapore Shopping Centre, just a short stroll from Dhoby Ghaut MRT. Its signatures include Korean-inspired offerings, particularly its Taro Lattes and Honey-Glazed Toasts.

One specialty of 9Toast is its signature sweet potato paste prepared daily in-store. The paste is crafted from steamed sweet potatoes, transformed into a smooth, thick consistency without the use of artificial colouring, preservatives, or flavouring.

Purple Haze Latte 3/5

One of their signature drinks is the Purple Haze Latte ($7.90), which incorporates this sweet potato paste with milk. While it’s undoubtedly Instagram-worthy with its striking pastel tones, the flavour leans towards being overpowered by the milk.

Creamy Tamago Sando 3.5/5

9Toast also specialises in sandos made with white Shokupan bread, which features a honey-glazed exterior that adds sweetness to the savoury fillings.

We tried the Creamy Tamago Sando ($12.50), generously stuffed with egg mayo. While the portion was satisfying, the flavours fell slightly flat, and the texture leaned toward being a little dry, leaving us wishing for more balance.

Mentaiko Fries 3/5

For sides, we opted for the Mentaiko Fries ($8.50). The fries were fried to a golden crisp, providing a nice crunch. However, we were not big fans of the mentaiko sauce, which mainly had mayonnaise flavours in the spotlight.

Purple Haze 3.8/5

Moving on to their signature toast offerings, we sampled the Purple Haze Honey-Glazed Toast ($10.50). This dish features stretchy, oozy milk injeolmi sandwiched between slices of honey-coated bread. It is served with a scoop of their housemade sweet potato paste and a small pitcher of frothy milk for an extra touch.

While the paste's natural sweetness was pleasant and mild, the toast itself could be crispier. I would also recommend having this shared, as it could get quite heavy.

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.


9Toast Cafe
Singapore Shopping Centre
#01-18
190 Clemenceau Avenue
Singapore 239924
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Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut MRT (CC, NE, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1030am - 6pm
Sat-Sun: 10am - 7pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Penang Road. Cross the road and turn right on Penang Road. Walk to Clemenceau Ave. Turn left onto Clemenceau Ave. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]