Restaurant Cougar Lee (錦軒) @ Tras Street - Modern Chinese Cuisine with a Global Flair

Restaurant Cougar Lee (錦軒) on Tras Street is the newest addition to the scene, offering a fresh take on traditional Chinese cuisine. At the helm is Beijing-born Chef Ethan Lee, who brings a wealth of culinary experience from across Europe, including Lyon, Italy, and Barcelona, as well as his grounding in his family's Beijing restaurant. His cross-cultural background has shaped a bold and inventive menu that surprises while staying rooted in comfort and familiarity.

Lee's Steamed Roasted Iberico Pork "Siu Mai" 4.2/5

Lee's Steamed Roasted Iberico Pork "Siu Mai" ($3.90/pc, min. 5 pcs) is freshly made daily. These parcels reveal hand-chopped Iberico pork bursting with juicy richness, finished with garden greens and a hint of wasabi for a gentle kick. The presentation stood out — a playful twist on the classic siu mai with a crispy skirt reminiscent of Japanese gyoza.

Fish Maw, Silkie Fowl, Double Boiled Soup 3.8/5

The Premium Double Boiled Soup of the Day is Fish Maw, Silkie Fowl, Double Boiled Soup ($15/pax). It offered nourishment and comfort, though it lacked the depth and intensity one might expect from a traditional Cantonese-style soup.

Yellow Tail Amberjack 3.8/5

The Yellowtail Amberjack ($18) was well-portioned, featuring thickly sliced amberjack accompanied by a combination of tomato and mango. While refreshing, the citrus dressing leaned a little too sharp, overshadowing the natural sweetness of the fish and fruit.

Foie Gras Terrine wrapped in Filo Foil 4/5

The Foie Gras Terrine wrapped in Filo Foil ($6.90/pc, min. 2 pcs) was a creative highlight. Marinated with Chinese spices like five spice, star anise, and dried apple, the foie gras was slow-cooked in German sweet wine, encased in crisp filo pastry, and finished with a fruity vinegar sauce. The result is a beautifully balanced mouthful of richness and acidity.

The Classic Ngoh Hiang 4/5

The Classic Ngoh Hiang ($16) is a refined take on the local favourite. Handcrafted daily, the meat rolls are juicy with a satisfying crunch, complemented by a tangy and mildly spicy Nam Jim sauce that enhances the savoury flavours.

Braised Monkfish 4.5/5

The Braised Monkfish ($48) was one of the evening's standouts. Firm yet delicate, the monkfish paired beautifully with jumbo asparagus and heirloom tomatoes. The savoury, mildly spicy sauce was the soul of the dish, tying everything together in harmony.

Grilled King Prawn with Handmade Noodle 3.8/5

The Grilled King Prawn with Handmade Noodle ($32) featured springy noodles cooked in a prawn and tobiko bisque, topped with a grilled king prawn. While the presentation was appealing, the bisque could have been more robust and flavourful to bring the dish to life.

Homemade Burnt Cheesecake 4.5/5

Dessert was a delightful surprise. The Homemade Burnt Cheesecake with Chives ($12) is served with salted egg yolk ice cream. The cheesecake was creamy and luscious, with the chives adding an aromatic twist. The salted egg yolk ice cream paired perfectly, elevating the dessert with a sweet-savoury balance that kept us going back for more.

Guests can look forward to a wide range of offerings, from à la carte "tapas-style" small plates and mains to handcrafted desserts. For those seeking value, the set lunch and dinner menus are a great introduction to Chef Lee's creativity – starting from $25 for lunch and $35 for dinner, an exceptional value for its calibre.

Special Promotion – Enjoy over 50% OFF Set Menus:
Lunch: 4-course set at $25 (U.P. $55) | 5-course set at $35 (U.P. $88)
Dinner: 5-course set at $35 (U.P. $88) | 6-course set at $50 (U.P. $158)

Restaurant Cougar Lee (錦軒) combines Chinese tradition with European finesse, bringing a touch of flair and imagination. Chef Ethan Lee's creations showcase an adventurous yet thoughtful approach, offering a refreshing perspective to contemporary Chinese dining in Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Restaurant Cougar Lee (錦軒)
61 Tras Street
Singapore 079000
Tel: +65 81624965
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 1030pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Tras Street. Turn right onto Tras Street. Walk down Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 2. Turn left and walk down Tanjong Pagar Road. Turn left onto Tras Street. Walk down Tras Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Revolution Wine Bistro @ Henderson Industrial Park - New Food-Forward Dining Destination by The Team Behind Defunct RVLT

From the team behind the now-closed RVLT, Revolution at Henderson Road is a brand-new restaurant that has redefined itself as a food-forward dining destination, shedding its old wine bar image. The cosy space is designed in collaboration with iconic Danish design house Fritz Hansen. It is furnished entirely with pieces from their design heritage, lending an understated yet elegant and cosy atmosphere.

Chicken Nuggets with Tomato Sriracha 4.5/5

At lunch, the menu leans towards simple, comforting fare — shareable starters, locally inspired pastas, and hearty mains. A must-try from the sharing plates is the Chicken Nuggets with Tomato Sriracha ($20), a highly requested favourite carried over from its previous spot. These are far from your usual fast-food nuggets. Made from a golden ratio of 80% chicken thigh and breast to 20% soft bones, they were tender and succulent, with a contrasting crispy crust. The crunchy, soft-bone bits buried within elevated the textural enjoyment. And what made these morsels even more addictive was the in-house Tomato Sriracha dip, crafted with 3-day fermented tomatoes, which imparted a fruity-sweet, vinegary tartness and a punch of heat, making it an excellent palate awakener.

Homemade Sourdough with Whipped Seaweed Butter 4.5/5

The Homemade Sourdough with Whipped Seaweed Butter ($8) was pleasing, featuring a well-made sourdough that struck a delicate balance of tang, nuttiness, and structure, with a crusty exterior and a chewy interior that paired beautifully with the umami-rich butter.

Hua Diao White Clams Linguine 4.5/5

Revolution also offers a Set Lunch ($28.80) comprising a salad, a choice of pasta, and a drink (iced tea, lemonade, or coffee). I tried both the Hua Diao White Clams Linguine ($19.80) and the Chicken Rendang Homemade Ravioli ($19.80). The linguine had an intoxicating aroma of Hua Diao wine, with a buttery, garlicky sauce that coated the al dente pasta and large, meaty clams.

Chicken Rendang Homemade Ravioli 2/5

The ravioli, however, paled in comparison. The pasta dough was a bit thick, and the minced chicken filling made only a slight impact. While the rendang gravy was bold and aromatic, textured with seasoned breadcrumbs, a simpler execution, such as egg pasta with shredded chicken, could have been more successful in conveying the idea.

Kale Salad 4/5

Among the salads, the Kale Salad was delightful, featuring crisp, fried kale paired with fresh leaves, avocado chunks, and tomatoes.

Crystal Sensu Fan 5/5

Chicken Skin Stroopwafel 5/5

Dinner service features a five-course tasting menu ($98++), and I tried a couple of the courses. The starters showcase a Trio of Snacks, starting with Crystal Sensu Fan, topped with Lobster Roe Bavarois and Caviar, which was incredibly delicate yet deeply umami. The Chicken Skin Stroopwafel with Drunken Foie Gras and Rose Wine Jelly offered a playful contrast of crisp chicken skin waffle and unctuous foie gras terrine, with the jelly cutting through the richness.

Mala Taco 4.5/5

In the same vein, the Mala Taco, filled with luscious negitoro and topped with tomato jelly, featured a sesame and hazelnut-infused tuile that delivered a layered sweet-savoury nuttiness and mala warmth without overwhelming the negitoro. In contrast, the tomato jelly balanced the richness of the bite.

Mussels Cheong Fun 4.5/5

Another course I tried was the brilliantly executed Mussels Cheong Fun. The soft, tender cheong fun acted like a delicate veil, concealing a surprise of aromatic moules marinières beneath — sweet-savoury with a touch of brininess, brightened by vibrant acidity and a drizzle of scallion oil that added gentle herbaceous notes. Paired with a Jerusalem artichoke purée, the mild, earthy base absorbed the sauce beautifully, making for a deeply satisfying bite.

Pandan Madeleines 4/5

Rounding off the meal, the petite Pandan Madeleines ($12) were delightful, with a lingering buttery flavour in every bite.

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Revolution
Henderson Industrial Park
211 Henderson Road
#01-05
Singapore 159552
Tel: +65 8955 8168
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Nearest MRT: Redhill (EW Line), Telok Blangah (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Wed: 11am - 3pm
Thu-Sat: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 12midnight
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Redhill MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop at Redhill MRT station (Stop ID 10209). Take bus 145. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Telok Blangah MRT station. Take Exit A. Cross the road. Walk to bus stop opposite Telok Blangah MRT station (Stop ID 14169). Take bus 176. Alight 4 stops later. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]