LingZhi Vegetarian @ Liat Towers - A Fresh Take on Vegetarian Dining: Innovative Dishes Beyond Mock Meats

LingZhi Vegetarian by TungLok Group has been around since 1991 and is well-regarded in the vegetarian community for its quality dishes. It now welcomes its new Executive Chef, Michael Huang, who brings over 17 years of culinary experience.

Located on the fifth floor of Liat Towers, the restaurant offers both an open dining area and private rooms for various occasions. Chef Huang has introduced a refreshed lineup of dishes focused on health and environmental sustainability, using quality seasonal ingredients. His roots in traditional Chinese flavours also shine through.

Honey Potato with Osmanthus Flower 3.5/5

We began with the Honey Potato with Osmanthus Flower ($16.80), a chilled pyramid of soft sweet potato cubes glazed in a fragrant osmanthus syrup. It leaned on the sweeter side for me, though my dining companion enjoyed it.

King Oyster Mushroom and Assorted Fungus in Sichuan Pepper Soup 4.2/5

As a mushroom lover, the comforting King Oyster Mushroom and Assorted Fungus in Sichuan Pepper Soup ($29.80) was right up my alley. Served in a comforting Sichuan pepper broth, it featured a generous medley of mushrooms with crunchy celtuce for texture. Unlike the fiery broth one might expect, this had a gentle heat with a warm numbing kick. I wished it came with sweet potato noodles or vermicelli to soak up the flavourful soup!

Crispy Plant-Based Eel in Gong Bao Glaze 4/5

The Crispy Plant-Based Eel in Gong Bao Glaze ($22.80) is made with thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms fried to a crisp and paired with cashews. While the “eel” could have been slightly meatier in texture, it was crunchy, light and not oily. The glaze carried a mild sweetness and a hint of heat.

Pan-fried Stuffed Morel Mushroom with ‘San Bei’ Sauce 4.2/5

The Pan-fried Stuffed Morel Mushroom with ‘San Bei’ Sauce ($38.80) was another creative standout. Earthy morels are stuffed, pan-fried, and served over crunchy asparagus, all coated in a sweet-savoury San Bei sauce.

Spaghetti with Vegetarian Bolognese 3.8/5

I wasn’t expecting much from the Spaghetti with Vegetarian Bolognese ($24), but it surprised us with its balanced mix of tomatoes and mushrooms. It wasn’t as tomato-forward or as sweet as the usual versions.

These dishes and more are available a la carte or as set menus for groups of various sizes. While the prices lean higher, we appreciated the thoughtful creativity that sets the restaurant apart from more common vegetarian offerings, which often rely heavily on mock meats. Service was also exceptionally warm and attentive.

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.


LingZhi Vegetarian
Liat Towers
541 Orchard Road
#05-01
Singapore 238881
Tel: +65 6734 3788
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT Station. Take Exit 4. Walk to Wheelock Place. Go to the first floor. Exit Wheelock Place, turn left and walk down Orchard Road. Walk to destinaton. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Ms Durian @ Jalan Besar - Fresh Durians, Sweet and Savoury Durian Creations

Ms Durian at Jalan Besar is known for its handcrafted Mao Shan Wang (MSW) durian cakes and pastries. What's less known is that the brand also offers savoury creations and even sells fresh durians during the durian season.

MSW Cake with Durian Pod 4.5/5

Lemongrass Pandan Drink

For this harvest season, we had the chance to try the Durian Lover Set ($26.80), which includes an original MSW Cake, a Durian Pod, and a Lemongrass Pandan Drink. The chiffon sponge layer of the MSW cake was supremely fluffy and airy, and tying the sponge and MSW filling together was a light, elegant Madagascar Vanilla Chantilly Cream. I found the MSW filling slightly on the sweeter side, but overall, this MSW cake remains one of the better ones I've tried.

From their fresh durian harvest, we were also quite satisfied with the MSW selected for us. Despite the recent rainy weather, they managed to pick a good one from the lot.

King of Durian Nasi Lemak 3.8/5

Durian also incorporates durian brilliantly into one of their savoury creations - the King of Durian Nasi Lemak ($46). This hearty dish features MSW durian coconut rice topped with fresh MSW durian, fried mackerel, house-marinated chicken wing, and a sunny side up. Durian with coconut rice is not new, as it's commonly enjoyed as a dessert; however, pairing the durian with their house-made sambal introduced a different kind of chemistry and flavour interplay. The rice could have a touch more coconut richness to really stand out, and while the chicken wing was great, the fish was slightly on the dry side.

The atmosphere at Ms Durian is really cosy, allowing one to enjoy durians in all forms in a comfortable environment. It is in the midst of setting up an alfresco dining area with tents and durian stands for diners who crave an authentic roadside durian-eating experience.

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.


Ms Durian
11 Kelantan Road
Singapore 208604
Tel: +65 69620057
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Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 9am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 9am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Jalan Besar MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn right and walk down Jalan Besar Road towards Kelantan Road. Turn right onto Kelantan Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]