Min Jiang @ One North - The Magic Of Black Garlic

Known for its unique flavour and health benefit, the black garlic took the stage from 15 March to 14 April 2017 at Min Jiang, One-North. For a limited period, Master Chef Goh Chee Kong has created six dishes highlighting the special ingredient - Japanese Black Garlic. Unlike the normal garlic, black garlic is actually sweet due to the ageing process.

Black Garlic Duo Platter 3.5/5

We started with the Black Garlic Duo Platter ($12/pax) which comprises of Pan Fried Scallop with Black Garlic and Sliced Pork with Shredded Pickled Papaya and Black Garlic. The scallop is stuffed with a minced prawn-black garlic-water chestnut paste and lightly seared. While the scallop is plump and flavourful, the sweetness of the black garlic was hardly noticeable. I preferred the sliced pork which I actually could taste the subtle sweetness of the black garlic

Double Boiled Black Chicken Soup with Black Garlic 4.5/5

One of my favourite dishes on the menu is the Double Boiled Black Chicken Soup with Black Garlic, Dried Scallops and Top Shell ($22/pax). The flavourful and nourishing soup is brewed for a good 4 hours, extracting the essences of the black chicken and seafood. A glove of black garlic is added at the end and steamed for another 20 minutes, giving the soup an extra sweet note from the black garlic.

Steamed Lobster with Winter Melon and Black Garlic 4/5

The Steamed Lobster with Winter Melon and Black Garlic ($30/order) is topped with a mixture of minced black and white garlic which complemented the bouncy and juicy lobster meat. The use of winter melon gives the dish a refreshing touch.

Stewed Organic Green Tea Noodles with Black Garlic and Minced Pork 4.2/5

Not to be missed is the Stewed Organic Green Tea Noodles with Black Garlic and Minced Pork ($10/pax). The dish has the elements of Zha Jiang Mian and the restaurant's popular braised mee pok dish. It is tossed in dried shrimp chilli pasta and jazzed up with black garlic.

Pandan Jelly with Lime Sorbet 4/5

Wrapping up the dinner, we had the Pandan Jelly with Lime Sorbet ($10/pax). A refreshing and sweet finish to round off the dinner.

The Black Garlic promotion is available only for a limited period from 15 March to 14 April 2017. Besides the dishes I tried, there are other creation from Chef Goh such as the Sauteed Beef Cubes with Two Kinds of Garlic and Pan Fried Sea Perch with Black Garlic and Seasonal Vegetables.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Min Jiang at One North
No. 5 Rochester Park
Singapore 139216
Tel: +65 67740122
Website
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit B or C. Walk to Star Vista. At Rochester Drive turn left. Continue on Rochester Drive to the end of the road. Cross the road and continue on Rochester Park. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

White Rose Cafe @ York Hotel Singapore - Popular Penang Hawkers' Fare Buffet Is Back To Delight Gourmands From 10 March to 26 March 2017

The popular Penang Hawkers' Fare buffet at York Hotel Singapore is back for another edition from 10 March to 26 March 2017. Diners will get to savour unlimited helpings of the street food specially prepared by 12 hawkers specially flown in from Penang to recreate their dishes.

Char Kway Teow 4.2/5

My advice is to hit straight to the Char Kway Teow station because the queue is the longest here. Fried under high intense heat, the plate of thin rice noodles imparted a smoky wok hei to the dish. Do note each person is only allow 2 plates each time so get more people to queue if you have a big group.

Penang Prawn Mee 4/5

The soup of the Penang Prawn Mee is painstaking made from prawn heads, shells and pork ribs boiled for hours to achieve the robustness and rich flavours.

Kway Teow Soup 4/5

The Kway Teow Soup comes with smooth rice noodles and bouncy fish cakes and fish balls. What I enjoy most is the light but yet flavourful soup. It comes in both soup and dry version.

Penang Laksa 4/5

A sip of the tangy tamarind fish based broth woke up my sensitives, hitting the right spot. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed that the Penang Laksa uses the thick rice noodles instead of authentic type used in Penang. If the serving has more of the fish meat, it would be better.

Lor Bak 3/5

The plate of fried snack comprises of five spice meat rolls, prawn fritters, deep fried beancurd and more. The highlight has to be meaty and tender Lor Bak which is well marinated and painstakingly hand rolled into shape.

Cuttlefish Kang Kong 3.5/5

A dish not commonly seen nowadays is the Cuttlefish Kang Kong. Although it is a simple dish, the quality prawn paste sauce has elevated the enjoyment of the crunchy cuttlefishand water convolvulus.

Oyster Omelette 4.2/5

The combination of rice flour batter, eggs and oysters are fried to wok fragrant crispiness. For a more fulfilling enjoyment, have it together with the tangy spicy sauce.

Duck Porridge 4.5/5

The star of the latest edition of Penang Hawkers' Fare is the Duck Porridge. The porridge comes with braised duck meat, pig's innards, ginger strips and spring onions. What makes me gone back for a second bowl is the fragrant and flavourful braising sauce that is drizzled over the comforting bowl of duck porridge.

Chendol and Ice Kachang 4/5

For a sweet ending to the hawker fare, there is the Chendol and Ice Kachang. However the not to be missed item is the Ban Chang Kueh which is made freshly on the spot. The crispy pancake is topped with ground peanuts and sugar for a sweet and nutty finish.

Ban Chang Kueh 4.5/5

Dine at White Rose Cafe during the Penang Hawkers' Fare to stand a chance to win a complimentary two-night’s weekend stay in a Premier Room inclusive of a $100 dining voucher for use at White Rose Cafe; one-night weekend stay in a Deluxe Room inclusive of a $50 dining voucher for use at White Rose Cafe for two persons; ‘Treasured Flavours of Singapore’ daily à la carte Buffet Lunch at White Rose Cafe for six persons.

Price
Mon-Fri: $29 adult, $20 child (aged 12 yrs and below)
Sat-Sun, PH: $33 adult, $23 child (aged 12 yrs and below)


White Rose Cafe
York Hotel
21 Mount Elizabeth
Singapore 228516
Tel: +65 68301156
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm - 230pm
Dinner: 630pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk down Scotts Road towards Goodwood Park Hotel. At Goodwood Park, turn right and walk to the end of the carpark. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]