My makan kakis suggested for us to dine at this Hokkien restaurant along Jalan Besar and we immediately agreed. I'm a Hokkien and would like to find out more about Hokkien cuisine when opportunity arises. Hehe.
It was drizzling when we set off to Quan Xin Yuan. Armed with umbrellas that we borrowed from Farrer Hotel, we arrived safely at the restaurant after trudging along the pavements and crossing a few streets to get there, while avoiding the small scores of humans along the way.
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| Quan Xiang Yuan Jalan Besar |
We made reservations earlier hence, we got ourselves a big table. The restaurant has a relaxed vibe. After checking in, we were led to the next door unit of the restaurant.
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| spacious table |
We flipped the menu and discovered that there wasn't any price tag shown, hence there was some anxiety (on my part) on whether we might 'accidentally' bust the budget tonight. Nevertheless, we were on an exploratory mission for Hokkien cuisine, hence let's just order and enjoy the meal!
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| guess which nut would be left alone.... |
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| pu-er |
While one is slowly browsing the menu, the tea was served first. Those little cups are served in a tray with hot water to keep warm (or we could also use the water to rinse the chopsticks, small plates etc).
The restaurant is famed for its black sauce Hokkien Mee, so we ordered one. The funny thing about this place is that, there were numerous items on the menu that came either one size or medium sized and above. Like, we were informed that the weekend special menu was roast chicken and one order meant the whole chicken. And, yes... since it is a special item available only on weekends, we ordered that. We are that easily convinced ;P
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| Roast Chicken |
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| pepper salt |
Ahhh, the roasted chicken is similar to those served during weddings in my hometown, complete with fish crackers and the pepper salt. Nice with tender meat and thin, crisp skin.
For appetisers, do go for the prawn rolls (hae zhor). I liked this quite a bit because the inside were filled with meat, water chestnut and minced prawns. The pickles were nice too.
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| 虾枣 prawn rolls |
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| crunchy on its outer with meaty inner |
I actually wasn't paying attention when Tracy ordered the food. By the time, the soup dish came, it really felt like a wedding dinner. Hehe. Fish maw sea cucumber thick soup to warm the tummies on a rainy day.
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| Fish Maw Sea Cucumber Stew 魚鰾羹 |
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| liberal dose of black vinegar |
After the soup, naturally will start to feel full. However, our main dishes have not arrived. The Hokkien noodles and sweet potato rice cake. Two large plates of carbs!
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| Sweet Potato Rice Cake 福建番薯粉糕 |
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| Fried Hokkien Mee 福建炒面 |
There were loads of ingredients in both dishes. But I think it is quite rare to find a plate of stir-fried sweet potato rice cake. Actually, first time eating this! The starch was slippery but luckily still quite firm and not mushy gooey. Tasted of black pepper and loved the seafood and roast pork combo plus the sweet cabbage in this. Yummy. The fried hokkien mee taste is of a nostalgic one hence, if you like stronger tasting, go for the sweet potato rice cake dish.
Stomach were practically bursting after these but there's still one last item. The Kong Bak Bao dish, which is another specialty of the restaurant. The colour is on-point with the right shade of dark. Yes, that's one of my evaluation criteria of Hokkien dish.
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| Braised Pork with Steamed Buns 扣肉扁包 |
The food portions at Quan Xin Yuan were good and we spent about $35 per pax for 6 dishes, inclusive of tea and service charge.
Homely vibes and friendly staff.
Thank you Tracy, Hence and Ivan for sharing the food adventures!
泉馨園（清記）Quan Xin Yuan Seafood Restaurant
Address: 252 Jln Besar, Singapore 208925
Website: http://www.quanxinyuan.com.sg/
Contact: 6294 6254
Business Hours:
Daily - 11:30am–2:30pm, 5–11pm
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