Showing posts with label lunar new year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lunar new year. Show all posts

Saturday, January 18, 2020

[Tasting] The Famous Kitchen 名食小厨 Revisited to Usher in the Lunar New Year @ 54 Sembawang Road Hong Heng Mansions

0 comments
Had a chance to revisit The Famous Kitchen to try out their Lunar New Year menu. Thank you Jennifer (JY Consultancy) for the invite and The Famous Kitchen for hosting the tasting. It was great seeing our host; Jenny and Jeffrey again. Read about previous visit here.

The Famous Kitchen signage

The adjacent bar area for The Famous Kitchen had an updated vibe. "Famous Hangout" serves as an al-fresco area for diners to mingle over beer, wine and dine, or to wind down after a hectic day at work. It was pretty happening on the day of visit, which was a weekday. Imagine delish fried hokkien mee over a glass of iced cold beer, or snacking on prawn paste chicken with a glass of red. The vibe at the alfresco was vibrant with many merry-makers.

Famous Hangout bar

If you don't fancy the alfresco area to have your dinner, fret not as the air-conditioned dining area is just two steps away. Indoor is a welcome respite from the hot humid weather of Singapore.

air-conditioned dining area
promotion
CNY Set Menu

Let's start dinner with Prosperity Salmon Yusheng. This is the good 'ol version of yusheng done in the traditional way, nothing fancy but symbolic for Lunar New Year. If you prefer the Prosperity Shun De Yu Sheng 顺德鱼生 version, which is an iconic dish at its sister restaurant Famous Treasure, you can also enjoy it here. Advance reservation is required.

Prosperity Salmon Yusheng 七彩三文鱼捞生
顺顺利利开开心心

The set was served with Braised Shark's Fin Soup. Loved that black vinegar is available here instead of the red ones. The soup consistency was good and plenty of ingredients. The stock used was tasty and flavourful.

Braised Shark's Fin Soup

having soup with Stella

Next up, we had our quotient of vegetables in the form of braised sea cucumber with beancurd and mushrooms and broccoli. The sea cucumber was well braised that's soft enough yet retained some bouncy-ness in texture.

braised sea cucumber with mushrooms, beancurd and broccoli

Then, there's steamed fish. The Lunar New Year set menu typically serves Steamed Marble Goby in Soya Sauce. For tasting, we tried the Signature Steamed Fish with Preserved Vegetables on Hotplate. The sauce was a combination of tangy, savoury taste that's refreshing on the palate and goes well with a bowl of white rice. 来一碗白饭吧!

Signature Steamed Fish with Preserved Vegetables on Hotplate 招牌铁板酸菜蒸鱼 

steamed fish with preserved vegetables (market price)

For Lunar New Year, one gets the Herbal Chicken in the set menu but we ordered up the signature of Famous Kitchen; The Oven Baked Volcano Chicken. Advance reservation is required to enjoy this dish.

Oven Baked Chicken

The service staff would bring out the oven baked chicken to the table, pour some rum over it before igniting the fire. The chicken would then be brought back to the kitchen to be chopped up. It was delicious! Crisp skin that retained some of the rum flavour and tender, moist meat that was flavourful. No additional salt nor sauce required.

Oven Baked Volcano Chicken @$58++

Prawn is another auspicious dish to have during Lunar New Year as it signifies happiness and laughter. Lovely presentation of the caramel prawns.

Caramel Prawns 雪花焦糖虾
closer view

The caramel prawns were lip-smacking good! It was deep fried to a good degree and the upper part of the head (yes, including the shell) and legs were so good! I've never eaten so much shell before but this one was definitely worth it.

If you are still feeling hungry, let's wrap up with Fried Rice with Waxed Meat Wrapped in Lotus Leaf. Am liking this version at Famous Kitchen. Adequate flavours (though the fried rice could do with more wok-hei) that's balanced between sweet and savoury, and lovely lap cheong that tasted fresh.

Fried Rice with Waxed Meat Wrapped in Lotus Leaf 腊味荷叶饭

For dessert, we had the Soya Bean Gingko Nuts with Snow Fungus. Ooh, they have certainly improved in the dessert department! Sweetened soya bean milk loaded with plenty snow fungus and gingko nuts. What's there not to like? I find that the sweetness level was just right to end a meal. I thought I could eat no more but this warm dessert makes you want to go on and finish it up!

Soya Bean Gingko Nuts with Snow Fungus 豆浆福果雪耳

Set Menus range from S$488++ for 8 diners to S$1388++ for 10 diners and is available from 10 Jan to 10 Feb 2020. The CNY Ala-Carte menu is available from 25 and 26 January 2020. Please call direct to the restaurant to enquire more.

Thank you Jenny and Jeffrey for your hospitality, Famous Kitchen staff for taking care of us and Jennifer for the invite.

Happy New Year and Gong Hei Fatt Choi!

The Famous Kitchen 名食小厨

Address: #01-01, Hong Heng Mansion, 54 Sembawang Road
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun: 11:30 - 14:30, 17:40 - 22:30
Phone: +65 6636 8333
Website: https://www.famouskitchen.sg
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/famouskitchensg/

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

[Tasting] Kyoaji Dining 京味 @ 111 Somerset

0 comments
Kyoaji Dining is located at Level 2 of Triple One Somerset. Kyoaji means “Taste from Kyoto” and it is a place where one could enjoy the warmth of Japanese culture and cuisine. Chef John Phua, Executive Chef of Kyoaji, has over 30 years of experience in authentic Japanese cuisine and has garnered many regulars over the years. Thank you Kris for the invite and Kyoaji, Chef John for hosting the lunch tasting.

Kyoaji
entrance
enjoy a taste of Kyoto at Kyoaji

For the upcoming CNY in a few weeks time, Kyoaji has crafted a colourful Yusheng platter to suit the occasion. The yusheng had lots of ingredients including sliced mushrooms, kelp, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, pomelo, pine nuts, sunflower seeds and bonito flakes. By default, the platter is paired with salmon, but one could request to change the fish to another type, subjected to availability. Just need to enquire and make your reservation from the restaurant in advance.

Kyoaji Yu Sheng 京味鱼生 @$48++ (UP. $68++)
colourful yusheng

The Kyoaji Yusheng is by far, the most flavourful one that I had! Lovely textures from the crunchy, nutty bits, wonderful savoury flavours from the bonito flakes and mushrooms plus all the fresh vegetables drizzled with the housemade specialty plum sauce that had just the right amount of sweetness to it. Yums!

all mine

The Kyoaji Yusheng is available from 16 Jan - 8 Feb 2020 for dine-in and takeaway. The platter could easily feed about 4 pax.

We also tried appetisers such as the corn tempura, which was lightly battered and had nice golden hue. Can taste its sweetness from the corn.

Toumorokoshi Kakiage (Corn Tempura) @$15++
Chawan Mushi in XO and Zuwai Kani Tama Mushi
lovely balanced flavours of the Snow Crab Meat Steamed Egg

If your preference is towards stronger flavours, then go for the fully loaded XO chawanmushi. Interesting, as I have not come across anyone who had done any hard liquor chawanmushi before! My favourite though, was the Snow Crab Meat Steamed Egg. So good. Balanced flavours that's light on the palate.

Bento @$35++

For lunch, one could opt for the Bento, which came with a side of small salad, chawan mushi, unagi, tempura, sashimi of salmon and tuna, pickles, rice, miso soup and dessert.

unagi from the Bento
sashimi from the Bento

Other than that, we also sampled the Seared Beef Roll. The beef maki was a palate pleaser. Flavourful beef slice with just enough oil to stand out, wrapping around slices of onions and good mouthful of sushi rice.

Gyuniku Aburi Maki @$30++

All in all, we enjoyed good balanced flavours at Kyoaji and the Yusheng is recommended for its awesome flavours and if you could get it at the promo price, why wait? Make your reservations today.

Lunch with buddies Kris, Ivan and Hence. Special thanks to Chef John Phua for your hospitality.

Kyoaji Dining

Address: 111 Somerset Rd, #02-05/06, Singapore 238164
Contact: 6694 3058
Business Hours:
Mon to Fri: 11:30am–3pm, 5:30–10:30pm
Sat to Sun: 11:30am–10:30pm

Saturday, January 11, 2020

[Media Invite] Celebrate Lunar New Year with Authentic Southeast Asian Cuisine @ Famous Treasure

0 comments
We are now back to the first of the Chinese zodiac sign; the Rat. What better way to usher in new beginnings than having delicious meals at Famous Treasure with your loved ones?



Famous Treasure is located at Level 2 of Capitol Piazza and is an extension of Famous Kitchen (located in Sembawang). Read about my first experience at Famous Kitchen and watch out for this space as I will bring you an updated version soon!

entrance to Famous Treasure
interior

Famous Kitchen serves Nanyang fare, a Southeast Asian cuisine style assimilated from cultures such as Teochew, Hokkien and Cantonese. The place has an elegant and cosy feel, and is able to accommodate up to 150 diners, and has 4 private rooms available for booking. Suitable for business dining as well.

menu

Chinese New Year Menu

Prosperity Shun De Yu Sheng 顺德鱼生

Shunde Yu Sheng @$118++/$180++ (for 6 pax/10 pax portion)

Shunde is said to be one of the origin of our Southeast Asia's yusheng as we know it today. Revisit the taste of original yusheng at Famous Treasure, and what I liked about the Shunde style Yu Sheng, is that there was no need to jostle for the few slices of fish. It will flow to you naturally as it will be individually plated. Keke, guaranteed win! When a restaurant uses yellowtail (hamachi) for its yusheng, you have my vote already. Just take my money!

Shunde Yu Sheng 顺德鱼生 - feat. hamachi

The yusheng is available as à la carte order and for takeaways. It is also available on normal days (non-CNY period) and is available with 3-days advance reservation.


Chicken Soup with Morel Mushroom and Peach Gum 羊肚菌桃胶炖鸡汤

Chicken Soup with Morel Mushroom and Peach Gum @$68++/$138++ (medium/large)
close-up view of peach gum and morel mushrooms


Peach gum is the resin from peach and is said to be rich in amino acid, which allows collagen to be quickly absorbed into the human body. The chicken soup has a natural sweetness from the essence of the chicken, and light earthy flavours of the mushrooms. Peach gum was like a soft, collageny blob.


Roasted "Silver Hill" Irish Duck 爱尔兰金牌烧肥鸭

Roasted "Silver Hill" Irish Duck 爱尔兰金牌烧肥鸭 @$58++/$108++ (half/whole)
drumstick view

Imagine well roasted duck meat that has a firm chew yet still tender to the jaw, and best parts were those with skin and fatty bits that oozes flavour! My favourite piece of duck would be from the breast. Roasted "Silver Hill" Irish Duck is a signature dish which is also availabe in the CNY Set Menus including Success Set B, Happiness Set C and Fortune Set D.


Steamed Marble Goby "Fisherman Stye" 渔夫蒸笋壳

Steamed Marble Goby "Fisherman Style" 渔夫蒸笋壳

The steamed Marble Goby "Fisherman Style" is available in Wealth Set A and Fortune Set D. Simple flavours with premium freshwater fish. The meat texture was firm, compact and smooth.

Steamed Marble Goby "Fisherman Style"


Wok-fried Prawn Ball with Traditional "Nanyang" Style 南洋风味炒虾球

Wok-fried Prawn Ball with Traditional "Nanyang" Style 南洋风味炒虾球 @$36++/$54++/$72++ (small/medium/large)

Can I just say that the wok-fried prawn ball done in Nanyang style is a crowd favourite? Nothing beats a plump, firm prawn, battered and fried with 'saucy' coating that exuded familiar Southeast Asian flavours. It just shouts "YUM". Available in CNY à la carte menu.

one is never enough

Prosperity Fortune Treasure Pot (Pre Order) 发财盆菜

Prosperity Fortune Treasure Pot (Pre Order) 发财盆菜 @$388++/$588++ (small/large)

The pencai is available on the CNY Takeaway Menu and CNY à la carte menu. Loaded with premium ingredients such as abalone, fish maw, dried scallops, dried oysters, sea cucumber, prawns, and fa cai. The connoisseur would not want to miss the tasty vegetables lining the pot as those would have absorbed all the lovely flavours.

pencai - individual portion

pencai pot
Good news is that one could buy a small Pencai and enjoy a complimentary small Yusheng, or get a big Pencai and enjoy a complimentary big Yusheng. Wow, that's a good deal!

The Auspicious Set Menus and Prosperity CNY Treats Takeaways are available from 13 Jan to 8 Feb 2020, while the Prosperity À La Carte Menu is available from 25 to 27 January 2020. Please make your enquiries direct with the restaurant.

Thank you Jennifer (JY Consultancy) for the invite and Famous Treasure for hosting. Happy New Year everyone!


Famous Treasure Chinese Restaurant

Address: 13 Stamford Rd, #02-28 Capitol Piazza, Singapore 178905
Websitehttp://www.thefamoustreasure.com/
Contact: +65 6881 6668/+65 9730 7548
Email: reservation@famoustreasure.com.sg
Business Hours:
Daily: 11:30am–3pm, 6–10:30pm
 
All Rights Reserved. © Purple Taste
Blogger Theme by BloggerThemes| Theme designed by Jakothan Sponsored by Internet Entrepreneur