We are off on another exciting Citi Gourmet Pleasures trail! This time, we’re exploring four exceptional Chinese restaurants. Two of these are beloved legacy brands that have been delighting diners for over forty years! While the other two, though newer, have definitely become staples in our local culinary scene.
We’ll review the iconic dishes that have made these heritage restaurants timeless and introduce you to some premium offerings from the newer spots that you may not have tried before. As always, we’ll be calling out the Citi Gourmet Pleasures specials along the way so you get more bang for your buck!
Restaurants featured:
- Din Tai Fung
- Red House Seafood Nanyang @Clarke Quay
- Lao Huo Tang Signature @Tampines Mall
- Min Jiang @Dempsey
Din Tai Fung – Beyond the Xiao Long Bao
I still remember the long queues to taste the Xiao Long Bao at Din Tai Fung when they first opened at Paragon Shopping Centre in 2003. They have since been a household name with a reputation for its consistent quality, meticulous preparation, and friendly service. We can count Din Tai Fung as one of our regular go-to restaurants whenever we are looking for a place to go for a casual family meal. But, as creatures of habit, we usually order the same dishes whenever we visit.
On this occasion, we had the opportunity to taste some of their premium dishes that can only be found at Paragon and selected outlets. As expected of Din Tai Fung, all their dishes demonstrate a level of excellence that has made the brand a stalwart in our food scene.
Their Steamed Cod Fillet with Superior Soy Sauce and Cantonese Sweet and Sour Pork are both very well-prepared. We may have left the Sweet and Sour Pork out a little too long, so it wasn’t as crispy as we would have liked it to be. Nonetheless, the pork is very well-marinated, and the sauce is nicely balanced. The codfish is succulent and perfectly steamed and served with a light but tasty sauce.
We also tried their Steamed Chilli Crab & Pork Buns for the first time. We like that there is enough crab meat mixed with the juicy minced pork to give it that distinct crustacean flavour. We were pleased to find pieces of black truffle in their Steamed Truffle & Pork Xiao Long Bao! That means the delicious filling is not just flavoured with truffle oil.
Citi Gourmet Pleasures Special at Din Tai Fung
New on the menu is their Dry Noodle Tossed in Scallion Oil with Shredded Pork. As one would expect of Din Tai Fung, the noodles are well cooked with just the right amount of bite. There is a 10% discount for all Citi cardmembers until 31 Oct 2024. So, don’t delay taking advantage of this offer!
Other good news for Citi Cardmembers is that the steamed buns and snacks are also on 10% discount! The offer is available every lunch time (11:30am – 1:30pm) until the end of the year. Yes, that includes the weekends too!
Note that the usual Xiao Long Baos are not considered a steamed bun or snack. We suggest you check with the staff before placing your order to avoid disappointment.
Citi Gourmet Pleasures promo:
10% off Dry Noodle Tossed in Scallion Oil with Shredded Pork (Limited Edition)
Valid Till: 31 Oct 2024
10% off Steamed Buns and Steamed Snacks
(available from 11:30am – 1:30pm daily)
Valid till: 31 Dec 2024
Both offers may be used together and available at all Din Tai Fung outlets. For more information, please click here.
Din Tai Fung Paragon
290 Orchard Rd, #B1 – 03, Singapore 238859
Sun – Thurs 11am – 9pm, Fri-Sat 11am – 9:15pm
Red House Seafood Nanyang @Clarke Quay
Red House Seafood is one of Singapore’s oldest seafood restaurants, renowned for its fresh seafood and unique Singaporean flavours. Established in 1976, the restaurant began as a family-run business in a distinctive red colonial house along Upper East Coast Road. It subsequently moved to UDMC (East Coast seafood centre) where they operated from 1985 to 2015. They now operate three distinct restaurants, each offering a unique dining experience.
The menu at Clarke Quay emphasizes Nanyang cuisine, which blends Chinese culinary traditions with Southeast Asian ingredients and flavours. It is the only restaurant that has a section of the menu dedicated to the Giant Grouper.
The Spicy Seafood Combination showcases prawns, scallops, and squid in a tangy Nonya-style assam curry. It is infused with Southeast Asian herbs such as ginger torch flower and lemongrass. Meanwhile, the Ayam Halia Goreng pays tribute to the local Malay-style fried chicken, where the chicken is marinated in a fragrant rempah before being deep-fried with lemongrass and curry leaves.
The Giant Grouper is braised with tofu sheets in a flavourful housemade Cantonese-style ‘Chu Hou’ sauce that pairs perfectly with white rice. For giant grouper enthusiasts, Red House offers various parts of the fish, which can be prepared in different styles according to your preference.
Their signature dish, the Chili Crab, remains a crowd favourite. The Sri Lankan crabs are sweet, succulent, and full of meat. They’ve preserved their original sauce recipe, which balances tanginess, sweetness, and a mild kick of spice. When paired with their golden, crispy Mantou, it’s an indulgence worth getting your hands messy for.
For birthday celebrations, Red House chefs have created the Red House Birthday Noodle with Abalone. It is designed to bring everyone together around the table in a noodle-tossing ritual, similar to Yu Sheng. Only time will tell if this unique concept will be adopted by other restaurants and become another iconic Singaporean dish!
Citi Gourmet Pleasures promo:
- All Citi Cards: 10% off a la carte food orders
- Citi Ultima, Citi Prestige and Citi Premier Miles Cards: 10% off a la carte food orders + Complimentary glass of sparkling wine per diner (Limited to two glasses per bill)
Valid till: 31 Dec 2024
For more information, please click here.
Red House Seafood Nanyang @Clarke Quay
3C River Valley Road #01–02/03, Singapore 179022
Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm | Dinner 5:30pm – 10pm
Lao Huo Tang Signature – Nourishing Soups and Comfort Dishes
If you’re a fan of soups, chances are you’ve already tried Lao Huo Tang. It is known for its traditional, slow-cooked soups. The name “Lao Huo Tang,” which translates to “Old Fire Soup,” refers to the Cantonese method of simmering soup over a low flame for several hours. This technique differs from double-boiled soup, where all the ingredients are placed in a bowl and steamed. The main difference is that Old Fire Soup tends to be more cloudy and robust in flavour. While double-boiled soup is clearer and more delicate.
Lao Huo Tang started as a humble eatery in 2008 and has since expanded to multiple locations across Singapore. They have recently opened a new branch at Tampines Mall, known as Lao Huo Tang Signature, which is their premium concept offering a wider selection of dishes that you can order to complement your soup.
We enjoyed their Old Cucumber and Pork Rib Soup. The robust flavour and smooth texture of the soup is a testament to the slow cooking process. The Buddha Jump Over The Wall (BJOW) is chock full of fish maw, sea cucumbers and plenty of umami from dried scallops. It may not be as luxurious as some of the BJOW that we have come across. However, for $23.80++ a pot, it is no doubt one of the most affordable.
Among the other dishes, the XO Sauce Stir Fried French Bean with Minced Meat was the standout for me. They were cooked perfectly, maintaining their crunch and sweetness, with plenty of dried prawns to add a rich umami flavour. The Coffee Pork Rib (Boneless) was Lisa’s favourite. They were tender, and the coffee sauce was delicious.
Citi Gourmet Pleasures:
S$6 off min. S$60 spend
Valid till: 31 Dec 2025
Click here for more information.
Lao Huo Tang Signatures
4 Tampines Central 5, Tampines Mall, #B1-01/27, Singapore 529510
11am – 9:30pm Daily
Min Jiang @Dempsey
Founded in 1982 at the Goodwood Park Hotel, Min Jiang is a distinguished Chinese restaurant that has stood the test of time. Named after the Min River in Sichuan province, China, it originally specialized in Sichuan cuisine but has since gained a reputation for its signature Peking Duck, Dim Sum, and fresh seafood dishes.
Min Jiang at Dempsey offers these beloved dishes in a tranquil setting at Dempsey Hill, where the lush surroundings provide a peaceful escape from the city’s bustle.
Our menu tasting started with the Deluxe Dim Sum Platter. We were treated to some very refined dim sum offerings such as the vegetable dumpling that is wrapped in a stunning skin made with blue pea flower.
We also enjoyed their Turbot Fish served in Two Styles as well as their Iberico Fried Rice which is daintily served in steamed pumpkin shells. I’d recommend mixing in the accompanying XO sauce into the rice for extra oomph.
The highlight of our meal was their Legendary Wood-fired Beijing Duck, one of the specialties at Min Jiang at Dempsey. The dish is crafted by chefs from China using a traditional recipe that dates back generations. The preparation involves roasting premium Irish ducks to a golden perfection over fragrant apple wood.
The first course includes crispy duck skin dipped in fine granulated sugar. It is a practice that originated over a century ago when wealthy women preferred the contrast of the sweet sugar with the crispy duck skin. The second option involves spreading sweet sauce on wheat pancakes, adding slices of roast duck, leeks, and cucumbers before wrapping them. This continues to be a popular serving style in most Chinese restaurants.
The third option is unique to Min Jiang. It involves rolling mashed garlic, sweet sauce, sliced radish, Tientsin cabbage, and pieces of roast duck into wheat pancakes. This gives a spicy flavour that balances the rich, oily taste of the duck. We love all the different ways to enjoy the duck! Lisa especially enjoyed the crispy skin dipped in sugar, while I take pleasure in simply having freshly carved duck meat dipped in the sweet and tangy sauce.
The carcass is then used to prepare a second dish where diners get to choose from 4 different styles of cooking. You can choose to have your duck shredded and stir-fried, minced and wrapped in lettuce, or made into a soup with salted vegetables and tofu.
It is recommended to order the Beijing Duck a day in advance as the duck is roasted fresh to order.
Overall, we found the food to be very refined and well executed. Its unique setting in Dempsey Hill sets them apart from other Chinese Restaurants.
Citi Gourmet Pleasures Promo:
15% off a la carte food and beverage bill
Valid till: 30 Dec 2024
Click here for more information.
Min Jiang at Dempsey
7A &, 7B Dempsey Rd, Singapore 24968
Monday to Sunday –
Lunch & Dim Sum: 11.30am – 2.30pm
Dinner: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Conclusion
So there you have it, four Chinese restaurants where you can go for your everyday comfort soups, dishes and dumplings; to refined dining and where you can toss birthday noodles!
Remember to check out all the other dining deals with Citi Gourmet Pleasures! If you are a Citi Cash Back Cardmember, you can enjoy 6% cash back* on all your dining too.
Savour even more savings with an exclusive welcome gift of S$300 cash back* when you successfully apply for a Citi Cash Back Card. Sign up now. (*Terms and conditions apply. Valid for new Citi Cardmembers only.)
Discover hottest destinations, and best deals with Citi. Visit Life and Money by Citi for more information.
Happy Eating!
This post is written in partnership with Citi Gourmet Pleasures.
