It might come as a surprise, but if you’re looking for a classy Chinese restaurant to entertain your business guests in the CBD, there actually aren’t that many options. That’s why a group of businessmen came together to open Pure Gem.
They’ve managed to put together a solid team of experienced chefs and front-of-house staff who know what it takes to run a proper Chinese restaurant. The result is a modern dining space that focuses on Teochew and Cantonese cuisine, with a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients.
Whether you’re planning a formal business lunch or gathering the family to celebrate a birthday, this is a great spot to consider. Best of all, it’s conveniently located just opposite Lau Pa Sat, right in the heart of the CBD.
For their opening special, they are offering 1-for-1 Dim Sum deal until 30 Sep 2025!
Signature Dishes
As with any new restaurant, the chef and team will showcase their skills through their signature dishes. Here, you’ll experience their deep knowledge and expertise in Chinese cuisine, as well as their commitment to bringing a fresh perspective and creative approach.
Teochew Style Soy Marinated Lobster Sashimi
Teochew soy-marinated crab is one of the most iconic dishes in Teochew cuisine. Live crabs are soaked overnight in a soy-based marinade and served raw. This traditional dish has been gaining popularity in recent years, as more people have become accustomed to eating sashimi. However, I have to admit – I still feel a little queasy when it comes to raw crab. Somehow, I just can’t shake off the thought of possible food poisoning with this particular seafood.
The chef shares the same concern, which is why he’s come up with a new method of curing raw seafood. Taking inspiration from ceviche, he slices fresh lobster and marinates it in a bright, savoury sauce. He then places it in the freezer for just 45 minutes. That gives it enough time to absorb the flavours and chill down nicely.
The result is a beautifully cured lobster sashimi that retains a pleasant bounce and crisp texture. The sauce is vibrant and well-balanced, complementing the natural sweetness of the lobster perfectly.
Steamed Fish with 15 year Aged Preserved Radish
Aged preserved radish (chye poh) is one of the prized ingredients in Teochew cuisine. As far as I know, it’s still not available locally. The long ageing process concentrates its umami, resulting in a savoury depth quite unlike the usual chye poh. We were looking forward to tasting the aged radish, but when the dish arrived, the real surprise was how the fish was presented.
The chef had deboned the fish and cut it into elegant, bite-sized pieces – making it both refined and easy to eat. We were further delighted by how beautifully the 15-year-old radish paired with the crispy pork lard and soy sauce. It all came together in perfect harmony on the palate. Having had many steamed fish dishes with soy sauce, I must say this one truly stands out as something special.
Eight Treasure Duck
Eight Treasure Duck (八宝鸭) is a classic Chinese banquet dish, often reserved for festive occasions. It’s been a while since I last had one. But I remember it is typically stuffed with glutinous rice, chestnuts, lotus seeds, mushrooms, and other savoury ingredients.
Pure Gem’s version takes it up a notch by adding premium seafood like abalone, sea cucumber, and fish maw. It truly elevates the “treasures” within. But what really caught us off guard wasn’t what was inside the duck. It was tender pieces of yam on the plate that have soaked up all the umami-rich stock!
Not a dish you’d order every day, but when it’s time to celebrate, this one really makes a statement.
Stir-fried Mud Crab with Foie Gras
Mud Crabs are one of those dishes that command attention – especially when they come with giant claws! The chef has levelled up the classic white pepper crab by adding foie gras, giving the dish an extra touch of indulgence. To be honest, the effect of the foie gras was pretty subtle, but it added a nice creamy nuttiness that worked well with the peppery sauce.
What really stood out for me was the quality of the Sri Lankan crab. The flesh was firm, sweet, and full of flavour! The white pepper sauce had just the right kick of heat and umami to make you want to lick the sauce off the shell.
Chilled Threadfin Fish
The chilled threadfin is one of the chef’s new creations for the restaurant’s opening menu. It’s quite unusual to see cold fish served at a Chinese restaurant, but the chef clearly enjoys bringing in influences from other cuisines.
In this case, the concept is almost like eating sushi but without the rice. Each slice of threadfin is topped with a punchy, umami-rich paste made from Puning fermented soybeans. Definitely something different! But being a typical Teochew Ah Hia, I think I still like my fish served hot.
Hand-Made Dim Sum with a 1-for-1 Promotion
Pure Gem doesn’t have an extensive dim sum list, but all the items are made in-house, and they are very good overall. Aside from the usual Har Gao and Siew Mai, they offer a few more unique items, such as their Steamed Black and White Truffle Dumpling, which is curiously shaped like a chilli. We also liked their Steamed Dumpling in Teochew Style, which is packed with water chestnuts and peanuts for a nice crunch.
But what really stood out for us was the Deep-fried Glutinous Dumpling with Pork! The pork filling was delicious! It complemented the crust, which was fantastically crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle, perfectly!
Special 1 for 1 Dim Sum Deal* until 30 Sep
As an opening special, they are offering a 1-for-1 deal where you can order a second plate of dim sum (of same or lower value) for free! This promotion is good until 30 Sep 2025!
With this deal, it’s the perfect time to gather a few colleagues for a delicious dim sum lunch and break up the workday. Or, bring your family on the weekend to enjoy dim sum as a relaxing excursion into the city when it’s less busy.
*Note: the deal is available for Members only. Membership signups are free and on-the-spot.
Other Classic Teochew and Cantonese Dishes
Being a Teochew and Cantonese restaurant, you’ll be able to order both Teochew-style braised meats as well as Cantonese-style roasts. Their braised platter features a classic Teochew braising sauce that’s lighter and more watery than the Hokkien version, but still full of flavour.
The platter comes with roast duck, pig’s ears, and shin meat. But the real surprise was what lay underneath. Thin slices of tofu had soaked up all the rich, savoury goodness of the braising sauce! Honestly, I could skip the meat and just go for extra pieces of that tofu!
The Char Siew was served in a fancy little box filled with wood smoke. It definitely made an impressive entrance while giving each slice a nice, distinct smokiness.
If I had my way, I’d go for a fattier cut like pork belly to get that juicy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. But I guess the leaner cut will sit better with those watching their waistlines!
Chye Poh Kway Teow might look like a simple dish, but it’s a great example of how everyday ingredients can come together in perfect harmony when done right.
The chewy rice noodles, crunchy veg, savoury eggs, and that sweet-salty chye poh all played a role in a symphony of taste and texture. Add that all-important wok hei, and you’ve got a dish that’s stood the test of time. Want to make it even better? Just throw in some chye poh that’s been aged for 15 years! And that’s what you get here at Pure Gem.
Spicy Crispy Chicken (辣子鸡) has become quite popular lately, especially as the perfect accompaniment for drinks! To add an extra layer of crunch, the chef uses specially sourced chicken cartilage! Each bite is met with a crispy exterior and a satisfying crunch inside.
As a bonus, since chicken cartilage is rich in collagen, you are also doing your skin and joints a favour! It’s one of those parts that often gets discarded after eating the meat off the bone. Yet when you actually want to use it, it’s not easy to find! No wonder this dish tends to sell out early.
A Place to Meet, A Place to Celebrate
Pure Gem is a cosy little restaurant with a main dining hall that seats just 40–50 guests, plus eight private rooms that can accommodate parties from 4 to 20. Conveniently located in the CBD, it’s ideal for business lunches during the week and private gatherings in the evenings or on weekends.
Valet service is available for dinner at no extra charge, making the experience even more hassle-free. Most importantly, their General Manager, Brendon Saw, is a seasoned host with years of experience running Chinese restaurants! So you can be sure your guests will feel right at home.
Conclusion
Tucked away in the heart of the city, this boutique Teochew-Cantonese restaurant is perfect for a night of hosting and entertaining or a casual lunch. One of the little details we love is how the chef portions the dishes. A good example is their signature steamed fish which is deboned and sliced into individual pieces so it is easy to pick up, yet everything is still served on a shared platter. That keeps a lovely sense of togetherness at the table.
The food is delicious and the ambience strikes a balance between modern and cosy. Along with the attentive, seasoned service team, every visit to Pure Gem will feel like a special occasion
Disclosure: This post is written in partnership with Pure Gem. Opinions expressed are of our own.
Had a look at their menu on their website. Not for the family weekend dinner. More for company with deep pockets to entertain their top clients.
Not for every family, sure, but I am sure its attractive for some families!