Crystal Jade Hong Kong Cafe @ Orchard Central

Crystal Jade has grown much over the years, from a simple Chinese restaurant to a fine dining and even confectionary. Expanding their business, while introducing new dining concepts and food to the masses. With all the ravage of Hong Kong food recently, its not surprising that Crystal Jade also decided to expand their business model into such entities.

Minestrone Soup in Hong Kong Style

Soup is nice is and flavourful. Vegetables are soft and adds natural sweetness of the soup. Though I prefer Kim Gary's version more, this is a bit too robust for me. The toast adds a nice touch, as one can dip and slurp up all those heavy flavours in the bread, rather than just drink the soup by itself.

Chilled Milk Tea

Angled Glass

Presentation wise. This is rather interesting. The milk tea is server in a vase which has a hollowed centre punctured into the glass. This cavity is filled with dried ice which chills the drink. Though well presented it does pose some negative points. Firstly, the serving cups are really small, more like shot glasses instead making it a bit tedious and tiresome to constantly pouring the next glass. Secondly, though the jug seems big. You are getting a lesser than what you expect due to the hollow cavity for placing the dried ice. Thirdly, I can be a pain to pour drink, especially toward the end. As it is impossible to no spill the water (originally hot water)from the dry ice into your drink, while pour the bit of remaining milk tea as the base of the vase. Seems rather wasteful to me.

Despite these, I would still recommend this drink. As taste wise its rather superior compared to other milk teas I've drank thus far. Its aromatic and milky, but yet not overly creamy that one can't enjoy the tea fragrant.

Red Bean Freeze

Think Hong Kong version milkshake and you are pretty close to what Red Bean Freeze represents. This is more like red bean under heaps of vanilla ice cream. It may take a while for the ice cream to melt of a drinks consistency, so mix it well. At least you can ensure that this drink will for sure be cold even till the end of your meal. Can be very sweet, so do take note.

Ocean Basket

The basket includes items like ebi prawns, fish fingers, fried mussels, crabstick, calamari and fries. Rather normal as one would come to expect from a seafood assorted platter.

Sauteed Pasta with Chicken in Spicy Sauce

Sauteed Pasta with Seafood in Spicy Sauce

These two dishes are about the same. Both are pasta with spicy sauce instead of the conventional tomato base that one will come to expect when one comes into mind in Italian cooking. Surprisingly the spicy sauce works wonders with the pasta, it has this sweet and yet tangy taste. The spicy level isn't that hot, thus non-spicy eater can also enjoy this meal. Comparing the chicken or seafood option for the topping. Chicken seems more economical and yet more filling to its seafood counterpart. The fried chicken is also very crisp and well done. Don't really turn soggy even with the sauce poured over it.

Giant Bowl Noodle

Don't let this photo is huge and when I say huge, I meant it with the word "extremely". This monsterous bowl of abomination is gurennteed to fill you till your satisfaction. With items like tempura prawns, fish fillet, tempura chicken chop , pork chop,cuttlefish, crabstick, mussel and a sunny side up to top it off; I doubt anything can trumph this bowl of noodles in terms of ingrediates. One also has the choice of japanese ramen, rice noodles or spicy noodles. Soup base is more of a milky chicken base soup, nothing to shout about.

Assorted Platter with Sides

Another hot favoured is this mixed grill which Crystal Jade offers. This is also fairly lots of items that are placing into the making of this dish. T-bone Lamb Steak, Chicken Chop, Fish Fillet, huge sausage accompanied by sides of sunny side up egg boiled vegetables, mash and corn. If you have a meat craving this is the one to get. All the meat are tender and the sausage oozes cheese when cut into. Satisfying and filling.

Rice Flour Roll with Sesame Sauce

Rice flour roll seems rather odd to appear in the dinner table, but I'm glad that my friend order this. The sesame and sweet dark sauces goes hand in hand and lifts what would be a ordinary rice flour into a little piece of heaven. Recommended.

Crispy Spring Chicken with Lemon Grass

The crispy chicken isn't bad and yet not up to what I had expected. Given that my friend was singing praises on it the whole time before we settled to dine here. The chicken was crisp at the outside, but was a bit dry in the center which I hope to be a bit more moist. Never the less, the taste factor is above average not too shabby.

The service here was pleasant. The waitress was well verse in the menu and had no difficulty recommending dishes that would cater to the taste of my group. Though they fumble at times, the well manner and quick service for the occasion of our requests on the birthday and accommodations were well met.

If one would compare this to Kim Gary, I still favor Kim Gary to this. But Crystal Jade does have some dishes that are unique to itself, why no give it a try and tell me how you guys think about it.

Crystal Jade Hong Kong Cafe (Orchard Central)
181 Orchard Road
#07-15 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: 6509 3118

Yum Cha Garden

Yum Cha is has always been one of the dim sum places that I always wanted to try out. Situated in Serragoon Gardens Country Club this isn't one of the easiest location to reach. Yum Cha is quite unique in a sense that dim sum push charts are quite a rare sight in Singapore. Yet this white elephant can be seen here, really bring back memories of the past. The overall interior setting is brightly lit and comfortable.

Chilled Tofu with Sweet and Spicy Sauce

This is actually a dish that is served to you upon being shown to your table. Nope it isn't a complimentary dish and you still have to pay for it, think peanuts and tea fee in a Chinese restaurant. Surprising this is nice. The strings of cucumber adds lots of crunch and compliments the chilled smoothness of the tofu. The sour of the sweet chilli bring in the much needed kick to make this dish tangy.

Pork Ribs with Bean Sauce

This is rather average. Texture wise the pork ribs isn't at tender as what I would prefer. Properly due to the usage of leaner cuts of meat. Well some can see this as a more healthy option, though I still like mine with a bit more fat.

Phoenix Claws

Based on feedback. Lacks seasoning. (I don't consume chicken feet, thus not my comments).

BBQ Pork Buns

BBQ Pork Fillings

Overall taste wise its alright. Filling is juicy and tasty. However, I find the crust to be a bit thick and the filling seems to be lacking in volume.

Siew Mai

The siew mai in yum cha is not bad, there is even a whole shrimp within. Difference from other siew mai is that instead of crab roe there is shrimp roe on it. However, the roe was place when steaming the siew mai, instead of after. Resulting on the cook roe, which loses its original luster taste when eaten raw.

YUMCHA Prawn Dumplings

The prawn dumplings are good. Each shrimp is well seasoned and fresh. Biting into them gives out a distinct crunch (Super Q). No joke. The shrimp were all steam just nice to perfection. Though I prefer if the skin is slightly more thinner.

Xiao Long Bao

So delicate.

Don't let those juices flow away.

I haven't eaten Ding Tai Fung's Xiao Long Bao so don't just go screaming nothing best that. However, these in Yum Cha seems good enough for most. The dumpling doesn't breaks open when lifted from their bamboo steamers. Biting its top releases the pipping steam trapped within, to reveal its rich broth. Tops the meal.

Prawn & Mango Sesame Fritters

Similar to the prawn dumpling. What you get here is a whole prawn. The texture and crunch is really good, only difference is the present of mango in the fritters, though it seems lacking a bit.

Prawn Wanton Crisp

Same huge, yummy and crunchy prawns. Delicious.

Chicken Yam Puff

Crab Stick?

I'm a huge fan of yam puff. However, Yum Cha's variation was not to my taste. The crust was thin and lacks the wholesome taste of yam. The fill was half filled with shredded crab sticks, instead of mince meat which one would expect.

Shrimp Bean Curd Roll

If you were to choose between the mango prawn fritter, I'd prefer this. Mainly due to the crispy bean curd texture.

BBQ Pork Rice Flour Roll

This one really falls below expectations. The rice flour was too thick and makes the whole dish a let down. Even those you get in the wet market beats this.

Crispy Silver Fish

This dish is addictive and goes really well with beer. However, it can be a bit salt and after much consuming can be a bit oily.

Lotus Leaf Glutinous Rice

Same disappointment as the yam puff. Was dry and lacks the sauce seasoning. They should stop the crab stick filling.

Even the Chinese wrap their presents

Paper Chicken Wings

This is good. The chicken is well marinated and the sauce sinks deep into the flesh making the chicken flavourful and fragrant. Though it can be a bit difficult tearing the chicken from the paper, as some of them tend to stick to it.

Century Egg & Lean Meat Congee

I love a hot steamy porridge to complete the meal and this doesn't disappoint. Century egg is creamy and porridge is thick and tasty. Just the way it love it.

Yum Cha Garden is average in my opinion and I probably will not revisit. Though their prawn dish are their strengths, they have too many misses for me to true recommend this place.

Imperial Treasure Nan Bei Restaurant

How I miss the food here.

The restaurant boundary deco is rather distinct. Impossible to miss.

It was my grandmother's birthday. Thus the luxurious layout of food. I've actually been to Imperial Treasure Nan Bei Restaurant a number of times, but didn't have the fortune to take any photos of this place. Now lets cut to the chase and introduce some really great Chinese cuisines.

Condiments to go with the food.
Their chilli paste is really special, made of dried shrimp and belachan.

Candy Walnut

Instead the normal peanuts or mixed nuts that are serving in most Chinese restaurants, Nan Bei serves up candy walnut to its customers. They honey glazed and roasted. Really different way to start a meal. I can't get enough of these.

Chrysanthemum Tea

Longevity Buns

More lotus paste then bun.

Braised Shark's Fin with Crab Meat and Bamboo Pith

Chunky to the brim with ingredients.

The shark's fin is exquisite. Each bowl is so packed that its more like a stew instead of a soup. I could really see the comb pieces of shark's fin. They were very generous with the crab meat too. The meat are really smooth and sweet. Though I prefer the soup to be tact bit more "thicker".

Roasted Duck

They even name their roasted duck "golden plated". No joke at all. I've never eaten a roast duck nearly as good as this. The flesh is at an impossible tenderness and juicy without being oily. In addition the chef did a good job removing the strong duck "smell" that some people dislike. Needless to say, when is a roast duck without its crispy skin. Its crackling good. Highly recommended.

Steamed Live "Soon Hock" Fish

Somethings simplicity is the greatest enjoyment in life. Just like this dish. The fish is smooth, but yet its firm flesh doesn't brittle or fall apart when picked up. The clear soy sauce base isn't too heavy and really brings out the freshness of the fish. Not a hint of "muddy" taste detected at all. One can tell that creating this simple dish, isn't all that easy at all. Since the pairing of ingredients and timing is essential in this dish.

Salted Egg Yolk Prawn

The prawns they serve here are huge. The blissful bits of salted yolk perfectly coats each prawn. Sulking all the bits of yolk coating them is really addictive. The prawn are crunchy, very "Q" and fresh. Though I was a bit disappointed that the flavors didn't really permeate into the prawn flesh. A point to note. They even remove the legs and dirty bits in head for the convenience of the customer and to absent those funky unwanted flavors.

Braised Mushroom & Sea Cucumber with Vegetable

I don't really appreciate sea cumber, thus I shall not comment on it. The mushroom though is really juicy and chewy (in a good way).

Braised Spinach with Beancurd & Assorted Mushroom

This is my person favorite and so does my whole family agree. Each time we come here. This is a must in our order. The spinach infuse beancurd sits on a canopy of extra braised spinach and is sprinkled with mushrooms. The beancurd is so soft that you can practically slurp its rich egg tofu up. Within it is bits of spinach that gives it a great contrast with smooth texture of the beanurd. The base of the beancurd is shear crisp giving it additional "wok heat" enhancing the taste. Recommend to die for.

Baked Pork Rib with Taro Sauce

The pork ribs are marinated with taro sauce (apparently something my grandma using in her vegetarian dish. Sorry about unable to find the English translation). Its like magic that the chefs are able to make the top layer is crispy and yet the fat just below it is totally soft, before you pop it into your mouth and watch it slowly melt away. Meat is tender and doesn't even cling into the teeth.

Stewed Eggplant Minced Pork with Thick Noodles

At a first impression. It seems like the common mee pok that you would see in the hawker centre. I assure you. Hawker and restaurants "mee pok" are miles apart. The noodles are super springy and break cleanly with each bite. I must admit. I am very impressed with what they did to the eggplant. It doesn't have any slimy texture and the sticks of eggplant is very tender, no sign of overcooking it. For a eggplant hater I'm impressed.

Sweetened Almond Cream

Lastly is the almond cream dessert. Nan Bei version is not as thick as those outside, which I feel is a better retention of the almond cream. Since sometimes the thicken cream would make it very clogging to consume after a few spoonfuls. Not so with this version. I also like it as it is sweeten just slightly, not too sweet that it overpowers the nature aroma of the almond.

All these award guarantees top notch service.

Service is really top notch. Each dish is served into personal serving for the waiting staff and after each dish the plates are switched with fresh one. The managers were always checking with us whether the dishes were up to our satisfaction. I can see why they are even awarded the Singapore Service Star for their even prevailing good service. All these of cause comes at a price. However, Nan Bei Restaurant is that so extremely good at its service and food, that I believe every dim spent was all well worth it.

Imperial Treasure Nan Bei Restaurant
391 Orchard Road
#05-12 Ngee Ann City
Tel: 6738 1238