5 makan spots at Shaw Plaza for delicious fish dishes

Balestier Road is a district where old meets new, featuring rows of heritage shophouses and modern buildings. Tons of eateries can also be found at every nook and cranny, making it a hotspot for foodies. If you’re wracking your brains to find a comfortable dining venue, why not consider Shaw Plaza?

Shaw Plaza is a family-friendly mall which provides an extensive selection of services, education, entertainment and 4 levels of F&B establishments, all under-one-roof.

If you’re a seafood lover, especially fish, Mui Kee, COLLIN’S® and Menya Aoi each have  delicious selections of fish dishes for you to check out. So without further ado, let me introduce to you 5 makan places with scrumptious fish dishes that we explored.

What I tried at Shaw Plaza

Salmon dishes at Ontama Don

I don’t know about you, but food from the Land of the Rising Sun always floats my boat. Within its 4 walls, Ontama Don at level 1 serves a plethora of Japanese appetisers, donburi rice bowls, udon and various kinds of sushi— oishii!

What makes Ontama Don stand out from the crowd? For starters, it has individual booth seats that have partitions for privacy; perfect for introverts or people who just want to dine in peace.

So kick back, order up, and get ready for a delicious surprise delivered right through those adorable bamboo blinds!

What immediately stood out when I tucked into the Salmon Don (S$15.90) was how substantially thick the sashimi slices were. It allowed me to enjoy a moment of bliss as the fatty parts of the salmon belly melted in my mouth. My mound of sushi rice was accompanied by 3 slices of salmon sashimi, pickled ginger and tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette).

If raw fish isn’t your jam, get the Salmon Mentai Don (S$17.90) instead. A bowl of rice is topped with mentaiko-drenched grilled salmon, then paired with julienned tamagoyaki and tobiko for mini pops of oceanic essence.

Delicious fish mains at Black & White Bistro

Located along the same row as Ontama Don is the stylish Black & White Bistro with a black and white themed ambience. The restaurant’s menu features succulent steaks, pizza and much more.

On Mondays to Fridays from 11.30am to 3pm, head over for their lunch specials like the 1-for-1 Pasta Set (S$21.90) where you can savour choices like Spaghetti Carbonara with Sous Vide Egg And Bacon and Mushroom Cream Spaghetti.

Matching with the bistro’s theme, the B&W Fish & Chips with Tartar Sauce (S$25) came with jet-black pieces of fried seabass fillet. It was served with its usual partners in crime— french fries, salad and the quintessential tartar sauce.

Unlike squid ink which causes your teeth and tongue to look like the mouth of Valak from The Nun, the fried seabass did none of that. The flesh was moist and flakey while the paper-thin black batter was light and crispy.

Another dish that stood out was the Oven Baked Seabass with Mashed Potatoes, Pesto Sauce (S$32). It genuinely encompassed the saying, “There is beauty in simplicity.”

The aromatic baked seabass was moist and when paired with the buttery mashed potato, absolutely yummy! The clever weaving in of pesto took things up a notch with its garlicky and herbal notes. For cod lovers, the Alaskan Black Cod with Squid Ink Risotto (S$39) is a must-order.

Vegetarian dishes at Original Greens

Original Greens gives off a relaxed resort vibe with rattan dividers and wooden tones. Lush greenery surrounds you at every turn, reflecting the restaurant’s dedication to fresh, plant-based cuisine.

As you flip through the menu, you’ll spot vegetarian versions of familiar favourites like Beef Wellington (S$28), Laksa (S$12) and Home-made Mala Seafood Pizza (S$15.80). There are also vegan selections, allium-free choices and dishes that contain dairy.

The Eggplant Unagi (S$12.80) contained eggplant slices coated in a dark-brown glaze, resting on a bed of creamy risotto. Even though the risotto is allium-free, I was blown away by how rich and decadent it was; simple yet satisfying.

Native Chinese-style grilled fishes at 57 Mala Xiang Guo & Grilled Fish

Let the spicy and robust flavours of native Chinese cuisine take your taste buds on an adventure at 57 Mala Xiang Guo & Grilled Fish, located on level 2 of Shaw Plaza. Pick from a range of grilled and baked fish, served in 6 different styles (all options at S$23 for catfish, S$32 for grouper).

For a garlicky punch, give the Grilled Fish with Garlic a go. You can also get the Pickled Cabbageroast Fish, Baked Fish with Tomato and Egg and Grilled Fish with Green Pepper.

The Roasted Fish with Chopped Pepper came with a generous crowning of chopped chillies, garlic, chopped Sichuan peppers and spring onions.

The catfish was fresh and naturally sweet, and the chefs calibrated the perfect cooking method to get it cooked just right. The gravy was intense yet light and wasn’t overly spicy. It absorbed all of the complex layers of flavour coming from the various spices.

Fresh sliced fish at King Grouper Fish Soup

With their own fish farm, King Grouper Fish Soup promises nothing but the freshest quality. Whether you’re a fish connoisseur who enjoys Teochew Style Grouper Head (S$13/S$19) or seeking something light like the Fish Porridge (S$9/S$11), there’s something for all fish fanatics.

I tried the appetite-inducing Teochew Style Sliced Red Grouper Fish (S$16). The broth was refreshing, possessing a tangy kick from the mustard vegetables coupled with a hint of Chinese wine.

The fish was the epitome of freshness with a satisfying firmness. There were also other treasures like house-made meatballs, tomato wedges, tofu cubes and mock abalone slices.

The Seafood Soup (S$8) was equally enjoyable with batang fish slices, medium-sized prawns, white clams, meatballs and tofu. Although the soup was clean tasting, it packed a truckload of flavour.

Final thoughts

Shaw Plaza has it all for fish enthusiasts— spicy mala fish, fresh sashimi and crispy fish and chips. You can even enjoy a piping-hot bowl of fish soup on a rainy day or go vegetarian for a change.

Whatever cuisine you crave, Shaw Plaza caters to every taste bud and budget. Why not choose this place for your next intimate family affair or friends gathering?

*This post was brought to you in partnership with Shaw Plaza.

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