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5 new Asian restaurants to dine in Singapore in April 2019

(PHOTO: The Dragon Chamber)
(PHOTO: The Dragon Chamber)

By: Alyssa Chung

The Dragon Chamber

The Dragon Chamber is touted as a “secret society” restaurant, inconspicuously hidden behind a fridge at a Circular Road kopitiam. This speakeasy restaurant and bar was previously tucked way within Lokkee at Plaza Singapura. Slated to open on 1 April, this venture marks a new partnership between Ebb and Flow Group and Tung Lok Group. Diners get to hang out amid a dark and moody setting, reminiscent of Chinatown gambling dens and secret society hangouts.

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Dragon Mountain, SGD88 (PHOTO: The Dragon Chamber)
Dragon Mountain, SGD88 (PHOTO: The Dragon Chamber)

Food-wise, the restaurant aims to push the boundaries of traditional Chinese food. Perk up your palate with the Dragon Mountain, composed of fried whole lobsters tossed with crispy garlic, crushed fermented soybeans, sliced chillis and Sichuan peppercorns. There’s also Firecracker Chicken and Maple Fritters comprising deep-fried diced chicken, topped with dried chillies, cashews, and Sichuan peppercorn. Crispy you tiao fritters drizzled with maple syrup are served on the side.The new and improved Wagyu Truffle Beef Hor Fun showcases wok-fried flat noodles laced with an aromatic truffle gravy. The noodles are topped with slices of A4 Kagoshima wagyu, crispy hor fun strips and poached egg. Adventurous folk can dine on braised crocodile foot or other exotic “parts” of the animal. The generously portioned dishes are presented communal style so you can savour a good variety here.

The Dragon Chamber also offers access to a full-fledged 12-seater bar that opens till late as well as to the kopitiam which serves breakfast and lunch (think: wanton mee, toast and kopi).

2 Circular Road, Singapore 049358

Smoked pork curry. (PHOTO: New Ubin at Zhongshan)
Smoked pork curry. (PHOTO: New Ubin at Zhongshan)

New Ubin at Zhongshan

New Ubin, most known for its boldly flavoured USDA Black Angus ‘Choice’ Rib-Eye and ‘Heart Attack’ Fried Rice, unveiled its third outlet last December at Ramada by Wyndham Singapore At Zhongshan Park. The other two outlets are at Hillview and Chijmes. In the Zhongshan dining space, you will notice an illustration of the “Original Pulau Ubin Jetty & Restaurant North Shore” – this was where the group first began its thriving food business.

Tuck into tze char favourites such as garlic-baked live mud crabs and the Boss Bee Hoon – a three-ingredient family recipe redolent with wok hei. There’s also the signatures of barbecued whole mackerel and crispy pork jowl cooked over coals. If you’re game to try something unique, go for the Foie Gras Egg Special – a spin on Singapore’s breakfast of soft-boiled eggs, with chunks of creamy foie gras and a sprinkling of truffle salt. Great news for wine drinkers – there’s no corkage charge at all the New Ubin outlets.

Tel: +65 9740 6870
16 Ah Hood Road, Singapore 329982
https://ubinseafood.com/outlets/zhongshanpark/

Xi Yan Signature Hakka abacus with Japanese mushroom. (PHOTO: Xi Yan Katong)
Xi Yan Signature Hakka abacus with Japanese mushroom. (PHOTO: Xi Yan Katong)

Xi Yan Katong

After closing its 13-year-old private dining restaurant at Craig Road, Xi Yan Group launches a new casual gourmet dining outlet in i12 Katong (the five-year-old Xi Yan Shaw is still at Shaw Centre). What you’ll get here is homely Chinese cuisine with a modern twist. Those who have savoured Xi Yan private dining’s well-known signature dishes created by Hong Kong celebrity chef Jacky Yu will be pleased to know that some of the favourites are still in the menu. They include salivating spicy chicken, Yunnam ham niang tofu in special broth, jelly fish and cucumber in wasabi sesame sauce, and Okinawa black sugar Zhenjiang spare ribs.

Available too is a host of popular dishes created over the years, including an eclectic mix of Cantonese, Hakka, Sichuan, Teochew, and Shanghainese flavours. Plus (interestingly) some French and Italian flavours thrown in on a seasonal basis. For instance, you may get a variety of pasta dishes such as black truffle roast chicken pasta, and sakura ebi spring onion oil pasta. Other new items to try are the golden chips and lemon grass chicken wings and big prawns rice noodles in special spicy broth. To sweeten the palate there are homemade ice creams and tang yuan to boot.

i12 Katong, 112 East Coast Road #02-06, Singapore 428802

Tel: 6244 3326

Smoked wagyu steak. (PHOTO: Chi Kinjo)
Smoked wagyu steak. (PHOTO: Chi Kinjo)

Chi Kinjo
Chi Kinjo is
a brand new modern sushi bar and highball den in the CBD. Chef Lamley Chua, who has worked in top restaurants such as LP+Tetsu, categorises his menu based on starters, maki, aburi nigiri, hot small plates and hot big plates.

Start with The Crouching Tiger Roll, a maki creation featuring three different types of prawns prepared using various techniques: crunchy prawn tempura is wrapped with sushi rice and topped with tiger prawns, then scattered with sakura ebi for added crunch. Or order the aburi nigiri which includes creations like Buri Cheese with seared Buri fish (Japanese yellowtail), topped with smooth and rich tobiko cheese. Besides sushi, you will find items such as Kaffir Lime Karaage – chicken thigh marinated in zesty kaffir lime, deep-fried and sprinkled with dried nori, and served with a charred red pepper mayo dip. From the Big Plates selection, dig into the grilled wagyu steak paired with black garlic onion cream, umami soy reduction and drizzled with charcoal oil. Craving for post-work drinks? Sip the refreshing Shiso Watermelon, a concoction of Shiso Sake, watermelon juice, calamansi, simple syrup and lemon juice. Time-strapped office execs can opt for Chi Kinjo’s lunch menu which offers bento boxes as well as Sushi Sandwich – these flat sushi rolls are filled with tasty ingredients like Kong Bak (Chinese braised pork belly) or Musubi (Hawaiian braised spam).

29 Stanley Street Singapore 068738
Tel: +65 6260 5284


http://www.chi-kinjo.com/

Yujin Izakaya Grilled Items – [Clockwise] Asupara Buta Bara, Shishito, Cod, Gyu kalbi , Tontoro. (PHOTO: Yujin)
Yujin Izakaya Grilled Items – [Clockwise] Asupara Buta Bara, Shishito, Cod, Gyu kalbi , Tontoro. (PHOTO: Yujin)

Yujin

Yujin, meaning ‘friend’ in Japanese, is the latest outlet by the Les Amis Group. Launched on 15 March, the izakaya concept is located along Zion Road. In the open kitchen, chef-owner Freddie Lee rustles up a range of bites from cold and hot appetisers, grilled vegetables, meat and seafood dishes, and skewered items.

Kick off with a cold starter of Nama Yasai – crisp, shaved raw asparagus and cauliflower tossed in an umami-rich vinegar-based seaweed dressing. Or warm up the belly with hot appetisers such as truffle chawanmushi and katsu sando – toasted sandwich filled with beef katsu and perked up with pommery mustard. The menu also includes grilled meats like the Tontoro (iberico pork jowl) slow-cooked and finished over the grill or the Gyu Kalbi (beef short rib). If the night is still young, pair your beer with skewers of Tebasaki (chicken wing) or hand-made Tsukune meatballs. Or slurp up a bowl of silky smooth Inaniwa udon, accompanied by prawn broth and prawn tempura. The industrial-chic space adorned with fun manga art also boasts a bar stocked with fine sakes. If you like something else, request for the bartender to fix you a Chuhai (shochu drinks) or highball.

56 Zion Road, Singapore 247781

Tel: +65 6235 0429

www.yujinizakaya.com.sg