Crystal Jade, Hong Kong

My favourite was definitely the hand pulled noodles, in a chili and peanut sauce. You must also try their speciality too, the pork dumplings.

Braised Duck

This is duck is fantastic. It's very basic, but it hits the spot. All this for $3. You can find 'Duck man' in a small food court on Sultan Gate Place, next door to the 'Claypot Chicken man' from an earlier post...
http://singforyadinner.blogspot.com/2010/10/chicken-claypot.html

Frog

Whilst in China town, on our Tuesday bank holiday to celebrate Buddha's Birthday, I thought I would try something new... Live Frog Stir-fried with ginger and spring onion.

The meat tasted really good, nicely flavored by the ginger and onion. The only problem was finding the meat! We had a frog each and there was about a tablespoons worth of meat. I recommend getting at least 2/3 each if you are expecting it to be a meal.

Washed down with some flowering jasmine tea.

Chinese Tea Pouring Performance

At my recent visit to Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant I drank White Tea and this is how is was served...

Holding a kettle in one hand, a waiter can pour boiling water into a teacup 50 centimeters away without spilling any on the table. There is a teapot that originates from Chengdu teahouses, usually made of brass and having an absurdly long spout, servers use these teapots to refresh customers' teacups without interrupting conversations. it also adds great theatre to a usually mundane task.

Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant, Parkroyal Hotel

On Friday, (slightly hungover!) I was kindly taken out for a fantastic Chinese meal. We had a extensive selection of dishes, such as Vegetable and Fish soup, Hot plate Chili Beef, Noodles and Fish Curry.

A highlight was trying Abalone. Abalone is a large mollusk, much like an Oyster. They are an expensive delicacy and they served a lot in traditional Chinese Restaurants, so I have always been intrigued to try them.
The Chinese colleague I was sat next to whispered to me, "I don't really like them, they are like chewing on rubber bands", he wasn't wrong! I did enjoy it though. They taste similar to Scallops, but with that rubbery texture so nicely described by my colleague.

(pictured with the Broccoli if you want to see what it looked like)

The Duck course had a slight twist from what I am used to. The Duck wasn't crispy, but delicately cooked to a pink finish, an it was served with steamed buns instead of pancakes.


Here is a bit of bumph from the Parkroyal Website regarding the Resturant.
Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant originated in Beijing, China. Its serves authentic Si Chuan dishes and was patronised by top government officials. Master chefs prepare an exquisite menu of authentic Si Chuan, Cantonese and Hunan cuisine, served in a sophisticated, elegant ambience ideal for even the grandest celebration.

313 Food Court

313 is a new shopping centre on Orchard Road. The Food Court on the top floor has a wide variety of food stalls. I opted for the 'Mini Wok delights' Hor Fun Beef Noodles. All good. The biggest highlight from my visit was the fact the drinks were sold on Segways.

CNY tossing the salad

Our Chinese New Year Celebrations included 'Tossing the Salad'. This is when everyone puts their chopsticks into the salad and tosses it together. The action of mixing the 'yu sheng' is called ‘lo hei’, and hei means ‘to rise’, again symbolising prosperity.

So throwing it up in the air should hopefully bring you prosperity.

Sour Plums

A favourite with the locals, not so much with me. They are dried plum segments that are heavy on added salt and sugar. I made the mistake of popping it straight in to my mouth without asking what it is! This food blog has definitely made me more open to trying new foods, I don't even ask what it is now before I throw it in my gob.

Chinese Banquet

Lei Garden Restaurant, Chijimes

We went to Lei Gardens to Celebrate a friends 40th Birthday.

Favourite dish was the Belly Pork and the Shredded Yam

Least Favorite... obviously the Fish head.

Studio outing for Chinese Lunch

Singapore style Prawn Noodles.

The restaurant is on the corner of Beach Road and Arab Street.

Chinese New Year Treats

Homemade Pineapple tarts

Thanks Eunice's Mum!

bakkwa 肉乾

As Chinese New Year approaches this will be sold by the bucket loads! It is Bakkwa, or BBQ Pork slices as I like to call it. It is a dried, sweet and salted pork that resembles jerky, but it is a bit fresher, softer and requires less chewing as the amount of fat in the Bakkwa makes it very tender.