~Invited Session~
Blue Lotus Chinese Eating House has been synonymous with one of the island’s sought after chilli crab dishes (too much hearsay and admittedly I have not attempted one myself!) and innovative modern Chinese menus around town and their latest venture at Tanjong Pagar Center is a bold marriage between chinese cuisine and western grill techniques.
The decor is appealing with a chinois chic theme, personally I spent a great deal of time oogling at the painting of the pig and swimming goldfish fixtures amidst the colourful splashes. The partial open concept kitchen allows for the team to have a full view of diners and diners to have a feel of the pacing of the dishes as they get churned out really quickly.
While their signature chilli pomelo crab is nowhere to be found on the menu (bummer!), I was told then that all dishes are unique to the various outlets - and the crab is only available at Quayside Isle as with La Mian and Crab Balls here. What I smart move to tempt diners to visit all outlets I mused within.
I was lucky to be given a preview to lunch menu at dinner - and that was suffice to seal my next lunch appointment at Blue Lotus Chinese Grill House. Lunch set menus are served with an appetizer and dessert too, great value indeed.Claypot Mapo Tofu Rice, Onsen Egg ($18)
Mapo Tofu, Fried Rice, Onsen Egg, Minced Pork, Fresh Herbs
Silky tofu cubes draped generously in minced pork and mapo tofu sauce, and even though they ran out of onsen eggs (it's a solely lunch only menu item!), this was spectacular. Loved the heat and how tofu and rice can taste so good!
Hot Stone Pork Lard Truffle Flavoured Fried Rice ($20)
Pork Lard Butter, Truffle Oil, Chinese Sausage, Baby Asparagus, Fried Rice, Coriander, Crispy Pork Lard, Spring Onions, Shallots, Soya Sauce
This was both a novelty dish and a playful take on claypot rice. Lard butter and fried pork lard take center stage here when they sizzle and fizzle in the hotstone pot. Leave it in the pot for the charring to occur and the crispy rice is absolutely delish and fragrant!
This is claypot rice turned mod, and one of the must tries if spicy is not up your alley.
Chilli Pomelo La Mian Soup, Crabmeat ($22)
La Mian, Chilli Pomelo Soup, Broccolini, Fresh Herbs, Hand Picked Crabmeat
Hand pulled noodles in their signature chilli pomelo sauce and that was suffice for the Blue Lotus experience. The mouth watering spiciness is almost addictive, it's spicy enough to bring some tears but not enough for one to surrender. That, is uniquely Singapore and by far, the best chilli crab gravy version.
I was apprehensive about pomelo and chilli yet the bitterness of the juicy sacs gave a piquant and citrusy kick to the spicy dish. An ingenious pairing that inspired a whole medley of dishes, this included.
Hickory Smoked Honey-Glazed Kurobuta Pork Belly ($16)
This is char siew with a new coat of marinate and smoked, terribly indulgent and is worth the calories.
Crab Balls, Chilli Pomelo Sauce ($22)
The closest to their chilli crab sans the mess with the chefs painstakingly extracting the crabmeat from the shells and representing them in breaded balls.
The sauce is tasty but definitely missing the same heat from the la mian!
Fried Pork Trotters, Ginger and Vinegar Sauce ($12)
Vinegar Pig Trotters is classic confinement food and this dish was clearly inspired by that with a more likeable version - fried pork trotter cubes with a side of ginger vinegar sauce.
Chicken Skin, Chilli Yogurt Dipper ($9)
All keropok is not created equal and this chicken skin was both a visual display and truly, snack goals. Crisp and light as a feather, finishing those few bites were easy peasy.
140g Australian Wagyu Beef Ribeye (MBS 3-5) ($48)
Caramelised Onions, Grilled Ladies Fingers, Red Pepper Chilli Puree
The marbling rendered this so tender, wonderfully executed and nothing to fault especially when the onion puree and chilli puree gave this extra surprises.
Fermented Tofu Barley Risotto, Pan Seared Barramundi ($28)
Pickled Chilli Sauce
Fermented tofu somehow reminded me of gochuljang sauce and with all the tossing in, this was bimbimbap presented! The pan seared barramundi was crispy skinned and absolutely satisfying.
Beancurd Chips, Wasabi Mayonnaise ($9)
Everything on the menu, including their ingredients can be ordered repeatedly. Case in point, these addictive beancurd chips.
Durian Creme Brulee ($14)
D24 Durian
This is a must order for good reasons - it looks like your normal creme brulee but stinks up a storm when the glacier of torched sugar is cracked. Lap up the smooth melty pungent custard and there, none of the smelly business continues. For that, all the anti durian fans are appeased.
Grilled Banana, Thai Milk Tea Ice-Cream ($14)
Chocolate Crumbs, Banana Espuma
For some reason, the banana espuma was salty and this tasted very close to banana cheesecake!
So good, I quickly booked a dinner at Blue Lotus at Quayside Isle for the signature crab! Await my foodie adventure soonish.
Blue Lotus Chinese Grill House
5 Wallich Street, #01-13 Tanjong Pagar Centre S078883
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