Hungry Ghost

Chinese New Year is the time of feasting. I have just had Chinese New Year lunch at   New Ubin Seafood (CHIJMES) last week. This week we tried the Chinese New Year menu at PUTIEN. PUTIEN is six-time winner of Michelin One Star award. I am curious to see what kind of surprises a Michelin one-star restaurant offers for Chinese New Year menu. PUTIEN Chinese New Year Menu There are two   Chinese New Year sets , Prosperity Set Meal [S$118++ to S$528++] and Fortune Set Meal [S$188++ to S$968++]. The prices and number of dishes increases according to the number of people. These are the dishes we had from the   Prosperity for Eight   [S$458++]: The Dishes The first dish is always yusheng, which is   Prosperity Yushen (Abalone) 鸿运发财鱼生 (鲍鱼) . The abalones PUTIEN use are not the yellowish rubbery ones that come out of cans. The abalone have grey patterns on the backs, I think these are fresh abalones. Everyone around the table stands up to toss the yusheng, saying words of...

  I have been to   New Ubin Seafood's outlet in Hillview   (which has unfortunately closed) and the tasty dishes left a deep impression on me. Here is New Ubin Seafood (Chijmes)'s   Chinese New Year Set Menu 2023   for your reference. The set we had was Wealthy Bunny Menu at S$888++ for 10 people. New Ubin Seafood (Chijmes) - Wealthy Bunny Menu In Singapore, the first dish of any Chinese New Year menu is always yusheng or Prosperity Toss. Yusheng is supposedly from China, but friends in different parts of China say they have never seen such a thing. Yusheng's literal meaning is "raw fish" but since it sounds like "余升" which means "increase in abundance". Therefore, yusheng symbolizes abundance, prosperity and vigor. Golden Fortune Lo Hei with Salmon   comes pre-plated with shredded cucumber, carrots, red and green pickles, egg omelette, crushed peanuts, pomelo, ginger slices and onion slices. The staff says auspicious words as she adds in the s...

  Da Luca Italian Restaurant is located in Goldhill Plaza, the old pinkish building opposite Novena station. This is the last place I would expect to find a good Italian restaurant, which makes Da Luca Italian Restaurant an underrated gem. Run by chef-owner Luca Pucciani and his wife, Da Luca Italian Restaurant serves classic and contemporary Italian cuisine. Da Luca Italian Restaurant - Decor The outside of the restaurant is not impressive-looking but step inside and it’s another story altogether. The interior is cosy with cream-color walls alternating with brick walls. The bar near the entrance has an impressive collection of spirits and wines. Black wooden tables lined with crisp white tablecloth paired with black wooden chairs give the restaurant a classic Italian feel. It reminds me of   iO Italian Osteria. Da Luca Italian Restaurant - The Food This restaurant is famous for their   Signature Capellini tossed in Truffle Emulsion [S$98]   but it is too expensive. ...

I have never really been a fan of popiah until I tried Ann Chin Popiah. Apparently, Ann Chin has been around 1958, which means it has been around for 60+ years. That’s quite a feat, considering Singapore has only been independent for 57 years. Ann Chin’s signboard proudly proclaims “Michelin Guide 2018” where Ann Chin was awarded Michelin Plate. Even though the award was for the flagship stall in Chinatown, but I find the popiah at the Clementi outlet equally as good. Popiah is a popular snack in Singapore. It is said to have originated from Fujian region in Southeast China. It is a popular dish among the Chinese community in Singapore and it is often used as an offering during Qingming Festival. I think what makes Ann Chin Popiah so special are their handmade popiah skin and fried garlic. The handmade popiah skin is paper-thin yet chewy and tough, holding all the ingredients together. The little golden nuggets of fried garlic gives the popiah a nice crunchy texture. The balance of swe...

Colony at Ritz-Carlton is one of the buffets that I have been meaning to try but never got around to. I have heard so many good reviews, it feels like I already know the place before even visiting it. Colony - Decor I love the high arched glass roof which allows natural light to illuminate the place. The high arched glass roof also makes the place look tall and elegant. Wooden panels with asymmetrical black panels shield diners from prying eyes. Colony - The Food Before we start, here is Colony’s   weekday lunch buffet menu   for your reference. Buffet Prices: Weekday + Saturday Lunch Buffet: Adult S$74, Child (6-12 years) S$37 Sunday Champagne Brunch: Adult S$198 - S$798, Children (6-12 years) S$99, Child (3-5 years) S$49.50 Sunday - Thursday Dinner Buffet: Adult S$92, Child (6-12 years) S$46 Friday - Saturday Seafood Dinner: Adult S$112, Child (6-12 years) S$56 The Ice Bar I always start any buffet with seafood. I wish there were freahly-shucked oysters but the snow crabs an...