A Crystal Clear Class Slurp-Worthy

A CRYSTAL CLEAR CLASS

Regulars of Crystal Jade Palace will notice welcome changes to the newly renovated venue in Takashimaya Shopping Centre: a tea room for sipping a selection of 10 artisanal teas, a customised menu option, a Yanxi Palacestyle courtyard complete with marble arches, and a jade green and gold colour palette that run across the interior.

Group executive chef Martin Foo creates boundary-pushing dishes without veering too far out the box of Chinese cuisine. There are subtle influences from other countries: a piquant Thai-style garden salad with crabmeat and pomelo sac ($16.80), Japanese sea urchin swimming in ‘tanfu’ broth (available as part of customised menu) and ozro pasta, in lieu of jasmine rice, tossed with crispy rice, prawns and shrimps ($26) for a delicious grain dish. Even classic ingredients like fish maw, typically used in soups and braises, is stir-fried with shishito peppers and black beans sauce, yielding a textural surprise. End with a local dessert: chendol with coconut ice cream complete with grass jelly cubes and green jelly noodles ($12.80). #04-19, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road. Tel: 6735 2388

SLURP-WORTHY

A newcomer to the Telok Ayer hood is Chuan Hung, a 40-seater Sichuan noodle house that serves homemade Mian Yang rice noodles. Much like a ramen shop, you can also choose your soup base, which includes a spicy red broth, a collagen-rich clear broth or chicken infused with Sichuan vine peppers, as well as a variety of meats. We recommend the Signature Braised Beef ($13.50) with the spicy red broth; the beef was fork-tender and flavourful. Other equally delectable options are the Australian Ox Tongue ($14.50), King Prawns ($15.50) and Chicken Innards ($12.50). Chuan Hung also offers highly-addictive snacks such as the Fried Crispy Pig Intestines ($5.50), where the offal is deep-fried till crisp. #01-01, 51 Telok Ayer Street. Tel: +65 9755 1058