With so much travel backlog, I actually do not have time to blog about food in Singapore and prefer to try an eatery for the first time before deciding if a second visit (together with a blog post) would be warranted.
I have been to Paradise Dynasty on a number of occasions with a group of former NUS colleagues but i have never gotten around to blogging about it until today. Do note that the Paradise Group is huge with ten different brands under their belt and expansion has been rapid over the past ten years; i still recall having their mouth-watering butter crabs back in 2010!
The word "dynasty" said a lot about its theme - while i didn't feel like i was transported back in time to imperial China, the restaurant felt classy, and expensive.
Without further ado, let's forge ahead with our food review! p.s. tea is chargeable at S$1.50 per person and i don't know what material is the pot made of as it's super good in retaining heat!
Egg Fried Rice - fried rice that was plain yet so flavourable; i was in fact relishing every bite! This should be a simple enough dish for me to try at home but i am guessing my skill wouldn't result in me cleaning up the entire portion.
Pork Dumpling in Hot Chilli Vinaigrette - more famously known as 紅油抄手, the best i had was at Crystal Jade and this version at Paradise Dynasty was rather good with an appetising spiciness that could have matched Crystal Jade if the meat filling was juicier.
Stir Fried Diced Chicken with Cashew Nuts and Dried Chilli - this caught me by surprise as the meat was so tender and boy did i love the addictive mixture of numbing spiciness as my teeth sank into the teeth! And how could i forget the crunchy cashew nuts?! Have them with the meat for added nuttiness!
Pan-Fried Pancake with Red Bean Paste - generous filling that's not overly sweet and that's just about the only positive attribute for this Chinese style dessert. I could only wish that the next time i had this, the crust would crispier and a tad thinner.
Scrambled Egg White with Fish and Dried Scallop - to be honest, i wouldn't have ordered this dish f i am the decision maker but after my friend commented that it's a must try; we did and absolutely didn't regret our decision!
You are supposed to mix up everything so that it became a mish-mash of god knows what! However, don't be deceived by its looks; it's good on its own and tasted yummy like a gooey egg mixture with the flavours from the sea.
Signature Original Xiao Long Bao - with the tagline "legend of xiao long bao", it;s obvious we had to get a basket to check out the xiao long bao said to be "25 grams a piece" that's "immensely filled with non-oily delightful clear broth" and closed up with a "delicate 18 folds" skin said to be "intricately thin" and "springy".
I do agree with all the aforementioned claims; saved for weighing the dumplings to determine their exact weight. Unlike the past, the standard of xiao long bao in Singapore nowadays is pretty good (must eat with vingear and shredded ginger) and you can get decent ones in a number of reputable restaurants.
Only one complaint from me; can't they eliminate the folds?! I am the type who would bite off the thicker top folds and leave them on the plate.
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Location
1 Harbourfront Walk,
VivoCity #03-08A,
Singapore 098585
Website
Order List
As above. Right click and saved as picture to zoom in!
Pricing
Egg Fried Rice - S$7.80
Pork Dumpling in Hot Chilli Vinaigrette - S$6.80
Stir Fried Diced Chicken with Cashew Nuts and Dried Chilli - S$12.80
Pan-Fried Pancake with Red Bean Paste - S$7.50
Scrambled Egg White with Fish and Dried Scallop - S$13.80
Signature Original Xiao Long Bao - S$12.30
(Subject to GST and Service Charge)