[This was an invited tasting session courtesy of Nanxiang's PR folks - Food News]
How many have been to Shanghai and have gone to Nanxiang, one of the mandatory list of place to eat in Shanghai? I heard it's an institution that's over a century old and it's located at the old Chinese section of the city. Yup, even Anthony Bourdain was sipping the enormous big soup bun on one episode of his TV show.
If you have not been there, don't worry. Nanxiang has been in Singapore for some time, but half a year or so, they decided to expand by opening more outlets and also added new menu to satisfy the curious appetite of locals. Their Executive Chef, Chef Yee Cheong Wah though having 30 over years of experience in Chinese Cuisine, went to Nan Xiang in Shanghai China to understudy the master there, bringing back and expanding their menu here. The good news is that it's priced to be very reasonable too!
Their new flaship Plaza Singapura outlet is a 100-seater. So if you are in Orchard Road, you know where to grab some food after a busy day shopping!
Icy water cress honey $2.50
This drink was a winner. On hot sticky days, the icy drink cools you down instantly! With the warm weather these few days, you can easily gulp down 2 or 3 glasses of it!
You should order the Jelly Fish with Spicy Vinegar ($6.80) if you like Jelly Fish with a difference. It's extra crunchy! Why? It's because they use the head portion of the Jelly Fish which is the prized part of Jelly Fish. The spicy vinegar concocted goes very well with it.
Guess what is that? It's Duck Tongue! If you are adventurous, try it! If you are like me, who love chicken feet, you would like this too!
I know many people will not touch it, but they are really quite delicious! Almost similar to crunchy version of chicken feet, only nicer!
The photo above and below is the "Yuan Yang" version of the Duck Tongue ($8).
That half was tongue marinated and cooked with Wine Sauce.
Momo preferred this version as it has the chinese wine taste.
I prefer the Braised Sauce half of the platter. I like most things braised and I think it is they did a terrific job based on what was served to us that night. It's wonderful and absolutely rare to have this in their menu.
"Hua Niang" Steamed Cod Fish $13
When you order this, and when it's served, devour it immediately! Even if your dining partner don't snatch it from you, you got to eat it when it's hot to enjoy the soft, boneless slices of cod.
Stir Fried Green Bean Noodle with Crab Roe $12.80
I am not a fan of this, but Momo who is a fan of crab roe went into temporary insanity. The whole dish was so bright orange!
The green bean noodles (or what we usually call Tong Fen) is the fatter, thicker version. When you see other eat it like it's so nice, you are also tempted to try it. Not bad. It's quite slurpalicious! (ok, no such word, but it was slurpily nice!)
The Nanxiang icon! The King Sized Nanxiang Crab Roe Steamed Bun Soup $6.80
That's a mini steamer with one whole xiao long bao steamed in it.
Not wanting to make a full out of ourselves, we asked how are we to eat it. We were told, just drink the soup from the straw! It's hot so be really careful! You can omit eating the slightly thicker skin if you don't want to.
Out of curiosity, I ate some of the skin, and found it rather nice. There was bits of crab, crab roe etc inside the bun. I scrapped them out to eat after sucking the soup out of the straw.
Fresh Pork Filling Steamed Bun $6.00 for 6 pieces.
If you are a traditionist and think big ones are gimmicky, then order these smaller sized delicious morsels of delight. This was the fresh pork filling version. (They have many versions, I was told they have the most varieties of Xiao Long Baos in Singapore!)
Thin skinned, but thick enough so that when you grabbed it with your chopsticks, it does not break. The filling and soup was good too.
If you are a lone diner, I would suggest you order 1 steamer of this. A nice portion, 6 dumplings at only $1 each! Then order 1 appetizer if you are a small eater or a meat or fish if you want more protein.
Braised Pork Belly Ribs $12
Oooo.. Another 'bright' dish! This dish is yummy! Try and let your tongue guess the sauce! It's fruity and you and your dining companion(s) can keep guessing what fruits they have added in!
The tender, dissolve in your mouth meat goes very well with either fried or steamed mantous!
I like the steamed version, Momo the fried.
This was something really light and homey!
Steamed Egg with Clams $6
Smooth and soft. It's like how mummy will make it at home, that's if you have an excellent mum who can whip up dishes like this. If not, come down to Nanxiang and let the chefs do it for you.
Nanxiang Drunken Chicken $6.80
This whole plate went to Momo. She is more of the 'jiu kui', who loves things cooked with wine! I think there's too much wine in it, she disagreed with me and says it's just nice. She enjoyed the cold 'winey' chicken so much that HungryCow our host wanted to order a second portion for her!
Golden Pumpkin Cake $3.60 (for 2 pieces)
I think they look like dinosaur eggs, don't you think so? (imagine the jurassic park music in your head)
But when we broke it, hey, there's no bird inside, but a layer of cripsy dough to bite.
Roti tisu in a round form, but made from sweet pumpkin!
Yam Pastry with Sesame $5.20 (4 pieces)
For Yam lovers, this is your dish. I and yam are not the best of friends.
I had it because Sesame and I are good pals!
I like it that the desserts part comes in 2s or 4s, so that you can share it easily. ;-)
It's also one of the few restaurants that put their full menu online, and not only online, but with prices as well! Visit their website at: http://www.nanxiang.com.sg/
If you enjoy what you see us eat here, head down to the nearest Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant near you!
Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant @ City Square Mall
180 Kitchener Road, #04-15/16, City Square Mall, Singapore 208539 Tel: 65 6509 9134
Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant @ Bugis
200 Victoria Street, #02-53, Bugis Junction, Singapore 188021 Tel: 65 6835 7577
Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant @ Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road, #02-01, Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839 Tel: 65 6337 7446
Nanxiang Express @ Nex Mall
23 Serangoon Central, #03-K17, Nex Mall, Singapore 556083.
4 comments:
Dude, I really love this post of yours - I can hear you narrating in a fun and happy way in my head as you move from dish to dish.
My tastebuds are probably closer to Momo's - I'm a 'jiu kui' too where foods cooked with wine is concerned and I do prefer fried mantou to the steamed variety.
I'm so gonna try Nanxiang the next time I'm in town... unless they open a branch in KL first, before I head down there! :P
very nice. the way you have described the food has made me keen to give it a try!
Have been meaning to try this restauraunt so I was excited when streetdeal had a promotion (pay $22 for $40 worth of voucher). Went to try the City Square outlet but was very dissapointed with the food which IMO was very ordinary. I have tried better xiao long bao and la mian in hawker centers and food court.
Anon,
is it because the kitchen is temporary overwhelmed by diners?
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