Food

Following the revamp of the former Marina Mandarin to PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, the inhouse Chinese restaurant – Peach Blossoms – has undergone its own facelift as well with a change not just in its interiors but also a deliberate focus in aesthetically pleasing dishes in the Cantonese dining repertoire.

While some of the previous signature dishes such as the Roast Tomahawk and Braised Fish Paste Noodles have been retained, the revamped menu also includes some unique new dishes which I was able to try during my staycation at the property. With this revamp, it can perhaps be said that Peach Blossoms is ready for the social media age. Many of the dishes are as pleasing to the eyes as they are to the tastebud. Here are the dishes to order when you visit the reopened Peach Blossoms.

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Bak Kwa or 肉干 is a form of dried meat that originated in China. A popular snack in Singapore, especially during the Chinese New Year season, the manufacturing of bak kwa entails preservation and the infusion of ingredients such as salt, sugar, sauces and spices thrown into the mix. In more recent years, bak kwa manufacturers have become more creative as well, infusing herbs, honey, chili and even minerals into the bak kwa to differentiate themselves from other brands. There has also been increased preference for more authentic looking bak kwa – which means less on the redness and the sugar.

Bak Kwa is extremely popular in Singapore, with some brands even ingrained internationally as being iconic of the Lion City. As such, it can be said that Singapore is at the forefront of innovation as well when it comes to this snack. Bak Kwa is also commonly used as an ingredient in some everyday dishes such as fried rice, claypot rice, etc; thus allowing it to a stand as a year round item even outside of Lunar New Year.

Some of the common types of bak kwa include:

• Sliced pork / beef / chicken / duck / lamb
• Chili sliced pork / beef / chicken / duck / lamb
• Coin-shaped slices using pork / beef/ chicken / duck / lamb
• Pork belly (think: similar to bacon but undergoing the same preservation and cooking technique as the usual bak kwa)
• Flavored bak kwa – can be infused with fruits, additional herbs, seaweed, minerals, etc

If you are wondering which is the best bak kwa to buy as an everyday snack or during Chinese New Year, I have tried to sum it up here for your convenience. You will find here the most comprehensive list of bak kwa in Singapore! Do note this list is not arranged in order. Most of these bak kwa brands also sell online and even deliver, giving an added convenience. For next Lunar New Year, you won’t need to waste a considerable amount of time queuing!

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Whether presented as gifts or left at home as snacks to offer guests, delectable goodies usually come to define CNY celebrations at home. These snacks are undoubtedly good to eat but there is actually a reason why people mainly have them during Chinese New Year. There are many popular CNY goodies and these are the major ones:

• Pineapple tarts – In Hokkien, pineapples are called “ong lai” which also means “luck is coming.” Because of this, pineapples are frequently displayed in homes during the Lunar New Year period and pineapple tarts / balls are frequently eaten or given as gifts as a means of bringing in the luck.
• BBQ pork – This is probably the most sought after goodie to try during CNY, especially in Singapore. Although available year round, strips of BBQ pork are most popular during Chinese New Year because of their red color, symbolizing luck. This tasty snack also originated as an expensive food item and as such, people consume them during this period to signify prosperity for the coming year. You can check out my separate guide on the best BBQ pork to try in Singapore.
• Nian gao – Literally translated as the “year cake,” nian gao is usually eaten during Chinese New Year because its sticky and glutinous quality is traditionally believed in Chinese mythology to seal the Kitchen God’s mouth shut. Offering nian gao keeps him from badmouthing you to the Jade Emperor in his annual CNY report. 
• Shrimp rolls – Cylindrical-shaped snacks such as shrimp rolls are also popular during Chinese New Year. Their golden color coupled with the cylindrical shape are akin to gold bars and as such, symbolize wealth.
• Radish cake – This savory goodie is another popular food to eat during CNY because its Hokkien name (“chai tow”) sounds similar to the Hokkien word for prosperity and rising fortunes.

Here are some of the best and most popular places where you can grab these snacks – including some creative variations for the upcoming Year of the Ox:

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The upcoming Chinese New Year in 2021 which will be the Year of the Ox will fall on the 12th of February 2021. Despite the current situation, there will undoubtedly be an abundant selection from some of the top Chinese restaurants and hotels for yu sheng (lo hei), pen cai and other traditional delicacies for your reunion dinner. This year will be slightly different in the sense that more establishments will be offering takeaway or islandwide delivery services for Chinese New Year reunion dinners. If you choose to dine-in, do note that under current regulations, the maximum number of people in a table is 8. You will also be required to don your mask while tossing yu sheng.

Without further ado, I’ve tried my best to list them down here for your convenience. This list will be expanded over the next few days as new establishments come onboard with their Chinese New Year 2021 reunion dinner and takeaway offerings so do bookmark it for future reference.

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Search for the keywords “Catalan restaurant Singapore” over the internet and you’d most likely be directed to Restaurant Gaig – a casual eatery in Singapore’s CBD. To the uninitiated, Restaurant Gaig is not a local invention but is actually the local outpost of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Barcelona. The Singapore outlet is owned by the same family that owns the original one. Up until the current situation, the owner – Carles Gaig – would fly to Singapore almost quarterly to even bring some fresh produce to our shores.  Perhaps, that partly explains why the eatery in quiet Stanley Street remains to be the most authentic Catalan restaurant in the country.

restaurant gaig

Restaurant Gaig has been in Singapore for more than three years now and despite the generally above-average reviews it has received since opening, the establishment has mostly been under the radar – perhaps reflecting the similar subdued qualities of the street it is located in. Stanley Street pales in comparison with neighboring Telok Ayer and Amoy in terms of buzz and foot traffic but recent dining outlets that have moved in such as Laut and Miznon is gradually changing that sleepy reputation.

Catalan cuisine is best described as surf and turf. In Spain, this is known as mar y montagna or mar i muntanya in Catalan. As the region occupies the eastern coast of the Iberian peninsula, one gets plenty of seafood (think: paella topped with plenty of squid and prawns) while the Pyrenees mountains to the north provide ideal grazing areas for livestock. Sometimes, one can find both meat and seafood – even in the same dish! In Restaurant Gaig, some recipes date back from the 19th century, with modifications done here and there to suit the local palate. As such, dishes are lighter and less salty as what one would find in Barcelona.

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After closing for seven months, Taste Paradise at Ion Orchard has reopened with a new look as well as new menu. Their kitchen is now helmed by a pair of executive chefs –  Chan Chung Sing and Chan Wing Kwong, both hailing from Hong Kong.

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