Chiso Zanmai

Having heard about the spread at Chiso Zanmai, we headed down to try the Japanese buffet. As the Singlish adage goes, "good things no cheap, cheap things no good." 

From the way some of the sushi were wrapped, I kept my expectations for the sushi low. Indeed, the rice was a little hard. I can't vouch for the freshness of the food also as one of the prawn sushis tasted really weird.

Deep fried food sure appeals to me. Here, you can try some Takoyaki Octopus Ball, Stir Fried Udon Noodle, Tompeiyaki Pork and Cabbage Omelette etc. Problem is most of the food were actually served cold, not sure how long ago they were cooked.

You could also make your own ramen although I gave this a miss because I didn't want to waste my stomach space on carbs.

Some of the appetisers included Chilled Tofu, Edamame, Potato Salad etc.Of all of them, I tried the Chilled Tofu which was nothing special.

More deep fried items including my favourite Prawn Tempura and White Fish. The Chawanmushi was too salty. The Deep Fried Tofu with Light Soy Sauce had a gooey layer which was quite unappetising.

Desserts are always my favourite section. The best was the green tea tiramisu as it was light and not too sweet. The rest were pretty average.  

Although $19.90++ is a really cheap price to pay for a weekend lunch buffet, I wouldn't come here again. Lots of natural lighting made this place comfortable. But the food really awaits improvement.

Chiso Zanmai
The Central
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
#02-17
Tel No.: 6 221 3177 

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Lei Garden

I haven't been to Lei Garden for almost a decade. It was due time to visit Lei Garden when I read Bern's post on it on the exact day my friend told me about his visit there. As it's the Chinese New Year period, the human traffic was quite heavy and there were three time slots we could choose from. We chose the earliest timing of 11.30 a.m. 

Always comforting, a bowl of piping hot Rainbow Egg and Shredded Pork Porridge ($4.80) can't go wrong.

We then had some Panfried Carrot Cake with Waxed Meat ($5.80). I found this a little salty although my friend didn't find it so. Anyway, it's not oily so it's pretty good.

The obligatory Steamed Fresh Shrimps Dumplings ($.580) and Steamed Pork Dumplings with Black Mushrooms ($5.80) were fairly typical of good dim sum restaurants- fresh, juicy and bouncy shrimps encased within the skin of the dumplings.

I have a particular aversion to parsley so I didn't take a liking to the Steamed Cheong Fun with Honey BBQ Pork ($5.80).

We ordered a Deepfried Spring Roll with Fresh Lobster Meat ($6.80). I couldn't really detect the sweetness of the lobster meat but the springroll itself was good because it was thin, crispy and not oily.

The Baked Mini Egg Tart ($4.80) was very average and was nothing like the melt-in-your-mouth egg tarts at Royal China. Seems like it will take a lot to meet the standard at Royal China!

Service was efficient and friendly. Overall, the food is typical of a good dim sum restaurant, but nothing to rave about.

Lei Garden
Chijmes
30 Victoria Street
#01-24

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Dudu Dessert 嘟嘟甜品

Walking through the streets of Chinatown on CNY eve, we decided to seek respite from the crowds and had some dessert at Dudu Dessert. The shop space was small to begin with and they were probably shorthanded, so it took a very long time for our desserts to come. 

They had quite an extensive dessert menu.

I ordered the Mango Mini Mochi ($4.80). The sweet mango/mango juice was blended with ice, resulting in the slightly crunchy ice texture. The portion was quite generous as well. Together with the chewy mini glutinous rice balls, this made a pleasant dessert to eat when it's really hot.

Dudu Dessert
29A Trengganu Street

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