When I heard about Blue Lotus Chinese Grill Restaurant @ Tanjong Pagar Centre, I didn’t think that they would be offering Chinese cuisine. To be more exact, the dishes are innovative modern Chinese food which isn’t what mainstream Chinese restaurants would dished out. Blue Lotus infused the best of the west and east. Beside this Blue Lotus at Tanjong Pagar, they have 2 others; Blue Lotus Chinese Noodle Bar at Science Park and Blue Lotus Chinese Eating House at Sentosa Cove which I have yet to try.
The brainchild behind the Blue Lotus group is Ricky Ng, a culinary veteran of 20 years of experience.
Environment at the Blue Lotus Chinese Grill Restaurant @ Tanjong Pagar Centre is casual and comfortable. I find the environment cosy due to the cushy pillow placed along the side bench.
We started with 4 Tapas items. First was the well-received Hickory Smoked Honey-glazed Kurobuta Pork Belly ($16). I usually remove the fats but this one I tried a piece with it and I couldn’t help but go for a second with the fats too. The ratio of fats verus meat was perfect. The fats has a chewy which one won’t feel cloying.
The Crab Balls, Chilli Pomelo Sauce ($22) is another amazing dish. Each crab ball has packful of real crab meat with herb elevating the flavours. Remeber to add the Chilli Pomelo Sauce to the crab ball for maximum flavours.
Chicken Skin, Chilli Yogurt Dipper ($9) was equally impressive. The entire piece of chicken skin was without single trace of fats and it was ultra crispy even if left for quite some time. Dipping it with chilli yogurt dipper provide another taste experience.
The Fried Pork Trotters, Ginger & Vinegar Sauce ($12) may look unassuming, but it was such a well balance dish. One won’t feel the oiliness of the pork and the vinegar isn’t overly sour. Even for someone who avoid vinegar did appreciate this dish, it showed how good this dish is.
140g Australian Wagyu Beef Ribeye, MBS 3-5 ($48) done medium rarer may not look remarkable. This dish is differentiated by the Red Pepper Chilli Puree.
An Italian dish risotto infused with Asian ingredients is the result of Fermented Tofu Barley Risotto, Pan Seared Barramudi ($28). For diners who don’t mind food that is a little salty should opt for this tasty dish.
Some sides were offered on Blue Lotus menu too, such as the Quick Fried Broccolini, Garlic ($12). Besides the abundant chopped garlic, Chinese Wine was added to elevate the aroma.
Watch here, Durian lovers like myself. The Durian Creme Brulee ($14) is must order. I doesn’t want to share the highly addictive Durian dessert. In this creme brulee, durian fibre was actually spotted. One could savour the real fruit in it.
If you aren’t a Durian fan, opt for the equally tasty Baked Cinnamon Apple Pie, Yuzu Sorbet ($12). It is amazing to have it with Yuzu provided an uplifting dimension to the dish.
If you are working in the vicinity and is planning for a sumptuous lunch, here is one good news, Blue Lotus @ Tanjong Pagar is offering 3-course Set Lunch with price ranging from $18 to $26, depening on which Main one order. There are as many as 9 Mains to choose from.
There are two highly recommended Mains in the Set Lunch Menu. First is the Hot Stone Pork Lard Truffle Flavoured Fried Rice ($20). A hot stone pot with the ingredients are served to diner. And diner could mixed all the ingredients into the hot stone pot and then leave it for a few minutes before enjoying it. The flavours was intense and bold with truffle scent good for both the smell and tastebud.
If diner prefer noodle, go for their Spicy and Sourish Chilli Pomelo La Mian Soup, Crabmeat ($22). In this bowl of appetising noodle soup consists of their famous Chilli Pomelo Sauce. For diners who don’t tolerate their spice well, ask for less spicy.
NAHMJ Verdict
Blue Lotus Chinese Grill Restaurant @ Tanjong Pagar Centre offers such amazing dishes with each and every dishes executed on the point. And as it offers various dimension of flavours to the dish, one won’t feel that they are using the same few sauce to cook the food. This is one point that NAHMJ highly value.
Blue Lotus Chinese Grill Restaurant @ Tanjong Pagar Centre
5 Wallich Street, #01-13 Tanjong Pagar Centre Singapore 078883
Tel: +65 6996 0880
Website: http://www.bluelotus.com.sg/
Opening Hours
Mondays – Saturdays 1130 to 2230 | Closed on Sundays
Getting There
By MRT:
- North-South Line -Tanjong Pagar station
By Bus:
- Either before Wallich Road or after Craig Road 80, 145
- International Plaza along Anson Road 57, 131, 167, 186, 400, 700, 761, 970, 971E
- Opp Temasek Tower along Shenton Way 10, 10e, 57, 97, 97e, 100, 131, 502, 971E, 982E
- Hub Synergy Point along Anson Road 10, 103, 70, 75, 97, 97e, 100, 106, 107, 128, 130, 133, 162, 196, 196e, 850E, 951E, 982E
Rating: 8/10
*Disclaimer: This was a media invite.