Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Interior of Shisen Hanten

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Orchard Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant – Orchard, Singapore

When I first see the name Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店, I didn’t think it would be a Chinese Restaurant specialises in Sze Chuan Cuisine. I thought it is a Japanese restaurant. This Sze Chuan Restaurant was awarded a two Michelin Star restaurant in 2 consecutive years, 2016 and 2017. Started in 1958 by the late Chen Kenmin who is regarded as Japan’s “Father of Szechwan Cuisine. Shisen Hanten 四川飯店 simply means Sze Chuan Restaurant.

 

Perched at Level 35 of Mandarin Orchard Hotel, Orchard Wing has a classy, elegant interior image. These vibes are mainly contributed by the chandelier. All tables were with homogeneous comfy cushy seats.

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Entrance to Shisen Hanten

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Interior of Shisen Hanten, another view

 

On each table, utensils were neatly lay with sauces, condiment and Szechuan Prickle on the table that were covered with well-ironed white linen table cloth.

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Szechuan Prickle

 

We chose the Business Lunch since there were only 2 diners, my cousin and I. There are a total of 5 course in this menu. For $42++, diner chose 1 Main while $50++ allows diner to chose 2 Mains which was our choice. A minimum of 2 diners are required. 

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Dim Sum

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Appetiser

 

First course was a choice of either Dim Sum or Appetiser. We chose one each. The plating for appetiser was gorgeous due to the colour combination. There were a mediocre BBQ Pork and natural tasting poached prawn and jelly fish with an appetising seasoning. Dim Sum though was delicious however didn’t wow us.

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Soup

 

Next was the Soup of the Day, which was a meat soup with some roots. It was absolutely flavourful. I enjoyed every spoon despite I don’t love soup.

 

Proceeding to Mains, with a total of 4 Mains were available for selection. We tried all of them. Progressing from the lightest flavour to the strongest was how they were served.

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Stir-fried pork and mushroom with oyster sauce

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Stir-fried beef with XO sauce, Szechwan-style

 

First was the Stir-fried pork and mushroom with oyster sauce. We could savour light wok-hei and the flavour was the common Chinese flavour since oyster sauce was used. Followed by the lightly-flavoured but oily Stir-fried beef with XO sauce, Szechwan-style.

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Steamed fish with spicy sauce

 

Using Cod Fish in the Steamed fish with spicy sauce wasn’t the best choice, since this oily fish doesn’t pick up the seasoning easily. As a result, we felt, the cod fish was better off steamed with some ginger instead.

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Stir-fried prawn with chilli sauce

 

Stir-fried prawn with chilli sauce was the strongest flavour of all the 4 Mains. Neither of the spicy dish was spicy to us.

 

Fourth course was a choice of either a noodle or rice. Chen’s original spicy noodle soup reminded me of Japanese Ramen.

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Chen’s original spicy noodle soup

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - “Chen’s Mapo Doufu” Stir-fried tofu in hot Szechwan pepper-flavoured meat sauce served with Hokkaido rice

 

Next was the  “Chen’s Mapo Doufu” Stir-fried tofu in hot Szechwan pepper-flavoured meat sauce served with Hokkaido rice, a highly recommended dish at Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro as it is a Chef Recommendation. Strangely, there was a mild bitterness at the initiate bite. Subsequently, it diminished as the numb spicy took over. However, it wasn’t fiery spicy at all. All in all, this was the most tasty dish among all that we tried. 

 

Final course was dessert. Three choices were available. We didn’t chose the Fruit Platter. The Almond Pudding was tad too sweet for our liking. Fortunately, it was lacking of the strong almond essence aroma. 

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Almond Pudding

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro 四川飯店 At Mandarin Hotel, A Two Michelin Star Restaurant - Mango Pudding

 

Next was the lightly sweeten Mango Pudding. Unfortunately, we spotted a disgusting hair-like substance in the pudding. Both pudding has very smooth texture. 

 

 

NAHMJ Verdict

 

We felt the Chinese dishes served at Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro was a Japanese’s interpretation of Sze Chuan food. We certainly felt that the flavour was too light for Chinese food and especially Sze Chuan dishes.

 

 

 

Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro

333 Orchard Road, Level 35, Mandarin Orchard Hotel, Orchard Wing, Singapore 238867
Tel: +65 6831 6262 / 6831 6266

Websitehttp://www.shisenhanten.com.sg/

 

Opening Hours

 

Mondays – Fridays

Lunch: 1200 to 1500 (Last order 1430),
Dinner: 1800 to 2200 (Last order 2145)  

 

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays –

Lunch: First seating – 1100 to 1245 (Last order 1230), Second Seating – 1300 to 1445 (Last order 1430),
Dinner: 1800 to 2200 (Last order 2145)

 

Getting There

 

By MRT:

  • North South line – Somerset or Orchard station

 

By Bus:

  • Opp Mandarin Orchard along Orchard Road   36, 77, 124, 128, 143, 162, 162M, 167, 171, 174, 174e, 190, 518, 700, 700A
  • At National Youth Council along Grange Road   7, 14, 16, 36, 65, 77, 106, 111, 123, 174, 174e, 175, 971E
  • Opp Ngee Ann City along Orchard Turn   14e, 124, 128, 143, 162, 162M, 167, 171, 190, 700, 700A
  • At Midpoint Orchard along Orchard Road   7, 14, 14e, 16, 65, 106, 111, 123, 175, 502

 

Rating: 7/10