When asked about must-try dishes in Singapore, what would you think of? Some of the most common answers would likely include Chilli Crab, Laksa and Kaya Toast.
Local restaurant chain Paradise Group has unveiled a special array of dishes in commemoration of Singapore’s 58th National Day.
In celebration of Singapore’s rich gourmet culture, chefs from nine different brands have come up with reimagined versions of their signature specialties with a twist, which can be enjoyed till 31 August at participating restaurants.
Paradise Group National Day Menu: Trying out The Wide Range Of Options From Appetisers To Desserts
We had the opportunity to try out some of the National Day special dishes, and here is what we thought of them:
Crispy Dough Fritter Stuffed with Seafood Paste tossed with Salted Egg Yolk from Seafood Paradise
The first item we had was the Crispy Dough Fritter Stuffed with Seafood Paste tossed with Salted Egg Yolk from Seafood Paradise.
Contrary to its long and complicated title, it is a simple bite sized dish that had the right balance of salted egg yolk and seafood flavour.
Bound to appeal to children and adults, we felt that it is perfect as a sharing dish as the fritters had a very rich flavour and one was enough to keep us satisfied.
Singapore Style Rojak with Crisp-fried Chicken from Paradise Classic
Next up was the Singapore Style Rojak with Crisp-fried Chicken from Paradise Classic. A delightful classic with a twist, this rojak is a toss-up of crispy baked dough fritter – more commonly known as *you tiao*, mango, turnip, cucumber and fried boneless chicken thighs in rich sticky rojak sauce.
The fried chicken and you tiao looks rather similar in nature, so it is easy to mix them up. Aside from their looks, they are fried to a beautiful golden-brown ratio, providing a crunchy texture whilst having a sweet and savoury flavour to it.
Pan-fried Singapore Chilli Crab Bun From Paradise Dynasty
From Paradise Dynasty, we had the Pan-fried Singapore Chilli Crab Bun. The bun has a crispy and golden crust at the bottom, and provides an interesting contrast in texture with a fluffy and soft interior.
Upon splitting the bun, the rich chilli crab sauce and meat oozed out. The warm fillings with sweet and spicy notes make this dish a comforting yet safe option for those looking for something not too heaty.
Braised Pork Rib with Singapore Tiger Beer From Paradise Dynasty
Also another dish from Paradise Dynasty, we have the Braised Pork Rib with Singapore Tiger Beer. With a similar taste and look to Coca-Cola ribs, the loin ribs are marinated with Tiger Beer as well as other secret ingredients.
It is steamed to cook the meat to tender-perfection, before being deep fried then stir-fried with a sauce made of Tiger Beer and Tomato Sauce.
While the meat was definitely tender and fell right off the bone, it left more to be desired as the taste of beer was indistinguishable after a bite. Overall it had a nice sweet and savoury taste which makes it a rather enjoyable dish as well.
Stir-fried Big Prawn Hokkien Mee with Prawn Broth from Paradise Classic
After rounding off the side dishes, we were served the Stir-fried Big Prawn Hokkien Mee with Prawn Broth from Paradise Classic. Made with the restaurant’s signature prawn broth added with yellow noodles and white bee hoon, the dish comes complete with 2 big juicy prawns. This dish was a particular winner for us, as the broth was not too overpowering, and had a good mix of sweet and savoury flavours.
Steamed Kampong Chicken in Canton Style with H.K. Egg Noodle in Laksa Broth from Canton Paradise
The next main dish was the Steamed Kampong Chicken in Canton Style with H.K. Egg Noodle in Laksa Broth from Canton Paradise. This was a rather interesting take on chicken laksa, as it uses the famous hong kong egg noodles instead of the usual thick bee hoon.
The steamed chicken is tender, and the noodles are cooked al dente, giving it a chewy bite.
Although the laksa broth has plenty of aromatic ingredients in the mix, it is slightly dampened in taste by the unique flavour of the egg noodles which may not be a favourite with picky eaters.
Stewed Assorted Seafood in Singapore Laksa Broth from Seafood Paradise
Finishing up the mains, we were served the Stewed Assorted Seafood in Singapore Laksa Broth from Seafood Paradise.
We were served up a claypot filled to the brim with various seafood such as prawns, scallop, mussels and a moderately sized mud crab. The seafood tasted juicy and the flesh was firm.
Not to mention, it soaked up the delicious laksa broth, enhancing its flavour. Do not miss out on the broth, as the house-made laksa broth is both tangy, spicy and creamy, which can be enjoyed with bean curd puffs.
Crispy Kaya Bun from Canton Paradise
For desserts, we were served with the Crispy Kaya Bun from Canton Paradise. It is a bright green dish that certainly stands out from all the predominantly red dishes that we had thus far.
With a crispy crust filled with gooey traditional kaya paste, it is a warm and comforting dessert that is sweet and fragrant. A note of caution, it is on a slightly sweeter end, making it perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
Other National Day themed dishes are available at participating Paradise Group brands such as Taste Paradise, Paradise Teochew, LeNu, Le Shrimp and Beauty in The Pot.
The National Day menus will be available daily until 31st August for dine-in and takeaway while stocks last.
Promotions are available for Citi Credit and Debit Cardmembers and Paradise Group Rewards Members.
Celebrate National Day And Enjoy Fun Moments And Good Food At Paradise Group Outlets
Each dish certainly had rich and intricate flavours which truly reflect the nature of Singapore’s melting pot of cultures. We would definitely recommend ordering a few staples or complementing dishes from the restaurant to balance out the flavours of the meal.
As it can only be enjoyed for a limited period, do head on down to an outlet with your fellow foodies, loved ones and friends to try them out!
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