Check out these Chinese restaurants in Singapore serving up creations with flair and finesse.
Text by: Eris Choo
Jin Ting Wan
Perched 55 storeys above the city, Jin Ting Wan, a new addition to Marina Bay Sands, promises an elegant dining experience with gorgeous views of the skyline. Executive Chef Albert Li, who has led Michelin-starred kitchens such as Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine in Shanghai, has curated an authentic menu of fresh seasonal ingredients prepared using classical techniques like slow-cooking and double-boiling. Highlights include dishes like roasted duck with black pepper, where the bird is flattened to resemble a pipa (traditional string instrument) so that it cooks quicker and more evenly. The meat is then slowly roasted over fragrant lychee wood for a crisp-skinned texture.
Aside from traditional Cantonese dishes, Chef Li also draws inspiration from other variations of Guangdong cuisine, so don’t be surprised to find Teochew, Hakka, and Shun De styles here, like with the drunken Mantis shrimp with Chinese celtuce, which takes after Teochew-style marinated cold dishes and is cured in a marinade of aged huadiao wine, rock sugar, preserved plum, and citrus peel. There’s also a unique dish of succulent Angus short ribs with preserved vegetable, meticulously wrapped in straw leaves before braising. Of course, no Cantonese menu is complete without dimsum, which can be paired with over 80 varietals of premium Chinese tea.
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Cherry Garden by Chef Fei
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore’s Cantonese restaurant has entered a new chapter with a thoughtful refresh and a new name: Cherry Garden by Chef Fei. The restaurant is now led by Michelin-starred Chinese chef Huang Jinghui, better known as Chef Fei, whose roots in Chaoshan inform a menu that balances classic Cantonese technique with Teochew influences.
Among the highlights is his signature lobster dish, accented with basil and pickled mustard greens, a combination that draws out the crustacean’s natural sweetness. The Boneless Crucian Carp has each fine bone carefully removed to allow the delicate flavour of the fish to take centre stage. There’s also a spicy sautéed diced Wagyu beef with Sichuan peppercorn and chilli, an aromatic, spicy interpretation of a familiar Western staple. Awash in natural light by day and illuminated by soft, ambient lighting by night, the restaurant space is as inviting as its menu, with classic Chinese architecture featuring wooden trellises and old-world stone walls that evoke the harmonious charm of traditional courtyard houses.
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Jiang-Nan Chun, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Celebrated Hong Kong chef Alan Chan recently returned to helm the Jiang-Nan Chun, Four Season Hotel’s award-winning Cantonese restaurant. The highly experienced chef has rolled out an exclusive Chef’s Tasting Menu featuring a curated collection of his signature dishes. Tuck into dishes such as succulent Australian lobster with braised silky smooth Inaniwa noodles served with a rich superior stock as well as nourishing double boiled soup chicken soup with fish maw, sea whelk, matsutake mushrooms and conpoy. For proteins, there’s the ultra tender wok-fried A5 wagyu beef enlivened with mushrooms and black pepper sauce, and served atop crisp rice cracker. Round off with a velvety chilled pistachio cream elevated with Imperial Bird’s Nest, and glutinous rice balls.
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Royal China, Raffles Sentosa Singapore
Tucked within the recently opened Raffles Sentosa Singapore, Royal China offers a sophisticated take on Cantonese cuisine. The kitchen leans into the fundamentals of Cantonese cooking, focusing on balance, flavour, and respect for ingredients. Kick off the meal with chilled fresh beancurd skin topped with ikura and dressed with a mala sauce, or delicate dimsum. Signature dishes include crisp Peking duck and nutritious double-boiled soups, made from locally and sustainably sourced produce wherever possible. These are complemented by a selection of premium wines and specialty teas which have been curated to pair with the food. Private dining rooms are also available for celebrations and entertaining.