Here is an update on the offerings at Min Jiang at One-North. In line with the Sichuan and Cantonese restaurant's third anniversary, the team has put out three celebratory set menus that pair gourmet teas, or wine and champagne with ingredients that feature abalone, foie gras and Kurobuta pork.
Yes, we know it's the recession. But this is all the more reason to reward yourself for weathering the economic storm so far and chase the money blues away.
And for those in the know about Min Jiang's Beijing Duck, you'll be happy to know that there is a 20% discount on every order of this specialty, which is applicable for the full and half during lunch and dinner. (Usual prices are $80++ for a whole duck and $40++ for a half duck).
Cuisine
Chinese cuisine, with a focus on Sichuan and Cantonese dishes.
Portions
The set menus are available for a minimum of two persons.
Setting
Elegant and classic. The restaurant itself is located in a heritage bungalow, and the chinoserie style room dividers within the restaurant create cosy niches for diners.
Must-tries • Min Jiang Trio Platter: You'll get a good sampling of the restaurant's best and most innovative. The chilled abalone seasoned with soy-white truffle oil sauce gives off a good whiff of truffle oil, the prawn coated with crispy cereal has a lovely crunch, and you will also get a taste of the signature traditional Beijing Duck in two wraps.
• Pan-fried Kurobuta pork chop with melted goose liver and eggplant: a sizeable portion of quality pork that is well-paired with savoury goose liver.
• Pan-fried superior shark's fin and shark's fin melon with egg white in supreme broth: It's the first time I've had shark's fin melon, and it had a texture similar to the real McCoy. Both ingredients blended well in the broth and made for an excellent soup dish.
Price factor
The three set menus come at $58++, $78++ and $105++ per person. The most expensive menu offers a pairing of dishes with wine and champagne such as Cuvee Brut, Chardonnay and Senailhac. But if you are a tea drinker, you'll be happy for the range of gourmet teas (from white tea, yellow treasure tea to aged pu-er) that is served with the other two menus.
Things you didn't know
• Shark's fin melon is a vegetable, with a nutritional value that is superior to actual shark's fin. When cooked, the strands of the melon separate to resemble the fibres in shark's fin.
Verdict Good Chinese food far from the madding crowd. We think this is best suited for small groups of four to eight people.
