From The Straits Times    |

Char siew fans who have become accustomed to the caramelised barbecued pork served at the now-defunct Oversea Restaurant at Shaw Leisure Gallery over the last two years need not fret – there are still plenty of other good options here.

The Chinese restaurant from Malaysia, famed for its pork belly char siew that was arguably one of the best in town, closed in late February after Chinese New Year. Its parent company Oversea Enterprise found that it was “not commercially feasible” to continue its investment here.

So, in a bid to hunt down good char siew, SundayLife! found six Chinese restaurants with char siew worth trying.

Where to go for tasty char siew in Singapore Where to go for tasty char siew in Singapore Where to go for tasty char siew in Singapore
Char siew at Canton Paradise (L-R): BBQ Pork with honey sauce ($10.80), BBQ Pork Belly with honey sauce ($15.80) and Crispy BBQ Pork ($15.80)

1. CANTON PARADISE
What: The restaurant chain, which has four outlets islandwide, offers three types of char siew: BBQ Pork Belly with honey sauce ($15.80), BBQ Pork with honey sauce ($10.80) and Canton Crispy BBQ Pork ($15.80). The pork belly char siew is soft and divine, and the gelatinous layers of fat further delight the palate. The sauce here is a tad more savoury than other sauces and its darker hue is due to the addition of dark soya sauce in the marinade.

The normal char siew or BBQ pork is made with pork shoulder. The meat is tender and the flavour is more traditional and sweeter than the pork belly version. The Canton Crispy BBQ Pork is essentially pork fat with a thin, almost non-existent layer of meat. The outer layer of the fat has been roasted to a crisp. In the mouth, the square chunk of fat releases bursts of flavour with every bite. The richness of this indulgence may become cloying after a few pieces.

Where: Four outlets – I12 Katong, 112 East Coast Road, B1-15, tel: 6344-8201; JCube, 2 Jurong East Central 1, 02-09, tel: 6684-5080; Compass Point, 1 Sengkang Square, 03-19/20, tel: 6384-3797; and The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green, B1-45/46, tel: 6694-2915

Open: 11am to 10pm (weekdays), 10.30am to 10pm (weekends and public holidays)

Info: Go to www.paradisegroup.com.sg. Reservations can be made only at I12 Katong. The other outlets accept walk-ins only

 

2. JIANG-NAN CHUN
What: The Cantonese restaurant’s traditional charcoal-roasted, honey-glazed pork char siew ($20 for a small portion that serves two) is the most flavoursome of all six char siew tasted last week.

Where to go for tasty char siew in SingaporeIt has been a signature on the menu for the last 18 years. Made with pork belly, the succulent meat has good texture and a springy bite, with just the right amount of fat to keep the char siew moist. The caramelised meat is slightly charred around the edges and the sweet-savoury sauce it is drizzled with is thicker than in most other restaurants.

Where: Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, 190 Orchard Boulevard, Level 2, tel: 6831-7220

Open: 11.30am to 2pm and 6 to 10.30pm daily. On Sundays, there are two seatings for lunch – 11am to 1pm and 1.30 to 3pm

Info: www.fourseasons.com/singapore/dining/restaurants/jiang_nan_chun or e-mail jnc.sin@fourseasons.com

 

3. HUA TING RESTAURANT
What: Hua Ting might be well-known for its roast duck and roast pork, but its char siew ($20) is just as good.

Where to go for tasty char siew in SingaporeIts chef uses pork neck to make char siew. Although the meat is lean without distinct layers of fat, it is deliciously tender and juicy, with a bouncy texture. The subtly sweet flavour of the meat is also much more pronounced in this cut.

Where: Orchard Hotel Singapore, 442 Orchard Road, Level 2, tel: 6739-6666

Open: 11am to 2.30pm and 6.30 to 10.30pm daily

Info: http://www.millenniumhotels.com.sg/orchardhotelsingapore/dining/restaurants/hua-ting-restaurant.html

 

 

4. CHERRY GARDEN
Where to go for tasty char siew in SingaporeWhat: Cherry Garden’s honey-glazed Kurobuta pork shoulder char siew ($16) is served in appetising strips of about 7cm long.

The meat is springy and the sauce is a good balance of sweet and salty.

Where: Mandarin Oriental Singapore, 5 Raffles Boulevard, Level 5, tel: 6885-3500

Open: Noon to 2.30pm and 6.30 to 10.30pm daily. There are two seatings for brunch on weekends – 11am to 1pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm

Info: Go to www.mandarinoriental.com/singapore/fine-dining/cherry-garden or e-mail mosin-dining@mohg.com

 

Where to go for tasty char siew in Singapore5. JADE PALACE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
What: The BBQ Kurobuta Pork Belly ($12) is a must-have. It is extremely well-charred and the blackened crispy bits pork provide an added smokey flavour to the meat.

The honeyed char siew here is on the fattier side but it is worth the calories.

Where: Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road, B1-13, tel: 6732-6628

Open: 11am to 3pm and 6 to 11pm, daily

Info: www.jadepalace.com.sg

 

 

Where to go for tasty char siew in Singapore6. LI BAI CANTONESE RESTAURANT
What: Most regulars at Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant head to the eatery for its roast duck and soya sauce chicken.

However, the char siew here, which is also made in-house, is also worth a try, especially if you prefer leaner, Cantonese-style char siew ($20). The pork shoulder char siew is toothsome and hearty.

Where: Sheraton Towers Singapore, 39 Scotts Road, lower lobby level, tel: 6839-5623

Open: 11.30am to 2.30pm and 6.30 to 10.30pm daily. On Sundays, it serves dim sum from 10.30am to 2.30pm

Info: www.sheratonsingapore.com/li-bai

 

This article was originally published on April 14, 2013. Read the full story on StraitsTimes.com.

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