First dibs: China’s no.1 Zhejiang restaurant makes SG debut with 2-day-only 34% opening discount

Known as China’s no.1 Zhejiang cuisine chain with over 500 outlets under its belt, the famed LONGJING has finally landed on our sunny shores. Situated in Suntec City, the brand’s very 1st Singaporean outpost swung open its doors on 27 Aug — and consider this your official sign to treat yourself to a feast there.

Hailing from Hangzhou, LONGJING seeks to capture the elegance of the province’s West Lake in both its menu and ambience.

To say I was awestruck would be a sore understatement. Elegantly furnished with flora, glowing lanterns, hand-painted murals and traditional Chinese decor, the warmly lit restaurant felt straight out of a film scene — as though I was wading into the misty pathways of West Lake, no plane ticket required.

A first in Singapore, LONGJING’s menu casts a spotlight on the refined flavours of Zhejiang cuisine. You’ll find here a plethora of dishes that do exactly that, only elevated by inventive twists said to be tailor-made for the Singaporean palate. The restaurant also ropes in Chef Yu Bin — a Hangzhou-born talent with decades of culinary chops — who brings an extra touch of authenticity to the table.

And head over heels I fell for the fare.

My favourite dish of the day was, without a doubt, their best-selling signature: Vermicelli Wrapped Shrimps (S$18.80). Served tableside on a sizzling hotplate, the prawns get a theatrical drizzle of sauce before they’re left to cook for 5 minutes. The result? Springy vermicelli strands laced with garlicky umami and prawns that are soft yet toothsome. A complete stunner!

Another signature you simply can’t leave without trying is the Longjing Roast Chicken (S$23.80). This beauty arrives in a barrel-like vessel with longjing tea leaves tucked in a compartment below. I was thoroughly impressed by the meat, which carried a delicate tea aroma that balanced its savoury richness with a floral lift — encased in a thin layer of crisp, brown skin.

Pao fan on steroids? That’s LONGJING’s Rice in Shrimp Soup (S$12.80) for you. The prawn broth was velvety, sweet-savoury and almost-obscenely deep in flavour, making for one of the best pao fans I’ve ever had. Every grain of rice soaks up that umami goodness, though you’ll want to dig in fast lest the broth disappears before you get to savour it.

You’ll understand from first bite why the Minced Pork Pancake (S$18.80) is parked under the menu’s Star Kitchen section. This showstopper features a slab of pork belly wrapped in crackly beancurd skin, tucked into a soft crepe with crunchy cucumber slivers and a lip-smacking sauce. Crisp, chewy, juicy and fresh, its textural contrast is to die for.

If you love kou rou fan, the Dongpo Pork (S$16.80) is a non-negotiable. 4 hefty cubes of pork belly rest on a bed of rice, each one a glossy mix of lean and fatty layers. Its fatty parts melt into an unctuous creaminess and the braise is sweet-savoury, pairing well with the rice. That said, it does get jelak after a while, so I’d recommend sharing this.

Now, the Fish Slices in Potherb Mustard & Sour Soup (S$22.80) isn’t a Zhejiang speciality — but how could I do without trying one of my favourite Chinese dishes of all time? This suan cai yu stars a soup that’s tangy, acidic and deeply comforting, brimming with fish slices so silky they practically slide down your throat. For the ultimate cosy combo, pair it with a bowl of Rice (S$1.50).

A garden on a plate, the Crispy Roast Duck with Green Scallion (S$22.80) sees a generous portion of glistening duck pieces encircled by a bed of scallions and a hae bee-esque mix. While the duck was a little too bony for maximum shiok-ness, the meat was tender and not the least bit gamey. And pro tip: don’t skip the scallion mix — it really does tie everything together.

And finally, we have the Ice Cream Leifeng Pagoda (S$4.80). A dessert that doubles as a showpiece, this milky-smooth pudding is shaped into Hangzhou’s Leifeng Pagoda, complete with intricate columns, rooftops and windows. Gorgeous and creamy, this is one supermodel of a sweet treat.

To top it all off, LONGJING is rolling out exclusive opening discounts you won’t want to miss:

• 30 Aug to 1 Sep: 34% OFF storewide
• 2 Sep to 4 Sep: 14% OFF storewide

Plus many more surprises you’ll only find out once you’re there.

With food this good, I don’t really need to twist your arm. So go on, treat yourself to a Hangzhou-style feast soon — who knows, you might just catch me there too.

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