This is my first visit to Crystal Jade.
Okay please stop staring at me as though I’m a weirdo. When I mentioned on twitter that I have not been to Crystal Jade before, everyone gave me the ‘what-is-wrong-with-you’ reply.
I can understand the reactions, since there are so many different Crystal Jade restaurants in Singapore. From the fine dining Crystal Jade Palace restaurant, to the family-oriented Crystal Jade restaurant, Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng Chicken & BBQ or the causal dining options like Crystal Jade Kitchen and Crystal Jade La Mien Xiao Long Bao – there are options for everyone.
So when I finally stepped into Crystal Jade La Mien Xiao Long Bao at Ngee Ann City, there was a slight tingling sensation in my stomach. ‘Hello Crystal Jade, I’m finally here!’
There were so many items to choose from the Crystal Jade’s menu, and it took us a while before we decided on the Xiaolongbao, Zha Jiang Mian, and the famous Fried rice.
I have heard a lot about Crystal Jade’s Steamed Soupy Pork Dumpling ($5 for a basket of five). Apparently you can have unlimited servings of xiaolongbao if you go for the Crystal Jade Steamboat Buffet at Holland Village. But no thank you, I really don’t fancy having twenty baskets of xiaolongbao at one go.
We shared the five dumplings between the two of us, and they were gone in an instant. I was greedy and impatient, so I dipped it with the light soy sauce and ginger and placed the whole dumpling into my mouth — that was a huge mistake. The stock gushed through and burnt my tongue when I took a bite, but it felt so good.
We were stunned by the portion of the Noodle with Minced Meat & Mushroom in spicy sauce ($7.50) when it arrived on the table. I liked how the spicy-sweet sauce entangled itself with the la mien.
I’m not sure if my memory is playing a trick on me, but I actually prefer Din Tai Fung’s fried rice. While the portion of Crystal Jade’s Fried rice with prawn, chicken & ham in Shanghai style ($10.80) was impressive, it lacked a certain wok-hei flavor. In short, not the best fried rice that I had before.
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It’s actually not difficult to understand why Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao is doing well. The food is decent, and they are reasonably priced. It is probably around $10-ish per head to have a proper dinner here. You know what? I’m going to try out the Crystal Jade Palace restaurant for dim sum next.
Which Crystal Jade restaurants have you been to, and between Imperial Treasure or Crystal Jade, which one do you prefer?
Restaurant Review
Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
391 Orchard Road #04-27
Ngee Ann City Singapore
Tel: +65 6238 1661
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You’re kidding! You haven’t been to Crystal Jade before????
*pauses for dramatic effect*
Heh heh. Just teasing ya. We all have our first times. I guess this means you are not a Crystal Jade virgin anymore… But they still have so many other concept restaurants for you to try. I kinda like their Crystal Jade Kitchen, though I agree with you on DTF’s fried rice having more gentle wok hei.
I’m one of those who loves to pay $10 for her congee at Crystal Jade. It’s something to do with the blended (? extremely mushy) congee where no rice grain is still perceptible. Yummy.
you should try their braised beef la mian dry version next time! love their xiao long bao.
Their chicken soup is not too bad too.
i love crystal jade’s red bean souffle! it’s been a while since i had it but if my memory serves me right, it’s delicious
also, not sure if this is the appropriate place for suggestions but could i recommend that you try out fromage (in cityvibe)? it seems to have quite an interesting concept – lotsa variations of cheese!
i prefer imperial treasure @ marina sq
their ??? is yummy while i find CJ’s abit try and not so fragant la.
]
this is a very simple dish and they cant even get it ‘properly done’
[my point of view la
love their xiao long bao too but DTF is still my no. 1
The XO Fried Rice is better.
hey there, have you tried imperial treasure’s liushabao? the branch at great world city has some awesome dimsum! i definitely prefer imperial treasure to crystal jade anyday.
great blog, btw! i’m a fan.
There’s this restaurant at ion called Paradise Dynasty, it’s at the top floor. They have flavoured xiao long baos! Like ginseng xlb, foie gras xlb and black truffle xlb etc, total of 7 flavours excluding the normal one. It’s quite nice you should go try it!
Dim sum i love to eat, it look so yummy
I personally prefer Din Tai Feng’s xiao long bao.
Crystal Jade Palace has nice and fresh dishes.
Paradise at Ion has nice dim sum.
I also personally prefers Din Tai Feng’s fried rice. And, you may like to try out Tampines One’s Imperial Treasure for Dim Sum till 5pm (convenivent timing dun have to crowd with ppl at lunch hours but i went on a weekend). It was good and cost around $80-$90+ for 4pax eating more than 30 items..there was more that we din try so good variety..
Such a delayed response cos i found your blog while searching for holland v restaurants. And am a fan already. Please feast more and share! Cheerios!