Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng Chicken & BBQ (Ngee Ann City)

I have walked pass this restaurant several times, but often rather settle for the Crystal Jade Palace Restaurant as I never really thought my taste buds catered to the Korean flavour.

This time round, upon looking at the menu, I thought perhaps there could be something that suits my taste. No harm trying a new place, so my dinner partner and I left our names down for 2 at this restaurant.

There wasn’t really a queue at about 6.20pm and we were told that we had to wait 15 – 20 min for a table. I was rather surprised as it was still early and there was only one couple before me. Nonetheless, we waited.

20 min later, we were told the same thing again. Being a hungry customer who has been told to wait 20 min earlier on, this irritated me. Later, I realized that the wait was due to the fact that majority of the tables were “reserved” for groups who were coming in at 6.45pm or 7pm.

Another thing I noticed was a display at the “rostrum” at the entrance informing diners that members will be seated before non-members. While I understand the idea of giving priority and privileges to members of the restaurant, when I saw the queue and compared it to the number of seats available in the restaurant, I thought it was the most ridiculous thing to do.

Finally, we got a table, only because someone who reserved it didn’t turn up. The table was aligned for company of 8 in a room that, if necessary, could be partitioned for a private function. It was extremely weird because we had another couple join us not long later, and it felt like any privacy or peace was invaded by them due to the close proximity of our tables. The whole restaurant wasn’t very spacious either, only enough space for a single line of people to walk.

Waiting time and space aside, the food and service was not too bad. We ordered a plate of BBQ beef (choice of barbequing it yourself or get the kitchen to do it), spicy seafood noodles, seafood pancake and the Korean mixed rice (I think it’s called Bibimbap). Apart from the food we ordered, there are also small plates of complimentary appetizers such as Kimchi, egg, bean sprout and some others which I couldn’t really identify. Though not a Korean food fan, I thought the Kimchi was not too bad in that it didn’t taste sour or like it had gone bad.

We chose to barbeque the beef ourselves. The restaurant serves a rather generous portion of very tasty and evenly-marinated beef. The beef is cut into thin slices and cooks relatively fast thus allowing us to cook as and when we please, and eat it while it’s hot. The beef is also very tender. It was absolutely delicious!

I thought the seafood pancake was quite good too. It looks like omelette with squid and spring onions but I doubt it’s egg. It comes with a sauce that looks like soya sauce and enhances the flavour of the pancake.

The seafood noodles was not as spicy as I hoped for it to be. It looked like tomyum soup but not as tasty. I was told it tasted like the usual Korean instant noodles.

All in all, we spent almost $90 for 2 pax. We ordered too much and didn’t finish the rice and noodles. I would like ordering 1 bowl of noodle or rice/ 2 bowls of plain rice instead would have been more than sufficient. That would have lowered our cost by about $18.

On the whole, quite a positive experience. I left thinking Korean food could be quite good after all. Will definitely go back there to try the soup and have more BBQ meat!

The founders of One Rochester started this One TwentySix... and you bet they can never go wrong with their concept.

Set along the East Coast beach located at the old Big Splash (after the revamp), it lies at one corner, isolated from the rest of the restaurants.. There are 2 choices of seats, brightly lit indoors with see through glass walls or outdoors crouch with live band and outdoor bar (yet to open, official opening on 20 feb)..

It was V-day and they provided set dinners, it was a 8 course dinner that includes...

Bread and butter Fresh Oysters (it was very bad) Scallop with egg and truffle oil (must try) Maguro Pasta (unique) Soursop Sorbet Tenderloin Beef (side dishes are special) Dessert (interesting) Coffee or Tea

and it costs only $120 per pax with a bottle or red or white wine!

Yah, it may sound quite expensive but the food was extremely good, every dish was unique and special.. and we went back quite full after the food!

The service was ok, it wasn’t bad neither it was extremely good but that place is a definite must-try for couples to go there and enjoy the ambience and to stroll along the beach after a hefty dinner. It’s also great for chill-out with a large group of friends.... if you guys have run out of ideas where to bring your partners, this would be the place!