Paradise Teochew Restaurant, Scotts Square

I'm always on the lookout for good Teochew restaurants. Of course, nothing can beat my gran's Teochew food, but since she's no longer around, I'll just have to settle for whichever restaurant serves the best Teochew cuisine. We rotate between two favourites, Chui Huay Lim for when we're feeling a little fancier, and Swa Garden for when we're unwashed and shabby. But since the latter closed down, we've only had the former to satisfy any Teochew food cravings.

So then a foodie friend says nice things about the Paradise Group's Teochew restaurant concept, and even though I'm not a fan of any of Paradise's restaurants, I thought I'd give its Scotts Square branch a shot.

As expected, Paradise Teochew Restaurant wasn't great. To be fair, they had decent renderings, and the dishes weren't altogether horrid. It's just somewhat unimpressive, and in every aspect, Chui Hui Lim just fared better. Except for the service. Like Chui Huay Lim and any of the Imperial Treasure or Crystal Jade outlets, service at Paradise Teochew Restaurant was Speedy Gonzales-fast, efficient, and gracious.

The saving grace of the Braised Sliced Irish Fat Duck ($20) was the fat-lined skin. Incredibly sinful but oh.so.good. And the chilli; its bright piquancy neutralised the slight gaminess of the duck.

The pan-fried Teochew-Style Oyster Omelette ($18) was wonderfully crisp, but the bottom layer was drenched in oil. The oysters, while small and not as sparkling fresh as I'd like, were plentiful.

What the Sauteed French Beans ($16) lacked in a smoky aroma, it made up for with oodles of flavourful minced pork laced with preserved olive vegetables.

The Teochew-Style Stir-Fried Seafood Mee Sua ($18) specked with beansprouts, scrambled eggs, shrimp, cabbage, julienned carrots, and pork belly, was commendable, but unmemorable.


Paradise Teochew Restaurant
6 Scotts Road
#03-05 Scotts Square
Tel: 6538 0644
Open weekdays from 11.30am to 3pm for lunch; 6pm to 10.30pm for dinner;
weekends from 10.30am to 3.30pm for lunch; 6pm to 10.30pm for dinner
Website

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