Paradise Dynasty, ION Orchard

We've always seen long queues for lunch and dinner outside Paradise Dynasty and wondered what the fuss was with their signature multi-coloured "xiao long bao" dumplings. Granted, it's kitschy and a novelty alright, but having recently tried it, I really didn't think the dumplings were worth that long a queue.

We were in the area and stopped by for a light tea break, seeing as the restaurant was emptying out after the lunch peak hour. While the restaurant boasts a panoramic view of the Orchard cityscape and a sexy contemporary vibe with its deep reds and black hues, I wasn't particularly impressed with the food. It could be that it's totally overhyped. Its direct contemporaries, the Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao chain and the Imperial Treasure La Mian Xiao Long Bao chain, have a refinement and authenticity that the Paradise group of restaurants lack. It doesn't help that Paradise Dynasty is staffed by a significant number of mainland Chinese nationals, whose service lack the efficiency, flexibility, experience and warmth of the older aunties staffed by the Crystal Jade and Imperial Treasure restaurants. 

We each got the Signature Dynasty Dumplings ($13.80 for 8 pcs) clockwise from top, orange for crab roe, yellow for cheese, white for classic, lilac for garlic, pink for szechuan, peach for foie gras, green for ginseng, middle black for black truffle. They were pretty alright, with thin but hardy skin, with a little chewiness in the texture, and piping hot clear broth. Only 2 stood out, the pink szechuan flavour coz it was tongue-numbingly spicy, and the black truffle one for its aromatic tones. The rest didn't quite stand out because the "extra special additions" were very understated. Overall a novelty item but not something I'd end up craving for.


We also had a Double-Boiled Chicken Soup ($8.80), with was delicate but had depth of flavour, but unfortunately with MSG overtones. That said, the chicken was fork-tender was substantial.



Paradise Dynasty
2 Orchard Turn
#04-12A ION Orchard
Tel: 6509 9118
Open weekdays from 11am to 10pm; weekends from 10.30am to 10pm
Website: www.paradisegroup.com.sg

Comments

FoodieFC said…
agree with you, its the novelty only. the XLB not nice de
21.4.12
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ABC Brickworks Food Centre

Image
싱가포르에 호커 센터 중에서 에이비씨 브릭워케 호커 센터를 우리가 제일 좋아해요. 실제로 싱가포르에서 가장 크고 유명한 호커 센터 중 하나예요. 가끔 외국인 여행자들이 이 호커 센터에서 식사하고 관광도 해요.  호커 음식은 내가 우리 나라 싱가포르에서 제일 사랑하는 것이에요. 호커 푸드는 내 컴포트 푸드여서 내 마음에 들어와요. 음식도 싸고 맛있고 종류도 많아요. 해외여행 가면 그리운 음식이 호커푸드인데 싱가포르에 돌아와서 가장 먼저 먹는 음식이 박초미예요.  박초미은 아마도 내가 제일 좋아하는 호커푸드예요. 나는 식초맛을 좋아하고 버섯볶음이 제일 맛있고 용기가 제일 맛있어요.   =========================   ABC Brickworks is one of the more well-known, and beloved, hawker centres in SG. The fact that tourists can sometimes be seen traipsing down the rows of neon-lit stalls is testament to its fame.  We hit up ABC a couple times a month, at least; the hawker centre is central enough that satisfying a local food craving here doesn't require an hour+-long round trip (unlike with Fengshan Bedok); there's ample enough lots that parking doesn't require the patience of a saint (unlike with Serangoon Gardens); seats are plentiful enough that large groups are able to find a table fairly easily, and ...
Read more

The People vs Cheapo Food Bloggers and Bad English

This is a mini rant. Friends know that my one guilty indulgence is reading food blogs ("flogs"). ("guilty" because I read them at work...yes, my boss reads this flog too) And Singapore, despite its little size, has a very developed food blogging scene. A quick surf on the internet will prove that there is an inordinate number of flogs for a country as tiny as ours. I suppose it's really due to the connectivity of our island, its technologically savvy netizens and their insatiable appetite and love for food. But lately, I've noticed a worrying trend. There is a growing number of flogs that I've stopped reading entirely, simply because almost 90% of their posts are all based on invited tastings. Don't these cheapos ever pay for their meals anymore?!? I've always thought that the ( one of the primary ) purpose( s ) of writing a flog is to introduce to the good people of Singapore the various culinary treasures on our little island. An invited ...
Read more

Janggut Laksa vs 328 Katong Laksa, Queensway Shopping Centre

Image
Queensway Shopping Centre , where locals flock to for all things sports and optical-related, is also known for good laksa. There are 2 laksa stalls, within a stone's throw of each other, both claiming to serve up the best. Both tout to be affiliates of world-famous Katong ones, and the accolades, writeups and publicity plastered all the utilitarian facades will attest to the fierce competition. Seating at both eateries is cramped and constrained, so dining is really a touch-and-go affair. Both are manned by efficient, if a little curt, bevy of staff, and so turnover is high. Good news for the 5-minute-on-average long line of diners waiting their turn. The menu is similarly limited, with laksa being the primary dish of choice, and its fixins' like otah and lime juice as regular side orders. Curry chicken, Chinese-style, is also a popular option. Janggut Laksa  The Laksa ($3.50 for small) here was disappointingly lackluster. It was insipid, and the milk had obviously cur...
Read more