Dancing Fish
진실은: 남편과 미용실 약속에 동행했기 때문에 (그는 바디 왁싱를 받고 있었어요😜) 이 인도네시아 레스토랑을 발견했어요 (남편은 한국 남자의 모든 스테레오🙊: 남편이 나보다 준비하는데 시간이 더 걸리고 거울 앞에서 더 많은 시간을 있어😂).
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I would never have discovered Dancing Fish if I hadn't fortuitously been on the top floor of Tangs Plaza. Tucked away in a hidden corner of the cavernous department store, Dancing Fish occupies the space previously tenanted by Island Cafe. The inconvenient locale was probably well and good for the latter, (i believe) because of its affiliation to the heritage department store, but Dancing Fish is unaffiliated to Tangs, so I can only hope their rent reflects how little foot traffic they likely attract. I mean, it's such an obscure cranny of Tangs, I'd never have known it was there if I hadn't been standing right in front of its indistinct entrance.
It's a shame really, as the lack of foot traffic can't possibly divine longevity in the current recession, because the food is absolutely fantastic!! An offshoot of a purportedly popular KL brand, I'd venture a guess as to the cause of Dancing Fish never really taking off in sunny lil' Singapore: its poor locale.
If memory serves, Dancing Fish made a modest splash when it first opened about a couple years ago. Clearly, whatever glowing coverage, pursuant to complimentary tastings, generated by food bloggers and influencers galore, did not eventuate to a roaring business. The restaurant was virtually a ghost town when we sat down to a humpday dinner.
It's just as well that the service was kept lean. There was just a duo of the chirpiest, most earnest wait staff bussing the entire shift. The quiet shift may be the reason they took the time to explain the various rempahs, and proffer their personal preferences for each dish.
The eponymous signature Dancing Fish ($37) is a must-try. A dramatically butterflied fish, is best paired with Manado salsa Dabu-Dabu of kecap manis base laden with minced shallots, chillis, and tomatoes.
I'd been craving barbecued sotong, and the Cumi Cumi Bakar ($15) of charcoal grilled squid basted with cumi bakar caramel, hit all the right notes with its aromatic smoky accents. We've picked up takeout from Dancing Fish a few times now, and this dish remains a permanent fixture in our orders.
The heady sticky sweetness of the Ayam Panggang ($13 for 1/4) was set off against the brightness of the lemongrass and keffir lime shreds in the percik coconut sauce.
The wok-tossed Dendeng Belado ($23), with Australian tenderloin, was rousing and potent with the heat of chillis and blended tomatoes. A lime wedge lent an extra shot of piquancy and cut through the heft of the beef.
The Kailan Sambal Belachan with Prawns ($13) was the only weak dish: I wasn't keen on the alkali-treated almost-flavourless prawns. That said, the kailan was delightfully crunchy and the belachan wonderfully shrimpy.
Why have plain white rice when you can have flavoured ones, and the Nasi Berempah Kuning ($3.50) seasoned with tumeric and coconut milk, was a lovely fragrant counter to the potent spice of the mains.
Dancing Fish
310 Orchard Road
Tangs @ Tangs Plaza Level 4
Tel: 6339 1048
Open Mondays to Thursdays from 11.30am - 2.30pm for lunch; 5.30pm - 9pm for dinner;
Fridays and weekends from 11.30am - 3pm for lunch; 5.30pm - 9pm for dinner
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