CNY is a hectic period of customary banquets that can sometimes get a tad repetitive, but in the spirit of all things new this coming 2020, veer off the beaten path and journey like the new year’s zodiac animal, the quick-witted rat, and come out on top to a feast like no other at the Dragon Chamber.
Belly of the dragon
To find the Dragon Chamber, you’ll have to make your way through a beer fridge in a nondescript kopitiam – the eclectic speakeasy restaurant and bar takes its cue, with a contemporary twist, from 20th century Chinatown gambling dens and secret society stomping grounds.
This unique design interpretation of old-meets-new, is reflected in its various CNY set menus. The Dragon Slaw Lo Hei, Yu Sheng with lobster sashimi, highlights this best, and dramatically sets the tone for the evening as a decadent centrepiece.
Dine like a revered hero
Dining with a party of eight or 10? Choose between the ‘The Chamber Abbot’ (from $968++) and ‘The Dragon Lord’ (from $1,368++) set menus. While both nine-course sets contain key must-haves, such as the lobster yu sheng, roast Irish duck and the Prosperity Platter (an exquisite assortment of high-grade sea abalone, sea cucumber and broccoli); the star dishes of each, such as the former’s elegant crispy seabass with chicken collagen broth, and the latter’s classic Hong Kong style steamed grouper, are distinctive and evocative of the quirkily titled menus.
If you’ve got ‘The Dragon Lord’ on your table, round off your dining extravagance with some of the restaurant’s signature dishes such as the Dragon Mountain (fried whole lobster with crushed garlic and fermented soybeans in Sichuan seasoning). You’ll get to indulge in the restaurant’s famed Wagyu truffle beef hor fun too, or opt for its seafood variation if you and your guests are true shellfish aficionados. ‘The Chamber Abbott’, on the other hand, speaks to a more delicate palate with its mixed seafood fish maw soup, glutinous rice packet, and XO wok fried prawn with scallops.
More intimate, but just as abundant
The eight-course feast that is ‘The Marquis’ set (serves four at $398++ or six at $528++) offers a similar variation across broths, poultry, seafood, rice and noodles. It features one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, the firecracker chicken and maple fritters, which is sure to add a high to the banquet table amongst the other traditionally styled servings. Derived from Sichuanese cuisine, the nutty and spicy zinger will have your tastebuds on edge for the sweet-savoury inclusion of ‘you tiao’ (fritters) doused in maple syrup.
Haven’t had enough? Add to the table a simple yet hearty CNY staple, the pun choy (also available for takeaway). This traditional dish is a one pot feast consist of braised fat choy, South African abalone, dried oysters, fish maw, pork trotter, shiitake mushrooms, prawns, sea cucumber and yam.
Other seasonal specials to indulge in
You’ll want to raise your glasses with the Dragon Chamber’s limited edition CNY cocktail, the Prosperity Blossom, which features the traditional Chinese spirit Baijiu, a rarely mixed alcohol in cocktails around the world. And if that’s not enough to sate your merry-making, all the banquet sets also come with the added option of two hours free-flow drinks which includes wine, beer, soft drinks and juices.
Early bird discounts are available for those who book before 20th December, so be inspired by the rat and take the opportunity to race ahead of everyone else this Chinese New Year!
CNY menus run from 11 January – 8 February 2019, set menus available during lunch (12 pm – 2:30pm) and dinner (6 pm-midnight)
Dates to note: 24th January and 8th Feb (serving only menus for 8 & 10 pax)
For booking, please contact: reservations@thedragonchamber.com and quote “Honeycombers”.
The Dragon Chamber, 2 Circular Road, Singapore, 049358
This post is in partnership with Ebb & Flow Group.
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