Long Jiang Chinos Tasting Session

Long Jiang Chinos Tasting Session
81 Lorong Chencharu
#01-06 ORTO

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11:30am - 2pm (Lunch), 5:30pm - 10pm (Dinner)


http://longjiang.sg/

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session.
Attended with representatives from Chubby Botak Koala, Justin Food Prints, Captain Slow Yeo, Mighty Foodie, Qin Loves Macaronsss, and Purple Taste.

Seafood Hotpot (SGD $128 for 4 pax)

Delicious Seafood Hotpot By The Water

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 7
Budget about SGD $32 per person.


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Located within the quaint and serene ORTO in Yishun / Khatib, Long Jiang Chinos opened in February 2014. Known for their relaxing ambience by the pond, casual yet friendly service, and delicious food, Long Jiang Chinos has steadily drawn its share of loyal customers, who return again and again for more of the master chef's traditional Chinese Zi Char dishes and other Singaporean cuisine favourites.

ORTO Signage

ORTO Surroundings

Long Jiang Chinos Signage

Ambience at Long Jiang Chinos benefits greatly from the calm, tranquil surroundings of ORTO. With the fishing pond right next to the seating area, lit by ample natural sunlight during the day, and warm, intimate mood lighting at night, the place is relaxing and serene. Powered fans keep the place cool, while the sturdy rattan furniture is neatly laid out within the spacious area. Several private room are available as well. The bar area also has a projector with screen, for viewing sports and other entertainment options.

Long Jiang Chinos Exterior

Long Jiang Chinos Interior

Service at Long Jiang Chinos was good during our visit. Staff were friendly and proactive, helpfully offering suggestions, and displaying good product knowledge when they introduced each dish as it was served. I observed that they've extended the same courtesy to the guests at other tables as well. They clear away empty / dirty tables efficiently, and mid-way through the meal, offered a change of plates. The relatively senior staff also engage in cheerful casual banter, and I can see this helping to create memorable dining experiences for customers.

Bar Counter

Seating

Stage Area

Food at Long Jiang Chinos revolves around integrating traditional Chinese Zi Char with a touch of Modern Singaporean approaches. The team of chefs bring years of experience from working with hearty Chinese recipes, and they use only the freshest seafood available. Generally, I find the flavours in each dish to be familiar and comforting, but combined in new or novel ways, appealing to all ages. Portions are sized for communal dining, and it's best to visit in groups of at least 3 - 4 people or more. Prices are reasonable, comparable to most other neighbourhood Chinese Zi Char outlets, though quality per dish is higher here. Budget about SGD $32 per person for a full meal here.

Menu Appetizers

Menu Crab

Menu Prawns

Menu Live Fish

Menu Lobster & Crayfish

Menu Bamboo Clam, Abalone, Sea Cucumber

Menu Chicken & Duck

Menu Vegetables

Menu Rice & Noodles

Menu Dessert

Menu Tasting

The Pumpkin Barley Drink (SGD $3.80) is a unique beverage, with the earthy calming flavours of barley, and the mellow earthy sweet taste of pumpkin. The flavours work together beautifully, I loved how light and well-balanced this is. Good!

Pumpkin Barley Drink (SGD $3.80)

The sauce glazed Baby Squid (SGD $14) is served in a light flour basket, which breaks off in pieces like noodles. The squid itself is slightly crisp, slightly chewy, with a robust savoury salty flavour that helps open the appetite. Worth ordering!

Baby Squid (SGD $14)

Baby Squid

The Crispy Fried Ngo Hiang (SGD $12 for 8 pieces) is decent enough, with a light crisp crunch to texture, then you get the juicy savoury sweet flavours of the minced pork, water chestnut, and chunks of prawns / shrimp. Satisfiying comfort appetizer, done well.

Crispy Fried Ngo Hiang (SGD $12 for 8 pieces)

Crispy Fried Ngo Hiang

The main difference with the Fish Skin With Salted Egg Yolk (SGD $8.80) here, is the dry, powdery version of 'sauce', sprinkled liberally over all the pieces of fish skin. Each bite is crispy and crunchy, then you get the light eggy salted flavour. Very addictive, we kept reaching for more!

Fish Skin With Salted Egg Yolk (SGD $8.80)

Fish Skin With Salted Egg Yolk

The Seafood Hotpot (SGD $128 for 4 pax) was designed for communal family dining, offering a variety of fresh seafood, all in one hotpot. A bed of Chinese white cabbage, golden mushrooms, corn, and tomatoes; dressed with an assortment of fresh prawns / shrimp, clams, and squid, with a whole soon hock fish laid on top. The hotpot features a superior chicken stock, stewed over 4 hours, and the soup / broth gradually takes on a sweet savoury profile. The fish and seafood are clean-tasting, cooked till just tender. Overall, a hearty, filling, delicious dish. Highly recommended!

Seafood Hotpot (SGD $128 for 4 pax)

Seafood Hotpot

Seafood Hotpot

A fairly new dish on the menu, the Stir-Fried Fine Beans & Crispy Shredded Yam (SGD $14 / $20 / $26) features long, juicy string beans, tossed with garlic, shredded pork, and shredded yam strips. This gives the dish a pronounced savoury salty earthy vegetal flavour. I like that chef has managed to keep the vegetables crunchy with a slight bite, it's not limp at all. Good!

Stir-Fried Fine Beans & Crispy Shredded Yam (SGD $14 / $20 / $26)

Stir-Fried Fine Beans & Crispy Shredded Yam

The Rojak Chicken (SGD $16) is interesting, as the sauce, despite being thin in texture, carries bold and robust flavours, tasting similar to rojak sauce. The bed is a fried chicken cutlet, whose natural savoury sweet flavours complement the deeper flavours of the rojak sauce. A garnish of crunchy turnip and juicy cucumber strips, along with sesame seeds, complete the overall flavour profile of this innovative Singaporean dish. Good!

Rojak Chicken (SGD $16)

Rojak Chicken

The Cheesy Crab Bee Hoon With Crab Roe (SGD $44.80) is a new signature dish, created to bridge the taste buds of both seniors and millenials. Rich in taste yet not overpowering on the palate, the large and meaty sweet crab is laid atop bee hoon / rice vermicelli noodles, which is bathed in a secret recipe home made stock. Cheese adds a thick, gooey texture, and the bold flavours of sweet savoury salty are well-controlled, such that it doesn't overwhelm. A beautiful fusion dish. Good!

Cheesy Crab Bee Hoon With Crab Roe (SGD $44.80)

Cheesy Crab Bee Hoon With Crab Roe

Cheesy Crab Bee Hoon With Crab Roe

The Yam Taro Paste Orh Nee With Ginkgo Nuts (SGD $3.80 / $12 / $18 / $24) has a properly thick, rich texture. Filled with tender pumpkin and ginkgo nuts, this traditional dessert has bold sweet earthy flavours from the yam taro paste. While not as strongly flavoured as other versions elsewhere, my dining companions took a liking to this dessert.

Yam Taro Paste Orh Nee With Ginkgo Nuts (SGD $3.80 / $12 / $18 / $24)

Yam Taro Paste Orh Nee With Ginkgo Nuts

The Signature Yam Taro Paste Orh Nee With Single Egg Yolk Mooncakes (SGD $16 / $32 / $62), only available during the mid-autumn mooncake season, is carefully hand crafted, using premium yam taro paste. The outer pastry crust is light, crisp, and flaky, while the golden egg yolk within is properly crumbly. Chef has thoughtfully made this with less sugar, so it's less sweet than elsewhere, but still tasty.

Signature Yam Taro Paste Orh Nee With Single Egg Yolk Mooncakes (SGD $16 / $32 / $62)

Signature Yam Taro Paste Orh Nee With Single Egg Yolk Mooncakes

Overall, I loved the dining experience at Long Jiang Chinos, with its chill ambience, friendly service, and delicious food, all at competitive and reasonable prices. Have already made plans to return to Long Jiang Chinos, as well as visit the other outlets.


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Reserve a table now @ Long Jiang Chinos

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