Bee Cheng Hiang Grillery

Bee Cheng Hiang Grillery
1359 Serangoon Road

https://www.beechenghiang.com.sg/grillery.html

Mozzarella Katsu (SGD $10)

Elevating Bak Kwa To Gourmet Dining

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 7
Service: 9
Value for Money: 8
Spent about SGD $21 per person.

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Established in Singapore in 1933 by founder Teo Swee Ee, Bee Cheng Hiang is a leading producer and supplier of Singaporean foodstuffs, known especially for the barbecue pork jerky known as 'Bak Kwa', and the ingredient meat floss / pork floss. Having gone international with more than 260 outlets across 9 countries, the management of Bee Cheng Hiang noticed a trend of incorporating bak kwa into food, and decided to experiment and expand their range of offerings.

Bee Cheng Hiang Grillery Signage

This culminated in the opening of the Bee Cheng Hiang Grillery in September 2018. Located within their headquarters and flagship store between the Boon Keng and Potong Pasir areas of Singapore, the Bee Cheng Hiang Grillery seeks to elevate bak kwa into gourmet dining, serving up creative and unique fusion dishes. It's also a proof-of-concept for their management, to 'test' the market so to speak.

Bee Cheng Hiang Grillery Exterior

Bee Cheng Hiang Grillery Interior

Ambience at Bee Cheng Hiang Grillery is modern casual, with a touch of elegant sophistication. The limited seating area accomodates up to 30 people, but looks opulent with its wooden panelled walls, shiny marble-topped tables, and plush grey cushioned chairs. The warm lighting lends a quiet mood, although the large LCD screen television wall contradicts this. Separating the storefront from the dining area is the circular bar and drinks station, where staff are stationed. Being a 'hidden find' of sorts, it's fairly relaxing. The only complaint - there is a faint lingering odour of grilled bak kwa hanging in the air, a rich salty sweet note that sticks to clothing.

Bak Kwa Display

Floss Display

Shelves Of Products

Service at Bee Cheng Hiang Grillery surprised us, being as good as a fine dining restaurant. Staff are eager to engage, yet there's no service charge! Floor supervisor Thomas, along with his team, demonstrate good professionalism and competence; from introducing the nuances of each dish, to clearing finished plates efficiently throughout the meal, to checking for feedback. Couldn't be happier, their outstanding service lends well to a memorable experience. Because seats are limited, it also allows them to accord personalised attention. The only minor complaint - payment for dining, and payment for store-bought items, has to be done at 2 different cashiers, which is odd.

Bar

Table Setting

Grilling Bak Kwa

Food at Bee Cheng Hiang Grillery is Modern Singaporean cuisine. The unique fusion dishes here are notable, because every single dish somehow incorporates one or more of their signature products - either a variety of bak kwa, or meat floss. They even offer bak kwa and wine pairings! Menu range is limited but sufficient for repeat visits. Quality of dishes is above average to good; the combination of flavours will appeal to both old and young, traditionalists and modernists. Can see they're going for a mass audience appeal. Portions are sized for individuals, and balanced such that it's not overpowering or cloying. Prices are reflective of lower mid-range dining, budget about SGD $21 per person.

Menu Bak Kwa Tasting & Wine Pairing

Menu Degustation Set

Menu Tapas

Menu Salad

Menu Mains

Menu Desserts & Beverages

Special Of The Month

The range of bak kwa on display all looks so appetizing and delicious. Bak Kwa, also known as Bakkwa / Rou Gan, is a traditional dried meat snack similiar to jerky, usually made from sliced or minced meat. The meat used is typically pork, chicken, beef, or mutton, and is prepared with spices (including Chinese 5-spice powder), sugar, salt, and dark soy sauce, then air-dried on racks, and finally treated with water. This air-dried water-treated meat is grilled over charcoal before serving, and has a medium thick, soft moist chewy sticky texture, with bold salty sweet savoury flavour. Consistent excellence in quality.

Bak Kwa Sliced Pork (SGD $56 per kg)

Bak Kwa Minced Pork (SGD $54 per kg)

Bak Kwa Sliced Chicken (SGD $56 per kg)

Bak Kwa Gourmet (SGD $85 per kg) & Gourmet Fusion (SGD $68 per kg)

A tank of Lemon Water (SGD $Complimentary) sits by the counter, and customers can self-service by helping themselves. Good choice to offer this, as the refreshing taste helps cleanse the palate from heavy flavours.

Lemon Water (SGD $Complimentary)

The machine-ground Cappuccino (SGD $5 / $1 Promotion) is decent, with an alright strength to its body, and notes of roasted coffee beans. We had this on promotion.

Cappuccino (SGD $5 / $1 Promotion)

We loved the Cinnamon Chocolate (SGD $Free Promotion), with its warm, rich, creamy thick texture, and deep chocolatey bitter sweet spice flavours. Wished it would be included on the regular menu soon. Very soulful and comforting, like a hug from a mug. Good!

Cinnamon Chocolate (SGD $Free Promotion)

Cinnamon Chocolate

The refreshing Yuzu Lemonade (SGD $5) is served chilled, and has a smooth thin texture with delicate zesty tangy sweet sour citrus flavour. Nice thirst-quenching beverage, would order again.

Yuzu Lemonade (SGD $5)

Yuzu Lemonade

The Wine Château La Caderie Esprit 2015 (SGD $15 per glass) is a white wine Bordeaux blend made from 70% Sémillon green grapes and 30% Muscadelle green grapes, by the Château La Caderie winery in Saint-Martin-Du-Bois commune, Gironde department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. It has a bright pale green colour, with aromas of honey, grapefruit, jasmine flowers, and mango. The body is crisp, refreshing, and lively, with tastes of quince, lily flowers, acacia flowers, and green apple. It has a delicate floral fruity sweet flavour, with a short citrus finish.

Wine Château La Caderie Esprit 2015 (SGD $15 per glass)

The Wine Château Ame De Musset 2010 (SGD $22 per glass) is a red wine Bordeaux blend made from 80% Merlot red grapes, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon red grapes, and 10% Cabernet Franc red grapes, by the Château Ame De Musset winery in Lalande-De-Pomerol commune, Gironde department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. It has a deep dark purple colour, with aromas of liquorice, roasted coffee beans, tobacco smoke, and iron. The body is velvety, rich, and elegant, with tastes of blackcurrant, plum, oak, and cloves. It has a fine earthy sweet spice flavour, with a medium tannic finish.

Wine Château Ame De Musset 2010 (SGD $22 per glass)

The Wine Château Virecourt-Conté 2015 (SGD $14 per glass) is a red wine Bordeaux superior blend made from 95% Merlot Noir red grapes and 5% Cabernet Franc red grapes, by the Château La Grangère winery in Saint-Christophe-Des-Bardes commune, Gironde department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. It has a inviting dark garnet colour, with aromas of raspberry, blackcurrant, violet flowers, and leather. The body is supple, soft, and expressive, with tastes of cherry, blackberries, redcurrant, and vanilla. It has a rounded fruity floral sweet woody flavour, with a long fruity finish.

Wine Château Virecourt-Conté 2015 (SGD $14 per glass)

The signature Gourmet Enoki Roll (SGD $9.50) features enoki golden mushrooms, wrapped with gourmet bak kwa (pork belly bacon) and ham, garnished with spring onions and paprika in a light soy sauce glaze. With a light crunch and a juicy chew to texture, this has bold vegetal earthy sweet salty flavour. A little more sweet than savoury in taste, but oddly satisfying. Worth ordering!

Gourmet Enoki Roll (SGD $9.50)

Gourmet Enoki Roll

Gourmet Enoki Roll

Loved the Mozzarella Katsu (SGD $10), which features a slice of juicy chewy gourmet fusion bak kwa (pork belly and pork hind), enveloped by rich gooey mozzarella cheese, in a crispy crunchy crust of fried panko breadcrumbs. Garnished with a creamy dollop of mayonnaise and bits of chives, this has delicious sweet salty savoury cheesy bready flavours. Would order again. Highly recommended!

Mozzarella Katsu (SGD $10)

Mozzarella Katsu

The Autumn Harvest Salad (SGD $15) is aptly named, for its use of root vegetables including warm tender Japanese sweet potato slices, crispy fried yam / taro root strips, and little micro-greens. Staff will dress this salad tableside, with a home made sauce blend of shiso / perilla leaf and light soy sauce, lending a deep earthy herbal salty flavour to the natural vegetal earthy sweet flavours of the root vegetable salad. Completed with chunks of juicy chewy gourmet fusion bak kwa (pork belly and pork hind), lending a beautiful sweet salty savoury note. Good!

Autumn Harvest Salad (SGD $15)

Autumn Harvest Salad

Autumn Harvest Salad

The Cappellini Carbonara (SGD $12) looks small in portion, but is actually rather filling for an individual. It features silky thin capellini / angel hair pasta noodles, tossed in cream, garnished with chili gourmet bak kwa (pork belly bacon) and krispee frostee (a blend of traditional pork floss and crispy pork floss). It has a nice salty sweet savoury spicy milky flavour, with a good contrast of chewy and soft textures. Not particularly outstanding, but still decent enough.

Cappellini Carbonara (SGD $12)

Cappellini Carbonara

Cappellini Carbonara

The Chicken Roulade & Potato Mousse (SGD $22) was delicious. Less so for the Potato Mousse, which, while properly thick and creamy soft, had a bland lack of potato flavour. But the Chicken Roulade was excellent. With bits of juicy chewy gourmet fusion bak kwa (pork belly and pork hind) mousseline studded within the tender succulent rounds of chicken leg, this had bold sweet savoury salty smoky flavour. The soft wilted spinach lent a burst of colour and good vegetal sweet flavour, while the topping of chiziban (crispy pork paper bak kwa) was nicely crispy with good salty savoury meaty flavour. This made me crave more, it was so good. Highly recommended!

Chicken Roulade & Potato Mousse (SGD $22)

Potato Mousse

Chicken Roulade

Halved

Close-Up

A unique dessert cake, the Salted Caramel BBQ Floss Cake (SGD $7.50) features a home made sponge cake, studded with bak kwa bits and shredded pork floss, layered with home made salted caramel buttercream. With a soft chewy grainy creamy texture, this cake surprises with its sweet salty savoury flavours that are well balanced and memorable. Good!

Salted Caramel BBQ Floss Cake (SGD $7.50)

Salted Caramel BBQ Floss Cake

Salted Caramel BBQ Floss Cake

Selected the Bak Kwa & Wine Degustation (SGD $19.90 for 6 course), which is a 6-course, curated menu of bak kwa and wine pairing. Each piece of bak kwa is grilled à la minute, served piping hot by staff only after you've finished the last round. The first 3 were paired with crunchy mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts), while the last 3 were paired with a fresh crisp salad (spinach, chard, lettuce, watermelon). In order, the succulent pieces of bak kwa included; Sliced Pork, Sliced Chicken, and Minced Pork. Staff then changed the set of cutlery and the side dish, followed by serving; Chicken Coin, Pork Coin, and the Gourmet Fusion. Interesting experience that also relies a lot on staff engagement, as they brief you on each piece when serving it. Takes a long time though, as it's designed to be savoured. Good!