If you are looking for an impressive Chinese restaurant in the east of Singapore, especially at the Changi Airport area, then this piece of food news would excite you.
Home-grown Crystal Jade Group has opened a brand-new “Crystal Jade Pavilion” concept, located within Crowne Plaza Changi Airport which is near Terminal 3.
Many diners are familiar with Crystal Jade Group’s restaurants such as “Hong Kong Kitchen”, “La Mian Xiao Long Bao” and “Palace”.
The word “Pavilion” could mean large palaces that are elegant and dignified, and you can probably render a guess that you can expect a gastronomic dining experience from this contemporary concept.
Having a Chinese restaurant within a hotel itself would mean there is a certain level of privacy – somewhere to enjoy Cantonese fare in a more luxurious setting.
In terms of its décor, there is an elegantly done up communal dining hall in hues of jade green, as well as a number of private dining rooms for family functions, social gatherings, and business meetings.
If you are looking for formal corporate meals and functions, the culinary team also offers customised menus specially crafted.
With an extensive menu designed by Group Executive Chef Martin Foo and team, there are broad-ranging choices – containing quite a number of Crystal Jade’s signature dishes, a la carte highlights suitable for sharing, and modern interpretations of classic fare.
As many of the dishes are served in sizeable portions, I would recommend coming here with your family and friends to experience a better spectrum of what they have to offer.
Starting with the dim sum, there is a spread of items categorised under “steamed”, “deep-fried/baked”, “rice roll”, and “congee and noodles”.
If you love certain recommended dim sum items from the other Crystal Jade restaurants, you may just find it here.
There are familiar favourites from the Steamed Custard Bun with Salted Egg Yolk ($6.80 for 3 pieces), Steamed Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf ($6.80 for 2 pieces), Deep-fried Mango Prawn Roll ($6.80 for 3 pieces), Hong Kong BBQ Pork Bun “Bo Lo Bun” ($6.30 for 3 pieces), Baked Mini Egg Tart ($5.80 for 3 pieces), Lean Meat with Century Egg Congee ($9.80), to Deep-fried Rice Roll with Salted Egg Yolk Shrimp ($8.80).
However, there are other well-loved classics jazzed up with unique touches.
Steamed Scallop Dumpling with Sliced Almond ($7.80 for 3 pieces)
Upon lifting the cover of the yellow dim sum basket, the pastel pink delicate skin and plump Australian scallops wrapped within would already draw some “wow”s.
Let’s just say they are very pretty, and taste just as worthy.
One pop in the mouth and you could slowly savour the moist and juicy flavours of the dumplings. These are further crowned with fragrant toasted sliced almonds lending it some crunch and bite.
Hong Kong Style Steamed Tofu with Minced Meat stuffed in Bamboo Pith ($6.30 for 3 pieces)
In contrast, the Hong Kong style Steamed Tofu would look more unassuming.
When you lift a piece up, it would remind you of a mini-pillow – bamboo pith with a blend of tofu and minced meat wrapped within.
Topped with egg-white sauce, this would appeal to those who love simpler flavours and the wobbly texture of soft tofu.
Deep-fried Dumpling with Chives Stem ($5.80 for 3 pieces)
These could remind you of gyozas or pot-sticker, but I assure you there is something about that crispy crust with a soft interior that made this more appetising and moreish.
The dumpling was thankfully not very greasy, filled with delightful combination of sweet chopped chives stem and minced shrimp.
While pork is the typical filling for dumplings like this, I thought that the bacon bits added the element of savouriness and surprise.
Moving on to the starters and appetisers, you get a range of both chilled and warm highlights which includes Deep-fried Mushrooms & Corn with Salted Egg Yolk ($11.80), Chilled Century Egg with Preserved Ginger ($8.80), and Crispy Beancurd with Salt & Pepper ($9.80).
Chilled Australian Baby Spinach topped with Salmon Roe & Japanese Sesame Sauce ($12.80)
These are bite-sized rolls of briefly-blanched and delicately wrapped Australian baby spinach topped with salmon roe and a touch of ‘goma’ (black sesame) dressing.
Chilled Jellyfish and Fresh Lily Bulb in Wasabi Aged Vinegar ($14.80)
This refreshing appetiser has an intriguing texture.
I had jellyfish appetisers before, but this version happened to be crunchier and bouncier than usual, also with a gelatinous and smooth side.
Another element worthy of mention was the dressing of aged vinegar spiked with punchy wasabi, which would be described as ”kai wei” 开胃 (stimulating the appetite).
BBQ Roasted Combination ($24.80 for 2 varieties, $29.80 for 3 varieties)
The perennial favourite BBQ Roasted Combination which features a variety of succulent and well-charred roast meats.
Choose from specialities of pork belly, BBQ pork, roasted duck, or soya sauce chicken.
Roasted Pork Collar marinated with Mirin Sauce ($19.80)
Wonderfully marbled pork collar meat marinated with mirin which gives it a touch of sweetness.
Roasted till the pieces are slight-crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, you can further enhance the taste with a dip of zesty Thai-inspired sauce.
Fish Maw Superior Thick Soup with Mushroom served in Hot Stone Bowl ($32.80/person)
Nourishing soups are also a cornerstone at Crystal Jade Pavilion, with choices of Double-boiled Whole Yellow Melon Soup with Seafood ($18.80/person), Double-boiled Black Chicken Soup with Conpoy & Pine Mushroom ($23.80/person) to Four Treasures Thick Soup with Fish Maw & Conpoy ($13.80/person).
As for the most luscious of it all in my opinion, it would be the Fish Maw Superior Thick Soup brimming with fresh shiitake, king oyster and white beech mushrooms and premium fish maw served in Hot Stone Bowl.
The crispy spring roll ‘cigar’ that accompanies would be great to dip into the soup with.
Grilled Cod Fish Fillet with Lemon Lime Salt ($19.80)
Lightly-browned grilled cod fish with buttery-flesh, accentuated with a touch of lemon-lime salt.
Crab Steamed with Egg White (seasonal price)
This dish to me is one of the highlights of Crystal Jade Pavilion. Mud crab is steamed with egg white, a touch of Chinese wine and a light touch of seasoning.
This silky steamed egg would likely remind you of chawanmushi, elevated with the innate sweet flavours of the crab juices which blends harmoniously with the egg whites.
Pan-fry Live Prawns with Superior Soya Sauce (seasonal price)
A classic Cantonese dish using fresh-from-the-tank prawns which would provide that flavourful and sweet bite.
The crustaceans are flash-fried over high heat with superior soya sauce which creates a dark caramel-like layer. Smoky and sweet.
Free Range Chicken with Rice Wine & Ginger ($28.80 for half, $56.80 for whole)
A healthful pot of free-range chicken stew entices with tender chicken pieces, black fungus mushroom strips and Chinese celery steeped in fragrant Chinese rice wine, Hakka yellow wine and ginger.
Best eaten when it is out piping hot.
Sautéed Beef Cubes with Foie Gras Sauce & Garlic ($36.80)
If you enjoyed the Sautéed Beef Cube with Shishito Peppers in Black Pepper Sauce offered at Crystal Jade Palace, you would likely fall for this too.
This dish is prepared with premium USDA beef short-rib cubes expertly flash-fried to achieve that desirable wok hei, then topped with deep-fried garlic slivers
The foie gras sauce completes the dish with that added rich buttery flavour.
Braised Vermicelli with Conpoy, Fish Meat & Egg White ($24.80)
The bee hoon is braised in chicken stock so you can imagine those flavours after they absorb the essence. It is then surrounded with fluffy scrambled egg whites studded with fish and conpoy.
Clean and comforting flavours.
Well, a meal is not complete without some sweet temptations. Crystal Jade Pavilion’s exquisite desserts range from the refreshing Coconut Jelly with Fresh Milk in Whole Coconut ($9.80/per person), Almond Cream with Peach Resin ($8.80/per person), Chilled Mango Purée with Sago and Pomelo ($8.80/per person), to Chilled Osmanthus Jelly ($6.80 for 4 pieces) to Deep-fried Black Sesame Glutinous Rice Ball “Jian Dui” ($6.80 for 3 pieces).
Double-boiled Snow Pear with Chuan Bei & Almond ($8.80/per person)
Available hot or chilled, this dessert consists of a soothing combination of snow pear with chuan bei and almond. Chuan bei helps clear phlegm and heat, while also being nourishing.
Lemongrass Jelly and Sour Plum Aloe Vera in Lime ($7.80/per person)
A refreshing dessert with homemade lemongrass jelly and aloe vera with lime juice; a great dessert to aid digestion after a hearty meal.
Crystal Jade Pavilion
75 Airport Boulevard #01-02 Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Changi Airport Terminal 3, Singapore 819664
Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30am – 3pm Last Order 2:45pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 9:45pm (Mon – Fri)
Lunch 10:30am – 3pm Last Order 2:45pm, Dinner 6pm – 10pm Last Order 9:45pm (Sat, Sun, PH & PH Eve)
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Crystal Jade Group.