Review: Mouth Restaurant Treasure Pot Feast 九大簋 at China Square, Singapore 048421

Despite the fact that more than 70% of Singaporeans are Chinese, there is a surprisingly little amount of good Chinese restaurants for diners nowadays to visit, in proportion. Which is good (we're an international buffet of cuisines) and bad (cos good Chinese food is awesome!). I am glad to say Mouth Restaurant has been one of those Chinese restaurants that has managed to stand on its own and do very well even though the F&B scene is so competitive and you have Crystal Jades and Imperial Treasures popping up left right and center in malls.

There are having a promotion now which is GREAT for all of us filial sons and daughters to bring out parents/grandparents/family out for a meal. It is a 9-course Treasure Pot Feast 九大簋 which is $31.80++ per pax (for 6 to 9pax) or $29.80++ (for more than 10pax). You can grab the deal here, and don't say I never share!

When I was invited  to try out the feast myself, it was for a weekend lunch, and boy was it sumptuous! It almost rendered me unable to eat dinner, haha.

We started by getting our hands dirty (metaphorically of course, gloves were given!) by trying out the hairy crab (not part of the 9-course feast which has suckling pig instead, but since they are in season crab lovers are in luck!). Personally I don't really know how to eat crabs properly so it is a little wasted on me, but those who do were happy with it! I also found out that hairy crabs are actually quite rare as they only come from specific regions in China, and there could be fakes on the market sometimes, so do go to places that procure it from legit sources, like Mouth Restaurant.

Next, some delicious sharks' fin soup that elders would love to have. I am happy to say that there's not a lot of sharks' fin inside, since that's the most useless part of the soup. It's everything else that gave the broth the rich flavor (no MSG needed for sure!)

We then had a Chinese old time classic - the Nostalgia Whole Prawn, where the entire prawn is stuck on toast! It's really well done - the toast wasn't too oily and the prawn was crunchy and fresh. In fact this might be my favorite dish among all.

There's also some greens, in the form of the Sauteed Asparagus with Wild Mushrooms in Truffle. Yes, truffle! That's quite a rare item to be used in Chinese cuisine, but it did surprising well with the asparagus (also done in the Chinese style). This style of cooking vegetables will really test the skill of the chef, seeing that if the 'fire' is too strong it might get overcooked and watery, and if its undercooked the asparagus will be quite dry and tough. Props to the kitchen for whipping it up just nice.

We then had some silky and soft Traditional Braised Pi Pa Tofu. I think I can see why it looked like a pi pa, the Chinese instrument. This dish I liked too, because tofu can be delicious! I'm sure older folks with not so strong teeth will also appreciate it.

Then, a head turner arrived. The Sauteed Basil Grouper Fish Meat in 3 Cup Sauce which was probably one of those shiok shiok dishes you can have with a bowl of rice, and be very happy. It was sizzling in the pot when it came to the table. The grouper was so unbelievably fresh -- there's absolutely no stale fishy taste. This dish alone makes the feast worth its money!

Then something that I've not really had positive experiences with, and tend to stay away from. Sea cucumbers! As the owner was dining with us he shared how there are many unethical and disgusting practices to treat this original delicacy which gives rise to a stink in their name. But here, the Braised Trio Sea Treasure in Abalone Sauce was made with authentic and the freshest sea cucumbers (mini sized) which was smooth and not at all gross! Again, older folks will probably love to have it. 

For carbs, there's also the Hong Kong Temple Street Claypot Rice which came in this huge pot covered with scallions. Nothing super spectacular about it, but tasty and flavorful enough to complement the rest of the feast. 

Lastly, we ended the meal with the Legendary Liu Sha Bao (salted egg custard bun). Yes, the Legendary is part of the name, and wait for it.. it's really legendary. The bun, unlike other places, is fried lightly so it becomes this golden shrine to encase the flowing liquid inside made with high quality butter (NOT margerine) and salted egg yolk. 

If there's one liu sha bao to be had in Chinatown, it will be from Mouth Restaurant's.

We also had nice round ending to the meal with some Doubled Boiled Ginger Tea with Glutinous Rice Ball (sesame). I liked how the ginger tea helps with the digestion (needed it!) The rice ball itself was standard.

Out of curiosity we also tried the Squid Ink Char Siew Bao which is not part of the feast. I had a tiny taste since I was already like a "bao" myself at the end of the lunch. The squid ink taste was not perceptible, but it makes for a unique look to the bao. I liked the honeyed pork inside too.

Mouth Restaurant is one of those solid, classic Chinese restaurant to get your traditional Chinese cuisine and dim sum from. It's good to bring your family there for a meal, and even to bring tourist friends to try out a sample of what a "Singaporean Chinese" meal can taste like. Don't forget to check out their promo!

Mouth Restaurant 地茂馆

China Square Central, South Bridge Court Shop House, 

22 Cross Street, #01-61, Singapore 048421

Tel: +65 64385798

Weekdays: 1130am -3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Weekends & PH: 10am - 10pm

Thanks to Mouth Restaurant and Derrick/sgfoodonfoot for inviting me!