Dian Xiao Er
Where: Vivocity #02-137/8
Set amidst the mirror-floored sophistication of VivoCity’s modern hallways, Dian Xiao Er Restaurant stands out with its charming traditional Chinese décor. Painstakingly modeled after the tea houses of ancient China, the restaurant looks like it popped out of a wu xia xiao shuo (martial arts novel), complete with rustic wooden beams and red Chinese lanterns.
Service was pleasantly fast, and perks included early bird discounts for dining from 11.30am to 12.30pm.
The restaurant is famed for its Herbal Roasted Duck. The skin of the duck was thin and crisp and well roasted, and its juicy meat nicely infused with herbal. This dish lives up to its reputation.
We also ordered the Fried Rice with Seafood and XO sauce: the rice had a pleasant wok-fried smokiness to it, and the mild spiciness of Dian Xiao Er’s special XO sauce gave a nice oomph to the flavor of the rice.
Their exotically named Mongolian Spare Ribs chalked up another point for the restaurant with its unique sauce, blended with chilli padi for a wicked kick in the taste buds. The meat is also fantastically done, tender yet with a slight crisp on the outside.
Also, other must-tries include their home-made tofu and juicy Dong Po Pork.
All in, Dian Xiao Er offers an excellent meal in double-quick time — a lunch hour dream spot!
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