Kai Garden seeks to draw patrons with a well-varied spread of heritage Cantonese classics, with a dash of inventiveness and unpredictability.
While the restaurant itself is new, the chef at its helm, Fung Chi Keung, has been on the scene for over 30 years. With the launch of Kai Garden last December, the Hong Kong-born Fung, who led the Paradise Group to win a string of awards as its Group Executive Chef, is far from resting on his laurels.
Already drawing a healthy lunch crowd every day with his heritage Cantonese classics, Fung has introduced a Family Favourites menu, a throwback to the comforting home-cooked meals he grew up with in Hong Kong.
The menu offers a nostalgic selection of wholesome Cantonese dishes with the slightest of twists, starting with the Sautéed Prawn with Dried Fish Maw ($35), featuring fish maw slices almost as thick as a Twiggies finger instead of the usual thinner variety. Chef Fung explains that this is top-of-the-range fish maw and has to be specially sourced from select suppliers. It was sumptuous, succulent and puts a new spin on the usual seafood platter Chinese restaurants serve up.
The Wok-fried Garoupa Fillet with Spring Onions served in Stone Pot ($38) is flavourful: stir-fried with Chinese spices, tofu and tender bamboo shoots before being sealed in a stone pot, it is served piping hot and aromatic.
One highly interesting dish is the Braised Chicken and Flower Crab ($48 for half), which marries the natural sweetness of the flower crab with the familiar flavor of chicken—the result is one that is worth getting your fingers a little dirty for. According to Chef Fung, the flower crab is used instead of the Sri Lankan crab as the former, while not as fleshy, is superior in flavor.
Beyond its Family Favorites dishes, the Peking duck is quite a draw too, with its five-color wraps and sauces. Kai Garden’s dim sum spread is apparently a hit with many and probably well worth a try.
With a view as pretty as its name, Kai Garden promised to be the stand-out choice in the slew of mid-to-high end range of Chinese dining options in the area.
Kai Garden
6 Raffles Boulevard,
#03-128A/ 128B, Marina Square
Singapore 039594
Tel: 62504826
