Among the Chinese restaurants specialising in Northeastern Chinese cuisine, A Kitchen 友间厨坊 seems to be doing the best with 3 outlets and a fourth outlet opening in Punggol soon. I visited the outlet in Vision Exchange, Jurong East 2 years back and I am going to try out the outlet at Novena.

The Novena outlet is located on the ground floor of Goldhill Centre. After crossing the overhead bridge from Novena Square, turn left and you will see the restaurant on your way to United Square.

What to order

No trip to a Northeastern Chinese restaurant is complete with a few Lamb Kebab 羊肉串 [S$1/stick, minimum 5 sticks per order]. The lamb skewers are well-seasoned and tender, I wouldn’t expect anything less.

Fried Pork in Scoop 锅包肉 [S$23.40] is another classic Northeastern dish. The battered pork slices are deep-fried before coating in a thick sweet and sour sauce. The meat can get a little tough when cold so do eat them while it’s hot.

There are many variations of Shoots Fried with Egg Pork and Garlic 家常小炒 [S$15.60] and A Kitchen’s version uses garlic sprouts. The garlic sprouts are sweet and crunchy, pairing well with the black fungus and eggs.

Dry-Braised Assorted Mushrooms 干锅杂香菌 [S$20.80] is the best dish for mushroom-lovers like me. There are king oyster mushroom, shiitake mushroom, shimeji mushroom, all dry-fried with a wonderful smoky aroma.

Dry-Braised Veggies 干锅双鲜 [S$20.90] is another healthy delicious dish that is sure to impress even the most critical vegetarians. Cauliflower and lotus root slices are fried together, both are dry vegetables so they retain their crunchiness and natural sweetness.

A Kitchen 友间厨坊

Address: 187 Thomson Road, Singapore 307630

Telephone: 98665533

Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 11pm

Website: https://akitchenyoujianchufangzongdian.meuu.online/home