When I was young, my mother used to bring me to Lao Beijing for their hi-tea dim sum buffet. I loved the har gow, siew mai, char siew bao … I stopped going to Lao Beijing after they stopped the hi-tea dim sum buffet.
Lao Beijing has recently revamped its menu. The revamped menu features many premium ingredients. Even though the prices has also become considerably higher, I still tried out a few items from the new menu.
I loved the presentation of Braised Garoupa with Pickled Cabbage and Chilli 红斑酸菜鱼 [S$38.80] which comes in a fish-shaped bowl. The portion size is huge, this can easily be shared between 2-3 people.
The thick slices are garoupa are succulent and juicy, the pickled cabbage and chilli gives this dish a nice sour and spicy kick.
Braised Sea Cucumber and Pork Tendon with Onion 纸包葱烧海参蹄筋 [S$38.80] is the ultimate collagen-boosting dish. Both sea cucumber and pork tendon are excellent sources of collagen without extra fat content. The sea cucumber and pork tendon are extremely tender after braising.
Zhenjiang-style Pork Rib 镇江排骨 [S$18.80] is served on a rustic-looking pig ceramic plate which really is very apt for the dish.
This dish uses zhejiang vinegar which is more fragrant than regular vinegar. This gives the pork ribs a more robust sweet and sour flavor.
I ordered Awesome Flaming Pineapple Beef 火焰菠萝牛肉 [S$34.80] more for its cinematic presentation than for the food inside.
A whole pineapple with pre-cooked pineapple and beef cubes inside sits in a black cauldron-like dish. The staff lights the fire underneath the cauldron and it looks as if the pineapple is on fire.
The pineapple and beef cubes inside are extremely tender and juicy with sweetness from the pineapple flesh.
Wagyu Truffle ‘Hor fun’ 松露牛肉鸳鸯河粉 [S$38.80] is definitely the most expensive hor fun I have ever had. The hor fun has a beautiful charred aroma and color, topped with crispy fritters and tender wagyu slices. The symphony of different textures makes it a very interesting dish.
Beijing-style Zhajiang Noodle 老北京炸酱面 [S$11.80] is probably the most classic item in the menu and I am glad it was not taken out. The portion looks little but it is actually just enough for 1 person.
There is just enough of the black bean paste minced meat to go with the noodles. The noodles are handmade which makes it more springy than factory-made ones.
I was curious how Beef Noodle Soup with Duo Treasures 双宝牛肉汤面 [S$16.80] compared with my favorite Din Tai Fung’s Special Braised Beef Noodle Soup with Beef Brisket 红烧牛肉汤面 so I ordered it to try.
The handmade noodles are very springy but the broth is not as flavorful as Din Tai Fung’s. The noodles are accompanied by generous chunks of braised beef and beef tendon which are very tender.
Lao Beijing’s revamped menu does offer many surprises in terms of specialized presentation and use of premium ingredients. I wonder how the public will react to Lao Beijing’s “atas” menu, only time will tell. I for one will think thrice before visiting Lao Beijing where a meal can easily cost more than $100.
Lao Beijing
Address: 238 Thomson Road, Velocity @ Novena Square #02-11/12, Singapore 307683
Telephone: 63584466
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 9pm
Website: https://www.laobeijing.com.sg