Now you don’t have to fly all the way to Nanjing to get a taste of Nanjing cuisine with the newly-opened Nanjing Impressions.
I can’t get enough of the interior decor which resembles a Nanjing courtyard complete with fake tile roof and granite pillars. The hanging lantern lights and wooden tables and chairs really bring on the full Nanjing restaurant experience.
What to order
Nanjing Signature Salted Duck 招牌盐水鸭 [S$22.68 for 1/4 Duck, S$39.24 for 1/2 Duck, S$71.94] is a speciality snack of Nanjing that has more than 2500 years of history. The duck skin is white and the meat inside is tender, the meat is fatty but not greasy.
Jinling Roast Duck 金陵烤鸭 [Small S$18.80, Half S$34, Whole S$64] is another signature dish. The skin is as crispy as Peking duck while the duck meat is tender without gamey taste.
What amazes me is how a simple bowl of Nanjing Noodles in Light Soy Sauce Broth 老牌阳春面 [S$4.80] can taste so good. The noodles are al dente and the broth is comforting.
Beancurd Braised in Chicken Broth 鸡汁回卤干 [S$4.80] is a simple yet heartwarming dish that originated from Nanjing.
The traditional method of making “lion’s head” meatball involves frying the meatballs before served in braised soy sauce. Poached “Lion’s Head” Meatball 清炖狮子头 [S$13.80] is the healthier version where the meatball is only poached in clear soup. The combination of half fats half lean meats makes the meatball very tender but a little too oily for my liking.
Sesame-Scented Beancurd Julienne 麻油素千丝 [S$8.80] looks like a bowl of noodles but it is in fact thin strands of soft beancurd skin.
The crayfish used in Chilled Drunken Virgin Red Crayfish 花雕冰醉小龙虾 [S$20.80 for 6, S$40.80 for 12, S$70.80 for 24] are so much bigger than regular ones, each is about the size of my entire hand. They are so sweet, they taste like they have been marinated in honey.
Madam Chiang’s Nutritious Beauty Porridge 民国美龄粥 [S$8.80] is cooked with soy milk which makes it quite sweet. It tastes more like a dessert.
Traditional Brown Sugar Rice Cakes 传统红糖手工年糕 [S$7.80] is one of the most classic of Nanjing desserts. The contrast in texture between the crispy skin and chewy interior plus the addition of brown sugar, makes this such a delightful dessert.
For something a little more modern, there is Chilled Poached Pear with Passion Fruit 百香果冰镇雪梨 [S$8.80]. The pear has just the right amount of sweetness and the tanginess from the passionfruit balances out the sweetness.
Besides the usual teas, soft drinks and beers, Nanjing Impressions offers some interesting white spirits and yellow fermented grain alcohols. They have things like Pagoda Fudiao Nv Er Hong 塔牌绍兴女儿红 [S$58/750ml] which I have only read of in Chinese martial art novels. It’s very smooth but I can’t quite get used to the taste of yellow wine.
There are also four In-House Chinese Special Wine which are named according to the four seasons. The wine for summer is Summer Yellow Wine Red Dates 照殿红 [S$13.80]. It comes in a traditional-looking earthen bottle accompanied by a brass bowl with hot water and another small bottle inside. You can pour some of the wine into the bottle in the brass bowl to warm it up before drinking, it’s quite an experience.
If you prefer tea, do try the Nanjing Yuhua Tea 南京雨花茶 [S$8.80], a special tea that you can only find in Nanjing. It’s a very light tea, with a slightly floral taste that ladies will especially enjoy.
Nanjing Impressions
Address: 68 Orchard Road, Plaza Singapura #04-46, Singapore 238839
Telephone: 63527877
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 2.15pm, 5pm – 8.15pm