Located in Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Shisen Hanten by Chef Kentaro is a restaurant specialising in Szechuan cuisine. Described by Chef Kentaro as the “seven basic flavours”, Shisen Hanten utilises sour, pungent, hot, sweet, bitter, aromatic and salty as the base of his restaurant’s concept. The restaurant features posh décor with numerous chandeliers hanging elegantly from the ceiling.
If the number of starters on the menu is abit overwhelming with the sheer variety and choices available, pick the Shisen Hanten Five Signature Appetisers which allows diners to have tasting portions of their most popular entrees. Both the Szechwan-style Marinated Jellyfish and Prawn had the perfect level of spiciness while the Barbecued Pork with Honey Glaze is soft and succulent with just the right touch of sweetness.
Must try soup is the Foie Gras Chawanmushi with Crab Roe Soup, a sublime combination of Japanese and Chinese influences. Imagine decadent goose liver covered with soft and luscious chawanmushi, topped with a thick crab roe soup, served in a beautiful bespoke bowl with a candle below to ensure the soup is maintain at the right temperature while being consumed. Simply unforgettable.
For mains the Fried Pork with Sweet & Sour Sauce in Black Vinegar Flavour is a winner. The pork was fried and glazed with a sweet & sour sauce that was perfectly balanced in flavours. The meat is surrounded with well chopped cubes of mix bell peppers in vibrant hues of red, yellow and green as well as some white onions adding that beautiful splash of colours to this dish.
Popular favourite is Sauteed Seasonal Vegetable with Duo Mushrooms and Truffle Oil. The earthiness of the mushrooms goes well with the fresh vegetables, aromas are further enhanced by the addition of truffle oil. Best consumed with fragrant white rice.
Another dish that goes well with rice or even on it’s own is the signature Chen’s Mapo Doufu one of the best selling dish at Shisen Hanten, lovingly stir fried tofu in hot Szechwan pepper-flavoured meat sauce. A highly addictive course with generous amounts of meat and good level of “heat” from the peppers.
Finish your meal in style with Coconut Fantasy, soft and silky pudding in a young coconut shell topped with premium bird’s nest, koji berries and coconut ice cream on the side. The bird’s nest were nice textural contrasts to the soft texture of the pudding and the organic sweetness from the coconut is balanced with the slight bitterness from the koji berries. A “bitter sweet” lavish dessert fitting for kings and queens.
ADDRESS:
Level 35, Orchard Wing, Mandarin Orchard Singapore, 333 Orchard Road, 238867
PHONE: +65 6831 6266
WEBSITE: www.shisenhanten.com.sg/