PUBLISHED May 4th, 2021 05:00 am | UPDATED May 8th, 2021 05:07 pm
The Paradise Group is one of the most successful homegrown restaurant groups, that has brought us the likes of Paradise Dynasty and crowd-favourite Beauty in The Pot. But amongst its 100 outlets worldwide, there’s one that locals are the most fond of: Seafood Paradise. What first started out as a coffee shop in Defu Lane has now reopened in full glory at VivoCity, bringing back legendary dishes etched in many of our childhoods.
With both sprawling indoor and al fresco dining areas, Seafood Paradise caters to most dining occasions. Those looking for a business lunch spot would be glad to know that this new outlet comes with the addition of Hong Kong-style dim sum for lunch. Enjoy classics like Siew Mai (S$7.80 for four), and sweet Deep-fried Prawn in Beancurd Skin Roll (S$7.80 for three). Personal favourites were the Baked BBQ Honey Pork Pastry (S$7.80 for three) with peppery pork filling encased in crumbly pastry, and the silky Mini Egg Tart made in-house with Japanese eggs (S$6.80 for three).
For a solid segue into the mains, the Poached Live Tiger Prawn with Chinese Herb in Superior Stock (S$29 for 300g), consists of succulent drunken prawns in a savoury broth cooked for more than three hours with rice wine and hua diao (a type of yellow wine). Expect the same culinary finesse in the Baked Pork Belly Rib with Honey Pepper Sauce (S$8.90/pc) – think melt-in-your-mouth meat, sweet honey rounded off by peppery nuances. For greens, treat yourself to the creative Crispy Kang Kong topped with Cuttlefish in Homemade Seafood Sauce (from S$15.80), where kang kong fried by the leaf complements tender cuttlefish in tangy sauce.
If you enjoy fresh fish, a standout dish was the Steamed Dragon Tiger Grouper with Preserved Turnip (S$9/100g). Dragon Tiger grouper was chosen for its springy texture, and was uplifted by fragrant cai po, fried with pork lard, with a slight crispy-chewy texture.
This dish needs no introduction. The Signature Creamy Butter Sri Lankan Crab topped with Coconut Crumbs (S$9.50/100g) is Seafood Paradise’s timeless favourite. Velvety sauce, yet light on the palate, and seasoned with a dash of nostalgia. Lovers of the Popular Singapore Style Chilli Sri Lankan Crab ($9.50/100g) can find a slightly spicier iteration here — a match made in heaven with their freshly-baked man tou. It’s a double thumbs-up from a crab lover here.
For a refreshing finish to a hefty meal, the Chilled Lemongrass Jelly in Lemonade and Sour Plum Juice (S$5.80) makes for a tart refresher. Strong notes of fresh lemongrass are uplifted by zesty lemonade, with a solid bite of sourness from the plum. Quite the palate cleanser after a meal heavy on flavours.
Seafood Paradise is located at 1 Harbourfront Walk, VivoCity #01-53, Singapore 098585, p. +65 6221 0159. Open Mon–Fri from 11.00am–3.00pm, 6.00pm–10.00pm, and Sat-Sun from 10.30am–3.30pm, 6.00pm–10.30pm.