PUBLISHED February 16th, 2019 06:00 am
If you want tasty seafood on Orchard Road, we know one place you can get it. ION Orchard is home to JUMBO Seafood Singapore’s latest opening. And unlike its boisterous Clarke Quay branch or the rustic flagship at East Coast, this upscale establishment sports a clean, modern interior and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the bustling shopping belt. The main dining area caters well to small-group dining (table sizes are also reduced and extra small is an option for sharing dishes), and there are four private rooms are available for intimate communal functions.
The Geoduck Clam Blanched with Superior Stock ($18.80 per 100g) lets you experience saltwater clam two ways. Eaten sashimi-style, the thinly sliced geoduck has a fresh, delicate sweetness and crisp texture; when blanched over with stock, the bite becomes changes to a soft and tender bite. The savoury, hearty soup includes various add-ons ranging from crunchy fried shrimp and smoky mushrooms.
JUMBO also transforms its award-winning chilli crab into a variety of dim sum offerings. The Baked JUMBO Chilli Crab Puffs ($8.80) pairs the rich umami filling with a buttery, flaky pastry crust that a little thick. Chilli Crab Meat Sauce with Sliced Fried ‘Mantou’ ($16.80) features a cradle of (slightly oily) mini deep-fried ‘mantou’, paired with chilli crab dipping sauce. In our opinion, they’re a bit to thinly sliced to get that shiok fluffy meats sauce bite. Pan Fried JUMBO Chilli Crab Buns ($8.80) – our top pick of the three – contrasts the creamy chilli crab with warm, soft buns with a crackly base.
The Cheese Baked ‘Mentaiko’ King Prawn ($16) combines flavourful bursts of mentaiko with a rich cheesy sauce that doesn’t overpower the sweet king prawn flesh while the golden brown Crispy Fried Cod Fish with Nonya Sauce ($22) doesn’t disappoint with a sweet-tangy sauce.
JUMBO also plays with classic comfort food, like pao fan (泡饭). King Prawns and Fragrant Rice in Rich Seafood Broth ($38) enhances the traditional meal of leftover rice in soup. Think jasmine rice steeped in broth packed full of prawny, umami goodness, with the added textural experience of crunchy rice crispies sprinkled over top.
While we get the use of the more premium cod in the Cod Fish ‘Otah’ in Coconut ($16.80) served inside a lemongrass-infused coconut, we still prefer the texture of mackerel in this local fish cake. The Home-made Beancurd and Mixed Seafood Braised with Abalone Sauce ($14++) and Chinese Chives Stir Fried with Minced Garlic ($11++) are less explosive in flavour, but provide a pleasant intermission between all the strong flavours presented so far.
For dessert, fans of durian should go for the the Fried Durian ($6.80) with a crispy outer shell and warm, creamy durian filling, which will out the meal nicely. Those looking for something easier on the stomach and palate can opt for the comforting Double Boiled Peach Resin ($4.50), a natural food rich in amino acid, which allows collagen to be quickly absorbed into the human body.
In a nutshell? Eating at JUMBO Seafood ION Orchard is an opportunity at the best of both worlds – the local seafood classics and contemporary twists on familiar ingredients and dishes.
JUMBO Seafood ION Orchard is located at 2 Orchard Turn #04-09/10
ION Orchard, Singapore 238801, p. +65 6737-3435. Weekday lunch and dim sum is open 11.30am – 3pm (last order at 2.15pm). Weekday dinners at 5.30pm – 10.30pm (last order at 9.30pm). Weekends serve at 11am – 10.30pm (last order at 9.30pm). High tea and dim sum available 2.30pm – 5.30pm (last order at 4.45pm) on weekends and public holidays only.