Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant at the Marriott Singapore Tang Plaza Hotel has re-opened its doors after a major refurbishment. The new theme “House of a Chinese Scholar” brings about ornate décor with dramatic black and gold colours. Along with that comes a new repertoire of Cantonese cuisine with a focus on well-executed, nutritious dishes, as well as an extensive array of wines.
At a recent tasting, we saw some of the new dishes:
From top: Steamed Shrimp Dumpling with Black Truffle and Cordyceps ($6 for 2 pieces), Deep-fried Taro Dumpling with Mini Abalone and Scallop ($10.50 for 2 pieces) and Crispy Mango Prawn in Rice Roll ($6.50 per portion)
This select trio showcases some of the well-thought out new items on the dim sum menu. I love how the chef managed to create such translucence and bite in the crystal skin of the shrimp dumpling. The deep-fried taro dumpling is superb, with the savoury baby abalone on top and a piece of scallop ensconced within! The Crispy Mango Prawn Roll seems ordinary by comparison though.
Stewed Bird’s Nest with Egg White, Crab Meat and Superior Soup ($68 per person)
This dish won many hearts that night. Copious mounds of braised bird's nest mingling with ethereal egg white, and succulently sweet crab meat - this in itself is already a treat, but the exquisite superior soup (see background) elevates this to even higher ground.
We were recommended not to pour the soup into the bowl, but to eat them separately. A mouthful of soup, a bite of the ingredients...and let the flavours intertwine. Wow.
Deep Fried Prawn with Black Truffle, Mayonnaise and Broccoli ($35 for small portion)
Crunchy fried prawns with an interesting truffle mayo - what's not to like? What I really enjoyed was the crispy spherical half-shell of yam that the prawns rested on. A bonus treat, it was.
Wok-fried Iberico Pork with Home-style Spiced Sauce ($30 for small portion)
This is a fairly typical Cantonese-style stir-fry. The Iberico pork is suitably tender (maybe still with a little help from tenderiser), and the sauce is not too spicy but well-balanced.
Braised Japanese Ramen with Lobster Meat in Superior Soup ($16 per person)
That's a lot of lobster in this dish for this price. The flavours for the stock were a little subdued for noodles of this thickness. I was just thinking if they had used the rich and intense stock from the bird's nest dish, the whole experience would certainly change. Maybe even some yuzu zest sprinkled on top as a finishing touch. Of course, the price should also change accordingly!
Deep Fried Crispy Durian ($16 for 4 pieces)
If you love durian, don't miss this dessert. These plump fritters are so well-fried, they don't seem greasy at all.
And the smooth durian pulp within the light and crispy batter is just delightful.
Chilled Coconut Pudding with Purple Glutinous Rice Sauce ($10 per person)
For those who prefer a cold dessert, this pudding with ice cream should satisfy. It's not loud or dramatic but just very soothing.
The dining environment is elegant with no expenses spared in furnishings.
Since ancient times, the ideals of a Chinese scholar are demonstrated through the individual’s strength in reason, creativity, expression and dexterity, and these are evident in the four arts – “Qin” (zither, 琴), “Qi” (strategy board games 棋), “Shu” (calligraphy 書) and “Hua” (painting 畫).
The influences and elements of these four arts are incorporated into the design, from the plush furnishings to the reception and main dining hall that are bathed in hues of gold and brown. The use of curated art pieces and artistic calligraphy play up the experience.
The four-seater booths are reminiscent of giant jewel boxes, each representing one of the four arts, while the four private dining rooms fashioned with oriental influences offer exclusivity – perfect for hosting private events.
A la carte specialties starting from $3.50++
Set Lunch (Daily) starting from $58++ per person
Set Dinner (Daily) starting from $78++ per person
Weekend Dim Sum Buffet (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday), starting $68++ per person
Check out the website also for their seasonal promotions, like the Lunar New Year ones coming up.
WAN HAO
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza
320 Orchard Road
Singapore 238865
Tel: +65 6831 4605
Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm to 3pm
Dinner: 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm Monday to Friday
Lunch: 11.30am to 3 pm
Dinner: 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday
Many thanks to Wan Hao for the invitation
