SIN: Mama Panda Kitchen

Panda bun with smooth red bean filling!

After more than 24 months since the arrival of Kai Kai and Jia Jia, the two pandas from China, I finally had the chance to visit them at the River Safari. Mama Panda Kitchen is the only eatery available in the middle of the river-themed zoo, serving fast Chinese food.

Pandamonium alert! Well, Honeydew isn't one though. Haha... :P

Set B S$16.90

Sichuan Soup - Taste: 7.5/10

Sliced Fish with Ginger Bamboo Rice - Taste: 5.5/10

Panda Mango Pudding - Taste: 6.5/10

The bamboo rice came with fried sliced fish and bok choy (Chinese cabbage) that were both dry, even though the rice was cooked well. The sour and spicy soup saved the day, as its flavour was kicking in the mouth. That aside, the mango pudding was more like mousse in terms of texture, being sweet and fragrant enough. 

Set E S$17.90

Fried Lotus Root Crisps - Taste: 8/10

Braised Beef Ramen - Taste: 7/10

The lotus roots were sliced thinly, giving a nicely crunchy sensation after being deep-fried. They could use a little bit more salt. On the other hand, the beef noodle was pretty ordinary. While the red meat was pretty tender, the soup could be more flavourful despite its promising colour at first glance.

Panda Red Bean Bao S$2.90

Taste: 7.5/10

By then, I didn't really expect much from the adorable-looking bun, but one bite proved otherwise. It was fluffy, and the red bean paste inside was adequately sweet and smooth.

Without the intention of being sadistic, I took the picture just to show you how the filling was like. Pika's advice: Not a big fan of red bean? You may want to try the chocolate custard bun.

Melon's Rating

Taste: 7/10

Ambience: 7.5/10

Overall: 7/10

The main courses were passable, but I thought the red bean bun was more than decent. Below is a snap of Kai Kai, perhaps a proof of how he's enjoying his life there.

Mama Panda Kitchen

80 Mandai Lake Road

Giant Panda Forest, River Safari

Singapore

(Daily: 9.30am - 6.00pm)

http://riversafari.com.sg/dining/mama-panda-kitchen.html

*Prices quoted are nett prices.

Have a nice meal,

Cliff(y)