SIN: Yan Restaurant
Cantonese cuisine not quite as outstanding as expected...
To finish off the dinner, I had a bowl of chilled peach resin that offered a subtle, slightly chewy bite that contrasted the smoothness of aloe vera jelly. Having said that, as an osmanthus lover, I found it somewhat underwhelming as it fell short in the floral sweetness and aromatic depth that I was so eager to experience.
Housed within the National Gallery in the Civic District of Singapore, Yan blends classic Cantonese recipes with modern culinary innovation. Its menu showcases a balance of tradition and creativity, from roasted meat to hand-crafted dim sum. The restaurant is part of the AMEX Love Dining programme.
Barbecue Combination Platter (Small) S$36.00
Taste: 8/10
Since the restaurant takes pride in its roasted meat, I definitely had to put the trio into the acid test. Of the three, the roasted duck stood out as my favourite because of its tender meat and flavourful skin that paired perfectly with the tangy plum sauce on the side. The soy sauce chicken was succulent too, beautifully complemented by the fragrant minced ginger in oil. Though not shabby for sure, I've enjoyed juicier versions of barbecued pork elsewhere.
Sautéed Beef Cubes with Golden Sliced Garlic (Small) S$40.00
Taste: 8.5/10
The red meat dish was delightful, showcasing tender, well-seared beef cubes that were seared to create a slightly caramelised crust, locking in the savoury juice within. with savoury flavours. The fried garlic slices scattered atop added not only a satisfying crunch, but also an aromatic complexity. Given the price tag, the portion size leaned on the smaller side though.
Choy Sum (Small) S$20.00
Taste: 8/10
Spinach with triple eggs - regular egg, salted egg and century egg, is my usual go-to dish, but since the restaurant ran out of the vegetable, I opted for choy sum (Chinese mustard green) instead. The choy sum, with its firmer texture and slightly bitter undertones, brought a rather different dynamic to the dish. It was cooked well, retaining a slight crunch while soaking up the flavourful broth.
Whole Coconut Combination - Braised Hot and Sour Broth S$26.00
Taste: 6/10
The stunning, yet pricey hot and sour soup inside a young coconut seemed to promise a flavourful experience. However, the broth turned out to be lacking in I was hoping for. The spice level was disappointingly mild, barely tickling the taste buds. Adding an extra touch to the soup was a skewer of plump scallop and prawn, as well as a small amount of coconut juice on the side.
Chilled Peach Resin with Osmanthus and Aloe Vera Jelly S$8.00
Taste: 6/10
Melon's Rating
Taste: 7.5/10
Ambience: 8/10
Service: 8.5/10
Overall: 8/10
Yan Restaurant offers a cosy ambience, complented by professional, attentive service. Some of the dishes, however, could benefit from more refinement. Pika's advice: To those who plan to indulge in their dim sum, take note that Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao (S$8.00) and Spicy Pork Wantons (S$9.00) are only available on weekends, eve of and public holidays.
Yan Restaurant
1 St. Andrew's Road
#05-02 National Gallery Singapore
Singapore
(Daily: 11.30am - 2.30pm, 6.00pm - 10.00pm)
*Prices quoted are subject to 10% service charge and 9% GST.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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