SIN: Singapore Airlines SQ177 (Business)

Ever had a cocktail that's only served on the ground before take-off?

It was a short hop home from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam aboard our flag carrier. As Book the Cook service isn't available on any Singapore Airlines flights departing from Vietnam, let's delve into the in-flight menu of the day prepared by the catering partner at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

For the 2-hour flight, all dishes were served together on a single tray.

Welcome Drinks

Bellini - Taste: 8/10

NV Henriot Brut Souverain was the champagne served onboard, offering a pleasant acidity and a crispy, dry finish. I also tried an agreeable concoction made of Moscato and fresh peach juice, which was only available prior to take-off.

Pre-Meal Snack & Beverage

Grand Pineapple Daiquiri - Taste: 8/10

After take-off, I went for another glass of cocktail to go with a packet of almonds and cashews. A refreshing blend of rum, orange liqueur and pineapple juice, it had the right tropical flair that whetted my appetite before lunch.

SQ Meal

Prawn Caesar Salad - Taste: 7.5/10

The lettuce leaves and cherry tomatoes were fresh enough, topped with croutons and cheese. There were only two prawns, but they were pretty succulent.

Grilled Fish Fillet with Mustard Cream Sauce - Taste: 7.5/10

Though it might benefit from a slightly longer grilling time, the fish was firm enough for my liking. The sauce was adequately rich, but it could certainly use more mustard to truly live up to its name. The dish came with sautéed vegetables and parsley potatoes, but the latter were just too plain.

Stir-Fried Kong Pao Chicken - Taste: 5.5/10

The dish was probably a bit of a misnomer as the protein didn't really taste like the classic Sichuan dish. While it wasn't unpleasant, the taste was nothing too fantastic. The chicken came with blanched vegetables and noodle that was unfortunately rather dry.

Green Tea Opera Cake - Taste: 7/10

While it didn't look so much like an opera cake to me, it made for a decent dessert item that wasn't overly sweet. The green tea aroma was present, but it could be more pronounced to give the cake a stronger character.

Bread

As usual, I opted for a warm slice of garlic bread. Goodness, it never fails to hit the spot!

Beverages

I didn’t have any more alcoholic drinks beyond the two cocktails. Instead, I went for a mug of freshly brewed black coffee that was bold and fragrant, as well as mineral water.

Melon's Rating
Taste: 7.5/10

Ambience: 8.5/10

Service: 8.5/10

Overall: 8/10

It was a pity that there was no Vietnamese cuisine offered that day. Pika's advice: There’s one more main course option for the route, making a total of three, but all of them include meat. Do remember to request a special meal in advance if needed.

Singapore Airlines

Business Class Cabin

Airbus 350-900

https://www.singaporeair.com/

*No separate price given as meals are included in the ticket price.

Have a nice meal,

Cliff(y)