Located at the newly opened Mercure Singapore Bugis level 2, Song Garden has been receiving a lot of great reviews. But what are some of the must try food at this beautiful 120-seater contemporary Cantonese restaurant with high ceilings? Stay with me as I reveal my top 10 items to order.
As a teochew at birth but a cantonese at heart, I would not miss any chance to have dim sum or soup. Steamed Cheong Fun with Fresh Prawn ($6++) was mind blowingly good. I love the contrasting texture from the smooth paper thin rice noodle roll, crispy fried dough aka you tiao and those succulent chunks of prawn. Remember to pour some signature soy sauce for a full gastronomic experience.
For those who love otah that comes in bite size, your wish is being granted at Song Garden. Executive Chef Wong Shea Nung not only fulfilled your wish, he took it further by adding visible pieces of mackerel. Yes, don’t miss the Pan Seared Otah Siew Mai on Skewers ($6++ for 4 pieces) which was steamed before they are pan seared before serving.
Lovers of Foie Gras, do not miss the Chilled Five Spice Foie Gras with Blueberry Compote ($26.80++ per serving). The foie gras was soaked in a homemade five spice soy sauce for 3 days before they are cubed and served chilled atop of a blueberry compote.
I am quite particular with the temperature of the dish when it comes to soup. Simply hate it when the soup is served lukewarm. Lobster with Pumpkin Puree in Hot Stone Pot ($28++ per person) immediately won and warmed my heart. I love how piping hot the soup is even after 10 minutes! It was kinda funny that a fellow diner burned his throat after having a big spoonful. So drink slowly, people! Oh yes, remember to eat the lobster first if you do not enjoy any rubbery meat and beware of the hot stone pot as it is really HOT!
I have tried many renditions of roast chicken but over at Song Garden but this is really unique. The Signature Roast Chicken on Bed of Beancurd Skin ($25++ half bird/ $50 whole bird) was painstakingly prepared! The skin of the chicken was stretched and dried before it was roasted to perfect crispiness.
The chicken is minced and roasted and served together with the chicken skin, crunchy beancurd skin, cucumber, spring onion, homemade pancake and homemade sweet bean sauce! I like the contrasting texture and the layers of flavours that came through from this dish. So good can!!
Dining at Song Garden is filled with surprises. The Lamb Rack Stuffed with Diced Fish in Feather Light Batter ($22++ per person) was another sweet surprise. It is like a chinese version of surf and turf. Chef Wong diced the cod and cooked it with mushrooms and spring onion before stuffing them into the Australian lamb cutlet. The lamb was then pan roasted before serving with a honey black pepper sauce. So perfect that I could hardly fault it. No gaminess, tender and moist. What else could one ask for?
I was looking forward to Mentaiko Cod Fillet ($19.80++ per person) when I first saw it on instagram. Mentaiko with anything tastes great, isn’t it? What I like about this dish is Chef Wong added a dash of yuzu to give it a refreshing touch. Oh boy, how great this work! Remember to have every mouthful with some caviar and tuille of dried white bait for a round experience.
For those who love your vegetables, don’t forget to try Sauteed Asparagus with Wild Mushroom in White Truffle Oil ($28++). I love how the vegetables retained its crunchy bite and the truffle oil was subtle and not overwhelming. Best of all, asparagus is a superfood packed with antioxidants, vitamin E and helps to impro
ve our food. No wonder, I left Song Garden feeling so happy that day. Lol
Shredded Fish in Silken Egg White is quite a common dish that you can find in chinese restaurants. But at Song Garden, beneath that flavoursome cod and egg white stock was the lightly pan seared vermicelli.
I like how the vermicelli maintained the springiness and the raw egg yolk lifted the dish with a well balanced richness. I seriously don’t mind having this everyday!! The Braised Pre-Seared Vermicelli with Shredded Fish in Silken Egg White ($24++) is this good, ok? Even with an exploding belly, I polished this clean!
It is always good to end a meal with a dessert. But if you do not know what to order, there is this Combination of Fresh Fruit, Light and Fluffy Coconut Parfait, Mango Pudding and Plum and Osmanthus Jelly ($13.80++ per person) which allows you to have best of the 4 worlds. Haha. No more headache on dessert decision! Woohoo…
Just before I end this post, do remember to ask for their homemade guava salad and the XO sauce. Both are really amazeballs!
Dining at Song Garden was a great experience and I would definitely be back to try out more dishes. For those of you who are looking for private dining, there are 7 private rooms that can accomodote 12 to 25 pax! What is most impressive is that 25 pax dining room has this automatic lazy susan that can be controlled with a remote. Super cool, right? If you like wine pairing, there is a trained sommelier who has curated more than 50 labels of Old and New World wines for you to choose from. Be it corporate dining or just enjoying some good chinese food with your loved ones, I find that Song Garden has something for everyone. Have you been to Song Garden at Mercure Singapore Bugis? Do remember to share with me what are your favourite dish there so that I can order it the next trip down. =)
If you are thinking of having a staycation here, check out Bino’s review on his stay at Mercure Singapore Bugis.
Song Garden Chinese Restaurant
Mercure Singapore Bugis 122 Middle Road £02-01 Singapore 188973
Tel: +65 6521 9299
Operating Hours: Weekdays Lunch 11.30am to 2.30pm (Last Order 2pm)
Dinner 6pm to 10pm (Last Order 9.30pm)
Dim Sum 11.30am to 2.30pm (Last Order 2pm)
Weekends/ PH Lunch 11.30am to 3pm (Last Order 2.30pm)
Dinner 6pm to 10pm (Last Order 9.30pm)
Dim Sum 11.30am to 2.30pm (Last Order 2pm)
Corkage Charge: $20/ bottle
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