Meeting Sarawak Legend in Singapore - My story in Travel Times New Straits Times Bhd

Meeting a Sarawak legend in the Lion City

I had a pleasant encounter with a very famous Malaysian during my recent trip to the Lion City. This celebrity is not a person actually. It is a fish whose reputation far precedes it. It is the one many connoisseurs refer to as 'Wang Pu Liau' which literally means unforgettable.

My path cross with this fish, touted to be the most expensive freshwater fish in the world, at one of Singapore's newest Chinese restaurants near the Central Business District. The Grand Mandarin Restaurant has been serving this prized fish ever since it was established just a little more than four months ago.

Restaurant partner and CEO, Alvis Thor tells me although the Empurau is indigenous to the South East Asian region, the ones from Sarawak taste the best. He advices diners to be cautious when ordering this fish as many restaurants have recently started to offer it in their menu. "Some establishments sell farm bred Empurau and try to pass them off as those caught in the wild. Always insist in the wild caught ones. The taste of the Empurau caught from the Rejang River is second to none," he says.

While watching a looping video during the meal, I learn that all wild caught fish cannot survive the ardous journey from the depths of the Sarawak interior. So, imagine my surprise when I spot a live, swimming Empurau in an aquarium on my right. I turn to Alvis and he instinctively replies 'farm bred'. He tells me that the Grand Mandarin only serves fish caught from the wild and the only farm bred version in his restaurant is the one I see swimming in the aquarium. 'We decided put one there after our customers ask to see a live Empurau fish. They want to see what the fish actually looks like when it is alive,' Alvis adds.

The Grand Mandarin Restaurant recently introduced set meals which offer the Empurau in smaller portions. Apart from being easier on the pocket, this ingenious idea also allows diners, especially those eating alone and couples, to still have stomach space to try the other wonderful dishes on offer here.

Other than the Empurau which receives almost superstar-like status, diners can look out for other favourites like deep fried prawn coated with wasabi mayonnaise and pan fried scallop with fresh fruit and spring onion sauce. In contrast with my past experiences in Japanese restaurants, the fresh prawns only have a light hint of wasabi and are not overwhelming at all. The scallops are cooked just right and well complemented with the honey dew and spring onion mix.

At first look, the sliced Wagyu beef with spicy sesame sauce look bit like satay minus the skewers. After m first bite, that notion gets thrown out of the window. The Wagyu just simply melts in the mouth while dispersing hints of the sauce which is not spicy at all.

WHERE
Name of eatery: Grand Mandarin Restaurant
Address: 325 New Bridge Road #01/02-00 Singapore 088760
Tel: 6222 3355
Email: contact@grandmandarin.com.sg
Website:www.grandmandarin.com.sg

OPENING HOURS
Daily: LUNCH hours 1130-1500 (Last order at 1430); DINNER hours: 1830-2230 (Last order at 2200)

GETTING THERE
Public Transport:
1) MRT: Exit H of Outram Park MRT Station
2) BUS: Bus Stop number 05019 opp Pearls Center (Bus services no: 2, 12, 33, 54, 63, 124, 143, 147, 190, 851, 961,970)
3) Taxi/Private Vehicle: Opposite Pearl's Center. Travel along New Bridge Road, turn left into Teo Hong Road, open space carpark just beside.


WHAT’S COOKING
Cantonese cuisine with mix of modern fusion

MUST TRY
Steamed Empurau in Chef Home made sauce
Pan-fried scallop with fresh fruit in spring onion sauce
Sea urchin shark' fin soup with crab meat
Baked silver cod with spicy lemongrass infuse
Roasted duck with perigord truffle
Tofu with crab meat and egg white in carrot broth

YOU’LL PAY
approx $60+/pax. higher if with live seafood
corkage charge: $30++ per bottle
service charge 10%
govt tax: 7%

ATMOSPHERE
Grand Mandarin Restaurant’s contemporary setting represents the quintessence of fine dining

FACILITIES
Valet parking NA
Disabled-friendly accessible through secondary entrance and lift. Washrooms are unfortunately not wheelchair friendly
Pet-friendly NA
High chair YES
Play pen NA
Kids’ menu NA
Smoking area NA
Senior citizen discount NA
Credit card We accept Mastercard/Visa/AmEX
Happy hours NA

THE LOO
Clean and well maintained.


SERVICE
Friendly and approachable staff