Among the restaurants under the “Imperial Treasure” umbrella, I find that the Imperial Treasure Fine Shanghai Cuisine at Ngee Ann City presents quality Chinese dishes (many Shanghainese) not commonly found elsewhere.
Other more known upper-tier Shanghainese restaurants in Singapore are Yan’s Dining Fine Shanghai Cuisine at Mandarin Gallery and Grand Shanghai Restaurant.
As it is included in the Singapore Michelin Plate listing, I have decided to make a return visit.
Its Chinese name is called “Yu Yuan”, also the name of the famous garden at the old city of Shanghai.
You won’t miss the cocoon-like booth seats from afar, looking rather classy and elegant. I got to sit in one of the booths. It provides a rather private dining experience.
Some of the recommended dishes include Stewed Pork with Steamed Buns, Pan-fried Shanghai Pork Dumpling, Smoked Duck with Tea Leaves, Sauteed Shrimp with Honey Pea in Black Truffle Oil, Deep-fried Beancurd Skin Roll Stuffed with Mushroom, Minced Spinach Salad, and Marinated Jellyfish Head.
Of a dish more indulgent, there is the Sautéed Yellow Cream Crab with Glutinous Rice ($15 per 100g) in which the glutinous rice would absorbs the freshness and flavours of the yellow cream crab.
In most Chinese restaurants, you may get one or two mediocre or average dishes at least if you order a spread. I happened to find that all the dishes ordered here were of reasonable quality.
The Shanghai Steamed Pork Dumpling ($12.60 for 6 pieces) was wrapped, with hot abundant flavoursome soup, fresh meat without the strong ‘porky-ness’, and it did not break easily.
The skin was really delicate, suggesting the chefs were highly skilled.
Since the cuisine is primary Shanghai, try some of their culturally authentic dishes such as Braised Meat Ball ($30) otherwise known as “Lion’s Head”.
These are large pork meatballs that are typically steamed or braised and served with vegetables. The name is due to the large size, and vegetables cooked with that looks like the lion’s mane.
I had the Double Boiled Pork Meat Ball Soup ($15 per person) which boosted tender and juicy meatball, in a light yet flavourful soup with extra sweetness coming from the Napa cabbage.
Another recommended dish I had was the Crispy Sesame Pastry Stuffed with Stir-fried Minced Pork ($28).
These came with all minced pork stuffed into puff pastry so that you can experience the contrast between crispy outer layer and moist meat. You can request for the server to help stuff the puffs.
Some people may find the pricing on the expensive though due to the portion given.
Among the carb dishes, there are Fried Rice with Shrimp ($26), Fried Rice in Yangzhou style ($26), Riced with Salted Pork, Mushroom & Vegetable in Soup ($15), Sauteed Rice Cake with Salted Pork & Preserved ‘Xue Cai’ Vegetable ($28)
Their Fried Rice in Shanghai Style ($26) came mixed with meat, vegetables with the special sauce giving it a sweetish-soy touch that made it different from the usual egg fried rice.
This is what I would call ”li li xiang” in which every grain was fragrant with no clumps. To me, fried rice is one of the hardest Chinese dishes to perfect.
In terms of Chinese and Shanghainese cuisine, would say that Imperial Treasure Shanghai Cuisine is indeed a cut above the rest.
Imperial Treasure Shanghai Cuisine
Takashimaya S.C., #04-22, 391 Orchard Road, Singapore 238872
Tel: +65 6836 6909
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm (Mon – Fri),
11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm (Sat), 10:30am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm (Sun)
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