Frequent patrons of SAFRA Punggol’s Culinary Avenue would have noticed a new restaurant in town – Chao Qian Seafood & BBQ Restaurant!
Having pivoted from its initial hot pot offerings, this revamp serves up a more classic zi char experience infused with the bold flavours that Sichuan cooking is renowned for, in a convivial dining ambience. Especially for those who enjoy the occasional (or frequent) mala dishes, this restaurant brilliantly utilises its beloved spicy flavours to uplift its various seafood offerings to new heights.
We dropped by this contemporary dining establishment to see if the rebrand is worth the visit and hype!
Spoilers – the food’s good
The establishment began the tasting session with its hallmark dish – an array of succulent skewers presented neatly on a compact BBQ grill stove. While the pieces of lamb meat literally slide off the bone (well, technically, a metal stick), the pork is perfect for those who, like me, enjoy a skewer with a bit of a spicy kick. Well-seasoned and exceptionally tender, these appetisers are the perfect way to kickstart our Sichuan-inspired culinary journey!
I’ll be remiss not to mention their many other skewer variations. Personally, I would love to return one day to try the Grilled Prawn Skewers and Grilled Chicken Wings. If I’m feeling especially adventurous, I might even go for its BBQ Quail!
You can imagine my delight when an entire plate of Mala Crayfish was placed before me! I really enjoyed this one. The mala-infused sauce coats every crayfish morsel (those that I successfully dig out) generously, each bite having a delicious piquancy that is almost addictive. I recalled a bit of trepidation when reaching out for my first crayfish, only to keep going for piece after piece unknowingly as I chatted with my dining companions. The crustacean itself is firm, and serves as a great canvas to showcase the peppery decadence of the mala sauce. Be prepared for a messy good time!
Continuing on this fiery culinary train is its Stir-Fried LaLa clams, another savoury delicacy that best reflects the restaurant’s attempts to localise its Sichuan flavours. Like the Mala Crayfish, it comes with a rich mala reduction that pairs well with the brininess of the clams.
Chao Qian continues to surprise us with its Steamed Grouper next. I have tried many variants of this dish (thanks to my family’s love for it) but this easily ranks as one of my top all-time favourites! Steamed to perfect doneness, the flesh is wonderfully tender, with a melt-in-your-mouth consistency that is a testament to its freshness. The aromatics of ginger and coriander do really well to accentuate the fish’s organic sweetness without overpowering it.
Funny story – as I was heading down to Chao Qian Seafood & BBQ Restaurant with my dining companions, I asked what they thought was their best dish, expecting praise for some of its more heavy-hitting menu items like its crab dishes. They replied, almost collectively, “The mushrooms. We tried it before and wow!” Now, having tried this otherwise everyday dish, it is no wonder that it has a small cult following. Brimming with umami goodness, the unassuming mushrooms are stir-fried before being coated in a caramelised dark soy mix that is truly heavenly. I wish I was exaggerating, but this dish is truly the restaurant’s metaphorical dark horse.
I found the Seaweed and Egg soup a refreshing contrast to the restaurant’s penchant for bold flavours. Its mild sweetness, accompanied by silky strands of egg white makes for a clean and balanced finish and is the perfect foil to all the spicy flavours.
An ode to the good old days
Everything at Chao Qian Seafood & BBQ Restaurant, from its banquet-style dining area to the array of fish tanks that line the restaurant walls, is so reminiscent of the dining establishments that my extended family used to frequent when I was a young boy. Of course, the ambience is way more contemporary than traditional but still, I’m delighted that SAFRA members and their families have another dining spot that not just offers great food, but also the potential for creating enduring memories that both young and mature patrons can bring home.
There is no doubt that Chao Qian Seafood & BBQ Restaurant is a much-welcomed addition to SAFRA’s already comprehensive collection of dining options and hopefully, it’ll be embraced as the go-to space for the many who enjoy sharing great food with great company!
Say hi to the fishes in the tanks for me when you’re there!
SAFRA members enjoy 10% on non-promotional items and an additional 5% if they spend at least $50 in a single bill. For more information, visit safra.sg/Chao-Qian-Seafood-and-BBQ-Restaurant
Chao Qian Seafood & BBQ Restaurant is at SAFRA Punggol, 9 Sentul Crescent, #02-05, Singapore 828654. Open on Mondays to Thursdays from 11.30am to 2am, and Fridays to Saturdays from 11.30am to 3am.
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