Usher in the New Year with the classic Peanut Glutinous Rice Balls at Din Tai Fung. In the month of January, diners can either order a bowl of Peanut Glutinous Rice Balls a la carte, or enjoy it complimentary with a minimum spending of $90. Citibank cardmembers need to only spend $80 to enjoy this promotion.
Peanut Glutinous Rice Balls ($6.80)
I hate to admit, but the ‘tang yuans’ I’ve consumed over the past years are the ones that are ready-made and frozen, conveniently purchased from supermarkets. Hands up, those who can relate, whose family members are always tied up with busy work schedules, and are too busy to step into the kitchen to make ‘tang yuans’ from scratch.
This year, Din Tai Fung brings us the cosiest form of tang yuan –freshly handmade, using the freshest ingredients. Good for 2-3 to share, each serving comes with 6 balls of sticky, chewy, gritty goodness, steeped in a sweet soup chockfull of peanuts. Every kernel is boiled till it loses its crunch –I dislike the crunchy texture of peanuts, so this I totally approve.
To get a bowl free of charge, it is not difficult to exceed an expenditure of $80-90 when there’s so much temptation on the menu, calling out for you. ‘Choose me!’ ‘Choose me!’
Here are the items that I ordered last week during dinner with my parents. I hope it will be of some help in facilitating you in narrowing down your options from the wide range available.
Century Eggs with Diced Ginger ($3.80)
Though I have my staples and all-time favourites at Din Tai Fung, I decided to be a little venturesome that day. I ordered a few items that I’ve never tried before. One of which that will be added to my current list of staples is the Century Eggs with Diced Ginger.
I have a slight aversion to ginger, but it largely depends on the execution. Here, the pungency of ginger is subdued, and the raw-ish texture diminished. Minced and fused with various seasonings, I find this manner of rendering ginger very much to my liking. With aroma that complements the century egg, the slightly sharp flavour also helps cut through the creaminess of the yolk.
Stewed Beancurd Cubes with Honey Sauce ($4.80)
Another dish, new to my palate, is the Stewed Beancurd Cubes with Honey Sauce. There is no doubt that the rich flavour from the braising liquid has thoroughly penetrated the porous body of the beancurd, through every cavity and fissure. But, it’s just my personal preference on texture. I like my beancurd silky and smooth, disintegrating in my mouth without having to chew. Don’t I sound like an old hag with no teeth?
My parents seemed to enjoy this, but unfortunately in my case, this will be the last I see of it.
Hot & Sour Soup ($7.50)
I settled for the Hot & Sour because I felt the need for soup – comforting soup in particular – but there wasn’t much variety to choose from.
It was a random pick. I should have spun the dice a couple more times. It didn’t turn out as comforting as I’d hoped. There were too many textures going on, hindering the slurping action that would otherwise bestow upon me a surge of comfort. I enjoyed the peppery nuances, and flavours were well composed, BUT the texture of bamboo shoots turned me off. (Another personal preference.) Picking them out is not an easy feat.
I ordered the large portion ($7.50); the small portion costs $5.
Steamed Sesame Buns ($3.60)
Mum ordered the Steamed Sesame Buns to try –also a first time for me. I didn’t quite like the bitterness of the sesame paste (not sure if the sweetness of the Peanut Glutinous Rice Ball interfered with my ability to seek out any subtle sweetness that belies). Mum enjoyed it because she finds everything else too sweet –the ‘sweetness level’ here is just right for her.
Steamed Yam Buns ($3.60)
Dear Steamed Yam Bun, you are not incredibly outstanding, but I think you’ve put a spell on me such that I would place an order for you every time I visit Din Tai Fung. Maybe it’s because there’s no potato (which I love dearly) on the menu, so the next alternative would be yam. (Not sure if anyone can relate to my illogical interpretation of my potato-addiction-driven craving, which led me into ordering a yam paste-filled bun.)
Steamed Chilli Crab & Pork Buns ($4.30)
Oh this is a must-have every time I visit Din Tai Fung. The Steamed Chilli Crab & Pork Bun had me at hello –it was love at first bite.
The moist succulent filling of chilli crab and pork, of generous proportion I must add, is jam-packed with sweet-savoury goodness that’s accompanied by a hint of spice.
Oriental Wantons with Black Vinegar & Chilli Oil ($7.50)
I love wantons. I always order this, but it is based solely on my love for wantons. These wantons are very much appreciable though, especially on account of its size and the quality of its filling.
Crispy Golden Prawn Pancake ($9)
I never fail to order this every single time I’m at Din Tai Fung, but this may well be my bidding farewell. I probably have eaten this dish enough times to realise that $9 a pancake – that doesn’t fill me up – is a tad extravagant for an unable-to-make-ends-meet-blogger. (Hehe. I’ll try a new item during my next visit!)
Deep Fried Vegetable & Pork Wantons ($6.80)
Another all-time favourite would be the Deep Fried Vegetable & Pork Wantons. This dish is staying on my must-order list. Fried to crispy golden goodness without excessive greasiness, I didn’t even mind the greens.
Deep Fried Shrimp & Pork Wantons ($7.30)
Order the Deep Fried Shrimp & Pork Wantons if you’d like plump succulent shrimp integrated with pork, in the same crispy golden skin that makes me drool every time I picture me biting into it.
Fried Rice with Eggs ($6.80)
Everyone I know who has tried Din Tai Fung’s fried rice loved it. Substantial options include Fried Rice with Shrimps with eggs/Shredded Pork with eggs/Pork Chop, but I am not greedy. A plate of plain fried rice with eggs gratifies. Every fluffy grain of rice is coated with an eggy sheen, brimming with alluring fragrance. I can’t help but fall in love.
Noodles are recommended as well. Mum ordered the Steamed Chicken Soup with Noodle ($10.80) (not pictured), which I’ve ordered before and enjoyed. Light on the palate, the soup is comforting and deeply flavoured, distinctive of chicken essences –it fared so much better than the Hot & Sour Soup I ordered.
Steamed Pork Dumplings ($9.50 for 10 pieces)
The highlight of all my Din Tai Fung experiences would always be on the Steamed Pork Dumplings (xiao long bao). It needs no introduction or description. You just know it’s going to be fabulous. Don’t even hesitate.
If you can’t already tell, I’m a huge fan of Din Tai Fung.
Look out for my post in February, where I will toss to a bountiful year with Din Tai Fung’s Golden Fortune Yu Sheng. It will be available from 1st to 24th February 2013. See you soon, Din Tai Fung!
Outlet visited:
Nex
23 Serangoon Central #B1-10
Singapore 556083
Tel:
Opening hours:
Weekdays: 11am – 10pm
Weekends & Public Holidays: 10am – 10pm
For more information or list of outlets, visit: http://www.dintaifung.com.sg/