Why? Because I had a surprisingly simple and good meal.
For the last two weeks my helper had gone home to Solo and I wasn't about to slave over a stove nor clean the kitchen too often. So I called in one of the many meals my niece owed me.
We decided to try one of the restaurants at the airport while waiting for my helper's flight home. Which Terminal? Which Restaurant? So many new ones. How? I chose Dian Xiao Er because the little writeup tugged at the essence of good food (to me at least)....rustic, back to basics, from the heart, for the family!
And my instinct wasn't too far off. The food (albeit we had only 4 items) was on the whole surprisingly tasty and wholesome. The restaurant was really busy. Lets see if its just as busy on a week day.
I have also included a little DIY recipe for the Cod Dish.
DIAN XIAO ER.....8 March 2014, Changi Terminal 3 Branch
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| Herbal Roast Duck |
Here's their story http://www.dianxiaoer.com.sg
The signature Duck was beautifully roasted and didn't have a ducky taste. The black sauce, while a little strong, paired well with the faintly herbal duck.
DIY: don't even try! Let the experts do it
 |
| Fried Silver Cod with Superior Sauce |
Thinly
sliced cod deep fried to a crispy, succulent crunch with a dressing of
hot oil, superior dark soy sauce, fried garlic and spring onions.
Deceptively Simple but Delicious!
DIY:
Deep Frying skills are a must or the Cod (or any fish fillet) will be dry.
1. Keep the oil hot.
2. Place the fish and turn it periodically until there are only small bubbles (indicates the fish is cooked).
3. Remove fish immediately from oil and drain.
The
Sauce: chop garlic in large chunks (see photo), spring onions in 2 inch
lengths. Heat oil, fry the garlic till brown and fragrant, add dark
soya sauce and sliced spring onions. Pour over fish. The dark soy sauce
needs to be the best you can afford. I am not sure if the Dian Xiao Er
chef used light soya sauce. It didn't taste salty.
A variation often done is with finely sliced ginger and spring onions.
 |
| Seasonal Vegetable |
 |
| Osmanthus Jelly |
The fried seasonal vegetable and Osmanthus Jelly were uneventful. Looked elegant but tasted somewhat bland. The chef used turnip, carrots, longans, pine nuts and mushrooms. I think the chef forgot the salt. These were served in a bowl made from deep fried bee hoon (rice vermicelli).
The jelly while firm left a slight "hay" taste in the mouth from the little brown bits of dried Osmanthus flowers. Perhaps fresher flowers would have made the difference.
 |
| The Superior Rice |
Surprisingly the bowl of superior rice....was really superior! The grains were perfectly cooked, nicely separated, slightly glutinous tasting and with a delightful jasmine fragrance.
The maitre d' kindly wrote the name in mandarin when we asked for the brand of rice used. It was Royal Umbrella Fragrant Jasmine Rice easily available and costing about $15 for 5 kilos.
The restaurant was unpretentious and lived up to its goals of being a warm, family friendly restaurant using high quality ingredients. There were many baby strollers at the entrance of the restaurant and the din of chatting adults and crying babies made it feel like dinner at my grandma's home. Lovely.
Perhaps this had to do with the company's core values which translated extremely well in the efficient staff and even more efficient delivery of the food. We were served within 5 minutes. While we didn't feel rushed at all, it was quite obvious that turning the table quickly was easily a top priority. There was already a long line at 615pm that day.
Company’s Core Values
Excellence: To deliver quality service and food for our customers.
为客户提供优质的服务和食品。
Integrity: We demonstrate honesty, respect for others and deliver what we promise.
我们表现出诚实，尊重他人，并履行诺言。
Growth: We pursue personal and professional development.
我们追求个人与专业上的发展。
Home: We ensure that our people feel a sense of belonging and homeliness when they are at work. 确保我们的员工感到 归属感和朴素感。
Teamwork: We work cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.
实现共同的目标,我们有效地共同合作。
Excellence: To deliver quality service and food for our customers.
为客户提供优质的服务和食品。
Integrity: We demonstrate honesty, respect for others and deliver what we promise.
我们表现出诚实，尊重他人，并履行诺言。
Growth: We pursue personal and professional development.
我们追求个人与专业上的发展。
Home: We ensure that our people feel a sense of belonging and homeliness when they are at work. 确保我们的员工感到 归属感和朴素感。
Teamwork: We work cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.
实现共同的目标,我们有效地共同合作。
See http://www.dianxiaoer.com.sg/promotions for the other discounts.
I will definitely eat there again. The added attraction being Seniors get a discount on weekdays and there is no GST.
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