It’s time to celebrate all things Singaporean, after all, this year marks our country’s 56th anniversary of independence. Restaurants all across the island are showcasing the finest of the island’s flavours, and White Restaurant is no different.
This year, being inspired by several buddies among his many neighbours, Uncle Tay King Huak, the owner of White Restaurant is introducing an interesting line of dishes that highlights the various aspects of Singapore’s multicultural society.
Chinese Inspired Cusine
The White Restaurant’s Fresh Prawns in Chilli Crab Sauce (S$19.80) are available to satisfy sweet and spicy cravings. Large juicy prawns are cooked in the classic chilli crab sauce consisting of chilli, ginger, garlic, and a secret medley of other herbs and spices before being sauteed with chilli sauce, tomato sauce, shrimp paste, and eggs for a flavour that will have you coming back for more.
You might be wondering why prawns are used instead of crab. Well this is to allow patrons to enjoy the dish without getting their hands dirty as the prawns come deshelled and bite sized! The White Restaurant knows that you wouldn’t want to get that spanking new white button up stained. Apart from being bright red, the sauce is sweeter than it is spicy, so it’s perfect for kids as well.
Indian Inspired Cuisine
The Chicken Tikka Masala (S$17.80) is a chicken dish that explodes with flavours owing to the marination that goes on for at least two hours in a rub of yoghurt and Indian spices before being pan-fried to a gorgeous golden brown.
The dish is served with sizable chicken chunks and the masala gravy packs a serious punch in terms of spice. This was a bold attempt from White Restaurant to recreate Indian food, and a good one indeed, almost being able to rival authentic Indian joints.
Eurasian Inspired Cuisine
Reminiscent of traditional Canto-western fusion food often found in Hong Kong, the Cauliflower Cheese Bake (S$14.80) is a sight to behold as well as a taste that will make you crave more. Instead of using regular white cauliflower, ones with coloured florets are used instead to make the dish vibrant.
The vegetable is arranged on the plate, before being broiled for eight minutes with cheese on top and soaked in cream sauce afterwards. The end result is crunchy and luscious thanks to the perfectly cooked cauliflower. The only thing I wished they could have done better was if they used some quality mozzarella to allow for picturesque servings and that beautiful cheese pull.
Malay Inspired Cuisine
White Restaurant’s Deep Fried Mackerel with Turmeric (S$14.80) is a great representation of Malay cuisine. A serving of mackerel weighing at least 200g is marinated for two hours in a mixture of yellow ginger, southern ginger, and garlic before being deep-fried till golden brown for crispy bites of the skin.
When eaten, the fish had a subtle turmeric flavour to it and was incredibly crispy albeit a little dry. Which is why it tastes exactly like fish you would get from your ‘Makciks’ (aunties) around Singapore but with better flavour. The dish went really well with their fragrant Butterfly Pea Rice ($1.50/bowl) which accompanied all their quality dishes despite their differences in origins and roots.
Back By Popular Demand
The Mala White Beehoon (S: S$8.90 | M: $13.80), which was first offered in 2019 for a short period, is returning due to popular demand. Enjoy the scorching numbness of Sichuan peppercorn interwoven throughout the restaurant’s iconic white beehoon.
We would say that the dish is prepared in the ‘Zhong La’ manner (medium spice), making it suitable for the masses no matter your tolerance level. There is the perfect ratio of chilli to Sichuan peppercorn, allowing for a balanced spice and numbing sensation in the mouth and on the palate.
As for the beehoon, there is nothing much to say as we all know that White Restaurant’s white beehoon arguably is the best in Singapore (in my opinion at least XD).
Sharing Sets
White Restaurant National Day Sets are available from 15 July-31 Aug 2021 at $52 for 2-3 people which serves the Fresh Prawn in Chilli Crab Sauce, Chicken Tikka Masala and Deep-Fried Mackerel with Turmeric.
If you are expecting a bigger group you can go for the National Day Set for 4-5 people at $108 which includes a larger serving of the options above plus their delicious Cauliflower Cheese Bake and up to five portions of butterfly pea rice.
Promotion
To commemorate the debut of the new menu, there will be a special offer available only on the 21st and 22nd of July 2021. With a minimum spend of S$38, get 50% off the Fresh Prawn in Chilli Crab Sauce so that you can enjoy it for just $9.90! However, you got to be quick as this offer is only valid for the first 80 customers each day!
Locations: Sembawang | Waterway Point | SunPlaza | Jewel Changi Airport | IMM | Suntec City
Opening Hours:
11.00am – 10.00pm (Mon – Sun) all stores except Sembawang
10.00am – 10.00pm (Mon – Fri) @ Sembawang Outlet
*Disclaimer: Must Share Good Things was invited to this food tasting. However, all opinions are expressly the writer’s own.
