Wandering Tastes.Alley Hunting @ Lion Rock.
I had such a fantastic time having my first birthday dinner with friends today! It was an absolute bliss to enjoy a spectacular travel-inspired dinner and receive a gorgeous birthday cake.
Tonight, we revisited the Royal Plaza Hotel for one of my favorites: the Lion Rock private dining! They just launched a brand-new Asian-flavored "Lion Rock Omakase" in August.
We were seated in a private dining room for our meal! The high level of privacy definitely made the dining experience even more enjoyable.
Since the summer days are longer, arriving at 7 PM meant we could still catch a glimpse of the iconic Lion Rock mountain.
Once everyone arrived, the 9-course "Wandering Tastes.Alley Hunting" dinner officially kicked off! The starter was a fusion trio: Hanoi Spring Roll, Korean Pickled Scallop, and Pratunam Hainanese Chicken.
Hanoi Spring Roll! The golden, crispy net-wrapper was stuffed with minced pork, shredded mushrooms, and carrots. Every bite was delightfully crunchy and bursting with rich, savory flavors.
Pratunam Hainanese Chicken! The chicken was incredibly tender and flavorful as expected, but the soy sauce jelly on top was absolutely stunning—eating them together highlighted the chicken's taste brilliantly and was so fun.
Korean Pickled Scallop! The sweet, tender, and charming scallop was prepared using Korean pickling techniques. Upon tasting, it offered a burst of umami followed by a mellow, subtle kick of spice. As a fan of Korean flavors, this left me highly satisfied.
Lion City ~ Chinatown.Sambal.Tiger Prawn Ball! The plump, meaty tiger prawn was super bouncy and fresh. Slow-cooked with sambal, it packed an irresistibly appetizing punch. The base of okra, red onions, eggplants, and baby corn soaked up the rich sambal sauce, delivering a strong, authentic taste of Singapore.
Tsukiji ~ Japanese Sake.Kelp.Seaweed.Sea Cucumber Soup! A bowl of soup brimming with the fresh, briny essence of the ocean. It tasted incredibly clean and fresh, featuring crunchy, gelatinous sea cucumber that added a rich texture while being great for beauty.
Brunei ~ Basil.Green Curry.Marble Goby! The marble goby steak was fried to absolute crispiness while the meat remained incredibly tender and smooth. The green curry mousse brought a highly unique and fabulous Southeast Asian flair to the dish.
The next course originally featured beef, but since I can't eat it, the chef kindly swapped it for fresh coral clams! It allowed me to enjoy a dish full of mouthwatering "wok hei".
My friends, on the other hand, got to savor Padang ~ Surabaya Rendang.White Button Mushroom.Croissant! I heard this croissant was exceptionally flaky and delicious, with a wonderfully fragrant and rich filling inside.
At this point, we enjoyed a refreshing lime sorbet as an interlude, prepping our taste buds perfectly to continue savoring the rest of the spectacular dishes.
Penang ~ Assam Laksa.Soft Shell Crab! The soft shell crab was perfectly deep-fried and soaked in a tangy, spicy, and irresistible laksa broth—it was an absolute match made in heaven. The dish also included flavor-absorbing tofu puffs, fish tofu, and zucchini, making the layers of the dish even richer and more charming.
Hualien ~ Wendan Pomelo Peel.Crispy Coconut Meat.Salted Egg Yolk! This dish featured my absolute favorite pomelo peel. The chef masterfully braised the peel with savory dried shrimp and fresh dace fish to create a melt-in-your-mouth artisanal dish with zero bitterness. Resting on a bed of well-cooked baby cabbage and paired with coconut meat in a salted egg broth, it was a masterful blend of savory and umami notes all in one pot.
For the final savory course: Luzon ~ Shredded Chicken.Cream.Glass Noodles! The rich aroma of fresh soy sauce as it hit the table was simply too attractive. Shredded chicken, cabbage, green beans, and glass noodles absorbed every drop of the creamy broth's essence. It was smooth, incredibly tasty, and highly praiseworthy.
Dessert time: Raub ~ Musang King Durian Crème Brûlée.Ipoh Fragrant Biscuit.White Coffee Crunch! Generously portioned and phenomenally tasty, this is an absolute must-try if you are a durian fan.
The crème brûlée was bursting with an intense Musang King durian flavor. Its texture was as creamy and delicate as heavy cream, and the addition of milk chocolate and white coffee crunch elevated the taste even further, flawlessly achieving the ultimate pinnacle of durian desserts.
A huge thank you to my amazing friends for gifting me the Musang King Pandan Mille-Crêpe Cake from Royal Delights by Royal Hotels.
The Lion Rock Omakase 【Wandering Tastes.Alley Hunting】 9-course menu is originally priced at $835/person, but you can currently enjoy it at a promotional price of $668/person. Available from now until November 30.