Chen’s Kitchen by Chef Chen Kentaro of Shisen Hanten fame offers up bold flavours of Chuka Ryori cuisine in a casual dining setting.
Love the fiery Szechwan flavours of Shisen Hanten but maybe not quite its Michelin-starred, fine-dining trappings? There’s good news for you. Chef Chen Kentaro of Shisen Hanten’s latest dining venture, Chen’s Kitchen, will be right up your alley.
Located in the heart of Orchard Road at Paragon Shopping Centre, Chen’s Kitchen brings Chef Chen’s famed take on Chuka Ryori into a more convivial and casual space where diners can gather over hearty, home-style sharing dishes with deeply complex, hearty flavours. At a more wallet-friendly price point too, no less.
Chef Chen Kentaro, of course, is no stranger to Chuka Ryori. His father, the late Iron Chef Chen Kenichi, was a pioneer and strong proponent of the Japanese-Chinese cuisine, blending vibrant Szechwan culinary traditions with masterful Japanese techniques for a cuisine like no other.
At the heart of the menu here is, of course, the Chef Chen’s famed mapo tofu, a dish that’s pretty much synonymous with his name. In fact, Chen’s Kitchen offers four different versions.
The classic Red uses minced pork with fermented broad bean paste sourced from the Pixian District in Chengdu. This is what Chen is known for, and comes at a medium spice level so most people can enjoy it.
But if your spice tolerance is literally zero, try the White, a Paragon outlet exclusive. It looks nothing like a traditional mapo tofu. Instead the pale gravy looks like the sauce in “wat tan” noodles, thickened with starch and flavoured with prawns, scallops and pickled mustard vegetables. There’s still a hint of Szechwan spice in the chili oil floating on the top, but it’s manageable even for kids.
For those after a luxury experience of Chef Kentaro’s signature dish, the Black with diced A5 Kagoshima Japanese wagyu chuck rib presents the most indulgent take on a mapo tofu. Non-meat eaters can partake in his vegetarian version Jade, which uses plant-based minced meat in a house-blended green Szechwan peppercorn sauce.
While mapo tofu may take centre stage, Chen’s Kitchen isn’t a one-hit wonder. Other Chuka Ryori dishes on offer include Kurozu Kurobuta, his take on sweet and sour pork made with Kurozu, an aged black vinegar made in the Kagoshima tradition from rice and malted rice, Pork Shumai dumplings topped with a mala radish paste, and the ever-comforting Szechwan Spiced Chahan with Sakura Shrimp.
Another signature, the XXL Szechwan La Zi Ji, came highly recommended, but by then we were too full to try any.
Chen’s Kitchen is (Japanese-accented) Chinese comfort food to the max. While Shisen Hanten’s always going to be the choice of the fine-dining set, Chef Chen’s newest and more relaxed concept is set to become the go-to spot for casual yet impeccable Szechwan-Japanese fare.
[Photo credits: Chen’s Kitchen]
Chen’s Kitchen
Address 290 Orchard Rd., B1-43, Paragon Shopping Centre, Singapore 238859 (Google Maps link)
Opening Hours 11am to 9.30pm everyday
Web www.chens.sg
Instagram @chensmapotofu
Reservations book here
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