I hear words like farm-to-table associated with Yu Zhong Bu Tong (#04-02 Wisma Atria, 435 Orchard Road) which makes me slightly wary. It shows that they have some marketing savvy but often those are in place to make up for the lack of actual quality. Then there's also because 'farm-to-table' in my view is this era's literary prostitute. But we took the bait to find out for ourselves.
This was the zesty winter melon - winter melon in some orange-y sauce. Awesome. Lived up to its namesake by the sweetness that paired with a vibrant citrus. Refreshing is the appropriate word.
Tried a couple of broths for their fish. We ordered grouper in sauerkraut and sea bass in tomato. Latter's sweet and maybe because of the real melted tomatoes, reminded me of 番茄蛋. Not a bad one, couldn't hate it but I wouldn't get it again. Much prefer the sauerkraut (酸菜) broth which naturally appealed with the light heat, tanginess and salt. Very drinkable stuff.
The gripe I had was with how they prepared fish. As much 'farm-to-table'-ism they'd like us to buy into, it's not relevant to the execution which was far from satisfying. Fish was sliced too thin so it's kinda hard to tell that the grouper was grouper since the texture was kinda similar. Said thin slices fell apart easily. Mouthfeel differentiation was also lost. So, no need to pay more for the grouper.
Topped one of the bowls with fish stomach. Pretty sure I've had them before and these weren't like those. This was tough. Tougher than pig's stomach kind of tough. If these were sliced into strips, it's still be generally too tough kind of tough. Couldn't eat most of them. Note to self : never get fish stomach here agin.
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