This is one of those places that the old folk used to visit back in the day; located in a massive old building where traditional Chinese wedding dinners are held (it seats up to 450 people). We decided to pop by, while it’s still around. During lunch, the place is packed with tour groups from China, Hong Kong and Japan, so be prepared to deal with a noise level that will leave your ears ringing. They don’t take reservations during weekdays either. The set menu for two ($53) is well worth the money spent, in quantity and variety at least: Shark’s fin soup, suckling pig, wok-fried prawns, homemade gui fei beancurd, chili crabmeat with deep fried man tou buns and lemon jelly dessert all come as part of the set, although the overall quality of the dishes is just above average. The shark’s fin soup (the eco-conscious had better stay away) is thick and starchy, with plenty of crabmeat to go around. The suckling pig too is decent, especially its crispy skin which we lapped up with plum sauce. We also liked the bean curd—silky soft and smooth. But the prawns were miniscule, and the sauce that accompanied it far too salty. The chili crabmeat was overly sweet and needed more of a kick, and the buns forgettable. While it might be fun to check out this longtimer for the sake of novelty and nostalgia, there are better options around, like Por Kee and De Classic Golden Spoon in nearby Tiong Bahru, if you’re after classic Chinese cuisine.
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