The hype: Mott 32 is a well-honed concept. Birthed in Hong Kong, then spawning successful outposts in culinary capitals like Vancouver, Seoul and Las Vegas, the modern Chinese restaurant has now arrived in Singapore—years of experience under its belt.
The vibe: They’ve spared no expense with the interiors. It is lush and unmistakably oriental, yet modern and subdued enough that you can simply fall into an ease dining here. Use and addition of things like terrazzo, earthy tones and a truly impressive decorative canopy adds a visible touch of class. Their lazy susans have got to be some of the best designed too.
The food: It feels exciting to be dining at Mott 32. To see and to be seen doing so is a thrill, not least because of the crowd it draws—a well-heeled, discerning, and dare we say good looking bunch looking for the finer pleasures in life.
But we are excited even more so for the cuisine. They are best known for the whole Apple Wood Roasted Peking Duck ($108) carved tableside. This dish is a must-try, even if just for two diners. There’s a sublime balance of crisp, fat and meat, and you eat it in three ways. The fattiest bits are served with sugar, while the tender slices of meat are eaten either wrapped in thin pancake, or dipped in a sweet and nutty duck sauce (served with flair, we might add).
Just note that you have to order the duck in advance, 24 hours beforehand, as each is made-to-order. Fun fact: the ducks they use are given a special feed exclusively used by Mott 32.
Other dishes to try include the Barbecue Pluma Iberico Pork Glazed with Yellow Mountain Honey ($48). It’s a rare and juicy cut, and is some of the best slices of char siew we’ve ever had. For vegetables, the Wok-Fried Baby Napa Cabbage with Japanese Sakura Shrimps, Honey Beans and XO Sauce ($26) is an easy favourite, thanks to the smokiness and a nice spice kick. A rather unique carb dish to try is the Scallops, Prawns and Crispy Rice in Fish Soup ($42). The broth is good enough that it can serve as a soup course as well.
If the mood for dim sum strikes, know that you’re in good hands at Mott 32. The Signature Crispy Sugar Coated Peking Duck Bun ($10/3pcs) is worth getting, but it’s the Pan Fried Turnip Cake ($12/4pcs) that got our mind blown. It may look like any other Chinese radish cake, but under that plain veneer lies an addictive mochi-like texture and nuanced layers of umami.
The drinks: So good are the cocktails here that we reckon they’d be successful as a standalone bar. It comes as little surprise though, since the people behind Mott 32 are also the ones behind Stockton (a top contender in Asia’s 50 Best Bars) in Hong Kong.
Try the Hong Kong Iced Tea and you’ll know what we mean. Its name may be a play on the Long Island Iced Tea, but tastes nothing like it. Instead, you’ll find it to be a nice balance of sweet, sour and bitter thanks to good use of a tequila base, vermouth, blackcurrant and tea. Basil seeds then add a nice crunch to the drink.
A winner though, has got to be the Singapore exclusive Harbour Dawn. Made using butter-washed vanilla rum, coconut, pandan, almond, verjus and Champagne, this clear-looking drink is deceptively complex in flavour. It is at once familiar to the local palate, but also different, boasting notes of cream, lemak and exotic fruits.
For a twist on a classic, the Fujian Negroni is the way to go. It’s essentially a smoky and earthy Negroni, thanks to good use of ginseng, lapsang souchong tea and a torched thyme garnish. All cocktails are $24.
