Paradise Dynasty (ION Orchard)

A trip down to Paradise Dynasty on a weekday for lunch. We arrive before 12 noon. Do not be mistaken by the queue. They are waiting for either their friends or waiting to be seated. Still lots of space available inside at this time. Do note, you will only be brought inside when all your guest have arrived. 

The World's First 8 Flavoured Xiao Long Bao

The World’s First 8 Flavoured Xiao Long Bao which created lots of publicity online and in the media for this restaurant.

Tables near the entrance. This photo was taken as we were leaving at around 130pm. By then, the place was full. Not an easy accomplishment as it was a weekday and the place was huge!

We were seated inside. Here you can spot more empty tables as these photos were taken when we arrived. Huge place with large sitting capacity. Amazing, it was full by 1245pm. Look at setting of this restaurant. Moreover, waiters and waitress were in uniform that makes you feel as if they are serving a prince/princess (you).

Lighting on the ceiling

What drinks to order? Water or tea when the price is the same.

Tea

Well, we ordered tea, which was refillable.

Legend of Xiao Long Bao

How to eat your Xiao Long Bao?

Signature Dynasty Dumplings (8 flavours) $13.80

Needless to say, we ordered the Signature Dynasty Dumplings. Appearance wise, I would have given a perfect 10. Taste wise, it was a disappointment. Even the original flavour one was so-so. I would still prefer Crystal Jade’s.

Part of La Mian Menu

La Mian with Sliced Pork in Signature Pork Bone Soup $9.80

I ordered the La Mian with Sliced Pork in Signature Pork Bone Soup. The la mian was good,  each strand was thin, soft and fragrant. Each piece of pork was thinly sliced. The half an egg was nicely cooked too with its runny yolk. The only down side was that the soup base was quite salty.

Part of La Mian Menu

La Mian in Hot and Sour Soup $8.50

The La Mian in Hot and Sour Soup was supposed to be spicy and sour. But it was way too sour.

Making Xiao Long Bao

Overall, in terms of food, Paradise Dynasty reminds me of Crystal Jade. After tasting the food, I would prefer Crystal Jade’s Xiao Long Bao and La Mian. In terms of service, Paradise Dynasty’s service was prompt and efficient. Felt that Paradise Dynasty’s Xiao Long Bao was over-hyped. Nothing special. But overall, is still a decent place to come for lunch if you are in town especially for its la mian.

Paradise Dynasty (ION Orchard)
2 Orchard Turn
#04-12A ION Orchard
Tel: 6509 9118 
Opening Hours: Mon–Fri  11am – 10pm
                                 Sat–Sun & PH10.30am – 10pm
Website: http://www.paradisegroup.com.sg/ 

 

Gindaco Takoyaki (ION Orchard)

Ever since ION Orchard was open, there has always been a perpetual long queue at Gindaco Takoyaki. I have always wonder what the fuss was about as there are many other Takoyaki stalls in the heartland malls.

Gindaco Takoyaki from Japan was brought in by ION Food Concept (Basement 4). It has over 300 stalls in Japan and specialises in dishing out Takoyaki and Macha drinks.

Recently, on a weekday afternoon, I noticed that there was only 6 people in the line. What a short queue and it would be the best time to try this out.

Menu

Set Menu

Batter being added to the iron grill

Ingredients being added in

Flip them over (so that the other side will be cooked) and kneed into spherical shapes

After the outer crust has turned golden brown in colour, they are taken out and ready to be served.

Gindaco Original Sauce $3.60 (4pieces)

Ordered 4 pieces of Gindaco Original Sauce Takoyaki. Topped with konomiyaki sauce, mayonnaise and shaved dried bonito. Each pieced was cooked till it was golden brown. Expected it to be very crispy similar to Japan Boat Takoyaki. However, when I ate it, I was disappointed as it was not crispy. Thought that this was just an average takoyaki. Moreover, each piece of Takoyaki cost $0.90 yet I felt that Japan Boat’s one was better in terms of taste, texture and even value for money ($0.80 per piece).

One reason for the queue maybe its ideal location. I certainty will not bother to queue for this if the queue gets too long as there is nothing special about this stall.

Gindaco Takoyaki (ION Orchard)
2 Orchard Turn
#B4-64/65 ION Orchard
Tel: 6509 9038
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 10pm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gindaco-Singapore/131654843529152

Other Branches:
Gindaco Takoyaki (Raffles City)
252 North Bridge Road
#B1-54 Raffles City Shopping Centre
Tel:6509 9038
Opening Hours: Daily 10.30am – 9.30pm

Gindaco Takoyaki (Bedok Point)
799 New Upper Changi Road
#03-37 Bedok Point Mall
Tel: 6241 4081
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 10pm

 

Happy Lemon

Happy Lemon was started in Hong Kong in 2006. Today, Happy Lemon has more than 100 outlets in China and Hong Kong. And their next target seems to be Singapore? Their outlet at Singapore is their franchise.

Went to their outlet in ION Orchard.

Surprisingly, no queue at all.

Top Ten

Happy Lemon Menu

Quite a variety to choose from. Well, its our first time. So it should be safer to order one which is in their Top Ten and also that is recommended as stated in the Menu. We chose Aromatic Tea Latte with Pearl Sago $2.5. It is recommended and in the Top Ten.

Queue Number

Queue Number (other side)

The queue number, quite nice/cute and environment friendly too.

Aromatic Tea Latte with Pearl Sago (regular) $2.5

Aromatic Tea Latte with Pearl Sago, hmmm there was a very strong after taste. Not sure what it was. Did not really like this drink. If we go there again, we would try some other flavours maybe the one with Yakult. For now I still prefer KOI or Gong Cha.

Happy Lemon
B4-35, ION Orchard
2 Orchard Turn
Tel: 6238 8174
Opening Hours: Daily: 10.30am – 10pm

 

Happy Lemon
230 Victoria Street
Basement 1 (In front of Guardian)
Bugis Junction