CHINATOWN TOP 10 DISHES
BUTTER BEEF
PHNOM PENH
Don’t miss the butter beef, thinly sliced into meltingly tender sheets and drowned in a vibrant pool of herbaceous nuoc cham. Sharply sophisticated, an iconic dish.
DUCK NOODLE SOUP
CHINATOWN BBQ
As good as take out Chinese BBQ is, nothing beats the immediacy of sitting down and enjoying roast BBQ duck over a bowl of thick rice noodles. The clean broth becomes imbued with the scent of savory spices and the noodles slippery with duck fat. Absolutely glorious.
BUN CHA HANOI
DD MAU
The Bun Cha Ha Noi is absolutely exemplary. The meat patties have proper char-grilled depth, the pork is rich and tender, and the fish sauce broth is bright and clean. It’s all served with a huge tangle of warm rice vermicelli noodles. Vietnamese food does not get its due credit of being one of the most sophisticated cuisines in Asia - but here’s a glimpse of the culinary glories that await the curious diner.
TAJARIN
KISSA TANTO *Michelin Starred
The egg yolk rich pasta—though cut elegantly thin, retains a superb buoyant bite—reminiscent of classic Chinese alkaline noodles. The creamy miso sauce provides umami comfort without tipping into over richness. If you’re given the option to have some fresh truffles shaved over the dish, take it!
STEAMED DAI BAO
NEW TOWN BAKERY AND RESTAURANT
Filled with chicken, pork, and salted egg yolks, these baos reflect a time when meals needed to be quick, filling, and portable—in fact, their Cantonese name literally means ‘meal bun’. Hot and fresh out the steamer, they are deliciously satisfying.
STEAMED BBQ PORK RICE ROLLS
SUN FRESH BAKERY
The fresh rice rolls are thin but still have a nice snap. Filled with savory sweet char siu and dressed with sweet soy—it is a superb meal. Well-priced yet made with care and generosity.
THE FULL IRISH BREAKFAST
THE IRISH HEATHER SHEBEEN
An incredibly satisfying plate of mixed meats (including black pudding), eggs, baked beans, and roasted tomatoes and mushrooms. Echoing the working class meals that fueled neighbourhoods like Chinatown and the nearby dockyards, each component is prepared with finesse and nurture.
SINGAPORE FRIED NOODLES
MING FONG FAST FOOD
The noodles are cooked to order— a huge portion laced with bean sprouts, red and green peppers, and slivers of BBQ pork, gently spiced with yellow curry and full of fresh wok hei. It’s the little details that elevate this dining hall classic, the careful trimming of the sprouts, clean knife work and the lovely lightness of the noodles that showcase the proprietor’s deep care for his craft.
CLASSIC OMELETTE WITH SALTED RADISH
BAO BEI CHINESE BRASSERIE *Michelin Recommended
The love for simple yet perfectly cooked eggs is nearly universal - and this omelette is the platonic ideal of creamy tenderness, elevated by the bite of traditional Chinese salted radish. Paired with their kick ass fried rice for a terrific modern twist on a family meal classic.
CHILLED TOFU WITH CENTURY EGGS
FAT MAO
When heat takes hold—chilled tofu with a savory topping of dark-hued century eggs, bonito flakes, and a bright cilantro dressing is the perfect way to wake the appetite. The house-made tofu is fantastically smooth and creamy, the perfect counterpoint to the pungently sharp toppings.