As a die-hard mala fan, it brings me nice pleasure to put in writing this text. Chongqing grilled fish, which is actually 烤鱼 or “grilled fish”, has grown in reputation over time, and it’s simple to see why.
This genuine Chinese dish combines three components— an entire grilled fish, a wealthy mala (or numbing) broth and your selection of toppings and substances— to create a punchy, indulgent and lip-smacking dish that’s excellent for sharing in massive teams. Not to say, every little thing is served on prime of a heated steel serving pan, thus creating the proper mixture of steamboat, mala scorching pot and grilled fish.
I hope you’re hungry. Keep scrolling to seek out out our 10 finest spots to fulfill your Chongqing grilled fish cravings in Singapore.
The first on our checklist is the eponymous Chong Qing Grilled Fish. It claims to be the primary in Singapore to introduce Sichuan charcoal-grilled fish again when it was first launched in 2010, and the model at the moment has 4 eating places throughout our little pink dot: Bugis, Chinatown, Serangoon Garden and Upper Thomson.
I’ve been to Chong Qing Grilled Fish extra occasions than I can rely, and I typically decide Sea Bass (S$38.80 for small, S$42.80 for XL) for my selection of fish. As for the soup or broth of selection, I are likely to go for the Spicy Fragrant, as most of my buddies and I discover the Spicy Numbing too intense.
If you possibly can’t deal with spices, don’t fear. Chong Qing Grilled Fish additionally presents non-spicy broth choices reminiscent of Mushroom Herbs, Pickled Cabbage and Fermented Black Bean. To full your grilled fish expertise, you’ll want to add on sides reminiscent of Lotus Root (S$4.80), Enoki Mushroom (S$4.80) and Fried Beancurd Skin (S$5.80)!
For an inventory of areas, opening hours and make contact with numbers, refer right here.
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Originating from Shenzhen, TANYU is among the hottest grilled fish chain eating places in China. How standard, you would possibly ask? Well, as of the time of writing, TANYU has a whopping 300 shops throughout 72 main cities in mainland China!
In Singapore, TANYU at the moment has 4 shops: [email protected], Westgate, Bugis Junction and Tampines 1. Each restaurant is decked out with classic decor and neon lights, making you’re feeling such as you’ve stepped into a unique dimension.
With 15 various kinds of soup bases, you’ll actually be spoilt for selection once you’re at TANYU.
Best-sellers embody the Grilled Fish with Green Pepper (S$51.90), Hot Spicy with Pepper Flavour (S$51.90) and Chongqing Grilled Fish with Beancurd Flavour (S$54.90), whereas non-spicy choices vary from Grilled Fish with Soy Sauce Flavour (S$51.90) to the ever-fragrant Garlic Flavour (S$51.90)!
For an inventory of areas, opening hours and make contact with numbers, refer right here.
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3. Old Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant
Nestled within the centre of Chinatown is Old Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine Restaurant, a homely Chinese restaurant specialising in genuine Sichuan dishes that has been round since 2007. It’s conveniently situated proper subsequent to Chinatown MRT’s Exit A and opens until 1.30am, making it a brilliant excellent spot for supper!
Apart from providing a plethora of genuine Sichuan dishes reminiscent of Old Chengdu Chilli Chicken (S$16.80) and Cold Mixed Beef Tripe (S$18.80), this restaurant presents 4 sorts of grilled fish and 6 completely different soup decisions.
Depending in your desire, you possibly can go for the Grass Carp (Live) (S$59.80) with the well-loved Chilli Grilled Fish gravy, or the Limbo Fish (S$29.80) with Grilled Fish in Parchment Paper. You may also decide from three spicy ranges: delicate, medium and excessive, and prime off your grilled fish with sides reminiscent of Oyster Mushrooms (S$3.50) and Black Fungus (S$3.50).
80 Pagoda Street, Singapore 059239
+65 6222 6858
Daily: 11am – 1.30am
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4. Riverside Grilled Fish
Riverside Grilled Fish was based in 2005 by two buddies, who chanced upon the normal methodology of pairing grilled fish with mala sauces (aka 烤鱼) whereas travelling in Wushan Town, Chongqing.
After being gained over by the deliciousness of this heart-warming dish, the 2 buddies determined to arrange their first store in Beijing, and the model has since expanded to over 100 shops in China. Eventually, Riverside Grilled Fish arrange its first abroad outlet in Singapore.
Currently, Riverside Grilled Fish has 5 areas in Singapore, with the newest being at NEX!
As with different 烤鱼 (grilled fish) eating places, take your decide from 4 sorts of entire fish: Sea Bass (S$39.90), Patin (S$39.90), Golden Pomfret (S$41.90) and Qing Jiang (S$46.90).
After that comes the enjoyable half— choosing your selection of broth. Those on the lookout for a spicy kick can strive its famed MaLa Sauce, Double Cut Red & Green Chilli Sauce and Unique Sauce, the latter of which mixes numbing, candy and bitter, and spicy flavours to create a really one-of-a-kind expertise. There are additionally mildly spicy flavours reminiscent of Green Pepper Sauce and Black Bean Sauce.
For an inventory of areas, opening hours and make contact with numbers, refer right here.
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5. Tian Tian You Yu
You would possibly know Tian Tian You Yu from its founders, 97.2FM DJ Marcus Chin and former Mediacorp actress Kate Pang, who opened the Sichuan restaurant in May 2021 at 111 Somerset.
Despite dealing with loads of setbacks, one in all which incorporates the tightening of Covid-19 measures and never permitting dine-in at F&B institutions, the standard restaurant has since gained reputation and even opened a second department alongside East Coast Road, proper subsequent to Beach Road Prawn Mee.
Tian Tian You Yu presents greater than 10 sorts of flavours, all of that are priced at S$46.80 every. If you’re feeling adventurous, we advocate you strive the Mala Fish, Cumin Fish and Pickle Fish. Alternatively, go for non-spicy choices that gained’t depart you sweating— Soy Sauce Fish, Black Bean Sauce Fish, Tomati Fish and even the Sour Soup Fish, simply to call a couple of.
Dining in a big group? Tian Tian You Yu additionally presents a spread of à la carte dishes just like the Kung Pao Chicken (S$17), Mala Crayfish (S$68) and Mapo Tofu (S$14).
6. Xiang’s Signature Hunan Cuisine
Walking alongside Liang Seah Street and bummed to seek out out that the eponymous Chong Qing Grilled Fish is packed to the brim? Head to Xiang’s Signature Hunan Cuisine, an unassuming Chinese restaurant situated just some models down the street.
This genuine Chinese restaurant specialises in Hunan delicacies. Hunan is a province situated in the course of China, and is adjoining to Chongqing, Guangdong and Hubei. Its delicacies is also referred to as Xiang delicacies, and is most well-known for its mind-blowingly spicy meals. In truth, it’s mentioned to be extra spicy than Sichuan delicacies due to the quantity of recent chilli peppers utilized in lots of its dishes!
Xiang’s Signature Hunan Cuisine presents two sorts of grilled fish: Spicy Grilled Fish (S$31.80) and Sour Spicy Grilled Fish (S$31.80). Served in stunningly massive steel pans, each dishes characteristic an enormous butterflied fried fish swimming in a strong and spicy broth.
Still hungry? Try Xiang’s Signature’s different genuine Hunan dishes, just like the Hunan-style Fried Pork (S$16.80) and Frog in Dry Pot (S$31.80).
1 Liang Seah Street, #01-12/13/14, Singapore 189022
+65 6338 8939
Daily: 11.30am – 11.30pm
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7. Chongqing Premium Grilled Fish
Chongqing Premium Grilled Fish is to not be mistaken for the favored Chong Qing Grilled Fish. This humble grilled fish restaurant opened its first restaurant in Paya Lebar’s KINEX in 2020, and was began out by an ex-foodpanda rider and his companion. It has now expanded and opened its second outlet at Jurong West.
Chongqing Premium Grilled Fish presents 5 sorts of seafood for its 烤鱼 (grilled fish): Red Snapper (from S$45.80), Sea Bass (from S$35.80), Patin Fish (from S$42.80), Sea Clams (S$35.80) and Sotong (S$40.80). Yes, you learn that proper! Apart from the same old sorts of fish, this restaurant additionally presents Sea Clams and Sotong, making it excellent for people who would possibly favor a non-fish various.
As for flavour choices, go for the all-time favorite Superior Spicy or Double Spice. There are additionally non-spicy choices just like the Sauerkraut and Mushroom Herbs, and even the Nanyang Style, which is alleged to be impressed by nyonya flavours.
For an inventory of areas, opening hours and make contact with numbers, refer right here.
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8. Ming Tang Spicy Roast Fish
Those who frequent Bugis Cube will likely be aware of the big stretch of Chinese steamboat eating places on the primary ground. These vibrantly lit eating places face Bugis Junction, and amongst one in all them is Ming Tang Spicy Roast Fish, a hidden gem for distinctive grilled fish flavours.
All of its grilled fish gadgets are priced at S$30 for small and S$38 for big, however what you’re actually right here for are its one-of-a-kind flavours, which vary from Lychee Fish to Pineapple Hot and Sour Fish, and even Mango Fish. These distinctive grilled fish dishes include chunks of juicy fruit and a wide range of soup bases, reminiscent of spicy bean paste soup and candy and bitter soup.
There are additionally basic grilled fish flavours as properly, reminiscent of its Grilled Fish with Fresh Green Pepper, Spice Spirit and Spicy Pure Love (aka mala).
470 North Bridge Road, Bugis Cube, #01-03, Singapore 188735
+65 6338 3405
Daily: 11am – 2am
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9. Ba Shu Sichuan Restaurant
This is for all you Easties. Ba Shu Sichuan Restaurant is situated proper in the course of Bedok Central and presents genuine Sichuan dishes.
In truth, its title “Ba Shu” refers to 巴蜀, which implies “Old Sichuan”. It refers back to the historic Chinese state of Ba and Shu, which now correspond to modern-day Chongqing and Sichuan!
The star dish is the BS Style Grilled Fish (S$38), a spicy mala grilled fish with customisable spice ranges. Alternatively, on-line opinions have praised its BS Grilled Fish w/ Pickle (S$38) for being piquant, tasty and savoury.
Tired of grilled fish and want to strive a unique kind of protein? Go for Ba Shu Sichuan Restaurant’s Pickle Frog (S$42) or Spicy Roast Frog (S$42), or if that’s not up your alley, you possibly can all the time depend on the basic Garlic Crayfish (S$32) and Spicy Baby Lobster (S$32).
219 Bedok Central, Bedok Town Centre, #01-122, Singapore 460219
+65 6384 0115 / +65 9656 3669
Daily: 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 9.30pm
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10. KAO GE YU 烤个鱼
KAO GE YU initially began out as a humble hawker stall in January 2022, providing tremendous inexpensive grilled fish gadgets (from costs as little as S$12.80). It has since opened a full-fledged restaurant at East Village in Simpang Bedok.
Despite opening its first restaurant, KAO GE YU retains its costs extremely inexpensive. Prices per fish begin from S$15.80, with flavour choices starting from the basic Signature Sichuan Green Pepper Grilled Fish to Tomato Grilled Fish. Those feeling really adventurous can go for its Mystery Flavour, the place the employees will decide a flavour at random.
For massive eaters or huge teams, KAO GE YU additionally presents bigger parts ranging from S$26 and going all the best way as much as S$56, relying in your selection of fish and substances.
430 Upper Changi Road, East Village, #01-69/70, Singapore 487048
+65 6966 9570
Daily: 11am – 2pm & 4pm – 9.30pm
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