Thanks Gabriel for the Article
I have to confess, I don’t think I’ve ever been to a Chinese buffet. Sure, I’ve been to the occasional Chinese restaurant (as you can see from the last post) and I’ve been to several kinds of buffets (Japanese, international, even ice cream) but never a combination of the two.
Still, I have heard nothing but good things about Zhou’s Kitchen, a Chinese
buffet restaurant, and I headed down with my friend to the Jurong Point
outlet for their tea-time buffet (which runs from 2.45pm to 5pm).
buffet restaurant, and I headed down with my friend to the Jurong Point
outlet for their tea-time buffet (which runs from 2.45pm to 5pm).
Alas, either this outlet failed to live up to the name or, as in the case of
most Jurong Point outlets of restaurant franchises I’ve eaten at, a certain
discount in quality has to be given for a suburban mall version.
most Jurong Point outlets of restaurant franchises I’ve eaten at, a certain
discount in quality has to be given for a suburban mall version.
Firstly, the selection is terrible. Of course, one wouldn’t expect their
tea-time buffet to have the whole gamut of dishes like the a la carte dinner
buffet (which boasts an impressive menu including Beijing roast duck and
chilli crab), but their tea-time menu was lacklustre and certainly didn’t
offer as much as the menu online indicates.
tea-time buffet to have the whole gamut of dishes like the a la carte dinner
buffet (which boasts an impressive menu including Beijing roast duck and
chilli crab), but their tea-time menu was lacklustre and certainly didn’t
offer as much as the menu online indicates.
Admittedly, their food quality wasn’t bad. The salad bar (which seems
an oddly Western concept in execution) had an interesting selection
of veges for choice and the dimsum (most especially the open-topped
roast pork bun, which is my favourite) was decent. Those looking for a
more filling staple meal, however, were out of luck.
an oddly Western concept in execution) had an interesting selection
of veges for choice and the dimsum (most especially the open-topped
roast pork bun, which is my favourite) was decent. Those looking for a
more filling staple meal, however, were out of luck.
Other than serving up some fried noodles and rice (a la any economic
bee hoon stall at any coffeeshop), the restaurant didn’t offer anything
much in terms of solid meals. True, the timing of this buffet might not
be for heavy gorge-out meals but there are people who would eat late
lunches or early dinners and it certainly would be a waste if one pays
almost $20 and ends up eating $2 noodles.
bee hoon stall at any coffeeshop), the restaurant didn’t offer anything
much in terms of solid meals. True, the timing of this buffet might not
be for heavy gorge-out meals but there are people who would eat late
lunches or early dinners and it certainly would be a waste if one pays
almost $20 and ends up eating $2 noodles.
Like I said, while the food was decent, the actual variety was so dismal
that I have effectively tried everything I wanted in two rounds (and those
were small rounds, as you can see in the photos, where my plate was
barely more than 80% filled). The desserts, too, while pretty, were only
a mere handful and, while good, seemed a bit cheap for a full-fledged
Chinese restaurant like this.
that I have effectively tried everything I wanted in two rounds (and those
were small rounds, as you can see in the photos, where my plate was
barely more than 80% filled). The desserts, too, while pretty, were only
a mere handful and, while good, seemed a bit cheap for a full-fledged
Chinese restaurant like this.
One dessert to try, however, is their little egg puffs to be drenched in honey
. It’s unbelievably tasty and was just about the best part of the meal (other
than the roast pork bun).
. It’s unbelievably tasty and was just about the best part of the meal (other
than the roast pork bun).
Once I get to try out the lunch or dinner buffets (with the full selection),
I’ll post again with a full review then but, for now, only go for the tea-time
buffet if you’re really craving for an unlimited supply of normal everyday
Chinese fare.
I’ll post again with a full review then but, for now, only go for the tea-time
buffet if you’re really craving for an unlimited supply of normal everyday
Chinese fare.
