Putien is a well-known restaurant chain, also known for the Michelin Star. But do note that the Michelin Star is for the Kitchener Road branch only. Though it is still a good idea to go to other branches instead to get the feel on what the food at Putien is all about. And that’s exactly I do since I will not go to Kitchener Road branch due to the possible insane waiting list and also my preference to suss out restaurants without the stars or before the stars.
I decide to dine at Putien due to impulse to savour the Herbal Prawn again. Yes, I had dined at Putien at Kitchener Road before the Star, and I still remember Herbal Prawn after all these years.
The food, ambience and service are all good. Kind of like that nice mid-range Chinese restaurant. I must add that the Bamboo Drunken Prawn is excellent.
Herbal Prawn is a must try here. Prawn dunked in a Bamboo cup filled with herbs and wine is just so tempting. The prawn is so fresh, having firm, smooth flesh packed with briny sweetness. And what I love about this restaurant is that disposable gloves are provided for deshelling of the prawn.
The herbal Chinese wine soup is so tasty and full of herbal goodness that I feel so nourished after drinking this,
Another highlight of the restaurant is, of course, Steamed Prawns with Minced Garlic! Fresh prawns steamed properly will be packed with the briny sweetness and remain firm in texture. And the prawns here are exactly that. The garlic makes it even more exciting.
After deliberation on my choice of carbo, I ordered Mazu Mee Sua instead of the signature Red Mushroom Seafood Lor Mee. My reason is simply I also prefer the thin Mee Sua, reminiscent of Angel Hair Pasta, over the thicker noodles. And yes, I’m so happy with my choice! The thin strands of wheat noodles trap lots of the umami rich sauce within them, yielding super tasty carbo with goodies such as prawns, beaten egg, meat strips and cute fried tofu cubes.
Putien Sweet and Sour Pork with Lychee is good and has everything done right. The pork is of the right texture for sweet and sour pork, having a good bite. The lychee gives an extra light hint of floral sweetness, making the dish more unique and better.
Deep-fried Duck with Yam is unique but doesn’t hit the sweet spots. A tad dry and bland, the gamey flavour of duck doesn’t mesh well with the earthy taste of yam without the help of other condiments. The textures of both ingredients also don’t go well together. If duck rillette is stuffed into the yam instead, it may become an awesome dish.
Actually, I ordered this dish thinking of duck rillette with yam. But alas, it is not. Then again, this is a traditional Chinese restaurant, so I guess it is not realistic to expect fusion style Chinese food here.
The specialty chilli sauce is a must-try. It has such robust, harmonised, clear taste of savouy goodness, tang, sweetness and spiciness.
All in all, this place is really good for gatherings where families and friends can enjoy some good old traditional Hokkien cuisine together.
Thoughts: Decent Chinese Restaurant with a feeling of Homeliness
Link to locations of all Pu Tien Restaurants
