Posted on Sun, 22 May 2011

Putien – A Gem Of A Find

Who likes great food at affordable, purse-friendly prices? Yah, who doesn’t right? Stupid question. But it’s no argument that this is getting harder to find in Singapore. So when we do stumble upon one that fits the bill – no mean feat, mind you – we just want to scatter the lurve! So say it with me – PUTIEN!

You probably have seen the branches in many of the malls in Singapore. A relatively new chain, I first went to PUTIEN restaurant’s original outlet in Kitchener Road 7 or 8 years ago. It was just an air-conditioned zichar type kopitiam, very unpretentious and bare, no aesthetics whatsoever. The food then was already good – lovely chilled bittergourd slices and fried mee sua to die for.

Over the years, its owner Fong Chi Chung – who moved to Singapore in 2000 from Fujian, China originally to expand his electronics business – had beefed up its branding and look, and now it’s a stylish restaurant with 8 other branches in Singapore and one more in Jakarta. (Now that’s what I call real ‘foreign talent’!)

What you will find here is Heng Hwa cuisine from Fujian province, characterised by light, down to earth, homely flavours, emphasising fresh ingredients, seafood and a respect for seasonal produce.

Seasonal Flavours
When I went there again recently, Executive Chef Xiao Liangrong had brought in loads of bamboo clams – a seasonal ingredient peaking from now til September and which the restaurant is serving. They are brought over 2-3 times a week in a state of hibernation, neatly packed in styrofoam boxes. To prepare them, he pours a pail of salted water onto the shellfish, after which they begin to stir. As a way of cleaning themselves, they shoot out little (but surprisingly forceful) spouts of water so you have this box full of tiny fountains. A fascinating sight! (See the picture below)

Unlike those we often find in other restaurants, these bamboo clams are petite and sweet. Putien is serving seven bamboo clam dishes (S$19.90) including a deliciously sweet baked bamboo clam on hot plate, baked for 7 minutes on a bed of seasoned salt. A little dry on the outside, perhaps, but very enjoyable and moist enough inside. No complains there. The bamboo clam omelette – a nice variation of oyster omelette – is moist, and light, also worth a try; but I’m planning to try the salted spicy bamboo clams in the near future. Portions are very reasonable.

Beyond that, special Mother’s Day & Father’s Day Menus (they are the same except for the dessert which varies) are available until the end of June and features a unique dish of Baked Scallop in Egg White ($9.90) – whole fresh scallop is wrapped in a fist-sized ‘bag’ of egg white mixed with potato flour. Flavours are delicate and subtle, but the texture while light, smooth, airy also holds some bite and chewiness on account of the flour. It’s more substantial than expected.

Signature Dishes
The lobster lor mee ($29.90) was excellent – lovely soy flavours and a springy tender lobster served alongside smooth tender noodles – but the simple dish of crunchy tender bamboo pith and crisp asparagus with wolfberries ($21.90) was my favourite. Yes, I must admit this last dish is not cheap.

In their ongoing menu, signature dishes are authentically homely and unpretentious, with a rustic touch, like drunken cockles, tiny shrimp with seaweed, deep fried pigs trotters with pepper and a fantastic hing wa bee hoon.

This is a gem of a restaurant where the food is down to earth, with contemporary food presentation and a comfy, stylish ambience. For the most part, prices are reasonable, which makes PUTIEN a reliable and delectable go-to restaurant when you’re just too tired to cook at home or a cheerful weekend dinner for the extended family. This definitely gets my thumbs up as a simplyfab restaurant!