Wo Peng Cuisine 和平宴 @ Furama Hotel ~ Chef Julian Tam, Founder Of Singapore Traditional Poon Choy Continues To Serve His Signature Dish This CNY

[CNY 2016] Chinese New Year feasting continues as we made our way to level 3 of Furama Hotel in Chinatown, where Wo Peng Cuisine 和平宴 is located.

The restaurant is still exactly how I remembered it to be when I first visited for a Makansutra dinner a few years back: Utterly dated with cheesy decorations just like a scene from those olden Chinese movies of glorious past. But discerning diners who are in the know, would know that this place is a culinary gem helmed by Chef Julian Tam Kwok Fai, a Hong Kong Platinum Awarded Winner.

Chef Julian is not only the first to bring Poon Choy to the Singapore Chinese cuisine scene as a festive New Year delicacy, he is also the first to introduce Poon Choy into a dish where this authentic and well-like Cantonese dish can be enjoyed daily.

Yes, it means that on any day when craving strikes for some indulgence in the scrumptious goodness, you can come to Wo Peng where it is available everyday for dine-in or takeaway.

Expectantly, the signature poon choy is featured heavily as part of Wo Peng's Chinese New Year celebration set menu as well.

To usher in the upcoming Monkey Year, Chef Julian has crafted 6 different dine-in menus of 8 courses each to suit group of 6 persons ($368 to $1088) or 10 persons ($598 to $1688).

I must say, the luxurious pot of Wo Peng ‘Poon Choy’ （和平首创鲍鱼盆菜) with whole abalone, prawns and assorted dried seafood such as scallops and sea cucumber braised in a flavorsome sauce was both a visual and delectable treat. It certainly lived up to expectations.

No Chinese New Year meal will seem complete without doing the Huat Ah prosperity toss, and we did ours with much vigor lol!

The Prosperity Salmon Yu Sheng (炸魚皮, 三文鱼生捞起) here felt a lot more refreshing, mostly due to the generous amount of organic garden greens on top of the usual julienne vegetables.

Vegetarian salmon were used instead of the typical real sashimi grade ones (which I guessed is due to the recent unfortunate cases of raw fish poisonings). Its texture was almost like the real thing!

Double-boiled Whole Chicken Stuffed with Glutinous Rice & Ginseng Soup (原只鸡酿糯米炖人參汤) sounded really Korean on paper, but I can assure you this is undoubtedly a Chinese herbal-style soup with cordyceps and a whole kampong chicken prepared in an old chicken, ham and pork stock. The addition of black garlic gave the soup an unique aroma that was very pleasing.

The Sauteed “Peach Resin” with Egg White & Green Vegetables (乳酪炒蜜桃胶) was my favorite dish that day. Who would have thought that the resin from peach trees have such collagen-rich properties, and its jelly-like texture suits as a lovely ingredient for dishes. Paired with scrambled egg whites and baby bok choy, this was altogether a delicate and beautiful dish.

Next up, a masterfully-executed Smoked & Roasted Duck with Camphor & Chinese Tea Leaves (樟茶烤鸭), leaving us greatly satisfied with its juicy meat and subtle tea fragrance within.

The meal rounded up with Wok-Fried Glutinous Rice with Assorted Chinese Sausages （生炒腊味糯米饭), and quintessential New Year favorites ‘Fa Cai’ Carrot Cake & Nian Gao (香港年糕).

For you who prefer to dine in the comfort of your own home, Wo Peng offers takeaway specials too.

Takeaway Specials

• CNY Set Menu ($298nett for 5pax / $528nett for 10 pax) include favorites such as Wo Peng Poon Choy, Prosperity Crispy Fish Skin with Vegetarian Yu Sheng, Wok-fried Glutinous Rice with Assorted Chinese Sausages, Deep-fried Red Bean Pancake.
• Poon Choy ($228nett for 5pax / $428nett for 10pax)
• Prosperity Salmon Yu Sheng with Organic Greens & Crispy Fish Skin ($48nett for 6-8 persons)
• Double-boiled Whole Chicken stuffed with Glutinous & Ginseng Soup ($68nett for 6-8 persons)
• Smoked & Roasted Duck with Camphor & Chinese Tea Leaves ($68nett)
• Wok-Fried Glutinous Rice with Assorted Chinese Sausages ($22nett for 4-6 Persons)
• Nian Gao ($19.80 / $38.80)
• "Fa Cai" Carrot Cake ($18.80nett)
• "Fa Cai" Yam Cake ($18.80nett)

Each Takeaway CNY Set and Poon Choy comes with a free stainless steel treasure pot.

Wo Peng is open as usual during Chinese New Year. For reservations, please call +65 6533 2282 / +65 6534 2282

Wo Peng Cuisine 和平宴
Address: Furama Hotel, 60 Eu Tong Sen Street, #03-01/02, Singapore 059804
Contact: +65 6533 2282 / +65 6534 2282
Website: http://wopeng.com.sg/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wopengcantonesecuisine/
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun Lunch 11am-3pm / Dinner 6pm-10pm

Prices stated are in Singapore dollars and subjected to 10% service charge and 7% GST.