Fans of fireworks have been treated this year with spectacular pyrotechnics being set off during the weekly National Day Parade rehearsals. Overlooking the Marina Bay waterfront, Me@OUE is perfectly placed to catch the lighted displays.
Every Saturday from now until National Day, 9 August, the tri-concept Japanese-French-Chinese restaurant will be offering three SG50 dishes, inspired by very familiar local flavours to commemorate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee year.
Chef Chen Kentaro ups the ante on our very Singaporean favourite, chili crab, by swopping out the usual Sri Lankan crabs for even more luxurious lobsters. With three large lobsters in chili sauce enhanced with Japanese vinegar and Japanese leeks, his Chili Lobster ($180++, serves 4) wasn’t quite as spicy as I would have liked, but the lobsters were juicy and much less fiddly than crabs. After all, when you’re dressed up to the nines for a fancy dinner at Me@OUE, the last thing you’d want is to wrestle with crab shells.
The Sweet and Sour Pork ($120++, serves 4) was unfortunately disappointing. Japanese Momoiro Pink Pork was used create this dish, but seem somewhat wasted as the traditional tomato-based sauce overwhelmed the natural sweetness of the pork. So while we experienced a tender bite, the delicate flavour of the premium meat - a specific breed of Sangenton (三元豚) that’s a cross between 3 types of Yorkshire pigs - was lost.
Of the three SG50 dishes, the King Crab ($198++, serves 4, main picture), a meaty 1.5kg Sri Lankan crab served with mee sua, topped my list. Mee sua is a bland, thin wheat noodle that gets much of its flavour from the soup or stock it’s cooked in, and is easily overcooked. Here, it’s stir-fried expertly with superior stock, and not at all mushy, and worked well with the fresh crab pieces.
On National Day itself, Me@OUE will also be offering a special six-course menu ($245++), which will include the Chili Lobster alongside with unique dishes like Chicken Rice with foie gras and black truffles, so you can enjoy an indulgent meal while having the perfect view of the National Day Parade fireworks.
Now if only we were in Singapore during the National Day long weekend. =)
