Some birthdays are measured in candles. Mine is measured in who sits across the table. Celebrating with loved ones is a tradition I intend to keep, and this year, my close friend Joslyn made it taste even better.
She told me nothing beforehand, and the surprise was real. We ended up on Robinson Road, in an office building that gives no hint of what lies inside. Away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD, Myo Restobar was waiting.
About Myo Restobar
Famed for its signature claypot chicken, Myo Restobar is listed in the Michelin Guide. The restaurant occupies an entire floor in Oxley Tower and seats 120 guests. Inside, the décor is industrial, while the traditional Chinese seating arrangement adds a familiar nod to the cuisine it serves.
The Meaning Behind the Name
The name plays on the Chinese words 妙嚥 (miào yàn), meaning “to swallow wonder”. Fittingly, the menu feels wonderfully traditional, built around classic home-style Cantonese cooking and Chinese dishes one would enjoy during festive seasons.
The Food
The star was Ng Miang Quee’s heritage claypot chicken. The chicken arrived tender and swaddled in braised cabbage, bathed in a glossy herbal sauce. Each mouthful melted on the tongue, finished with a faint smokiness of wok hei.
We also ordered a set menu that included the claypot chicken, along with these dishes:
- Crispy yam bag with scallops: A golden, crunchy shell with a soft, savoury scallop filling.
- Garoupa fillet: Lightly seasoned, which kept the clean flavour of the fish centre stage.
- Beancurd: Silky and smooth beneath a sauce I could not quite place. It was unusual, savoury, and very appetising.
- NZ tenderloin cubes with garlic and broccoli: Juicy, tender beef slices with a fragrant garlic aroma, paired with crisp broccoli for a crunch. For someone apprehensive about red meat, I loved this one.
It was hard to pick a favourite, as the heritage claypot chicken and the tenderloin cubes were equally delicious. I had then washed the food down with the fizzy sour plum and fresh lime with soda, which was quite the refresher. There was also the dessert of the day that wasn’t on the menu which, unfortunately, none of us could quite pinpoint what it was. Although, I might add, it was still quite a tasty after-meal dish.
Ambience and Service
We arrived at around 7pm on a Monday evening, and the restaurant was far quieter than I expected for such a large space. Apart from us, there was only one other table, which made for relaxed conversation and plenty of room to linger. Service, however, was slightly disappointing. The staff seemed keen to close, and they served food straight into our bowls so they could clear the empty ones sooner.
Final Thoughts
The food was wonderful, and the company made it better. I am grateful to have spent the evening with Joslyn (thank you for the introduction!), her sister Jasmine, and my sister Sinta. The signature claypot chicken is a definite recommended dish for any gastronomer.
Not a sponsored post.
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