Fortune Court – Great Chinese Cuisine [MEDIA INVITE]

Fortune Court is a new restaurant set up by ex-Peony Jade Clarke Quay restaurant manager Connie Chee and executive chef Lee Hee Min. It’s all started when they were let go after PJ Clarke Quay closed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The journey has not been smooth sailing at first, however, things start to look brighter after they shift to this new location and rebranded their restaurant to Fortune Court (‘FC’).

Fortune Court

We started the tasting with Chef’s Signature Soft Shell Crab ($11.80). Deep-fried soft-shell crab, coated with pork floss, mixed with cereal and spices. The crab is crispy and juicy, while the pork floss rub has a touch of curry seasoning that delivers a spicy kick at the end.

Chef’s Signature Soft Shell Crab

Chef’s Signature Soft Shell Crab

Chef’s Three Cup Beef ($17.80). A variation from the usual three cup chicken. The beef is tender and succulent, while the sauce absorbs into the beef nicely and created a nice caramelisation externally. You can taste the flavour of the rice wine as well. Together with capsicum, onion and basil leaves, this dish is surely a “rice thief” dish.

Chef’s Three Cup Beef 

Chef’s Three Cup Beef 

Chef’s Three Cup Beef - The Beef 

Deep Fried Grouper (800 – 900 gram) – Deep fried drizzled with Superior Sauce ($51.80). We like the presentation as the deep-fried till crispy and reach the curving shape. The exterior is crispy followed by flaky and moist flesh. The superior sauce definitely uses a top-grade soy sauce, as you can taste the depth of the flavours in it. For the finishing touch, the chef put a bunch of coriander, spring onion and minced garlic. I don’t usually like minced garlic on my food, however, the usage here is perfect. It added a touch of sweetness and remove the oily flavour from the fish. What a great dish!!

Deep Fried Grouper with Superior Sauce

Deep Fried Grouper with Superior Sauce

Salted Egg Prawn ($15.80). To be exact, it is Salted Egg Prawn Balls. Instead of using a whole giant prawn, Chef Lee uses homemade prawn balls. The texture is softer, not as bouncy as using the whole tiger prawns, yet it has a lot more flavour as it is mixed with fish paste. Although the salted egg sauce is good, but it is still missing some OMPH.

Salted Egg Prawn

Salted Egg Prawn

Steamed Crab with Garlic and Eggs ($9/100g). WOW! That was our first reaction. This gigantic Sri-Lankan crab weighs 1.3kg. It is steamed to perfection with egg white and topped with coriander, fried and fresh garlic as well.

Steamed Crab with Garlic and Eggs 

Steamed Crab with Garlic and Eggs 

The crab is fresh and the flesh is velvety and smooth. When we turn over the shell, we strike gold, as it is loaded with solid crab roes. We dig out the roe and eat it with the egg white and garlic. Yummy!!

Steamed Crab with Garlic and Eggs 

The Roe

XO Lobster Eefu Noodles ($42.80). A signature dish by Chef Lee from his days at PJ. The lobster is juicy and succulent. However, the Eefu noodle is the star here. The thick silky noodle absorbs the essence of the lobster, the XO sauce and the pork lard. You need to get to the bottom of the dish to find the pork lard. I must say the combination of the pork lard and XO itself is just a gastronomic delight.

XO Lobster Eefu Noodles 

XO Lobster Eefu Noodles 

Singapore Fried Rice with Silver Fish ($13.80). An underrated dish, but it just showcases the great skill of the chef. It is aromatic and exudes a subtle wok hei. The rice is al-dente, well-seasoned and incorporates a multi-texture derived from the eggs, cucumber and prawns. The topping of crispy silver fish is perfect. I will be happy if I order this dish alone.

Singapore Fried Rice with Silver Fish 

FC has two seating areas, indoor and out. The décor for the indoor is modern and bright. I find the place to be warm and cosy. The outdoor seating is limited to two tables; however, it will be a great place to sit when the crowd starts to flow back to Chinatown.

Part of Indoor Dining Area

Part of Indoor Dining Area

During the media tasting, I realised the other tables are occupied by their regulars and they are there to enjoy the XO Lobster Eefu Noodles. This is just a testament to the relationships built over the years between the manager, chef and customers.

Overall, the food at Fortune Court is great. A lot of care and attention goes into each dish and the flavours are awesome. We clean up all the dishes, to show our compliments to the chef. We look forward to our next visit here. Cheers!!

Food & Drink: 8.5/10

Value: 7.5/10

Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)

Ambiance: 7.25/10

Budget per Person: $11 - $25; $26 - $50

Fortune Court

31 Pagoda Street

Singapore 059190

T: +65 9234 9969

W: https://www.fortunecourtsg.com/

F: https://www.facebook.com/fortunecourtsg/

IG: @Fortunecourtsg

OH: Daily 11.00 – 15.00; 17.30 – 22.00

Dapur Penyet – Authentic Indonesian Comfort Food

Bebek Penyet @ Daput Penyet

We found Dapur Penyet when we were looking for a place to sit while waiting for my turn to collect my items from a collection point in Centrepoint. The set-up of the shop is almost like any fast-food chain, however, instead of the usual Western fare, you get Indonesian food.

Our first time there, we tried Siomay ($7.50) and Batagor ($7.50). Siomay is steam Indonesian fish dumplings served with steamed cabbage, beancurd, hard-boiled egg and peanut sauce dipping. It is one of LD’s favourite Indonesian dishes and the version here got her approval. The fish dumplings are bouncy, tasty, while the peanut sauce is aromatic and packs with flavour.

Siomay

Meanwhile, the Batagor is the fried version of the fish dumplings. The ingredients are the same with siomay, except the fish dumplings are deep-fried.

Bebek Penyet ($10.50). Smashed Fried Duck. The fried duck has a crispy exterior, followed by fork-tender and succulent flesh. The flesh also infused with spices derive from long hours boiling in spices filled broth, while the deep frying just intensifies the flavour. The crispy crumbs on top also add different texture to the dish. The bebek penyet is usually served with sambal terasi (Indonesian shrimp paste sambal), but I ask for no chilli. I feel that I like the duck version better than the ayam penyet, as it has more flesh and is more succulent.

Bebek Penyet

Ayam Ijo ($7.50). Smashed Fried Chicken with Padang Green Chilli Sauce. LD got the breast part of the chicken instead of the thigh part. Although the exterior is crispy, the breast meat is dry. The Padang Green Chilli is very spicy and LD describes it as SHIOK!!. (Next time I need to remember to write down Chicken Thigh).

Ayam Ijo

Ikan Joget ($12.50). Fried Sundanese Dancing Fish. A uniquely Indonesian dish. The flesh of the tilapia fish is sliced in such a way, making the fish stand up after it is deep-fried. It has a crisp exterior with juicy flesh. While it is delicious, this dish can be better if it is crispier, so you can enjoy the crispy fins and tail like keropok.

Ikan Joget

Ikan Joget

The fried chicken and fish are served with fried crispy tofu and boiled cabbage. The staple does not come with your protein order. So, remember to order it separately. Nasi Putih ($1) - White rice.

Nasi Putih

The décor of the place is a typical fast-food setup. It is simple and functional. The service staff is friendly; however, you need to place your order at the counter, collect your drink and wait for the beeper to page you to collect your food. Everything is self-service, except for cleaning your table afterwards.

Water, Lime Juice & Lime Juice with Sour Plum

Overall, Dapur Penyet serves Indonesian style of comfort food. It is delicious and it will satisfy your Indonesian food cravings. Cheers!

Menu 1

Menu 2

Food & Drinks: 7.25/10

Value: 7.75/10

Service: N/A (Fast food concept)

Ambiance: 6.5/10

Budget per Person: $0 - $10; $11 - $25

Dapur Penyet

176 Orchard Road

#01-59/62, The Centrepoint

Singapore 238843

T: +65 6734 2840

W: https://www.dapurpenyet.com.sg/

F: https://www.facebook.com/dapurpenyetsingapore

IG: @Dapurpenyetsingapore

OH: Daily 10.00 – 21.00 (LO 20.30)

Other Location

810 Geylang Road

#01-43, City Plaza

Singapore 409286

T: +65 6842 5034