MIN JIANG :

Located in the very plush GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL, the MIN JIANG is an excellent Chinese restaurant. This is a must for all successful Singaporean businessmen, spending here a significant percentage of their astronomic wages. We have been truly impressed by the food proposed in the a la carte menu: the choice was huge, generous, and the quality absolutely worth a detour. Take small portions, please!: as by "small" they do mean medium. We were even unable to finish some of our meals: which was a pity. If you are not Chinese, please do follow our suggestions: Start with the Dim Sum (they call here "Tim Sum"). They are not the cheap and ordinary ones you can buy for peanuts in the hawker food centers downtown; they arrive rich and savourous, stuffed with fine seafood. Selections with the crab meat were great, but with Saint-Jacques it was simply superb !

We then had a Live Local Lobster anointed with Chinese Herbs: very fresh indeed, perfectly though simply cooked. Three sizes and seasonal rates are available. For our selection, the price charged was S$50 (about US$30): a little bit expensive for South-East Asia, but still OK for Singapore where such a fine meal is a real delicacy. And we are at the legendary GOODWOOD's: don't forget it! Very affordable and recommended are the Frog Legs Stir Fried with Ginger and Spring Onions (about S$15).

By the way: did you know that Chinese share with French people a particular taste for frogs ? They cook them just like the best chefs do in our country. We still remember the ones Alain Senderens (LUCAS-CARTON PARIS) prepared to our special attention one day in Bangkok. We found here the same know-how, with this "je-ne-sais-quoi" making this meal absolutely enjoyable. It was even able to made us forget our lobster: can you imagine ?! As a dessert, the Mango Pudding was fine, light, with a completely original taste. Note that if you really want to impress your guests, or your neighbors, they propose (what were reported to us as) the best sharks fins in Singapore... providing you order the "ultimate grade" Double Boiled Superior Sharks Fins with Snow Frogs (between S$200 and 350)... going, but of course, very well with a bottle of Dom Perignon.

A so very glamorous and excellent restaurant, where you can definitely be sure not to be crossed by backpackers; even on Sunday, when the "TIM-SUM BREAKFAST" goes for a ridiculously inexpensive S$12.80 (on the period of our visit, June 1997).