(Crystal Jade GO had since ceased operations at their locations in Funan and United Square. They are still operational in their location at Oasis Terraces in Punggol; the address for this outlet can be found in the end of the post.)
Being a pretty established name within the F&B scene when it comes to fine Chinese cuisine, it is interesting to see Crystal Jade moving into more casual concepts as a shift of focus especially with the introduction of Dim Sum Inc by Crystal Jade, which had since been re-branded as Crystal Jade GO.
Having moved into the former premises of Duke Bakery in United Square, the United Square outlet is one of the three Crystal Jade GO locations in Singapore; one being located at Oasis Terraces in Punggol, while the other being situated within the revamped Funan mall which serves more as a takeaway kiosk with very limited seating space. Decked with an interior that features a splash of colours, the space carries a lively and youthful vibe; something which moves away from the usual atas outlook of other more formal Crystal Jade establishments — possibly to attract the likes of younger families and young adults alike. Featuring a limited menu as compared to some of their other dining concepts, the menu at Crystal Jade GO features more individually-portioned items, whilst also offering items such as sides and dim sum which are good to share amongst smaller groups; beverages are served in bags here — an attempt to follow the trend set by pasarmalam stalls previously that is instagrammable and all.
(Silky Scrambled Egg with Honey Roasted BBQ Pork)
One of the sides that caught our attention on the menu was the Silky Scrambled Egg with Honey Roasted BBQ Pork. This was an item that we utterly enjoyed; fluffy and creamy scrambled eggs that come speckled with bits of honey roasted BBQ pork. Almost akin to that of an Asian variant of the classic scrambled eggs served with bacon, we liked how the bits of meats helped to add a meaty bite and a slight sweetness that provides a flavour and texture contrast to the scrambled eggs. Patrons who wish to pair the Silky Scrambled Egg with Honey Roasted BBQ Pork can also opt for the Silky Scrambled Egg with Honey Roasted BBQ Pork Rice; essentially the same item which sees the same scrambled egg blanketing a bed of rice beneath.
(Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun)
Going for a dim sum item, it is difficult to resist the Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun. An item that is a crowd-pleaser, we found the Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun to be relatively decent, considering how the salted egg yolk custard filling struck a balance between the savoury salted egg yolk flavour and sweet custard. That being said, we did find the bun to be a little thick and dense at the bottom; possibly done so as to avoid the buns from bursting into a mess at the bottom, though we certainly have had variants of this item at other establishments which were a little bit more consistent in the bun’s texture all around.
Sharing a platter of meats at the table, we found ourselves ordering the 2 BBQ Combination. Patrons can opt for two of the three meats available here — Honey Roasted BBQ Pork, Roasted Duck, and the Superior Soya Sauce Chicken; we opted for the former two. Between the two, we preferred the Roasted Duck — not only was the duck pretty succulent and tender, we also found the meat to still carry enough moisture whilst not being particularly gamey. We also liked how the skin hints of a savoury yet subtly smoky note, whilst also carrying a good chew. The Honey Roasted BBQ Pork was fairly decent, though would appeal more towards those who prefer their charsiew to come with leaner parts, providing a good meaty bite as compared to the melt-in-the-mouth fatty ness that is more to our preferences. That being said, the Honey Roasted BBQ Pork was not too sweet; a pretty well-balanced variant that most would fancy.
Being the signature item to be offered on the menu at Crystal Jade GO, the Signature Roast Bowls allow patrons to match their desired Signature Roast to a Sauce of their choice, as well as an option between rice or noodles to suit their cravings and preferences. For our order, we had our Signature Roast Bowl to come with the Superior Soya Sauce Chicken, served with Egg Noodles and tossed in Truffle Soya Sauce. Mixing the noodles up with the Truffle Soya Sauce, one would notice how the springy egg noodle that is QQ and all come perfumed with a distinct truffle aroma that spreads itself through the entire bowl; something which would most certainly capture the hearts of truffle lovers. This worked well with the Superior Soya Sauce Chicken; the chicken being all savoury from being braised with the soya sauce, while the flesh is tender, juicy and succulent — incredibly smooth as well, and a great accompaniment to the noodles. While the bowl of noodles was something we utterly enjoyed, we found the bowl of soup on the side to be rather salty, while the bowl of salad comes with a refreshing crunch amidst the notes of the roasty and nutty Goma dressing that drenched over it.
Having visited Crystal Jade for all these years, it had always been known as a destination for fine Chinese cuisine — big platters meant for celebratory occasions with families fit for all ages. No doubt there are some Crystal Jade concepts that cater towards the casual dining scene, however, Crystal Jade GO seems to be targeting a younger crowd with its outlook and menu. Not only has walking into a Crystal Jade feel less daunting than before, but the casual dining environment with dressed-down staff and the introduction of more individually-portioned items do make Crystal Jade GO feel more accessible to the masses, aligning Crystal Jade with the consumer habits of today. One could easily walk into a Crystal Jade GO outlet to have a meal without busting their budget, or even order takeout through a self-service kiosk without all the hassle. It is indeed refreshing to see Crystal Jade revamping their image to also appeal to the diners of today; for all those who did not have a chance to visit Crystal Jade; Crystal Jade GO is for you — not only are the prices affordable, but we really do enjoy how accessible Crystal Jade GO is whilst offering the same quality Chinese cuisine that the Crystal Jade branding is known for.
Crystal Jade GO 101 Thomson Road #01-02 United Square Singapore 307591
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