I was glad that I was in time for China Restaurant Week Spring 2018. This year, I only managed to go for one, Daimon Gastrolounge, 厨魔馆, unlike last year I went for quite a handful, such as Hakkasan, Wei Jing Ge, Restaurant Fifty, Acqua Italian Restaurant, and a few others. I always love Restaurant Week, be it in Singapore or elsewhere in the world. It gave me the opportunity to try out some of the extremely expensive restaurant at a very affordable price.
By the same folk who own Bo Shanghai, a 1-Michelin Star Restaurant in 2018 listing and Bo’s Innovation 3-Michelin Star Restaurant in Hong Kong, Alvin Leung. Daimon Gastrolounge share level 6 of 5 on the Bund with her sister’s restaruant, Bo Shanghai.
At the door step, my attention was drawn to the neon lights, the decoration portray Hong Kong’s street. Hence, immediately, I felt I was ported to glowing city.
Daimon Gastrolounge offers innovative Hong Kong Dim Sum, however, I prefer to describe it as Shanghai interpretation. For the China Restaurant Week Spring 2018, the restaurant offers 6 items for its Lunch set at CNY 138 per person.
First was the fame Tom Yum Chicken Xiao Long Bao. On its ala carte menu are 2 other flavour, chili crab and spicy Sichuan lamb which will have to be for the next visit. When I devoured it, I didn’t read the menu therefore didn’t realize what flavour it was. Hence, the moment it landed on my palate, I find the taste different from the classic Soup Dumpling. However, I didn’t think it concocted the Tom Yum flavour in the dumpling. It was too sweet for my liking. The vinegar was strangely sweet too.
Next I tried was the Chengdu Spicy Beef Siu Mai. Likewise, I didn’t read the menu. When I savoured it, I love it. Savoury spicy beef Siu Mai was a fabulous creation.
Subsequently, we have the HK Red Sausage. I thought it was sweeter than the Hong Kong version.
Crab Taro Croquette was the second item we love. Crab and yam are great pairing.
Honey sweet BBQ pork was encased in the light crispy, milky bun wrap made the BBQ Pork Bun sweetish. Albeit no surprise, it was delish.
Wrapping up the meal with Instant Noodle With Egg served in claypot will ensure that you filled your stomach space. Beside the sunny side up, there is a thick slice of luncheon meat. Judging from the look, you will be right about this ordinary bowl and the noodle was on the soft spectrum too. The kick is from the chilli oil. If you have high spicy-tolerance, add more oil.
I find it a pity that Daimon Gastrolounge didn’t include a dessert as part of the set. However, you can enjoy the view of Lujiazui with Oriental Pearl Tower in sight.
NAHMJ Verdict
Hits and miss are inevitable I suppose in innovative dishes. The ingredients used in the Dim Sum are far beyond imaginary even though I didn’t enjoy the sweetish hint in the savoury item by Daimon Gastrolounge though. Perhaps, it is a personal preference.
Daimon Gastrolounge
20 Guangdong Lu, Sixth floor, Five on the Bund (near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu) Huangpu district
广东路20号, 近中山东一路
Tel: +86 5383 2031
Website: https://www.facebook.com/daimongastrolounge/
Opening Hours
Mondays – Fridays 1700 to 0000 | Saturdays – Sundays 1130 to 1430, 1700 to 0000
Getting There
Subway: Line 2 & 10 – East Nanjing Road station
Rating: 7.5/10