The Fork and Chopstick

Highlighting Off the Beaten Path, Heritage, or Just Plain Fun Chomping Grounds

by Jenni & Eric Lee

The Dragon Chamber

2 Circular Road, S. 049358

You could easily walk past The Dragon Chamber and mistake it for just an outdoor eatery on Circular Road. Look closer and you will notice that the counter in front isn’t really a kitchen… and is that really a drinks fridge in the back? Enter the Dragon Chamber…into a dark passage that leads to an intimidating door with a sliding peephole. No password needed, but definitely a dramatic entrance into the main dining room. The Dragon Chamber is an example of the speakeasy style of bar and restaurant that adds a bit of mystery and adventure to your innovative meal.

The Dragon Chamber

Saturday Dinner Chomp:

The food is fusion Chinese with a Western twist. Firecracker Chicken ($16) was a take on Laziji - popcorn chicken chunks deep fried with Szechuan peppercorn and chili. What is not to like (although this dish should have been several degrees spicier). The accompanying maple glazed youtiou made for a charming tilt of the hat to chicken and waffles.

Laziji Dish

The classic Yang Chow fried rice yielded a satisfying wok hei; and true to Laziji dish form, the Flaming Pineapple Beef ($30) came out blazing! The beef was extremely tender and rich with a sauce of classic sweet & sour flavors. We are also always suckers for Wasabi Prawns ($26), which as a menu item didn’t seem to fit the theme, but they were tasty nonetheless. Overall, the well prepared food evoked the general tropical Asian mishmash familiar to a suburban US kid growing up. Perhaps we’ll return for the crocodile penis soup one day.

Flaming Pineapple Beef

Ambience/Service/Clientele:

Decor is a modern, dark basement with a chic bar on the side and a view of the kitchen - a fun place to add a bit of mystique, especially for out-of-town visitors. (When was the last time you saw Chop Suey on a menu?) Service was efficient, catering to couples, groups, and families with children.

Digest this - the Good the Bad and the Ugly:

Reservations need to be done way in advance and held with a credit card, unless you want the 5 or 9 p.m. slot. Entry into the “chamber” provided dramatic flair - what a playful beginning. They limit your dining time so this is not a place to linger over a leisurely meal; and your dishes may be served all at the same time unless you request otherwise. The cocktails (Sake Mojito and Java Royale) were watery.

What Others Are Saying:

“Food was mostly well-seasoned except for the crocodile which could do with more salt;” “The dragon claw has a rich Chinese herbs aroma;” “Maybe a bit kitschy but in a fun way…”

Post-Meal/ Further afield:

Head over for cocktails at 28 HongKong Street (hidden bar behind a shophouse facade - ranked among Asia’s 50 best bars!) Or a stroll along the Singapore River will lead you to Tsujiri at Clarke Quay Central for fabulous Japanese soft serve. A little further down is Projector X: Riverside, for dessert or nightcap with a view (and a movie, of course). Happy Chomping!

Jenni & Eric Lee live to eat and explore local eateries and bars. Originally from New York, they have lived in Singapore since 2012.