Tun Xiang Nanyang Delights 豚香南洋馆 (Asia Square)

Tun Xiang shouldn’t be a name that is unfamiliar with most these days — not only have they opened several outlets across different corners in Singapore, they also have had an advertising campaign which seems to have brought more awareness of the brand to locals overall. An option that we occasionally would think about going for if at the Food Garden food court at Asia Square, we checked these guys out after being particularly undecided on which stall we felt like dining from. Turns out, the Tun Xiang outlet there seems to be serving up a Kampung Curry Mee at $8.90 ala-carte; something which evoked our interest and turned out to be our order for the day. The Kampung Curry Mee is an item that is not listed down in the menu at Tun Xiang — at least so at their Food Garden food court outlet at Asia Square; that being said, there is a poster hanging at the back of the stall that describes the elements that are included in their Kampung Curry Mee. They have mentioned the inclusion of elements such as “Deep-fry Iberico Pork Beancurd”, “Deep-fry Iberico Pork Wanton”, and “Roasted Chestnut Pork” — in fact, all of the elements that comes with the Kampung Curry Mee that is being listed in the poster are side dishes which already exist in the regular menu of Tun Xiang. Apart from those, the Kampung Curry Mee also comes with beansprouts and lime; there is only one type of noodle that comes served with the Kampung Curry Mee — egg noodles, which we found to be a rather interesting but also odd noodle of choice considering how broad yellow noodles tend to be the default noodle type that comes with such dishes.

Digging into the Kampung Curry Mee, it is needless to say that the curry gravy was decent; sufficiently flavourful and whilst we think would satisfy most tastebuds, does feel like it is missing of a certain punch when compared to the Malaysian-style big bowl curry noodles that we have had elsewhere. The choices of noodle were absurd; not a turn-off, though we would see some differences of opinions for sure — the noodles were still somewhat springy, though the curry gravy seem to cling on it pretty well; definitely less jelat than broad yellow noodles, though we would prefer thin rice vermicelli if given a choice. Between the “Deep-fry Iberico Pork Beancurd” and the “Deep-fry Iberico Pork Wanton”, our preferences leaned closer to the former — the former being more like Yong Tau Foo pieces but with their own twist. The Iberico pork is being minced and stuffed into the middle of the beancurd before being deep-fried; this meant that one would get a meaty and savoury bite in the middle — the way it is being fried ensured a crunch for the tofu beancurd on the exterior, all whilst being airy within. The “Deep Fry Iberico Pork Wanton” is decent too; crisp with a decent amount of meat filling within — both fried items coming in a portion of two pieces each, and both were pretty much free from grease or any undesirable stench of overused oil. The Chestnut Roast Pork is pretty much the signature of Tun Xiang’s offerings — here, the skin maintains a good crispness while the meat comes with a good proportion of lean to fatty parts; easy to chew through being sufficiently tender. All that, as well as with its smokiness and savouriness from the spice rub, the Chestnut Roast Pork is a great addition to the Kampung Curry Mee that goes with it really well. Though not the most affordable item around the Central Business District at its $8.90 price tag (with portions being a little small; pretty much what Tun Xiang’s individually-sized dishes have always been), still a rather decent fuss-free eat to go for.

Their chili is pretty intense, but not overly spicy, more sour and it's the kind without much body but is thick. Goes well w the siobak

The red Char siew is lean but is not tough, it's a decent rendition and not strongly Marinated either

Rice, egg, veggie were all good

Pork belly Char siew was solid, it's got bounce and bite, despite looking too soft. No crust but forgivable at this texture, the marinade wasnt too strong

Siobak was excellent, tender with a strong crisp and intense roasted aroma

Tun Xiang Nanyang Delights probably does not require much of an introduction these days — we had previously already written about Tun Xiang Nanyang Delights when they concept had first opened their doors at Bedok Mall. Being a brand by the same folks behind Gochi-So Shokudo (they are also the same folks behind yet another F&B concept named Hor Fun King), Tun Xiang Nanyang Delights have since expanded its operations; so much so that it has become quite a recognisable brand name within both the heartlands and the Central Business District as well. The outlet which we had made our visit to this time round is the one located in the Food Garden food court at Asia Square — this rather peculiar outlet sees outlets of Gochi-So Shokudo, Tun Xiang Nanyang Delights and Hor Fun King located side-by-side with one another. The outlet of Gochi-So Shokudo at Food Garden food court at Asia Square is being run as a mini-restaurant with its own dedicated dine-in area, though Tun Xiang Nanyang Delights and Hor Fun King are run as though they are independent stalls with their own dedicated counter where patrons would make their order from. The outlet of Tun Xiang Nanyang Delights in the Food Garden food court at Asia Square serves up a smaller menu than some outlets situated in the heartlands; the menu being segmented into sections comprising of noodles, rice, meat and sides. A very limited list of beverages are also being served up at this particular outlet of Tun Xiang Nanyang Delights as well; this includes Sour Plum and Honey Lemon Juice, as well as a small selection of canned drinks.

What got us really intrigued to head down to Tun Xiang Nanyang Delights at Food Garden in Asia Square was the ongoing promotion that we had came across whilst dining there the other day — the Triple Combo Roasted Delights Rice is retailed at the price of $6.45 from 18 April 2023 to 31 May 2023; a discount of 50% off its original price. The Triple Combo Roasted Delights Rice comes with Black Pork Charsiew, Chestnut Roasted Pork and Pork Collar Charsiew — all accompanied with an Onsen Egg as well. Tun Xiang Nanyang Delights has attempted to make their Triple Combo Roasted Delights Rice a modern iteration of the same dish featuring premium ingredients that sets it apart from the same that is typically found at stalls specialising in Hong Kong-style roast meats in coffeeshops and hawker centres — this is also the same reason why it commands a price tag of $12.90 on the menu when there are no promotions running.

Digging into the Triple Combo Roasted Delights Rice, one would be able to notice how the bed of rice beneath isn’t quite the usual fragrant white rice that we are quite used to seeing; the Triple Combo Roasted Delights Rice features Japanese short-grain rice that one would usually find in Donburi instead. Poking the wobbly Onsen Egg with the chopsticks reveals its runny egg yolk; mixing the egg into the rice provided the rice with a good moisture that makes it especially easy to eat. All three meats were well-executed, but the highlight for us would be their Black Pork Charsiew; these were done almost to the style of Malaysian-style Char Siew where they feature a dark, caramelised exterior that is sufficiently sweet yet comes with juicy and tender meat that is all melt-in-the-mouth — all that whilst not being overly gelatinous or jelat at the same time. The Pork Collar Charsiew is the leaner cut of Char Siew between the two here; this carried more bite, but was still a delight to have. For one who loves their roasted pork, the Chestnut Roasted Pork hits the spot for us; it comes with a good balance of fatty and lean parts that carried a good bite as well as being tender and melty — it also comes with that beautifully browned biscuit-crisp skin that makes it a well-executed roasted pork dish as well. Whilst we would find it a little bit of a pricey affair at its original price of $12.90 to consider as a daily eat (especially given how this is pretty much still Hong Kong-style roast meat with rice at heart), the ongoing promotion at 50% makes it a really appealing option — definitely gonna make further use of this deal while it lasts!

This rice bowl is my comfort food and the best way to end the day. The pork is always soft and succulent. When paired with the rice and runny yolk, it is *chef’s kiss*.