Luxe Casual Chinese Dim Sum and Bistro @ MASA by Black Society Orchardgateway, Singapore
MASA by Black Society may be thought of as a posher Hong Kong Cha Chan Teng.
Like Cha Chan Tengs, MASA offers Hong Kong dim sum, including some of their own unique creations. MASA also offers Chinese rice and noodle dishes. Like Cha Chan Tengs, MASA also has a small western menu too. To complete the posh factor, MASA has a wine list. Yes!
The decor definitely reflects the upmarket positioning of this restaurant. Think dark wood, hanging gardens and bird cages. It is casual luxe and feminine.
The core of MASA’s menu is dim sum, and they have lots of it! It was slightly mind-blowing (in a good way) to browse and select from the selection. They have the usual steamed items (like Shu Mai and Har Gow), deep fried items like Yam Puffs and baked items like egg tarts. Of course, there is Chee Cheong Fun aka rice rolls.
Dim Sum Tasting Platter $16.80
Black Har Gow, Queen Shu Mai, Mala Shu Mai, Swan Yam Pastry, Custard Lava Bun, Little Green Apple.
The Black Har Gow, Queen Shu Mai and Mala Shu Mai are all quite big and fresh. Thankfully, the Mala Shu Mai wasn’t that hot.
The skin of the Swan Yam Pastry is crispy without being overly greasy.
Perhaps you want to pair the platter with Terrazas Reserva Chardonnay 2018 ($12++ per glass). It pairs reasonably well and I am certainly glad to be able to pair Chinese dishes with wine. What’s a fine dining experience without wine?
Onward to try the dishes. Firstly, I can say all the portions are quite big. Price-to-portion ratio matters!
Fresh Grouper Fish with Mushroom Porridge $8.80
This one really satisfied my craving. Classic Cantonese style rice congee —- thick, sticky comfort food.
Dinosaur Rice Roll $8.80
This is one of the more extraordinary rice rolls I have tasted before (the other being this one at Portas do Sol, Macau)
What I really appreciate is that they have warmed up the soy sauce too so there is no disparity between the temperatures of the rice roll and soy sauce. I like such attention to detail.
Crispy Cod Fish with Shredded Ginger $18
I really like this dish. It is exceedingly simple — it is simply crispy deep fried cod with sweet shoyu. Yet the simplicity is its beauty.
Firstly, it takes skill to deep fry cod without the cod disintegrating (it always happens to me). Secondly, it is because of the dish’s simplicity that you get to taste the natural sweetness of the cod and the sweetness of the shoyu.
Salted Egg Prawn $16
Unlike cheaper restaurants, MASA uses only the yolks and not the whites so you get the intense umami without the saltiness. This is one of the best salted egg dishes I have tried. It is not greasy unlike many other restaurants. Also, the asparagus is fresh, tender and has a great snap.
Cream Snapper Fish and Chips $18
Of course, since there are some Western food options, I had to try them. The fish is white, fresh and flakes easily. It was not greasy. The fries were very crispy.
Soya Chendol $6.50
Typical Singaporean flavours for those who must have a local fix.
Pulot Hitam $9.80
This cake has stayed true to the local dessert it was inspired from. I like the rice— they give the soft cake texture.
MASA by Black Society
277 Orchard Rd, 01-12/13/14, Singapore 238858
Tel: 6243 7988
