Tunglok Signatures (Vivocity)

Ok... Here's to catching up... *flex fingers*

It was my aunt's birthday, and the family decided we'll have dinner at Tunglok Signatures. I'm guessing the decision was made based on cousin's Amex discount. Back then I hadn't applied for that card yet. So for our 20 pax, that was a 20% discount under the Palate membership. I wasn't part of the decision making team for the food ordering. I simply go and sit and eat. But I believe we ordered some kind of set menu, as is the norm for my family.

Tunglok Signatures does serve up some 'attas' items that aren't found in the Tunglok Seafood restaurants. It's like a levelled up Tunglok if you will. But if you're looking for the usual favourites, they still carry quite a fair bit of those in their menu. The sharks fin soup was served in individual portions. I'm not a huge advocate of sharks fin, and will never order it by myself. But the family loves it, and I think it was part of the set menu. Their's was made more spectacular by the little sprinkling of flammable substance at the side of the bowl. Immediately prior to serving it to each guest, the waitress light up the substance. So each guest get a piping hot bowl of sharks fin with a little not-so-useful-at-keeping-the-soup-hot, more-for-asthetics flame at the side of the bowl. It turned out to be a little dangerous for the kiddos and we had to turn each plate until the flame is away from each kid. Fireworks aside, the soup was rich, warm and yummy.

Sharks fin soup

Next atas item. Bamboo clams. I looooovvvvee bamboo clams. This is an advance order item, something I learnt on a second visit when it wasn't available by the time I arrived at the restaurant. Steamed with a generous sprinkling of garlic and glass noodles and yummy sauce. I loved loved loved it. I think I even managed to snag an extra because there was only 9 pax on our table, not counting my 3 year old nephew.

Bamboo clam

Next is the fish. This is the most deconstructed fish I've ever seen in a Chinese restaurant. Garoupa, served two ways. One side is little nuggets of garoupa deep fried into golden perfection. Those were GOOD. We even managed to cheat one nephew into thinking it was chicken nugget and he ate them. He NEVER eats fish. The other side are fish slices stir fried with a variety of vegetables such as asparagus and peppers. I love these veggies, so that side suits me fine too. Overall, I like this dish.

Garoupa served two ways

I probably missed a whole lot of dishes in my photos, because I'm sure we ate more dishes than these. But really, those three were my favourites. The noodle actually wasn't amazing, but it was served so prettily that it warranted a photo. Bamboo pith noodle soup. The broth is sadly one dimensional, the noodles unimpressive, and shrimps soaked in soda to an artificial crunch. I hate 'fake' shrimps.

Bamboo pith noodle soup

The most amazing thing about Tunglok Signatures, is actually the birthday service. We brought our own cake. But the cake was displayed beautifully on this huuuge plate, with meaningful writings on it. And to amaze us further, a few of the waitresses actually came to our table, and read that entire writing out in celebration for the birthday girl. And the next amazing thing was served alongside our cake. Their longevity buns. Instead of the usual pink lotus paste buns served at the beginning of the meal, theirs were yellow buns served at the end. Which puzzled me. Until I bit into one. OMG!! IT WAS 流沙包 (salted egg yolk custard bun)!!!! AND ITS VERY VERY YUMMY!!! The older folks weren't keen on it, and the helpers were too full to eat it. I managed to conquer and wolfed down 4 all by myself. YUM YUM YUM!!

Cake presentation and longevity buns

I was duly impressed. Both by their food and their service. And I brought my hubby's family back to celebrate my FIL's birthday subsequently. Lynn brought her mum there for birthday celebration after my rave reviews too. And she, too, was very impressed. And now that I get the Amex card, Lynn and I can go and eat at 50% off. I think we'll be frequenting this place alot alot of times...


Tunglok Signatures
VivoCity #01-57
1 HarbourFront Walk
Singapore 098585
Tel : +65 6376 9555