The Seafood International Market & Restaurant

The husband and I brought our parents here for a birthday lunch celebration and ordered four sets of “Valuable Seafood Lunch Set” ($32++). Each set comprised of four exquisitely prepared dishes and diners even get to enjoy the dessert buffet spread. Set A
Jumbo Oyster with Green Chili Marmalade
Image gulping down one fat and succulent oyster – indulgence overload! And did we mention that this is by far one of the freshest we’ve tasted in Singapore! Golden Braised Shredded Abalone & Bamboo Piths Soup
The soup was flavourful as evident by the fresh quality ingredients used. Pan-fried Prawn with “Hoi Xing” Sauce
This was a disappointment. Although the sauce was rich and tasty, this “would-be” star dish was smeared by the no-so-fresh prawns used as evident from the shells that were “stuck” to the prawns. Thai Curry Fish Fillet with Garlic Bread
The fish curry was rich and creamy. The aromatic fragrance of the spices was thoroughly absorbed by the fish fillet. The two giant slices of garlic bread that accompanied this dish were crispy and tasty. Overall, the curry was moderate (not too spicy) and a little on the heavy side (thick and creamy). Set B
Spicy Lemon Fan Scallop with Salad Prawn
One phrase to sum this up: Looks may be deceiving. No doubt regarding the freshness of this delightfully presented dish. However, the taste paled in comparison to other dishes served (perhaps only beating the chili prawns in terms of the freshness of the ingredients used). The lemon sauce tasted bitter and masked the natural sweetness of the scallop. Braised Crab Meat with Dried Seafood Soup
Akin to shark’s fin soup, this was a well cooked broth comprising of fresh quality ingredients. Baked Cod Fish with Pepper Cream Sauce
A definite must try! This was probably the star dish and highlight of the set lunch menu. The cod fish was baked to perfection and was soft and tender. The cod fish was very fresh and the natural juices and sweetness was well preserved. In addition, the slightly spicy pepper cream sauce added a zesty kick to the overall taste, greatly enhancing the flavours of this dish. Crispy Thread Noodles with Crab Meat in Supreme Stock
The seafood stock was light and exuded the sweetness of fresh crab meat. The crispy thread noodles were complemented with a generous portion of soft crab meat. The intertwining textures were a delight to savour. The desserts – ranging from fresh fruits, nyonya kuehs, puddings in glass shots, Chinese pancakes and ice jelly – were in all, were a nice complement to our mains. To sum it all up, this is a must visit for all seafood lovers, despite a couple of misses as experienced.

2013-03-30

SGD 40(Lunch)

Hi Seafood lover. Must try this Ala Carte Buffet Lunch.
Had a family gathering on the 3/6/2012 on a Sunday. This meal is good for a relaxing Sunday lunch.
Reach the place early at 11.30am and was surprise. Greeted by their host. Is just like going for a wedding reception. And the crowd started to come in.
The food started great.
I attached some photo for your mouth watering veiwing.
Service staffs there was helpful and great.
One thing need to improve is the dessert. some pepole may like it to be their last order before they head to the dessert. But most of the items there will be left with little to choose. they should top up or do a head count of how many people is left a the last order timing. so they will know how much more dessert they will bring out.
But overall, the place is great for gathering. Lunch buffet is great.
Will come back again...with more people....

2012-06-03

Had the opportunity to partake in a media dinner at The Seafood International Market & Restaurant, or TSIMR for short, courtesy of The New Paper. It was a reunion of sorts as I vaguely remember dining at its former premises at UDMC some years back. It has since transplanted to become one of the anchor tenants of Big Splash @ Playground.

TSIMR occupies an impressive 18,000 sq ft and can seat up to 700+ people if my memory serves me right. The draw of this place is its live seafood market concept which allows you to choose your desired seafood from the tanks and it will be cooked and served to your table. This concept, though not unheard of, was pioneered in the early 1980s by TSIMC.

The live seafood section is reminiscent of a supermarket while the dining area is like your typical seafood restaurant - huge and noisy. I liked the private dining areas at the two extensions though, which offered a nice view of the park and pond in the day. What I didn't appreciate was the fact that when the sky turned dark, outside visibility became close to zero and passers by could look in aka fishtank. Did I mention that the partitions were nothing more than a facade During the course of our dinner, I could hear the adjourning rooms' conversation and loud guffaws.

Assorted Mushrooms Deep Fried with Seven Spice Salt - Imagine my astonishment when I heard that the mushrooms were sold by weight. Its definitely a first for me and honestly, as preposterous as selling Tofu by weight. The seven spice salt was purportedly made from dried shrimp powder, curry powder, chilli, szechuan peppercorn, salt and two other secret spices. As impressive as this may sound, I found it nothing out of the ordinary, coming across merely as salty with a hint of spiciness. Ditto for the batter as well, which I personally found too thick and hinting subtly of oil residue.

Prawns Stir Fried with Chilli & Basil Leaves - Beautifully presented with ornamental garnishes, the prawns gave an illusion of being terribly spicy. In reality, even someone who can't really take chilli like me could handle it without much effort (and water of course!). I didn't quite take to it though as the flesh was a tad soft and not firm. My guess is that it was a little undercooked.

Sakura Chicken Braised with Tri - Sauce in Stonepot - I liked this dish the best even though it wasn't outstanding. Probably more of something that's close to my heart. Dished out in a huge stonepot, the chicken wasn't too dry and easy on the sweetness, carrying with it a light spice that made every bite rather enjoyable.

Golden Platter - Stir Fried Pumpkin with Salted Egg Yolk - Aptly named the golden platter, this dish intrigued me as I've never actually seen pumpkin cooked this way before. Prawns/lobsters with salted egg yolk Yes. But pumpkin It didn't turn out to be very appealing after all as the pumpkin slices were a little too soft for my liking. Coupled with the strong overtones of salted egg yolk, it was a recipe for nausea.

Curry Crab & Bread - I didn't try the crabs so I shall not comment, but the curry tasted rather normal to me, albeit a little heavier on the coconut milk. I liked the bread that came with the crabs though, sinfully buttery and crispy. Guaranteed to increase your cholesterol!

Pad Thai - Call me ignorant or mountain tortise, but to my understanding, Pad Thai should be cooked with thin flat strips of glass noodles. TSIMR does a different rendition using thin vermicelli like noodles which I suppose are glass noodles as well. To be honest, the noodles were way too chewy and had the tendency to clump together, which made me feel like i was chewing on some kind of non sticky kueh.

Wonder Four on Ice - With such a fanciful name, who needs superheroes Corny jokes and stunning aesthetics aside, this dessert was just red bean kueh, mango pudding, some fruits and lemon grass jelly served on a bed of ice. As normal as it gets.

A little bird told me that the above dinner for 6 pax would have cost about $40/pax, which to me is a tad pricey. Food quality is average and service could have been more attentive.

I saw the leaflet on the car and saw this Teo Chew Yam Paste with Single York Mooncake selling at $36 for 4 pieces. Thus, I walked in and made an order but was told that I had to wait for 30 minutes as it was freshly made. It is either I wait or walk off. Ultimately I chose to wait...I was so excited to try the freshly made Teo Chew Yam Paste with Single York Mooncake, so when I reached home immediately I tasted it while it was still piping hot. It is sure worth the wait! The yam is so soft and with the yolk it is real good! This Teo Chew Yam Paste with Single York Mooncake is definitely exciting than the usual traditional paste mooncake!

But but... you have to consume the Teo Chew Yam Paste with Single York Mooncake real fast if not store it at the fridge as the yam can easily turn bad.

2011-09-09

the clause wrote only 12 dishes limited per table. That exclusive 12 dishes like sharp fin soup, scallop , 1 whole fish, baby abalone etc is limited for 1 per pax. Bt the rest of the menu. Like orange breast chicken and Tim sum is like free flow and many more which is not mention can be refilled

Below are the dish i had with family. all are good quality and fresh. and the pricing is as shown. Quite reasonable.stewed Seafood vermicelli with fish gravy
Steamed Crystal PRawn Dumpling
steamed BBQ chicken Bun
Sauteed scallop with asparagus
Sauteed Mixed Veg
Roasted Duck with Hot seame & garlic sauce
Prawn with green salad
Fried Sweet shell with XO sauce
Fried mussel with sambal sauce
Fried bitter gourd with creamy salted Egg Yolk
Fish fillet with mango plum sauce
Drunken Prawn with herbal soup
Deep fried Rock Garoupa with seasoned soy sauce
Deep Fried Chicken Mid joint with prawn paste
Crispy soft shell crab with gralic and 7 spices salt
Crispy chicken thigh with orange sauce
Chicken soup of the day
Cheese baked scallop
turkey charsiew
Braised Shark Fin Soup
Braised sea cucumber with YAM in chu Hou sauce
Braised Mini Whole abalone with oyster sauce
Baked Cray Fish with HO XIng Sauce

2011-09-13

SGD 28(Lunch)

My dear colleagues brought me here for a BD lunch

Once we enter, I understand why it's called "Market" cos they have a very Jap-style Seafood Market at the side~ which makes it diff from other seafood restaurant, it's pretty ;) We always love a la cart buffet style, sav the hassle of walking around~ Food was pretty good, but not all dishes were good. I like the fried sotong legs very much, it looks scary and ugly but it's sweet & crunchy~


Saw some businessmen at other tables, seems like a good place for business talk~

Celebration: Birthday

Went for This restaurant Ala Carte Lunch Buffet after seeing the recommendation from Channel 5 Buffetlicious Show.

The buffet features 40 variety of dishes, of which 12 dishes are served only once while the rest are unlimited. Main ingredients used are seafood though there is also chicken, duck and beef dishes as well as 5 types of dim sum. Desserts range is quite limited though. Per pax is about $24++. Chinese tea is charged additional $2/pax. Timing of buffet from 11am - 2.30pm. Last order is around 1.45pm. It's a seated buffet whereby you ordered from the menu and they'll prepare according, unlike the usual buffet style.

Can apply for the membership at $60 for 2 years as you'll get a $80 voucher which you can use to offset your dining - saving of $20 plus additional 10% discount with member card. Comes with birthday perks.

We, a party of 6, had the buffet lunch on a Saturday from 11am - 2pm. Total bill is approx. $170.35. After offsetting the $80 voucher + 10% discount, final bill is $90.35.
There is slight changes in the August 2010 buffet menu from that of the Sep ~ Jan 2011 menu (ie. those marked "New" are the changes).

For more info on pricing and pictures: http://www.lobster.com.sg/promotions.php

2010-08-14

SGD 25(Lunch)

Had a sumptuous dinner to celebrate Standard Chartered Post Marathon at The Seafood International. We had lobster sashimi on ice, curry crab (instead of chilli crab) with garlic bread. Lobster sashimi was crunchy and very fresh.

Loved the garlic bread the most because the garlic spread used was just right - buttery & the garlic taste is not too overpowering. Crispy yet not hard even though it was spread on toasted sliced french loaf.

2009-12-19

SGD 45(Dinner)