Diamond Kitchen: Seafood Gem of the East

Along the eastern borders of Singapore lay a seafood restaurant tucked within Laguna Park Condomimium - adding a delicious sparkle to the Marine Parade estate. Drawn by the neighbourly charm of the area, the two young owners of Diamond Kitchen 钻石小厨(who work in the gem industry by day - hence the name) thought it a perfect location for the restaurant’s heartfelt and unpretentious food. To those residing on the other side of Singapore, this one’s so far, yet so good.

Previously occupied by Kim Moh Restaurant, Diamond Kitchen serves comforting Chinese classics at affordable zi-char prices.

As soon as you step in, some 20 round tables of ten greet you, much like any other Chinese restaurant. Get a pinch more of privacy in one of the four alcoves that are set partitioned from the main dining area by glass beads draped from the ceiling in an Asian-retro fashion. And with seafood on board, of course they had glass tanks of live lobsters, prawns, giant groupers and bamboo clams, a perfect tool for that educational lesson with the young inquisitive tots. Fresh seafood – Check.

Of the entire menu, these are the ones to hit first before you return for more. Because trust us, you will return for more. Cooked in a thick master stock with gingery and buttery notes is the Superior Stock Clam Bee Hoon. Fresh clams are added to the delicate rice noodle base, together with wolfberries for a touch of sweetness. Don’t leave without trying their gan xiang (干香) specialties, namely Gan Xiang Fried Rice and Crab in Gan Xiang. The house’s specialty gan xiang sauce used for both dishes is prepared by dry-frying spicy dried shrimps, curry powder, lemongrass, dried chilli and fermented soy bean paste amongst other secret ingredients, giving both the rice and crab a fiery flavour like no other.

The Sauna Prawns come exactly as they sound. Live tiger prawns are placed on a bed of hot stones in a bamboo steamer before a herbal stock laced with Chinese wine, wolfberries and Chinese Angelica are poured over and finally allowed to steam. Fresh and succulent, they go wonderfully well with Diamond Kitchen’s homemade sambal belachan. The Pumpkin Bean Curd is a must try if you’re a fellow lover of thick sauces. Homemade bean curd prepared fresh daily is covered in a luscious sweet pumpkin puree.

Marinated in a secret sauce, the Champagne Pork Ribs is a signature not to miss.

The great thing about zi-char is the opportunity for multiple servings. The next three dishes proved to be as addictive as Pringles or Chips More where one helping is simply not enough. The Golden Cereal Chicken features bite-sized chicken pieces with an entire mountain of cereal. The Salted Egg Sotong is an undebated favourite . The squid comes encased in a hot and crispy shell that has been tossed in a piquant salted egg yolk mix and bags the right amount of chew. And finally, our top pick of the menu, Champagne Pork Ribs. Deboned for your convenience, pork ribs are marinated overnight with the chef’s secret sweet sauce that tastes divine. It’s a dish to fight for. And if you’re drooling, we’re with you.

Diamond Kitchen 钻石小厨 Laguna Park Condominium, 5000F Marine Parade Road, #01-22/23, Singapore 449289 Tel: +65 6448 0629 Operating Hours: Daily 11am - 2.30pm & 5.30pm - 11pm Note: Restaurant patrons may use the visitor parking lots in Laguna Park.

Written by Peh Yi Wen See Also: Check out these places for a fine dining experience More seafood options for you