10 Chinese restaurants from China that are now available in Singapore

One cannot speak of Chinese cuisine without mentioning the fiery and devilishly red dishes of Sichuanese food. And after 28 years of serving up local favourites in its native land, Qiu Jin Xiao Chao has finally moved onto our shores to serve up family-style Sichuan food. Emblematic dishes include La Zi Ji and Mapo Tofu, which you can mop up with Wuchang rice that is said to be more fragrant than others.

Qiu Jin Xiao Chao is at 1 Maritime Square, #01-45/46 Harbourfront Centre, Singapore 099253. Visit its Instagram page for more information.

There’s also room for desserts. And for that, head over to Mixue. With over 20,000 outlets globally, the brand was founded by Zhang Hongchao in 1997 and specialises in ice cream and milk tea. That said, you can find a slew of affordable beverages ranging from bubble tea and fruit tea to smoothies and milk tea. The signature soft-serve ice cream is a crowd-puller too.

Mixue has multiple locations in Singapore, including Paya Lebar Square, Century Square, Citylink, and Bugis Village.

Founded in 2017, Luckin Coffee is said to have over 8,400 stores dotted around China, way more than its competitor Starbucks. And Singapore is the brand’s first overseas outpost. Behind its glitz are coffee blends crafted by World Barista Championship winners using beans sourced from around the world. First-timers should try the signature Coconut Latte made with cold-pressed raw coconut milk. Also do note that you have to download the Luckin Coffee mobile app to purchase the drinks as the brand is tech-driven and cashierless.

Luckin Coffee has multiple locations in Singapore, including Ngee Ann City, Marina Square and Guoco Tower.

We can’t talk about our love for Chinese food without mentioning mala. And while mala xiangguo first took root here, it wasn’t long until mala tang arrived. One of the brands to eat this fiery dish is Yang Guo Fu, which claims to be the world’s largest mala tang chain with over 6,000 branches. Just pick your desired ingredients from over 60 selections and have them served with a spicy and numbing soup.

Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang has multiple locations in Singapore, including Bugis+, North Point, Plaza Singapura, Orchard Gateway, and Harbourfront Centre.

Zhang Liang Mala Tang is another popular Chinese mala chain that has found its way here. And while it only has over 5,000 stores worldwide, the brand is an alternative option to satisfy your mala tang or ma la xiang guo cravings. There are ingredients running from various meats, mushrooms and fish cakes, to carbs like sweet potato noodles and cheese tteokbokki. For those who can’t handle as much heat, consider the Tom Yum, Mushroom or Tomato soup bases.

Zhang Liang Mala Tang has multiple locations in Singapore, including Bugis Junction, Rendezvous Hotel, and Tampines 1.

For those not in the know, Lanzhou in Gansu province is known for its aromatic and deeply satisfying beef noodles. And one of the most famous brands serving it, Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles, has made roots here. The star dish at the halal-certified restaurant is the clear beef broth made with over 15 spices and cooked for at least 10 hours each day. The result is the Signature Beef Noodles served with your choice of noodles from eight lamian options.

Tongue Tip Lanzhou Beef Noodles has multiple locations in Singapore.

Chongqing grilled fish is a dish that’s both a fish dish and a steamboat. After all, the cooked first is placed in an aromatic broth with various add-ins that make the dish greater than the sum of its parts. With close to 300 outlets in China, Tanyu first opened up here in 2017 and currently has five outlets. The brand continues to be a brand most people find synonymous with Chongqing grilled fish too.

Tanyu has multiple locations in Singapore, including 313@Somerset, Westgate, Bugis Junction, Tampines 1 and Waterway Point.

As the name implies, the restaurant Yun Nans specialises in Yunnan cuisine. The province is home to multiple ethnic minority groups and its food is a reflection of the multicultural makeup. Yun Nans is part of Yun Hai Yao, the largest Yunnan casual F&B chain with over 150 outlets in China. It first opened in 2009 in Beijing and specialises in ethnic highland cuisines. Once you’re here, the Steam Pot Chicken Soup is a must-try dish, which is a soup dish made without adding any water.

Yun Nans has multiple locations in Singapore, including Jewel Changi Airport, Nex, Ion Orchard and Westgate.

In case you haven’t noticed, each brand on this list has a special dish that made them famous. At Tai Er, the dish that put them on the map is the Chinese Sauerkraut Fish. The brand was founded in 2015 and has grown to over 400 outlets in China serving up the Sichuanese dish. Unlike Chongqing grilled fish that veers on the spicier side, sauerkraut fish uses fermented suan cai to add a satisfying tang that results in a refreshing yet hearty dish.

Tai Er has multiple locations in Singapore, including Jewel Changi Airport, Jem, Suntec City, and 313@Somerset.

Alijiang’s menu draws inspiration from the ancient Silk Road that spanned from Europe to China. As a result, you can find dishes that incorporate various cooking techniques, flavours and spices from the region, such as various cuts of grilled lamb, skewers, Arabian Fried Rice, Da Pen Ji and Gong Bao Chicken. PS: This is definitely a shop for lamb lovers.

Alijiang is at 1 HarbourFront Walk, #03-11 VivoCity, Singapore 098585. Visit its website for more information.

This article was originally published in Singapore Women's Weekly.