If you are a fan of Grilled Fish aka “Kao Yu”, you would have heard about the newly opened Beautiful Lai Grilled Fish 赖美丽藤椒烤鱼 which is fast gathering social media presence.
There is a huge reason why. “Lai Mei Li” 赖美丽 is the sister brand to Tai Er, famed for Chinese Sauerkraut Fish “Suan Cai Yu.”.
Nestled in the bustling basement of Suntec City, Beautiful Lai Grilled Fish 赖美丽藤椒烤鱼 specialising in Chinese-style grilled fish is intriguingly positioned just steps away from its sister brand.
The décor of Beautiful Lai is a captivating fusion of the retro and the modern, crafting a dining ambiance that feels both inviting and energetic.
It reminded me a little of Okinawan style restaurants, from the design to the uniform. You have to give props to the branding team.
The moment you step inside the restaurant, or when a pot of grilled fish is placed on your table, the enthusiastic servers welcome you with cheerful slogans, keen to make your dining experience special.
Due to its popularity, the wait was about an hour or so before I was seated. Then about 15 more minutes before food was served.
The menu’s primary offering is their Grilled Fish, available in four distinct flavours: Green Pepper ($55), Spicy ($56), Cheese Tomato ($58), and Crab Roe & Garlic ($58).
Each fish, generous in portion, can comfortably satisfy two to three diners.
Among these, the Green Pepper Grilled Fish ($55) stands out as the star of the show, featuring the tender and flavourful Leiocassis fish sourced directly from the Yangtze River.
This fish is apparently a type of catfish, coupled with the robust and spicy peppercorns from Sichuan’s Meishan region.
The fish is first grilled to a delightful crisp, and the broth it was served with is a fragrant homage to authentic Sichuan flavours.
Diners also have the option to personalize their pots with add-ons such as Luncheon Meat, Enoki Mushrooms, and Potatoes.
Even though I am trying to cut carbs, I still wanted the fluffy Chinese Wuchang rice ($1.50), which is boiled with mineral water.
This preparation technique ensures that the rice is soft, sticky, and sweet, enhancing the dish’s overall flavour.
Additionally, a delightful feature is the free-flow tea station where guests can create their own blend of Roselle Orange Peel Tea.
This refreshing beverage serves to cleanse the palate, providing a perfect counterbalance to the sour and spicy meal.
Beyond the Grilled Fish, the menu boasts an array of signature side dishes, like the rare locally found Spicy Pot Bullfrog ($36), Coconut Flavoured Crispy Chicken ($12), and Crispy Pork ($12) fried to a golden crisp.
Despite the innovation and appeal, I couldn’t help but feel that I still preferred Tai Er.
It seemed to offer more fun elements, and Beautiful Lai seemed slightly overshadowed, riding on the popularity of its sibling brand.
However, this doesn’t detract from the fact that Beautiful Lai offers a dining experience distinct from the typical Grilled Fish restaurant.
Beautiful Lai Grilled Fish 赖美丽藤椒烤鱼
Suntec City #B1-111, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2pm, 5pm – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 9pm (Sat – Sun)
Other Related Entries
YAO YAO Sauerkraut Fish 姚姚酸菜鱼 (VivoCity)
Chengdu Bowl (Tanjong Pagar)
YUN NANS Stonepot Fish (Northpoint City)
Shang Social 香聚 (Jewel Changi Airport)
Numb Restaurant (Marina One)
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