Legendary Hong Kong has opened a brand-new outlet at Rochester Park, which will probably attract families in nearby Buona Vista area due to its beautiful colonial style setting.
It sits right opposite The Star Vista, with restaurants such as Les Bouchons and Gary’s as neighbours.
The brand started as a cha chaan teng style concept at Jurong Point, and found popularity as a one-of-a-kind 4-in-1 themed Hong Kong dining place.
Run by professional chefs from Hong Kong, they aim to provide an authentic dining experience with its offerings of four categories of food: Roasted Duck and Meat, Noodle & Congee, Dim Sum, and Bing Sut (Hong Kong cafe style food and drinks).
There is another Legendary Hong Kong at Funan specialising in Cart Noodle and Hong Kong style Hamburger, though reviews are mixed for that outlet.
First thing to note: the Rochester Commons outlet can get pretty crowded and overwhelmed, so waiting times can be long during peak meal hours.
Diners are also subjected to a 70 minutes dining limit, so you may need to rush through the meal even if the food comes late (something to consider if you are thinking of long chats with the group).
The restaurant is spread to two levels, with some al fresco and balcony dining areas.
There are some traditional Hong Kong elements and décor that I liked, that felt like I was transported over to the city.
On the flipside, the seats could be too tight at certain areas (especially at the balcony), and table were narrow and cramped.
Customers have feedback online that they constantly had to find table space even though they did not order that much food yet.
The menu is quite extensive, with sub categories of plant-based food, home town specials, salty egg yolk specials, claypot dishes, charcoal-grilled BBQ meats, dim sum, fried rice, traditional Hong Kong noodles, Bolo Buns, bar snacks and drinks.
Recommended dishes include the Deep-Fried Cod Fish with Spicy Salt ($18.80), Sauteed Prawns & Asparagus in XO Sauce ($20.80), Sweet & Sour Pork with Fresh Fruits ($18.80), Crispy Chicken ($58), Crispy Luncheon Meat with Salty Egg Yolk ($14.80), Braised Seafood & Leek in Claypot ($20.80), to BBQ Honey Glazed Chicken Drumstick ($9.80).
As for noodles, the chef in charge accordingly had previously worked at the famed MAK’s noodles and specialises in HK-style Wanton Noodles ($11.80 onwards).
Therefore, he keeps the wantons filled only with shrimps and not pork – just like how he does it back in Hong Kong.
To be fair, while I liked the springiness of the noodles and the plump wantons, the dish arrived somewhat only lukewarm and was way too salty (even though I have not mixed in all the oyster sauce yet).
Dim sum choices include Steamed Pork Dumplings ($7.50), Spinach Dumpling with Prawn & Garlic ($7.50), Steamed Shrimp Dumplings ($8.20), Steamed Prawn & Pork Dumpling ($8.50) to Steamed Glutinous Rice with Cured Meats Roll ($6.80).
The Beef Balls with Bean Curd Skin ($6.80) that I ordered unfortunately came without its distinct Worcestershire sauce.
The server offered to bring it over, and when the sauce did come, it was already the time of the meal and we were just waiting to pay up.
Other popular baked dim sum items you can continue getting are the Mini Bolo Bun ($7.80) with crispy bolo bun exterior and molten salted egg yolk fillings; and Snowy Bun with BBQ Pork ($7.80).
I generally thought that the food presented was not bad with a wide variety of dishes and dim sum items good for the family, though price was on the higher side. Understandably due to the amount spent on ID.
You would tell that some of the service staff were earnest and trying their best.
However, the tight walking space and the restaurant spread across two levels could make it harder for customers to get some attention and food piping-hot. Beautiful space though.
Legendary Hong Kong @ Rochester Commons
10A Rochester Park, Rochester Commons, Singapore 139258
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 10am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)
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