Perched on top of a hill within the iconic (and newly refurbished) Labrador House sits ASU, a new open-concept dining experience with a unique “theatre-style” seating.
The restaurant’s interior is intimate and moody, with a raw and minimalist vibe—as they’ve kept most of the original concrete flooring and pillars of the building. What’s most striking about the space is the grand arced dining table right as the focal point of the space. The custom-made circular table seats 15, and wraps around the central open preparation area, where you get a front-row seat to watch the chefs prepare and plate your food.
The space is also intentionally dim, softly illuminated by warm lighting and strategically placed spotlights to highlight certain parts of the restaurant and dishes. The space itself is also pretty enclosed, which makes the sounds of the chefs working echo through the space, and it really feels like we’re in our own little “theatre”, watching a show. We also appreciate the little things done at ASU: like the beautiful hand-illustrated place cards showcasing the key ingredients of each dish that really give that personal touch. The current menu for ASU’s debut season is titled “Origins”, and is rooted in Asian cuisine, with TCM influences, and inspired by some of the local dishes you know and love—but reimagined in ways you’ve probably never seen before. The 4-course Origins menu comprises 7 different dishes for $168++ per person.
Crystal Dumpling
Yin Yang
Spring Roll
Oyster Bao (+$15)
We started off strong with the Crystal Dumpling, ASU’s take on the beloved har gao dim sum, but with a cracker-like translucent crunchy shell instead of the steamed dumpling skin, and filled with lobster instead of shrimp. The delicate dumpling maintains the essence of the har gao we’re already familiar with, while also giving a unique twist to elevate it. We were also pleasantly surprised by a bonus Spring Roll dish, a deep-fried Vietnamese-inspired roll shaped like a cigar that’s filled with refreshingly tangy chunks of sashimi. You also have the option to supplement for the Oyster Bao (+$15): modern take on the iconic hawker-style deep fried oyster pancake, but made more refined and stuffed with juicy oyster and pork collar filling.
Shunde Yusheng
Jessica’s Duck Soup
Ngor Hiang (+$20)
Chinese New Year comes early with ASU’s Shunde Yu Sheng that features celtuce noodles coated in a vinegary dressing and topped with slices of aged kampachi. Jessica’s Duck Soup is also pretty interesting, served cold instead of hot—almost unheard of in Chinese cuisine, but was actually pretty enjoyable, especially with the flavourful salted vegetable duck broth brewed with ginseng.
RE:Pomfret
Lu Shun An Chun
Wagyu Rawon (+$50)
Fans of hearty shaoxing wine-infused soups will definitely enjoy the RE:Pomfret, a homey fish dish that’s swimming in comforting broth that’s reminiscent of the popular lala claypot soup. The Lu Shun An Chun features quail that’s prepared in peking duck-style, with an ultra crisp skin; served with a bowl of yam rice, tea quail egg, assorted pickles and spring onion salad—this will definitely fill you right up. If there’s one supplement dish that’s worth the splurge, it’s the Wagyu Rawon (+$50): F1 wagyu beef that’s grilled to the perfect medium doneness, doused in an authentic Indonesian rawon-inspired sauce made with aromatic buah keluak. This dish is definitely a top favourite, especially if you’re a steak lover.
Hitam Koji
Yuan Yang (+$15)
Rice Cake
Dessert sees a modern take on the pulut hitam with the Hitam Koji, which features a makgeolli and fermented rice pudding topped with crispy purple glutinous rice crackers. We absolutely love the fermented flavours of the dessert, and the various rice elements of the dish complement each other beautifully. We were happy to end the meal there, but the course also comes with another final surprise dessert, the Rice Cake that’s inspired by the traditional Chinese steamed white cake, but made with sake instead of regular rice.
For such a hearty meal filled with unique homages to familiar dishes we know and love, we think that ASU offers a pretty fair price. Each element of every dish is well thought out, and the modern touches added didn’t take away the original essence of the dish it’s inspired by. If you’re looking for an intimate spot to impress your date, ASU’s definitely one to consider.
Taste: 9/10
Price: $$
Favourite dishe(s): Crystal Dumpling, Wagyu Rawon, Hitam Koji
Would we come back: Definitely, especially for a quiet date night away from the crowd.
ASU
Address: 30 Labrador Villa Rd, Singapore 119189
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm
