I used to be a loyal fan of this particular branch. Whenever I am at Ngee Ann and don't know what to eat, I will inevitably always end up here.

After the change in menu since last year, I went back to try again and vowed never to go back again. You probably would if you feel as cheated as I did.

I used to love eating their tofu with century egg. However, that particular dish did not taste fresh at all. And so different from what I had eaten in the past.

That was alright, I could have always ask them to change one for me. However, the next dish, Prawn and pork dumplings irked me the most. I would expect there to be pieces of prawn and minced pork inside right? But all I got was MINCED PORK! I thought that they had served a wrong dish to me, so I asked a waitress and she said that it's the correct dish, and that there is more pork than prawns. Excuse me?? I did not even see or taste a PRAWN inside...not even minced....

I asked her whether the kitchen staff has changed since the menu changed and she said "No". When I commented that since there doesn't seem to be prawns inside, they should just rename. But she simply smiled, and did not even offer to change the dish for me.

After that terrible experience, I have not gone back to this branch...an unpleasant dining experience at a place I thought would never happen...

I love this place! And it was great to see so many reviewers agree :D Xiao long baos are superb, my mums friend is from shang hai, and she says that the xiao long baos are really good, comparable even to the shang hai xiao long baos. The 'you men shun' bamboo is FANTASTIC. Possibly the best in the entire world! THIS IS A MUST TRY, and deserves to be up there with the fantastic xiao long baos! The thin bamboo strips dont look much, but every last fiber is packed to the hilt with FLAVOUR! Slightly sweet and very savoury.It is indescribable, JUST GO TRY IT!! ABSOLUTE MUST TRY, folks!

Noodles are (of course!) springy and chewy,Soup is good, well seasoned and flavourful.The vegtables here are fresh, my mums favourite is the white cabbage stewed the ham and pork bone broth and the carrot 'sou's are excellent! Melts and flakes away in your mouth, revealing juicy carrot strips. Yummy for the tummy! What's great about crystal jade is that most of the food is all great tasting, and the quality maintains. A famous chef once said: 'It's easy to make a good dish, but to make that same good dish tens of thousands of times is excellence.'

This place have been my first choice should I be craving for 小龍包 (xiao long bao). After nibbled a small hole on it, I proceeded on to draw the liquid. The aroma and taste came with it was heavenly.

Since my last visit, they had revamped the menu and no longer serve my favourite, double-boiled chicken soup served with 拉面 (la mian). A little disappointed but somehow my experience yesterday cast away my disappointment.

My mum and I ordered:
- Salted Duck (Succulent)
- 小龍包 (As fantastic as before)
- LaMian w/Spicy Sauce (Okay…)
- LaMain/Shrmp Wanton Soup (Love the wanton, )
- Chinese Tea (Bitter… Perhaps, they put a lot of tea leaf. Overall, it leaves me with an unforgettable experience.)

The new menu enables us to choose from 7 variety of拉面, ranging from dragon beard noodle to hand slice noodle. I tried the latter. Although it was my first time trying this noodle, I hate it. The noodle served was too thick, it was as though I am eating flour.

Ultimately, 翡翠拉面小龍包 never fail to make my experience there worthwhile.


meL

‘Food itself is very personal; do not be affected by what I have written. Try it instead and tell me.’

Pai Gu La Mian is good! Normal Pai Gu very difficult to peel the meat off the bone but this is different. Meat is soft and tasty.

Xiao Long Bao should be one of the best in Singapore. The soup is less oily than those that I have eaten though the skin is a bit thick and difficult to bite.

Price is reasonable. Ambience good for eating, not so much talking.

This is one of the earlier LM XLB places in Singapore. With CJ LM XLBs, the standards do vary branch to branch but I am happy to report that this "early" branch is still good.

FOOD
XLB - 50% larger than the Din Dai Fung 18g ones, with softer skin that still does not break so no soup leakage, at 5 for $4.50, no complaints at all.

Shen Jian Bao - somehow this came out bland this time

Pot stickers (Guo Tie) - $3 for 3.50 I think. Large, with the skin just right and tasty

Shanghai Fried Nian Gao - Very nice no complaints

Shredded pancake deep fried - more fluffy than a prata with spring onions inside, this was really really good

SERVICE
We had a very good aunty look after us

AMBIENCE
They must have refurbished because the decor is definitely nicer than before

VALUE
I complain about the increase in prices but I suppose it is the first increase in a few years so really can't complain.