[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology

[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena’s Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant

Earlier in November, the newly launched Aloft Singapore Novena hotel under the Marriott group, introduced Yuè (乐), its first-and-only music-inspired Chinese restaurant. As the name suggests, the restaurant is themed around music and aims to strike a harmonious chord for both music and culinary enthsiasts. Nestled within the world’s largest Aloft hotel at Zhongshan Park, the restaurant offers a fusion of traditional Chinese flavours with a contemporary flair.

[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
Yuè (乐) at Aloft Singapore Novena

Named after the Chinese word for music, Yuè (乐) weaves itself into the fabric of Aloft Hotels’ brand essence, which pulsates with the rhythm and soul of music. The culinary experience at Yuè seeks to integrate popular song titles into each dish, evoking nostalgia and cherished memories among diners. For those who are into Mandopop, here are a few names for instance – “苏东, 你赢了世界又如何”, “宝贝在干嘛” and “寂寞沙爹热”.

[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
Executive Sous Chef Awyeong Kin

Guiding this culinary symphony is Executive Sous Chef Awyeong Kin, a veteran in the culinary realm. Yuè showcases an extensive menu of over 130 dishes, ranging from appetisers to live seafood offerings.

We were invited for a dinner tasting and these were the dishes we sampled:

[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
Cocktails
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
麻辣: 川味麻辣藕片 Lotus Root, Sze Chuan Mala ($6)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
蒜泥狠: 蒜泥黑豚肉片Kurobuta Pork Belly, Garlic Sauce ($14)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
酸心良苦: 冰镇梅子苦瓜 Chilled Bitter Gourd, Preserved Plum ($6)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
老虎虾辣椒酱配玉米片: Tiger Prawn Singapore-style Chilli with Nachos ($9 per 100g, minimum order of 500g)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
南瓜车: 南瓜蟹肉带子羹 Pumpkin Broth, Crabmeat and Scallop ($12 per pax, $45 small, $90 large)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
鱼儿香: 香辣蒜椒酱蒸鳕鱼 Steamed Cod Fish, Spicy Garlic Peppercorn Sauce ($23)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
易燃易爆炸的咕噜肉: 爆炸糖咕噜肉Sweet and Sour Pork with Popping Candy ($18 small, $36 large)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
没有咖喱的亚参: 亚参鱼头Assam Fish Head ($38)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
人生不过三杯泸州老窖紫砂: 三杯泸州老窖紫砂童子鸡 Spring Chicken, Luzhou Laojiao Zisha Tequila ($48)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
麻婆豆腐: 肉碎麻婆豆腐煲Mapo Beancurd, Minced Pork ($16 small, $32 large)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
带子非鱼子: 鱼子带子蛋炒饭Egg Fried Rice, Tobiko, Scallop ($20 small, $40 large)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
针线情: XO酱菜脯鸡丝炒银针粉 Mee Tai Bak, Chai Poh, Chicken, XO Sauce ($18 small, $36 large)
[REVIEW] Yuè (乐): Aloft Singapore Novena's Music-Inspired Chinese Restaurant - Alvinology
一枝孤枝: 青柠雪芭杨枝甘露 Chilled Mango Sago, Lime Sorbet ($8)

The dishes were all presented rather beautifully don’t you think? This is not easy to achieve for Chinese food which is usually served in large, shared portions. The catchy names aside, the cooking style is fundamentally traditional Chinese wok hei style of cooking, favouring large fire and stir-frying. Chef Awyeong adds his signature touch by infusing contemporary elements like the inclusion of surprising ingredients like popping candy and tobiko into the dishes.

The menu has heart and will appeal well to those who love music and looking to inject some fun into the usual Chinese cuisine. Yuè @Aloft beckons patrons with this philosophy: “Music is our inspiration, whether in life or in the culinary arts.” The restaurant’s dishes, each renamed after an inspiring song title from their daily playlist, invite diners to partake in a musical culinary voyage.

Overall, flavours across the dishes are on the intense side, with strong sweet, sour and spicy notes. For those who like strong flavours, Yuè would cater well to your taste buds.

Yuè @ Aloft

Tel: +6568086846

Email: [email protected]

    Address: 16 Ah Hood Road, Singapore 329982

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