[Review] Yanhuo (烟伙餐馆) at Cross Street Serves Contemporary Chinese Dishes at Reasonable Prices

Singapore has no shortage of Chinese restaurants, but Yanhuo (烟伙餐馆) offers a contemporary interpretation of Chinese cuisine that feels familiar to anyone who has dined at modern Chinese restaurants in China. Located along Cross Street in Chinatown, the restaurant combines traditional Chinese flavours with updated presentations and combinations that bring together ingredients from different culinary traditions.

We visited Yanhuo for lunch and tried a selection of dishes spanning chilled appetisers, steamed egg, grilled meat and braised pork. What impressed us was the restaurant’s approach to familiar ingredients, using them in combinations that feel current without straying too far from the flavours associated with Chinese cooking.

The restaurant’s interior also contributes to the overall dining experience. Its vintage Chinese inspired decor, warm lighting and darker tones create a setting that feels more intimate than a conventional casual Chinese eatery, setting the stage for cosy catch-ups.

We started with the Chilli Burrata with Century Egg (S$16), a combination that brings together Italian cheese and a distinctly Chinese ingredient.

Burrata is known for its creamy texture and mild milky flavour, while century egg has a more pronounced savoury character. The chilli element adds an extra heat to the dish. It is an unconventional pairing, but one that makes sense as a contemporary Chinese appetiser.

Rather than relying on elaborate cooking techniques, the dish creates interest through the contrast between its ingredients.

Next was the Steamed Egg with White Truffle and Snow Crab (S$29).

Steamed egg is a familiar comfort dish in Chinese cuisine, usually appreciated for its soft, delicate texture. At Yanhuo, the addition of white truffle and snow crab gives it a more luxurious treatment.

The smooth egg provides a gentle base for the sweet, delicate crab meat, while the truffle contributes an aromatic note. It is one of the pricier items among the dishes we tried, with the crab and truffle elevating it into a special version of a familiar home style dish.

The Charcoal Lamb Skewers with Cumin and Pickled Vegetables (3 skewers, S$16) brought a more robust flavour profile to the table.

Lamb and cumin are a natural pairing, particularly in northwestern Chinese cooking, where grilled lamb skewers are a familiar street food staple. Cooking the meat over charcoal adds a smoky dimension, while cumin provides its characteristic earthy fragrance. The accompanying pickled vegetables offer a contrasting kick to the meat.

We then moved on to the Braised Pork Belly with 10 Head Abalone (S$38).

Pork belly is valued for its combination of meat and fat, and braising allows the flavours of the sauce to work their way into the meat while softening its texture. The addition of 10 head abalone gives the dish a more luxurious feel, pairing a familiar braised pork preparation with seafood traditionally associated with more elaborate Chinese meals.

The appeal lies in the contrast between the rich pork and the abalone, which brings a firmer texture and a different savoury character. This dish is worth considering for those who want something more substantial to share and is best enjoyed with a steaming bowl of rice.

To round up the dishes, we had the Wasabi Jellyfish Salad with Scallops and Cucumber (S$17).

Jellyfish is often served chilled in Chinese cuisine, prized for its crunchy texture rather than a strong flavour of its own. Here, the wasabi introduces a sharp kick, while the cucumber adds freshness and crunch. Scallops give the salad another layer of texture and a naturally sweet seafood flavour.

We ended lunch with two servings of Chrysanthemum and Goji Berry Tea (S$10 each). It is a straightforward, non-alcoholic drink that provides a lighter finish after the more indulgent dishes.

Overall, Yanhuo reminded us of the contemporary Chinese restaurants we have visited in China, where traditional ingredients and familiar preparations are presented with a more modern sensibility. The menu is not limited to one style of Chinese cooking, instead drawing on different flavour combinations and techniques while keeping the dishes recognisable.

Prices are reasonable by Singapore restaurant standards, particularly for diners who want a sit-down meal with ingredients such as snow crab, truffle and abalone without moving into the pricing territory of more formal Chinese fine dining.

Yanhuo is worth considering for a casual business lunch, a meal with friends or a family gathering where diners want something more contemporary than conventional Chinese restaurant fare. The menu offers enough variety to build a balanced meal. Overall, that combination of modern presentation, recognisable Chinese influences and relatively approachable pricing is the restaurant’s main draw.

Yanhuo Restaurant (烟伙餐馆)

Address:
22 Cross Street, #01-56A, #01-57/62, Singapore 048421

Opening Hours:
Daily, 11.30am to 2.30pm
and 5.30pm to 10.30pm.
Last order at 9.30pm.

Contact:
+65 8338 8511

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