Mention Swensen’s and what do most people think of? I don’t know about you but fond memories of Topless Fives and Earthquake ice cream on birthdays immediately come to my mind. Well, do you know that Swensen’s is now on a quest to bring your taste buds around the world with its mains as well? Starting from April till June, one new entrée inspired by close-to-heart Asian cuisine will be released successively each month.
Ga Nuong Sa – Grilled Lemongrass Chicken, S$14.90
First up, the Ga Nuong Sa (Grilled Lemongrass Chicken) for April. A staple dish in Vietnamese restaurants, this dish of chicken is deeply marinated in intense Vietnamese flavours before being grilled till the right amount of tenderness. I love the traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce Nuoc Mam Cham; it’s tangy and appetising. The accompany rice is fragrant and aromatic (somewhat like our Hainanese chicken rice), the salad is refreshing, and the vegetarian spring rolls are crispy and good. Do dip the spring rolls in the sauce too for extra zest.
As an ardent fan of the colour orange, I sampled their Mango Peach Tropics drink. This unique concoction of fruity mango peach and a sparkling fizzy twist topped with a smooth milky cap is unlike any drink I’ve had before — in a good way. It was confusing at first because I had never put fizziness and milk in the same sentence, or beverage for that matter before, but I couldn’t stop sipping.
Compared to the Mango Peach Tropics, the Sparkling Pink Lemonade is much more mainstream. Zesty lemonade and strawberry syrup, it’s a refreshing drink to beat the crazy Singapore afternoon heat. From April 2016 to May 2016, diners can enjoy these two new sassy drinks at an introductory price of S$3.90 (usual price S$5.90).
For mains, you can look forward to the Bulgogi Roast Beef (S$19.90) that will make its debut at Swensen’s in May. The juicy slow-roasted beef slices were succulent and the in-house-made bulgogi sauce added oomph to every bite. If you are an adventurous foodie, look out for Swensen’s very own twist on the chunky kimchi coleslaw. My favourite part of this dish though, is the unassuming diced pears disguising as potatoes sitting nicely on top of the beef slices.
Bulgogi Roast Beef, S$19.90
Spice lovers can look forward to June when the Volcano Ayam (S$14.90) will be introduced to the menu. Each bite serves up a delectable flavour of fiery crackling juicy chicken meat. The succulent morsel is enveloped in a layer of crispy skin (yes, I love my crispy skin!) that is both sweet and spicy at the same time. The sides of tangy mango salad and savoury rice are perfect for toning down the spicy kick. If only this dish was a little less spicy, I would have loved it a whole lot more. But then again, I admit that my threshold for spiciness is low. Perhaps a beginner’s spicy level, Swensen’s?
Volcano Ayam, S$14.90
Swensen’s Around the World in More Than 80 Days menu is available for the next three months at 23 outlets across Singapore. HSBC Cardholders get to enjoy 15% off any order of Around the World dish or beverage, or 10% off the entire bill.
