I treated the family to Li Bai this National Day as a form of celebration for a good start to the new job. Li Bai has always been one of those classic dim sum restaurants which I wanted to try but never found the opportunity.
Given that the menu was extensive and there were hits and misses, I'll separate this post into two parts. I'll begin with the hits.
One of the unique dishes I tried was the fried scallop rolls ($7.20). It's crunchy and flavorful. Highly recommended!
Another of the highlights is the egg tarts ($4.80). It's my personal favorite for the day. The crust is flaky and egg custard in the center was so creamy and sweet, I can eat a few more plates!
The siew mai ($8) at Li Bai is made of chicken not pork. It's voted my mom's favorite dish for the day. My mom isn't much of a fan of dim sum, and was even critical of the 2 star michelin Tin Lung Heen's siew mai with abalone when she was in Hong Kong. I was pleasantly surprised she said its one of the best siew mai she has eaten.
Another of my must have at the dim sum table is Mango Prawn Roll ($7.20). Ever since my days eating at Yum Cha, the mango prawn roll has earned a soft spot in my dim sum palatte. This version was a decent rendition of the dish and I'll be happy to order it again.
Of course, Har Gau or Shrimp Dumplings is another must have for traditional dim sums. This one is crunchy and juicy with the skin done just right. I like to gauge the quality of a dim sum restaurant through these traditional dishes because they are so simple yet easy to fluff in quality.
With this I conclude the hits for the day. Now on to the misses.
This fish congee ($6.50) is ordinary till I can't stress enough ordinary. It's so plain and dull I didn't bother to finish it.
The pork ribs ($4.80) came last after we finished eating and have our tables cleared. A major screw up on Li Bai's part. It came at such an odd timing, I felt it's better if they simply gave me the option to cancel the order because I totally forgotten about it. I ended up joking that it was perhaps Li Bai's idea of a dessert. Due to the screw up, I didn't have the mood to try the dish but my mom commented that it's not very fantastic.
The attempt to meet modern day crowd with sexier dishes like pork and crab meat ($7.20) dumpling didn't really make the grade. Considering I'll pay less for 5 pieces of Xiao Long Bao at Ding Tai Fung that tastes much better... It's better if you give the dish a miss.
The Shrimp Vermicelli Rolls ($7.20) was a big miss. The sauce was pathetically stingy and the rolls were dry and hard to eat on its own. I took a bite and didn't touch the dish again.
Concluding on my very first Li Bai experience, it's still highly recommended! For a start, I wish to applaud the service which was impeccable. I felt so welcomed when I stepped in and this is the first place I was offered a complimentary parking coupon without having to ask for it. I felt the food has its hits and misses but those that hit really can give other dim sum establishments a run for their money. I'll want to be back to try other dim sum dishes on their menu. It's definitely a good venue to treat your family and friends.
Li Bai
Thirty Nine Scotts Road, Sheraton Towers Singapore Hotel
(The yam chips which tastes really awesome isn't free. It costs you $5)