Beware of cute porcupines at Imperial Treasures Yi Dian Xin, Paragon

According to the website of Imperial Treasures Restaurant Group, ” (t)he “Treasures Yi Dian Xin” chain will showcase a fresh new face of Imperial Treasure …  customers will be able to sit back and relax in the restaurant chain’s trendy interiors as they are attended to by highly trained staff members…”. We stopped by at Imperial Treasures Yi Dian Xin at Paragon recently to try out this new face of the famous restaurant group in Singapore.

The difference in decor was immediately apparent. Unlike the usual restrained decor of the typical Imperial Treasures outlet, this restaurant in the basement of Paragon was bright white with a mix of retro and modern design themes.  The tables are small and close together.  Whether or not it is trendy, I will leave it to the experts to decide. The staff were attentive and efficient. A semi-open concept kitchen provided a glimpse into the kitchen.

Here are pictures of some parts of the Imperial Treasures Yi Dian Xin menu. We ordered a mixed assortment of dishes.

The highlight of our meal were the porcupine buns with red bean paste ($4 for two pieces). They look too cute too be eaten, the one on the left in particular had sad eyes, as if knowing what was in store.

We also tried some usual dim sum items – salted egg yolk black custard bun ($3.60), the steamed prawn dumplings ‘har kau’ ($4.80), Teochew dumplings ($4.50) and stuffed prawn in crispy wrap ($$4.80). They were all not bad but not remarkable.

The “congee with two treasures” – sliced fish and century egg ($9) was good. The taste of century egg was strong and the fish was fresh.

The Treasures Signature Noodles with beef tendon, wanton and shrimp dumpling ($10) was also quite good. The deep meaty tastes went well with the crunchy noodles. It was also a fairly large portion.

The disappointment of the day was the dried scallop rice dumpling ($13.80). This was a massive block of rice mixed with some sort of beans (monk beans?). There were some dried scallops and meat somewhere in the mix but it was predominently a block of rice.

Finally, we end with another sweet dish – mango custard mocha ($$3.60). This was not bad.  Chinese tea and towels cost $1.50 and 30 cents per person.

Overall, our lunch at Imperial Treasures Yi Dian Xin at Paragon was quite average. The only thing we were excited about were these little creatures. If we should visit again, it will not be for the trendy interior but to see these cute porcupines again.

Ratings:
Food: 3
Service: 3
Value: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Overall Rating: 3 TOPs    

Imperial Treasures Yi Dian Xin
#B1-08, 290 Orchard Road
The Paragon Singapore
Singapore 238859

Tel: +65 6262 3662

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday : 11.00am – 10.00pm
Saturday and Sunday : 10.30am to 10.00pm

Nearby MRT Stations : Somerset, Orchard

Website

The Ordinary Patrons
a Singapore food blog by ordinary people looking for places to eat