Yan's Peking Duck at National Gallery Singapore

Yan Chinese Restaurant at National Art Gallery

YAN is the Cantonese restaurant on the roof garden level of the beautifully restored City Hall building which now houses the National Gallery Singapore. On our previous visit to Yan Restaurant at National Gallery Singapore, we had a treat for the eyes as well as the palate, but we missed out on the top billing Yan’s Peking Duck. We went back recently to try the signature Yan’s Peking Duck and must say it was worth the trip.

Peking Duck restaurant at National Gallery Singapore

Yan Restaurant at National Gallery Singapore still looks impressive with its colourful elegant decor and white linen table cloths. In addition to its dim sum menu for lunch and a la carte menu, there are set menus starting from $58 per person.

The signature Peking duck costs $40 for half and $80 for whole. We ordered the half.

The glossy duck was presented without any pomp or ceremony at the table and then taken away to be carved and wrapped by the staff. The thinly sliced skin was served wrapped in a chewy savory crepe with the usual garnishes. It tasted very good. It was difficult to stop eating just one or two pieces.

The rest of the duck could be prepared as a second dish. We asked for it to be served just it was. It was taken away to be chopped up and drizzled with some sauce. The duck was meaty, moist and rich in flavours – really delicious.

宴 Yan Restaurant at National Gallery Singapore

We also ordered Yan’s 1000 Layered Beancurd ($22) and Duo Vermicelli ($28). The steamed beancurd dish was really a work of art. We could not figure out how the silky beancurd could be cut and presented in that manner. The dish certainly made a good conversation piece. In the centre of the beancurd arrangement were diced pork, mushroom ginkgo nuts and other ingredients. Overall the dish tasted fine but was not very exciting.

The Braised Duo Vermicelli with crabmeat, bean sprouts and pumpkin sauce looked ordinary but was delectable. There was a good mix of textures and light savoury pumpkin sauce was very palatable.

On the whole, dinner at Yan was a pleasant experience. The restaurant has a nice ambience. The prices are slightly on the high side, especially when you take into account the usual Chinese restaurants overheads (tea was charged at $4 per person and a small dish of pickles was $4) plus GST and service charge. The quality of the good was good and we liked Yan’s Peking Duck very much.