Yanhuo Restaurant: Comforting flavours and IG-worthy floral aesthetics at new modern Chinese restaurant

Modern Chinese cuisine has really been taking off in Singapore. 

While people still love their traditional big-family spots, many also seem to have developed a liking for more casual and more fun takes on Chinese food.

If you’re one of those who love comforting flavours and decor with pizzazz, the new Yanhuo Restaurant in Chinatown was made for you and a spot worth adding to your Chinese food bookmarks.

The Chinese restaurant is the newest opening by the Fleursophy Group, known for its slate of picturesque floral-themed concepts including Under Der Linden, Le Jardin and Ember.

Following the blueprint of the group, the space is flush with dainty dried flower arrangements, bolstered by understated red and orange hues, and a medley of rustic furniture, including folding screens.

The name “Yanhuo” (烟火) means fireworks in Chinese, which explains why the restaurant space is so elaborately furnished.

Besides its aesthetics, it’s also conveniently located not far from the Chinatown MRT station — date-spot idea, maybe?

Comforting Chinese flavours

The menu at Yanhuo Restaurant isn’t stubbornly set on one specific style of Chinese cuisine and it doesn’t go off the rails with creativity, as at some modern restaurants.

You do get a bit of everything, ranging from bold Sichuan dishes, to local pao fan (soaked rice), which is good for big groups.

Out of the plethora of dishes, one that really surprised us was the bowl of cherry tomatoes (S$16).

As unimpressive as a bowl of cherry tomatoes may sound, these French cherry tomatoes were stupidly juicy.

Each one bursts exuberantly when popped into the mouth, turning into a gush of tomato sweetness, bolstered with tangerine peel acidity and zing.

Another very simple dish that Yanhuo Restaurant does very well is the silken tofu (S$15).

It may be one of the most classic dishes, but the soft and silky tofu and the robust century egg sauce hit the spot so satisfyingly — can’t go wrong with this.

In the same vein, the mapo tofu (S$22) was everything you’d expect of this timeless creature comfort.

Yanhuo Restaurant also uses iberico pork in this to amp up the richness and it works — it’s not just pointlessly spicy and also possesses a good dose of umami.

This dish is best eaten with rice to really enjoy the flavour and mix of textures.

If the flavours are too hearty and oily for you, getting some soup to wash it all down might be a good idea, too.

There are only two soup items on Yanhuo Restaurant’s menu — the beef claypot (S$48) and double-boiled grouper pot (from S$48) — and the latter is perfect for that.

The fish is tender, while the soup is wonderfully rich and tangy, while not being as high in acidity as something like sauerkraut fish — this also pairs great with rice.

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In the drinks department, Yanhuo Restaurant has also concocted an assortment of IG-worthy items, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Those looking for something sweet and easy to drink, the popular Gold Mountain Azure Wave (S$15) is our go-to choice.

This non-alcoholic drink is an elegant and milky blend of osmanthus and peach oolong tea, with chunks of bouncy grass jelly at the bottom.

One thing we’d note are the higher prices, but the food is solid and the vibes are gorgeous.

If a vibey modern Chinese restaurant in the CBD is what you’re looking for, there aren’t many restaurants that can fit the bill as well as Yanhuo Restaurant!

This was an invited tasting.

For more ideas on what to eat, read our stories on the most exciting new menu launches in Singapore to check out for May and where to eat when you visit Jewel Changi!

Enjoy up to 50% off when you dine with GrabFood Dine Out.

You can also book a ride to Yanhuo restaurant at Chinatown for its vibey modern Chinese restaurant experience.