How in the world did I not know such a place exists in Singapore? A million thanks to my foodie friends Ed & Vi for showing us this cool spot! Indoor outdoor domes built to contain private dining rooms accommodating parties of 6-30 pax. Just walking into this “campsite” was mind boggling! 

We had the pleasure meeting the man behind this conceptual dining space. Young Chef-owner Jeffrey Wong is humble, conscientious, polite with a good sense of humor. He was welcoming and hospitable, and we got off to chatting like old friends very quickly as he shared his culinary journey which started at a young age from Malaysia to Singapore. The cuisine at XLX is mainly Cantonese, with influences from Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore, incorporating street-food and fine dining cultures. It’s less of a mishmash as it sounds, as we shortly discovered… 

The meal started off with a some cold appetizers. Marinated Fish Skins ~ Thick fish skin is sliced, poached, marinated and chilled in a savory spicy dressing. The skins weren’t fishy at all; the idea was novel. The tanginess and crunchy texture was captivating. 

Next, we had some Raw Oysters on the rocks. Take your pick of accompaniment from lemon, Tabasco, to shoyu and wasabi. The oysters were fresh and meaty, briny and juicy; well that’s all that really matters when it comes to oysters, isn’t it?!

My personal favorite appetizer has got to be the Jellyfish Salad. The spongy jelly fish and crisp veggies in the savory, sweet & sour combo dressing was a subtle reminiscence of a Thai salad. Utterly delicious! 

Prawn Pancake was made simply by spreading a thin layer of pure prawn paste between 2 pieces of dried bean curd sheets, and fried. Simple, yes. But thanks to a well seasoned filling, it was especially yummy! Don’t see anyone not enjoying this! 

The Spiny Lobster was served 2 ways. Sashimi and in hot pot soup. Both were on point, again, thanks to the ultimate freshness of the crustacean. The soup was full bodied and rich, and good on its own even. 

Yuan Yang Hor Fun came highly recommended. A mix of stir fried smooth hot fun and deep fried crispy hot fun come together under a flavorful briny clam gravy. The contrasting soft and crunchy textures proved exceptional! Not to mention the wok hei that oozes through each bite.

A small portion of Lala White Bee Hoon for tasting and it was devastating I did not have the space in my belly to consume more than a mouthful. The rice vermicelli bee hoon in the milky broth was comfort food at its peak. And the subtle essence of Chinese wine shone through in a small yet paramount way.

Steam Marble Goby with Black Garlic & Truffle ~ This is nothing like the usual Steamed Marble Goby Hong Kong Style that everyone swears by at any decent Cantonese Restaurant. The same fish is elevated with sweet black garlic and aromatic black truffle paste. The extra flavors were present but not overpowering; and added a new dimension to the tried and tested dish, which was a welcoming change . The marble goby was big and fat; And fresh like it had swam straight from the sea! 

White Pepper Sri Lanka Crab ~ By this dish, I was already stuffed and bloated. But when they saved the best for last, you have to somehow find room in your gut for a bite. The crab we were served was super duper fresh. Stir fried with generous amounts of chopped garlic, scallion and white pepper dotting every surface and crevice of the crab and flavoring the firm supple crab meat. The zingy spicy pepper was strong, and addictive! This really stood out from the many restaurants serving the same dish. 

And finally, Salt & Pepper Lobster from the remains of the lobster sashimi! The large lobster head and pincers were chopped up and quick fried over intense heat. Specks of grainy salt and black pepper coat the bright orange shells. The aroma that whiffed through the air was irresistible! I got down to another bite, once again. But saved the rest in a doggy bag for lunch the following day!

XLX has unquestionably delivered a memorable meal. From the moment we stepped in, the kind hospitality we received, the extraordinary set up, and the skillfully prepared dishes, all left a deep impression on us. Call up for a reservation as these private dome rooms are popular!

XLX Modern Tze Char @ 5 Guillemard Rd, Singapore 399685. Phone +65 91288978

Disclaimer ~ This is not a sponsored post