Dian Xiao Er’s Chef Showdown is back this year.
This offers foodies in Singapore a unique opportunity to explore 17 exclusive dishes across the restaurant’s outlets.
This annual event runs from 17 September to 15 December 2024, giving diners the chance to sample a range of creative dishes.
Each dish prepared by a different chef and exclusive to a specific outlet.
For loyal customers, there is an added incentive: collect e-stamps through the Dian Xiao Er app.
You can win up to $413 worth of dining vouchers by visiting the various outlets and trying their special dishes.
For those planning to embark on the full culinary journey to collect all 20 e-stamps, it is an exciting opportunity to taste a range of dishes crafted by different chefs, each adding their personal flair to the menu.
Each dish brings something different to the table, and the overall experience feels like an adventurous exploration of Chinese cuisine.
Check out these 8 recommended dishes I tried from Dian Xiao Er’s Chef Showdown 2024, available for a limited time only:
Tropical Seafood Crunchies 果香带子虾粒球 ($14.90, available at Parkway Parade)
The Tropical Seafood Crunchies immediately caught my eye because of its panipuri-like appearance with a mix of seafood and fruit.
When it arrived, the potato-based golden, crispy exterior was very inviting.
Biting into it, I was pleasantly surprised by the balance between the savoury shrimp and scallops, and the sweetness of the dragonfruit and honeydew.
Deep-fried Seaweed Prawn Paste 香脆海苔虾滑饼 ($14.90, available at Bedok Mall)
The dish good for sharing features tender shrimp paste encased in a crispy seaweed layer, providing a savoury bite that is both satisfying and flavourful.
I particularly liked the added texture from the small pieces of carrot, corn, and black fungus mixed into the paste.
Paired with a tangy dipping sauce, the dish was well-balanced, not too oily or heavy, making it an easy appetiser-type dish to enjoy.
The seaweed brings a savoury umami punch, complementing the smooth texture of the shrimp paste. this dish offers a delicious contrast of flavours, making it a standout appetiser.
Luscious Creamy Garlic Clams 奶油蒜香啦啦 ($17.90, available at Marina Square)
As soon as the dish arrived, the aroma of garlic filled the air, setting the stage for what was to come.
The clams were generously coated in a rich, velvety cream – without feeling too heavy.
What I particularly loved was the crispy fried garlic bits sprinkled throughout.
Szechuan Spicy Tofu 川香椒麻豆腐 ($13.90, available at Lot One)
If you enjoy bold, spicy flavours like Mapo Tofu, this dish will not disappoint.
The was incredibly soft and silky, contrasting with the spicy minced pork that was packed with flavour.
What I liked was how the spice level was intense but not overwhelming; it was the kind of heat that would be good to be paired with a bowl of rice.
Seafood Trio in Spicy Pepper Broth 三鲜盛宴 ($28.90, available at NEX)
The broth had just the right amount of mala-type of spice with light creaminess and depth of flavour that made it impossible not to keep spooning it up.
The spiciness wasn’t overwhelming but built up slowly, leaving a pleasant tingle on the palate. So addictive.
The seafood itself – prawns, sliced fish, and fish puffs – was fresh and well-cooked.
Loved how the fish puffs absorbed the broth, becoming flavourful little bites that added texture to the dish. I can honestly say this dish was my favourite and highlight of my meal.
Mala Crispy Pork Belly 爽辣脆肉片 ($15.90, available at Tampines 1)
Surprise, surprise. The pork belly was prepared till crispy (yet still meaty). And the spiciness of the mala seasoning was just nice.
Made it hard to resist reaching for more.
What I appreciated most about this dish was its versatility. It worked well as a snack on its own, but it was also filling enough to serve as a main dish.
Sizzling Kam Heong Fish 铁板甘香鱼片 ($17.90, available at Jewel Changi Airport)
The Kam Heong sauce, a complex Malaysian-Chinese creation, gives the dish a rich, savoury-spicy flavour that was both comforting and exciting.
The fish fillet was crispy on the outside, yet tender and flaky inside, which paired well with the sauce.
Deep-fried Cantaloupe with Tangy Dipping Sauce 气泡哈密瓜 ($10.90, available at VivoCity)
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from deep-fried cantaloupe (some call rock melon), and I can imagine some diners finding this ‘weird’.
The cantaloupe maintained its crisp and fresh interior, while the outer layer had a light, golden crispiness.
Paired with the tangy orange dressing, each bite was sweet, slightly sour, and refreshing.
It felt like a perfect palate cleanser after the more robust flavours of the other dishes.
Eat & Win at Dian Xiao Er – How to Participate:
Step 1: Download the Dian Xiao Er Mobile Application and order the Chef Showdown dish.
With a minimum spend of $40 (excluding GST, service charge, and price of Chef Showdown dish) and collect e-stamps for each Chef Showdown dish ordered from different outlets.
Step 2: Collect four stamps from each region: North, South, East, West, and Central. Each outlet grants one stamp for their specific location.
For regions with only three outlets, revisit one to obtain the 4th stamp.
Step 3: Collect all 20 stamps to receive a bonus $233 in vouchers, totalling up to $413 worth of vouchers.
DBS/POSB card holders can get $5 off any Chef Showdown dishes if they pay with their DBS/POSB credit or debit card for dine-in. Limited redemptions only.
Dian Xiao Er’s outlets:
Bedok Mall: 311 New Upper Changi Road, #01-71, Singapore 467360
Causeway Point: 1 Woodlands Square #05-11, Singapore 738099
City Square Mall: 180 Kitchener Road, #03-37/38, Singapore 208539
Downtown East: 1 Pasir Ris Cl, #02-319/320 E!Avenue, Singapore 519599
Hillion Mall: 17 Petir Road, #01-08, Singapore 678278
JEM: 50 Jurong Gateway Road, #03-08, Singapore 608549
Jewel Changi Airport: 78 Airport Boulevard, #B2-229, Singapore 819666
Junction 8: 9 Bishan Place, #B1-07, Singapore 579837
Jurong Point: 63 Jurong West Central 3, #B1-57/58/59, Singapore 648331
Lot One: 21 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4, #B1-32/33, Singapore 689812
Marina Square: 6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-200, Singapore 039594
Northpoint City: 930 Yishun Avenue 2, #02-06 North Wing, Singapore 769098
Parkway Parade: 80 Marine Parade Rd, #02-14, Singapore 449269
Serangoon NEX: 23 Serangoon Central, #02-09/10, Singapore 556083
Tampines 1: 10 Tampines Central 1, #04-15, Singapore 529536
VivoCity: 1 HarbourFront Walk, #02-138/9, Singapore 098585
Waterway Point: 83 Punggol Central, #01-30, Singapore 828761
Opening Hours: All outlets (except Jewel):
11am – 9:30pm Last order 9pm (Mon – Thurs), 11am – 10pm Last order 9:30pm (Fri – Sun, PH)
Jewel: 11am – 10pm Last order 9:30pm (Mon – Fri), 11am – 10pm Last order 9:30pm (Sat – Sun, PH)
* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Dian Xiao Er.
