Yummy Dim Sum in Opulent Settings = Paradise

photo by bookjunkie

This place is called Taste Paradise, but to me it seemed like a Dim Sum paradise as I observed baskets of steaming Dim Sum on tables as we were whisked away into the narrow corridors of this opulent restaurant.  As we did not have a reservation I was afraid that we would be unceremoniously dumped in some obscure corner, sandwiched uncomfortably between other groups of people.  Instead, I was more than pleasantly surprised when we were led to a little private corner booth, complete with a thick roped up velvet curtains for sweet privacy.  I was instantly won over because to me ambience is half the battle.  Once a restaurant has both food and ambience perfected, together with a reasonable price, I am loyal for life.  This place is starting to live up to its name I thought.

I then glanced down to find the prettiest looking chinese porcelain ware ever.  I was in love!  You can see how much smitten I was by the number of photos of took just of the china ware.  I was wishing a owned a set like this.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

My partner then ordered Jasmine tea and the smiling waitress promptly came by to fill our pretty little cups from a long curvy spouted tea-pot.  The presentation was just marvellous and I thought this place really knows how to court its customers.  The lady came by to top up our tea now and then and the pot was left there in case we wanted to.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

I tried to take a picture from and within the booth to give you a tiny idea of how cosy it was.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Even the menus were decadent.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Next we were served the XO carrot cake which tasted wonderful, but it was more like the hawker type of carrot cake rather than the radish carrot cake that we were hankering for,  that’s served at my current top place for authentic Dim Sum – Crystal Jade. (my verdict is that both have comparable quality and although Crystal Jade prices are lower,  Taste Paradise wins me over in terms of decor and ambience)

photo by bookjunkie

The Chilli they served went so well with the dim sum, but be careful it’s very spicy but oh so tasty. (This is coming from someone who is quite a big fan of chilli)

photo by bookjunkie

Whenever I have Dim Sum I must always have my favorite item which is char siew pau (steamed pork bun) and this was as delicious as it looks.  The pork filling was sweet and moist and the pao was fluffy and Cantonese style like those in Hong Kong.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

We also had Shanghainese style pao (fried pork bun), but my partner preferred the ones at Food Republic which he said are cheaper and with a filling that is dripping with juices the way he likes it.  I kinda liked these because they were not too filling and just the perfect size.

photo by bookjunkie

The other steamed dim sum items we had were yummy too.  (The same food quality as Crystal Jade)

photo by bookjunkie

Har Gao (steamed with prawn filling)

photo by bookjunkie

Cheong Fun with char siew (steamed with pork filling)

As we were leaving I managed to get a quick few shots of the decor which includes prints of the various emperors of China. They use warm almost orange shade lights here to add to the opulence of the setting.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Luckily we were early. As we left I saw people waiting for a table outside. I was thinking if I come with my family in a big group we might even be able to get one of the sweet private rooms I spotted.

The Bill in Singapore Dollars:

XO Carrot Cake: $7.80

Har Gao (4): $4.80

BBQ Pork Bun (3) : $3.90

Cheong Fun with Char Siew: $4.80

Fried Pork Bun (3): $3.80

Jasmine Tea: $5.60

Steamed Spare Rib (partner likes this but I don’t): $3.80

Total cost with service charge: $40.65

Taste Paradise
(ION Orchard)
No.2 Orchard Turn
#04-07 ION Orchard
Singapore 238801

Opening Hours
Mon – Fri
11.30am – 3.00pm (last order 2.30pm)
6.00pm – 11.00pm (last order 10.00pm)

Sat, Sun & PH
11.00am – 4.30pm (last order 4.00pm)
6.00pm – 11.00pm (last order 10.00pm)

Tel: 6509 9660

About bookjunkie

Blogging about life in Singapore & recently cancer too.
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6 Responses to Yummy Dim Sum in Opulent Settings = Paradise

  1. 365days2play says:

    Wow…I think I definitely have to bring my parents to this place. I was just thinking where to take my father for a belated father’s day and I guess this shall be the place. I’ve seen this Taste Paradies before but I thought it would be ridiculously priced. But it seems the prices are just a few cents more than crystal jade so it’s okay to at least try once. I had a bad experience at the Funan branch in that the dinner dishes I ordered were so expensive. And I don’t really associate funan with fine dining if you know what I mean.
    You are like me, good ambience = 1/2 battle won!

  2. 365days2play says:

    I tot the hawker carrot cake is the raddish type???

  3. bookjunkie says:

    I don’t know what exactly to call it..but you know the kind that’s sold as 2 square pieces at Crystal Jade. It tastes different to me and I kinda like that version.

    Am so glad this post was useful..and you found a place to take dad out for father’s day 🙂 Maybe you can make a reservation so that they will give you a private area 🙂 that would be nice!

    Yeah i don’t like to go to Funan for food….computers and food just don’t go together. My partner loves Sim Lim, but that’s on my list of horrid places to go to in Singapore.

  4. 365days2play says:

    Hahahhaha men like Sim Lim and Funan….and thanks for the tip! Will make a reservation.

  5. Pingback: Singapore in a Week: My Wandering Feasting Checklist | Singapore Actually

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