Chen's (Downtown Gallery) — Restaurant in Singapore

A small eatery on the 2nd floor of OUE Downtown Building, Chen's Mapo Tofu is another of the Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore Award recipient. Mapo Tofu is a popular Chinese dish from Sichuan province. It consists of tofu set in a spicy sauce, typically a thin, oily, and bright red suspension, based on douban and douchi, along with minced meat, traditionally beef.

Ordered the Mapo Tofu Don set to try. Upon sitting down with the dish, the smell of the peppercorn was so strong it stung the eyes slightly. On first taste, the dish was tasty with a spicy kick and it was enjoyable. Then came the aftertaste which tasted more of salty than savoury. This was balanced with the clear soup but it should not have needed the soup to balance it.

Ordered some Szechuan Popcorn Chicken to try but alas the skin was not crunchy and the bites was just plain spicy. Yes, the dish is meant to be spicy but not to the point there were no other flavours in it, right? Had a cup of Calamansi Drink to help the meal but it was just sour sour sour. Perhaps the eatery is going for basic flavours but it definitely did not provide an enjoyable meal during this visit.

General Verdict: Dishes are yummy spicy but had no other flavours except for a salty after taste

Opening Hours: Daily 11am-8pm

Queue Situation: Next to none outside of lunchtime

Price: SG$5.50 upwards

Payment Mode: Cash and all Major Credit Cards

Is this worth a try? Probably Is it worth making a trip just to try it? No Is this worthy of the Michelin Bib Gourmand Singapore Award? No

Items Ordered: 1) Item: Mapo Tofu Don Mapo tofu is a popular Chinese dish from Sichuan province. It consists of tofu set in a spicy sauce, typically a thin, oily, and bright red suspension, based on douban and douchi, along with minced meat, traditionally beef. Description: A good spicy dish with rice to have on a hot day and pairs well with the soup. A little on the salty side Verdict: Acceptable, Order only if you want to try Price: SG$5.90

Item: Clear Soup Provided as part of the Don set Description: Tasty savoury soup that helps to manage the spiciness of the Mapo Tofu Verdict: Good, Served with the set Price: Free with set

Item: Szechuan Popcorn Chicken Description: Spicy Chicken Bites giving a good spicy kick but the flour was not crispy Verdict: Acceptable, Order only if you want to try Price: SG$5.80

Item: Calamansi Juice Description: Very very sour Verdict: Fail, Don't Waste...

Chen's Mapo Tofu Chinese New Year Special 2024 offers a mouthwatering selection of Chuka Ryori dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. One standout dish is the Abalone Mapo Mien, a delightful combination of tender abalone in a rich and flavorful Mapo sauce tossed with noodles. The dish is a perfect blend of textures and flavors, with the abalone providing a luxurious seafood element to the dish. 👍🏻😋😋

Another highlight on the menu is the Ebi Chili Tamago Don. The succulent shrimps are cooked to perfection and coated in a delectable Japanese-Szechwan sweet and spicy sauce. The shrimps sit atop a bed of golden scrambled eggs, adding a velvety and creamy texture to the dish. The fluffy Hokkaido Rice completes the meal, providing a perfectly balanced base for the dish. 👍🏻😋

The Szechwan Popcorn Chicken is another must-try dish. The chicken is fried to a crispy perfection, and the juicy center is bursting with flavor. This dish is a great option for those craving a flavorful and crispy snack. 👍🏻😋😋

Vegetarian options are also available with the Seasonal Vegetables, offering a palate-refreshing and crunchy addition to the menu. Pair your meal with the refreshing Calamansi Juice, a tangy and citrusy drink that complements the flavors of the dishes. 😍😍😍

Overall, Chen's Mapo Tofu Chinese New Year Special 2024 offers a delightful fusion of flavors that will leave you wanting more. Whether you're a fan of seafood, chicken, or vegetables, there is something to suit every taste. This special menu is the perfect way to usher in the Chinese New Year, indulging in flavors that bring fortune, joy, and a delicious start to the year...

After a long and hard session at the gym on a rainy Sunday morning, I feel like having something spicy and hot to cheer up my mood. So,I went to Chen's Mapo Tofu at Downtown Gallery to have lunch for the first time.

I ordered 'Traditional Mapo Tofu, Hot & Sour Soup, Duck Karaage and Spicy Szechuan Dumplings. Let me say, the Mapo Tofu is exceptional. The taste of the tofu is great and be cautious that the spice level is not for the faint hearted (i.e. I ordered spice level 2, and level 3 is the hottest) I can say that the tofu was cooked to perfection and highly recommend it to anyone that welcomes spice challenge.

Hot and Sour Soup and Spicy Szechuan dumplings surprised my taste buds with the freshness of the dumplings and the heat level of the soup.The filling of the dumplings are fresh and couple perfectly with the mala sauce. The balance between spiciness and sourness of the soup is incredible. The spice level was perfect and did not overpower the sourness of the soup, My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed the soup and the dumplings without any complaints.

The highlight of this lunch has to be the Duck Karaage. The duck meat was cut in bite size cubes and lightly battered, then they were deep fried to perfection. The battered shell of the karaage was crunchy and the duck meat inside was juicy and tender. The duck meat was seasoned well and required no additional seasoning for taste. I highly recommend this dish and it is a must try.

Overall, my partner and I had enjoy our lunch and highly recommend Chen's Mapo Tofu to anyone who fancy spicy food and satisfy the love of traditional...