Sampanman Kelong Changi (Jewel) — Restaurant in Singapore

Service:

On our first visit, the service was decent, we requested to swap mussels for clams, and the staff accommodated our request with no issues. However, our second visit, planned for a special occasion, was deeply disappointing.

I called ahead to make a reservation and asked if the restaurant could help with a small birthday gesture, like storing and serving a halal cake that I planned to bring. I was told this wouldn’t be a problem. But on the day of the celebration, the staff told me they couldn’t offer this basic service. It was frustrating and disappointing, and it really took away from what was supposed to be a special occasion.

The staff also appeared disengaged and visibly unhappy throughout the evening. Smiles were rare, and any sense of hospitality was lacking. When we politely requested the same mussel-to-clam swap as before, we were told it's no longer possible and that we would need to order a customized version instead, a stark contrast from our previous visit just a few weeks earlier.

Additional requests, like asking for extra gloves, were met with indifference, I had to repeat myself twice before anyone even acknowledged me. When it came time to pay, we stood waiting for around 10 minutes, with another customer also waiting behind us, yet no staff member came forward to assist. In fact, it wasn’t until that customer stepped in that we finally received any attention. This level of service is unacceptable, especially when a service charge is included.

Food:

The food on our first visit was enjoyable, the seafood was fresh, and the flavors were well-balanced. This was what brought us back the second time. Unfortunately, the second experience did not match the first. The clams were noticeably less fresh, and the overall quality seemed to have dipped.

We ordered the 3–4 pax seafood platter with lobster, expecting it to be more substantial than the 2 pax version. While it was filling, it realistically felt just right for two people. We finished most of it, save for a few clams, mostly because my appetite was smaller and my friend had also ordered rice. The consistency in food quality was disappointing.

Overall Experience:

Our second visit, which was supposed to be a joyful birthday celebration, turned into a frustrating experience marred by poor service and miscommunication. While the food is decent, the lack of basic customer service, especially during a special occasion, is simply unacceptable.

Think twice before choosing this place to celebrate a special occasion, because you won’t get one. The inconsistency in service and communication can easily ruin what should be a memorable day. Sadly, I won’t be returning or recommending this restaurant...

Restaurant does not open on time at 11 am as advertised on Google. At 11.10 am, one staff even informed in a rather off handed manner that no seats were available if we did not have any reservations. The staff did not even bother to check the reservations they had on hand and see if he could accommodate us, giving the impression that he was trying to get us out of the way. This was despite the fact that we were one of the first customers and no one else were seated. The only saving grace was one other staff called Brian who made efforts to check on the seat availability. After we were seated, I was appalled to learn that at least 5-6 items were not available because they would only be ready in an hour’s time. Surely the food should have been prepared beforehand and be ready by the opening hour? If not, why even advertise the opening hour as 11 am?The plates were dirty and had to be changed. To cap off the unpleasant dining experience, the staff who did not bother to check on the seat availability threw down a box of items on floor which landed with a loud thud and startled us. He then proceeded to open the box with a fork and put it back to the utensil holder which could be used by other customers. We had mixed feelings about the food. The soup base for the tiger prawn beehoon was bland. The sambal cockles were nice. The skewers were strangely dry and powdery. On the whole, three things were strikingly appalling. 1) the lackadaisical service by one staff 2) the unprofessional late opening and food preparations of the restaurant 3) the poor hygiene. Sampanman needs to do much better especially when it is located in such a prominent location as Jewel and being showcased to the rest of the...

The best shellout ever!!! Seafood was fresh and the butter sauce was an unforgettable one. The seafood noodles was mwahh. I've never had such tasty noodles!

The staff was so nice to put us near the fountain and it just made the whole dining experience so delightful. They were also willing to take our last minute booking and orders so when we came it was all prepared and ready for us to dive in! 😍

What would top the entire experience is if they could include hot drinks in the menu. Maybe a simple Chinese Tea would be great!

Other than that, I would definitely come back for more!

To the creator of the dishes and cooks, chefs kisses!

11th July 2024

I've been looking forward to the comforting soup noodle that I've been dreaming of since I first had it. As I excitedly took my first slurp, so much questions ran thru my mind. What happened to the chef? Did he leave? Was he fired? Perhaps he was sad and feeling down because that's what exactly the soup tasted like: a bowl of sadness and disappointment. I had just raved about it to my friends and now, I take it all back.. I don't know what happened to the bowl of noodles that once lit up my taste buds.. Now it felt like something that will remain only in memory, like a sampan slowly drifting away until I can no longer recall its taste and warmth as it disappears on the horizon. Goodbye sampan! Man.. we're never seeing each other again.. 😪

Plus the server who served us today looked so glum as if he had overworked but underpaid yet he had no choice but to continue working because he wants to buy the latest iPhone and gadgets. Sad~ such a sad, sad dinner.

p.s: the herb butter cream...