Ling Zhi Vegetarian - Orchard

I was recently invited to sample the new seasonal spring menu at Ling Zhi's Orchard outlet.  We all know as vegetarians in Singapore that some districts are excellent for vegetarian food (Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Little India) and some areas are just plain lousy - Orchard certainly belongs to the latter.  However, Ling Zhi at Liat Towers now provides an option for any poor (but not financially poor) vegetarians who happen to find themselves in Orchard.


Ling Zhi Vegetarian
Location: #05-01, 541 Orchard Road (Liat Towers)
Contact: 67343788
Opening Hours: Daily 11.30am-2.30pm & 6.00pm-10.00pm


The Spring Feast menu prides itself on using farm-to-table fresh ingredients, organic whenever possible.  The menu was crafted by Chef Martin Foo.  Chef Martin's food is void of onions, garlic, animal products (however I later found out he used milk in his coconut ice cream) and also refrains from using mock meat.  This exclusive 'Spring Feast' set meal will run from 1st-31st March 2014.
All the food available on this menu is beautifully presented, my photographs really do not do the dishes justice.  First plate to arrive contained three different mini-meals.  These were the Turnip Roll Marinated with Japanese Rice Vinegar and Pickled Chilli, Seasonal Vegetable Roll topped with Spicy 'Yuzu' Sauce, and finally Potato Croquette with Wild Mushroom.  The fresh ingredients really shine in all the food.  The croquette was my favourite, the mango and apple salsa used inside contrasted with the potato well.

7/10


The next course was the Double-Boiled Nutritious Soup.  The flavour of this soup is strong, yet light and I really loved the red dates (deseeded) and cordeseps, which were used inside to give a sweet undertone.  The soup is boiled for 2-3 hours prior to serving, and pure spring water is used.  Chef Martin explained that all the ingredients in this soup are carefully selected so that the dish has a harmonious balance between heaty and coolness.

7/10











Course number three was the Stir-fried Zucchini with Truffle Sauce served in Organic Tomato.  I loved the enhanced flavour and taste of this deskinned organic tomato.  The quality of non-organic tomatoes in Singapore is really the lowest I've seen in the world.  So to eat a tomato that actually tastes like a tomato was pleasing.  The real star of the dish, however, was the raw zucchini, which was drizzled in olive oil and black vinegar - Sometimes the most simple combinations are the best.

8/10

We then moved on to the 'main course' style dishes, which began with the Braised Assorted Wild Mushrooms and Eggplant with Basil in Premium Black Bean Sauce.  The food is wrapped in a special non-toxic plastic, which can withstand temperatures of up to 230 degree Celsius, and therefore is not harmful to the human body.  To keep the food warm throughout, special white stones are used, which retain heat and keep the dish warm.  Once unwrapped, the mushrooms and other ingredients were quite flavourful - But it was the unique presentation that left a lasting impression with me.

8/10
For many Chinese people, no meal is complete without rice.  Here we have the final dish before dessert, which was the Chef's Homemade 'Mapo' Tofu accompanied with Sweet Corn and Wild Black Grain. Wild black grain rice is far healthier than brown and white rice, and tastes great too.  This rice was steamed first, and braised afterward.  It also had good contrasting sweetness from the corn.  At the far side of the plate, the soft and delicate mapo tofu was resting in a thin (almost flower shaped) parcel, which had the texture and taste of spring roll skin.

7/10
Last but not least we have the dessert.  This is the Pumpkin Paste with Gingko Nuts topped with Coconut Ice-cream.  Presentation wise, once again I was rendered speechless by the beauty of this dish.  The flowers scattered around the pumpkin are edible.  The pumpkin paste lurking inside was 100% organic and naturally sweet.  The carved pumpkin on the outside was not organic, so was ultimately quite bland.  The warm pumpkin paste and cold ice cream matched nicely together.  Vegans be careful, this coconut ice cream contains milk.

8/10

TOTAL COST = $68.00++ per person

Conclusion - After finishing this elaborate six course meal, I definitely felt satisfied by the quality of food, and the jaw-dropping presentational skills that were exhibited by the chef.  Yes, cost is the main downside to this set meal, especially as I was not particularly full even at the end of it.  But if you're looking for a truly special once in a lifetime meal (which is healthy too), then this is definitely one you should try.

Overall Rating
Food - 8/10
Ambiance- 8/10
Service - 7/10
Value - 6/10