Hi there
I went to Lao Beijing with a few of my colleagues for lunch buffet at Orchard Central as I personally like dumplings and so I was actually quite looking forward to going there. 🙂
For $13.80++ per adult, I wasn’t expecting too much from the buffet actually, but at least I know I probably will have my worth of dumplings and appetizer which can last my next cravings for few weeks or even months to come. 😛
Tucked at a corner at Orchard Central, I wasn’t aware there is a branch there until my colleague told me but to my surprise, it is really pack on a work day too.
Once we were seated, we were promptly being served with chinese tea and also a one time serving of jelly fish and cucumber slices which is marinated with some flavourful sesame oil and chili slices gave it a little fiery kick. Like this very much, clear my palate every bite.
Just pity the portion is quite small, don’t really mind to get another serving if available.
This lunch buffet is available only on Monday to Friday and besides the buffet price you pay, you will still get charged for $1.20 per person on chinese tea plus $2 for the pickle which is the jelly fish above.
Menu is not extensive but perfectly good for lunch, we practically ordered all the ala carte order from the menu which is the Zhajiang noodles and Beijing style braised noodles.
Although the noodles come in small portion, it is actually really really heavy on the stomache, I would recommend you to order it and share among your friends because the noodles is not the skinny version, it is the big fat fettucine kind, I didn’t like this at all, so were my colleagues as well.
Too bad, the gravy was actually quite nice, I think if they have used the thin la mian instead, this dish will goes down so much better.
Next come my target dish of the lunch buffet,their signature popiah. There is again only one serving for this and only available if you have 4 pax or more, and it comes with a nice looking plate full of condiments and goodies for you to concoct and out do others on the popiah wrapping. 😉
The popiah skin was a tad dry to me, and the texture was kind of papery but I do like the ingredients a lot though, the turnips was cooked in a very flavourful broth while the rest of the toppings were fresh and give the popiah very robust flavour, all enveloped in the warm popiah skin.
All these were being served promptly too, so we kind of have to rush a bit to free up space on the table.
But we really did have fun making the popiah 🙂
Remember what I told you about out do others in making a good popiah, some of us are really good in it! too bad, not me thou. haha…
Now back to the buffet spread, all are self service, variety range from appetizer, soup to various dumplings, fried rice, steamed buns and desserts. Actually I would say there are a lot of carbo in this meal.
Xiao Long Bao comes piping hot, but as the skin was a tad thick to my likenings, it is just mediocre to me. I think I didn’t find it especially impressive is due to the vinegar they use, it is just something I am not really used to.
The black vinegar that they use are more syrupy which I feel is less tart, and to me I love the full bodied tartness that come with black vinegar, goes so well with dumplings that it can instantly rid off any greasiness but over here that sharpness just became a bit bland.
But if you are a big fan of Lao Beijing, I would say this is still value for money, given the pricing for a buffet lunch. You can also check out the menu below to see what’s they have in store for you.
Famous Popiah – For 4 persons and above / Limited to one serving only
<Appetizers> (Change Regularly / Self Service)
- Beijing Style Appetizing Cucumber
- Sliced Pork with Garlic Sauce
- Sliced Beancurd Skin with Peppercorns
- Stewed Peanuts Beijing Pickles
- Shredded Seaweeds, Mushrooms
- Shredded Jelly Fish with Chef’s special spicy sauce
<Pastry> (Change Regularly / Self Service)
- Steamed Juicy Meat Buns (order)
- Beijing style Shao Mai
- Spring Rolls
- Special Fried Pancakes
- Chives and Vegetables Pancakes
<Soup> (Change Regularly / Self Service)
- Soup of the Day
<Dumplings>
- Pork & Cabbage Jiaozi
- Pork & Cabbage Guotie
- Shrimp, Pork & Chive Jiaozi
- Shrimp, Pork & Chive Guotie
- Dumplings in Supreme Stock
- Cripsy Dumplings (self service)
- Dumplings with Vinegar sauce & Pepper
- Dumplings with Spicy Sauce
- Dumplings with Hot & Sour Soup
- Dumplings with Tomato & Eggs Sauce
<Noodles>
- Zhajiang Noodles
- Beijing Style Braised Noodles (Lu Mian)
<Dessert> (Change Regularly / Self Service)
- Chilled Cold Dessert
- Sweetened Hot Dessert
RESTAURANT REVIEWS : LAO BEIJING LUNCH BUFFET AT ORCHARD CENTRAL
Price : $13.80++ for Adult / $8.80++ for children (below 12 years old)
Available : Monday – Friday 1130am – 3pm (last order 230pm)
Happy Dining!
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Cheers,
Dawn