A Solid Stop at Yaohan Centre - Worth a Return visit to Cha Don
Every now and then, I enjoy wandering through a mall food court, and Yaohan Centre in Richmond--located right next to Aberdeen Station on Three Road--fits the bill nicely. That said, parking can be tricky during lunch hours; if you're willing to circle for about ten minutes, though, you'll usually find a spot.
Once inside, you're spoiled for choice. The food court is packed with stalls, each offering distinct flavours from different regions of China. Most signs are in Chinese characters, but a quick browse will still turn up at least one dish worth trying.
Today, I went with the Satay Beef on Rice Noodles. Each order is made fresh, so I was told to expect a 15-minute wait. They gave me a buzzer, which worked anywhere in the court--super convenient. When my food arrived, it was piping hot, just the way I like it.
Unfortunately, the satay sauce didn't quite deliver. It wasn't the traditional Singaporean-style satay I grew up with--it tasted more like the canned version you'd find on shelves at T&T or Price Mart. On the bright side, the dish did include bean sprouts with the yellow tips removed, which is a nice authentic touch.
The meal came with a hot drink--either Hong Kong-style coffee or milk tea--but the coffee lacked the bold aroma I was hoping for.
My ratings:
Food: 4/5
Ambience: 3/5 (it is a busy mall, after all)
All in all, I'd come back--but I'll probably try something different next time. read more