A Taste of Authentic Singaporean-Fujian Cuisine at Putien

Fresh Yellow Croaker from Fujian, the first harvest of seaweed from Wheat Island in Fuqing County, sweet lychees from Putien, fresh clams from the famed mud flats of Hanjiang and hand-pulled Mazu Mee Sua and Heng Hwa Bee Hon from Huang Shi, only the freshest and finest ingredients deliver the original taste of Fujian cuisine. And you'll find it here at Putien...

A Michelin One-Star restaurant in its pioneer Kitchener Road location and Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant for its Causeway Bay outlet in Hong Kong, the renowned Singapore-based chain brings its authentic specialty Fujian cuisine to the metro revealing yet another layer in the rich tapestry of Chinese cuisine. Now with over 50 restaurants in nine cities, Putien offers local diners their Singaporean spin on classic Fujian dishes made with the finest ingredients right here at The Podium. Read on for a tasty peek...

It was my first time at Putien and after sampling their signature dishes, a return visit becomes automatic. The reason is quite simple, the Singaporean-Fujian cuisine is refreshingly new and different yet comfortingly familiar at the same time. But there some notable differences that become apparent after the first few bites. The cuisine is generally delicately seasoned without the overpowering salty notes. And depending on the dish, a lot less oily than the usual Chinese fare. The freshness and clean flavors of the ingredients come through, unhindered by excessive seasonings and salt. That in itself becomes a welcome change. 

Start with the Bian Rou Soup (P 138) with savory handcrafted pork dumplings in a light yet flavorful broth to open up the palate...

...followed by Deep Fried Yellow Croaker (P 588) with its play on mild sweet flavors and a light crunchy texture. Simply seasoned, the natural flavors of the fish come through with each bite. You really don't need to overly complicate a dish when you have the freshest and finest ingredients. The Yellow Croaker is a Fujian staple, and Putien showcases a variety of dishes with the fish including their signature "100 Second" Stewed Yellow Croaker. 

The Braised Homemade Beancurd (P 288) with the soft texture and nutty notes of tofu draped in a thick sauce brings deeper and richer flavors...

...while the Seaweed and Mini Shrimps Dressed with Sauce (P 288) delivers a light briny sweetness to the palate. Another Fujian staple, the "first harvest seaweed" or the first batch of harvest of fully grown seaweed every year is considered by many as the finest seaweed with its silky smooth texture and subtle sweetness. A prized staple in Fujian, you too can have a taste at Putien.   

Bold Singaporean flavors come into play with the Sambal Kangkong (P 288) with the vibrant notes and soothing heat from the sauce. The water spinach is prepared just right and not overcooked to maintain its fresh texture and snap while the sambal drapes the palate with its richness and gentle heat.  

The Stir-Fried Chili Clams (P 388 Small/P 588 Medium) combines the fresh and clean notes of clams with the bold spices of the thick chili sauce in a seamless yet balanced blend. Freshness is a recurring theme in Fujian cuisine, and this dish continues the parade of clean flavors at Putien.

The Cereal Prawns (P 688) takes your palate to Singapore with plump and succulent prawns fried and draped in crunchy cereal for contrasting textures and flavors. The large prawns deliver sweet briny notes followed by an appetizing crunch.   

It's often said that freshness is flavor, and this dish clearly validates it. The layers of distinct flavors and textures weave seamlessly for an elegant seafood dish at Putien adding a festive vibe to your dining experience. 

The fertile lands of Fujian brings another prized harvest to their local cuisine. The Sweet and Sour Pork with Lychees (P 388) is lavished with a sweet twist with lychees for an added layer of indulgence to a popular and familiar dish. The abundant local produce always shapes and defines local cuisine, and the addition of lychees transforms this classic with its distinct burst of sweetness adding depth to the dish.

The savory richness of the pork draped in the thick sauce is tempered by the sharp yet sweet hints from the medley of vegetables including red onions and peppers for that balanced finish. You'll want some extra rice with this dish...

...and the Putien Cabbage Rice (P 368) is the perfect pairing. Soft and fluffy rice infused with the richness of the various ingredients and topped with crisp cabbage is a comforting home-style rice dish that pairs well with the savory dishes at Putien. Other must-try rice dishes at Putien include the Claypot Rice with Seaweed and Putien Style Braised Pork Rice.

The Shredded Pork with Sesame Bun (P 98/pc) is another must-try dish at Putien. The pillow soft and lightly crisp golden fried sesame bun is clearly the star of the dish, and the perfect vessel for the savory shredded lean pork with onions.  

The bun absorbs all the flavors of the shredded pork, retaining its form all the way to the last bite. The richness of the lean pork, the sweetness of the crisp onions and the dense yet delicately crisp and soft sesame bun becomes a feast in itself at Putien. 

The handmade noodles from Huang Shi are an important element in Fujian cuisine, and Putien served two of their most popular noodle dishes that day. The sun-dried vermicelli tediously milled by hand has been recognized globally and even listed in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. It's an authentic taste of tradition enjoyed in a platter of Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hon (P 368 Small/P 558 Medium/P 888 Large). 

Loaded with fresh seafood and vegetables, the fragrant thin handcrafted vermicelli noodles are infused with the rich notes of the other ingredients for a flavorful burst. Soft yet springy, the Fried Heng Hwa Bee Hon lays on a gentle and subdued even nuanced palette of mild favors, perfect with the house-made specialty Spice Mum Chili Sauce blended with a variety of red and green chili peppers, garlic onion and lime.      

The Homemade Beancurd (P 328 Small/P 498 Medium) with vegetables simmered in a thick sauce is pure freshness on a plate. The sweetness of the fresh vegetables and deep nutty notes of the velvety smooth tofu merge for another satisfying and savory dish at Putien.

The Deep-Fried Chicken with Garlic (P 488 Half/P 968 Whole) offers the juicy and delicate notes of chicken enhanced by the deep hints of garlic with a lightly crisp and golden layer from the fryer for another savory treat at Putien. And just like most dishes at Putien, a dab of the special and proprietary Spice Mum Chili Sauce adds even more layers of flavor with each bite.  

The Putien Lor Mee (P 368 Small/P 558 Medium/P 888 Large) completes the duo of specialty noodle dishes at Putien. Imagine a hearty and sumptuous bowl of silky smooth noodles flavored with twelve fresh ingredients simmered in a thick and rich milky stock loaded with vegetables and seafood and you get the picture. 

Like most traditional dishes, the Putien Lor Mee takes hours to prepare. In this case, over nine hours. That's right. That's how long it takes for the firm and chewy hand-pulled noodles to fully absorb the richness of the milky broth and other ingredients for an experience you just won't find in the usual Chinese restaurant. Elegantly smooth and refined with a subtle yet palate-draping richness, it's one of many traditional Fujian dishes at Putien that earned it the coveted Michelin Star.   

Another traditional Fujian dish is served with the Putien Crispy Oyster (P 438 Small/P 658 Medium) with lightly breaded succulent deep-fried oysters. The freshness of the oysters drapes the palate with a lingering richness and yes, a generous dab of the Spice Mum Chili Sauce completes the flavors.

For dessert, Putien serves a decadent quartet of unique Singaporean and Fujian flavors with the Chilled Putien Loquat in Herbal Jelly (P 168) featuring the sweet loquat, another Fujian staple and the Chilled Lemongrass Jelly with Fruits (P 128)...

...the sweet and sticky Glutinous Rice Cake with Sesame and Grated Peanut (P 168)...

...and the Deep-Fried Durian Puree (P 168) with its smooth consistency and deep sweetness for a distinct Singaporean vibe to cap a sumptuous feast at Putien.

As the metro slowly and cautiously opens up with the gradual easing of quarantine restrictions, diners can once again head out and enjoy a leisurely meal. And for authentic and traditional Singaporean Fujian cuisine, Putien should be high on your list. For those who prefer to dine at home, let Putien bring their specialty dishes straight to you with their lavish Food Trays...

...simply by dialing up the numbers or hitting https://delivery.vikings.ph/ on your mobile device. The specialty Food Trays are also available via GrabFood and FoodPanda. The new normal is here to stay, and Putien adapts to the times responding to changing consumer habits such as dining at home, the rise of the food delivery culture and increased online usage with its convenient delivery options.

The specialty and authentic ingredients of Putien like hand-pulled noodles, teas and the versatile Spice Mum Chili Sauce also make for ideal gifts...

...with Christmas just around the corner. Just leave it to Putien to deliver the authentic Fujian treats to friends and family this holiday season. 

Dine-in, delivery or take-out, Putien shares its unique, authentic and Michelin starred cuisine in a variety of ways to suit your preference. All the latest health and safety protocols including social distancing are in place at Putien for your peace of mind. The specialty dishes of Putien are also available for delivery via https://delivery.vikings.ph/, GrabFood and Pick-A-Roo for a sumptuous Singaporean-Fujian feast at home. Refined with elegant notes, the authentic Singaporean Fujian dishes at Putien unveils yet another colorful layer in the diverse culinary richness, diversity and heritage of Chinese cuisine. And you can have a taste at Putien... 

Putien is located at the 5th Floor of The Podium, 18 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong or call 0918 919 3888 and 8282 1888 for inquiries. You can also visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/PUTIENPHILIPPINES/ for more updates.

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