Fans of Sambal Fish will have to try Lai Huat Seafood Restaurant. It first opened in Lavender in 1990 before moving to Tyrwhitt Road and now, Horne Road. Despite being in a obscure location, people will travel all the way here to tr their seafood specialties.
Most of the regulars who frequent here will definitely order 3 dishes: Sambal Pomfret, Black Pepper Crayfish and Fish Maw Soup (which they called it Special Delicacy now).
A chef definitely needs to have good skills to fry a fish well. If overdone, it will be too dry. That is why, the second generation owner insists on cooking this Sambal Belachan Pomfret ($28 to $42) himself instead of asking his assistants to do it.
The end result? The fish is deep fried to a crisp, giving it a crispy and dry on the outside, but very tender fish meat on the inside. Topping it with home made dry sambal, it is spicy and fragrant enough and best to eat with a bowl of rice.
Then comes the Pepper Crayfish ($18 to $36) where the crayfish is first fried and then stir fried with pepper and salt. The meat is firm and sweet, something worth recommending.
Special Delicacy ($15, $20, $30) has fish maw, scallops, mushrooms, minced crab meat, cauliflower, and the boss is very generous with the ingredients.
Crispy Tofu ($8, $12, $16) is made in house and paired with a sweet Thai sauce whioch has a mild spicy kick.
Very enjoyable zi char dinner here. I will definitely come back for more. If you are wondering, 223 Rangoon Road has the same restaurant name, it is owned by the brother.
Lai Huat Seafood Restaurant (来发海鲜菜馆)
Address: 72 Horne Road
Tel: 6299 3024