Ginger Review: Buffet With Free-Flow Crabs, Sashimi And More At PARKROYAL On Beach Road

Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road

Ginger at PARKROYAL on Beach Road underwent a facelift last year, and with it came an all-new Asian-themed buffet menu.

The buffet at Ginger in PARKROYAL on Beach Road is available for weekday lunches from Wednesday to Friday for $58++ an adult, and $29++ a child, without the signature crabs. If you want free-flow crabs, the weekend lunch buffet costs $68++ an adult, and $34++ a child. This is also valid for dinner every Wednesday to Sunday, and public holidays.

In these pandemic times, ordering is now done through a QR code provided at each table. The ala carte buffet items will then be served as your orders get sent through to the kitchens.

Food at Ginger

The fare at their buffet has also been refreshed as a part of the restaurant upgrade, offering local, and Southeast Asian, items.

The Sashimi here comes in fresh, thick slices. Like everything else at the buffet, you get a free flow of this, so you can definitely indulge as much as you like.

We were mildly obsessed with this Dried Shrimp and Garlic Cheese Bun, which rides on the Korean garlic cream cheese bun fad that made the social media circles last year. The cute little bun was served hot from the oven, which made it extra delectable, although we wished there was a lot more of the hei bee. This item has now been replaced by a Salted Egg and Garlic Cream Cheese Bun.

Items off the barbecue section of the menu are served as a platter, which helps save space on the table.

The Balinese Sate Lilit features seafood paste that’s wrapped around a lemongrass stick before it’s grilled over charcoal. While we wished the paste wasn’t so finely mashed, the flavours brought back memories of enjoying sate lilit while sitting by the beach in Bali.

If you’re here for the free-flow crabs, they come in two variations: Singapore Salted Egg Crab, and their Signature Chilli Crab. If you order the latter, it comes with a side of fried mantou too! Each serving comes with two massive claws, known to be the best, and fleshiest part of the crab.

As much as the free-flow crabs seemed like great value-for-money, they weren’t the freshest. Also, do note that the free-flow crabs are only available for lunch on weekends, as well as at dinner throughout the week.

If you prefer black pepper, go for the Black Pepper Lobster. These mini lobsters are fresh and drenched in a toothsome sauce that’ll have you licking your fingers. These are also free-flow, so you can go all out on the seafood when you dine here.

Carbs-wise, the lobsters also make an appearance in the Rock Lobster Noodle Soup, better thought of as zhnged-up prawn mee. Of course, if you’re here to eat your money’s worth of seafood, skip the carb and stick to the other dishes.

If you enjoy lamb, the Crispy Lamb with Thai Green Sauce is a must-order. The well-marinated meat was fall-off-the-bone tender, with a shatteringly crisp batter. Don’t skimp on the Thai green sauce, which is an Asian take on the mint sauce or jelly that’s typically served aside this meat.

The Slow-Braised Beef Rendang features beef cheeks that are cooked for 24 hours in a piquant, rich rendang gravy. It’s also topped with popped rice that provides textural contrast against the buttery meat.

Go for the Chendol Ice Cream for dessert, featuring a rich coconut-based ice cream tinged with the sweetness of gula melaka, and topped with the usual chendol fixings.

While there is no pork and lard used in the kitchen at Ginger, the ingredients are sourced from halal suppliers, and the restaurant is currently in the process of getting halal certified.

Ambience at Ginger

Ginger emerged as one of the most IG-worthy restaurants to hit the dining scene last year with its botanical decor, and pastel-hued interiors. The predominantly Asian-themed buffet restaurant runs along the first floor of the hotel, lined with full-length windows that have views of Haji Lane, and the streets of Kampong Glam.

It is a ten-minute walk away from Bugis MRT Station, making it rather accessible.

The verdict

While Ginger appeared to be an affordable buffet on paper, especially with the promise of free-flow seafood, the reality fell quite short. The lobsters were fresh, but the crabs were far from, and given that this was the highlight, our expectations were not met.

Still, their other Asian dishes were moreish, so if you’re not big on seafood, definitely still give this buffet a chance.

With Chinese New Year coming up, there will be a Lunar New Year-themed buffet at Ginger, from 3 February to 28 February. This will feature additional festive menu items, on top of the usual buffet. It’s priced at $78++ (adult) and $39++ (child) at lunch, and $88++ (adult) and $44++ (child) for dinner. Do note that dinner on 11 February, and lunch and dinner on 12 and 13 February, are subject to festive charges of $108++ (adult), and $54++ (child).

For other buffets, check out the Peppermint buffet at PARKROYAL Collection Marina Bay, or dim sum buffet for just $23.80++ at Tang Lung Restaurant!

Address: 7500 Beach Road, PARKROYAL on Beach Road, Singapore 199591
Buffet hours: Wed-Sun 12pm to 2:30pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 6505 5710
Website
Ginger is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Lery Villanueva.
This was a media tasting at Ginger.