This $69++ Hotel Buffet In Bugis Has Lobster And Wagyu Rendang—Here’s Our Verdict

Ginger Restaurant at Parkroyal on Beach Road has buffet from $59++

As someone without a big appetite, I’ve always struggled to get my money’s worth at buffets. But perhaps it’s because of my rookie mistake of diving straight for the carbs, such as fried rice, laksa, and all the heavy hitters, filling myself up before even getting to the good stuff. That was a mistake I was determined not to repeat when I visited Ginger Restaurant for its famous buffet.

Located at PARKOYAL on Beach Road near Haji Lane, many people know Ginger Restaurant for its award-winning halal buffet spread that celebrates Singapore’s diverse food scene through authentic offerings. But this visit felt especially exciting, as we were here to try their recently enhanced buffet lineup with several new signature concepts as permanent dinner fixtures. 

Food at Ginger Restaurant

Ginger Restaurant’s dinner buffet is available from 6pm to 10pm, priced at $69++ on Sundays and Mondays, $79++ from Tuesdays to Thursdays, and $89++ on Fridays, Saturdays, and on eves of and public holidays. They also offer a buffet lunch from 12pm to 2:30pm daily at $59++,but do note that it will not include their new signature concept additions.

The one addition that really caught our attention was the all-you-can-eat A La Minute Grilled Premium Steak, which delivered a completely different experience from what we were used to at other buffets. More often than not, buffet steaks are either carved from stations or left sitting in warming pans for extended periods, resulting in meat that turns tough and loses much of its juiciness.

But here, the steaks were seared to order, which meant they arrived at our table fresh off the grill. With four different cuts to choose from—tenderloin, sirloin, ribeye, and flank—they were beautifully succulent. While they were not of the highest quality, the preparation allowed the meat to retain more of its natural juiciness, while delivering a deep richness and tenderness that is rarely found in buffet settings. 

Our pick was the ribeye cut, which was richly marbled and had visible intramuscular fat running throughout the meat. Taste-wise, the steak had a crispy exterior that contrasted beautifully with the moist, tender interior, which we really enjoyed. Pouring Ginger’s house-made truffle sauce over the steak added an intense earthy touch to the dish, complementing it well. 

While the freshly served steak may steal the spotlight, take nothing away from the decadent basket of Beef Fat Fries that accompanied it. Freshly fried-to-order, the thick-cut fries were beautifully golden with a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Cooking them in beef fat infused the fries with a savoury richness, elevating them far beyond ordinary fries and making them more indulgent. 

We almost jumped to conclusions and named the steak the best dish of the buffet, but the next dish quickly put a halt to that. Their Wagyu Beef Rendang could only be described as a show-stopping dish, with its rich aroma hitting us the moment it arrived at our table. Slow-cooked for over 6 hours, it delivered deep, comforting flavours that were bold, yet beautifully balanced.

The Wagyu beef was slow-cooked until fork-tender, allowing the meat to thoroughly absorb the fragrant blend of spices and thick coconut-based rendang gravy. Each bite was incredibly soft and succulent, practically melting in our mouths while delivering layers of flavour.

Balancing out the rendang’s intensity was the Butterfly Pea Nasi Lemak Rice, visually striking with its natural blue hue. It was clean-tasting, which helped prevent the dish from becoming too overwhelming, though we felt the butterfly pea flavour could have been more pronounced. 

If you are a seafood lover, you are in for a treat. Ginger Restaurant offers more than 15 types of seafood, featuring crabs, mussels, prawns, abalone, flower clams, and more available on a rotational basis. But what we enjoyed most was the new Sarawak White Pepper Boston Lobster, which tasted exceptionally fresh and was boldly peppery, cutting through the natural sweetness of the lobster. 

That can be paired with an impressive selection of 10 signature dips and sauces, including Sambal Balado, Sambal Mango Belacan, and Thai Namji. We loved their Kicap Manis dip, featuring a sweet soy sauce coupled with a rich molasses flavour, along with the Thai Yellow Chilli sauce, which delivers a tangy kick with gentle heat that builds on the palate. Not all the sauces did hit the spot, however, as some of the flavours came across as rather jarring.

We also had a chance to sample their limited-time Flames of the World themed dishes, available during dinner from 1 May to 30 June. The menu spotlights fire-grilled flavours from around the globe across a range of popular proteins, featuring Ayam Panggang from Indonesia, Grilled River Prawns from Thailand, and Morocco’s Lamb Kebab With Hummus and Grilled Eggplant. 

Our favourite was the Singapore Old School Chicken Wings, which evoked a strong sense of nostalgia. The soy-based marinade keeps things simple yet flavourful, delivering crisp skin with slightly sticky edges, along with a gentle smokiness that left us licking our lips. 

Ambience at Ginger Restaurant

Set within a botanical-inspired ambience, dining at Ginger Restaurant feels almost therapeutic. From its nature-themed décor and plants scattered throughout the space to the porcelain bowls, the environment feels warm and inviting, even during peak dining hours. The soft lighting and light tones further enhance the calming atmosphere, making it easy to linger over a leisurely meal.

Ginger Restaurant is an eight-minute walk from Bugis MRT Station. 

Ginger Restaurant – Eatbook review

With such meats, seafood, and condiments on offer, it’s hard not to be drawn to their selections. Best of all, the buffet comes at a reasonable price, so you can enjoy a luxurious meal without breaking the bank. The new additions certainly elevate the entire buffet experience to a whole new level, but that’s not to discount their existing offerings. Meanwhile, the extensive menu will leave you spoilt for choice, ensuring there is something to cater to different palates and taste buds. Overall, our first experience at Ginger Restaurant was a pleasant and fulfilling one, and we will be back again. 

For other popular Singaporean buffets, check out our review of Nyonya And Gentlemen’s Nyonya-style lunch buffet, or read our list of the best seafood buffets for all budgets. 

Address: 7500 Beach Road, Singapore 199591
Buffet hours: 12pm to 2:30pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 3138 1995
Website
Ginger Restaurant is halal-certified.

Photos by Nivian Chiang.
This was a media tasting at Ginger Restaurant.