Acclaimed Chaoshan chef Fei reinvents Cherry Garden, Singapore’s Cantonese stalwart

Take his lobster creation, for instance, where he coaxes the delicate sweetness of the prized crustacean by wok-frying it with basil and pickled mustard greens. It arrives dramatically, bubbling with tangy, savoury broth. For something that tingles in a way that’s both familiar and thrillingly foreign, the sautéed diced Wagyu beef with Sichuan peppercorn and chilli is a certified culturally appropriate tribute to modern East-meets-West cuisine. 

“Seasonality and freshness are paramount, representing the soul of every dish. The careful selection of ingredients shapes the narrative behind each culinary creation,” says Fei.

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Then there’s the pièce de résistance that separates the wheat from the chaff in Chaoshan kitchens: the boneless crucian carp congee. It is a masterclass in boneless perfection, where each microscopic bone is skilfully removed by hand; a testament to a chef’s knife skills. The result? Pristine flavours and textures of the crucian carp, simmered in a milky broth a la minute, with accompaniments of herbaceous aromatics to rid any muddy odours.

As with the new moniker, the interiors of Cherry Garden by Chef Fei transformed, breathing new life into the space. Gone is the dated opulence of yesteryear, replaced by an elegant space that awakens with natural light by day and glows with intimate warmth by night. The wooden trellises and stone walls evoke traditional Chinese courtyard houses, refreshing restraint and far from the garish. It includes four private dining rooms; the largest room extends to a private outdoor patio with sprawling views of Marina Bay.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Fei to Singapore’s dynamic culinary landscape—embracing discerning taste through his exquisite interpretation of Cantonese and Teochew cuisine—celebrating heritage and innovation,” shares Jill Goh, general manager of Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. Perhaps nothing more fitting than Goh’s sentiment, for Singapore primes itself for a chef who understands that true innovation lies not in discarding tradition, but in elevating it to heights previously unimagined.

Cherry Garden by Chef Fei
Address: 5 Raffles Avenue, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, S(039797)

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