Cover The headlining turkey of the festive buffet feast at The Dining Room
The headlining turkey of the festive buffet feast at The Dining Room
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The seasonal bird has become a symbol of family festivity around the world, so we’ve rounded up the most enticing turkey flavours chefs have created this year
Roast turkeys have been a quintessential centrepiece of holiday spreads, and a symbol of family festivities around the world. While this roast may have started as a British tradition, first popularised by English novelist Charles Dickens in his novel A Christmas Carol, more and more gourmands in Asia have taken a liking to it due to its juicy and tender meat. When cooked properly, all the flavours of the marinades seep down to the core and make for a delectable meal best shared with family and friends.
With Christmas just a few weeks away, the chefs have put on their creative hats to give the roast turkey an Asian makeover. By tapping into their nostalgic food memories and culinary influences, they have come up with inspired turkey flavours that are worthy of being the centrepiece of your gourmet table.
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1. Roast turkey pongteh
Above Roast turkey pongteh at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore (Photo: The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore)
Roast turkey pongteh at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore (Photo: The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore)
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The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
Continuing its annual tradition of showcasing local-inspired turkeys, the culinary team at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore have introduced its new roast turkey pongteh for an Asian-themed Christmas dinner. This festive dish took cues from two beloved Peranakan classics, ayam pongteh and babi pongteh, which are traditionally made with chicken or pork. Thus, the turkey is marinated in a blend of herbs and spices, skilfully slow-roasted so the flesh doesn’t become dry, and served with a rich and umami fermented bean gravy.
Accompanying this dish are the fragrant pumpkin rice studded with cranberries, house-made sambal belacan, and crispy belinjau crackers. A refreshing salad featuring ginger flower, green mango and pomelo provides a zesty contrast to the robust flavours of the hero dish.
The roast turkey pongteh is available for takeaway at https://thefullertonfestivetakeaways.oddle.me/en_SG.
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
Address: 80 Collyer Quay, S(049326)
Read more: The Fullerton Hotels Singapore introduces its festive offerings for this holiday season
2. Char siu turkey
Above Char siu turkey (Photo: Hotel Fort Canning)
Char siu turkey (Photo: Hotel Fort Canning)
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Hotel Fort Canning
Hotel Fort Canning’s char siu turkey is the team’s reimagination of the popular Cantonese roast meat, char siu, which entices gourmands with its sweet and savoury notes. In trying to capture its flavour profile, the team flavours the bird in an artful blend of herbs and spices before roasting it to juicy perfection and presenting it with a char siu sauce instead of the traditional one made with cranberries.
A good selection of sides comes with every order: Brussels sprouts, carrots, corn, squash and potatoes, each thoughtfully curated to complement the turkey.
The char siu turkey is available for takeaway only. To order, call 6799 8809 or email thesalon@hfcsingapore.com.
Hotel Fort Canning
Address: 11 Canning Walk, S(178881)
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3. Ayam belanda percik turkey
Above The Dining Room’s ayam belanda percik turkey (Photo: The Dining Room)
The Dining Room’s ayam belanda percik turkey (Photo: The Dining Room)
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The Dining Room
Singapore and Malaysia boast a vibrant culinary landscape where food cultures often intertwine. The Dining Room’s ayam belanda percik exemplifies this connection beautifully, especially this holiday season with its Malaysian-inspired roast turkey.
This festive dish features the poultry steeped in a vibrant blend of spices, including turmeric, cumin and lemongrass, as well as creamy coconut milk and tangy assam paste. Slow-roasted to perfection, the turkey is served alongside beetroot-flavoured basmati rice, refreshing green bean kerabu, and crispy emping crackers.
The ayam belanda percik turkey is available for takeaway only. To order, contact the Christmas Booth at 6839 5620, or visit https://www.shopatsheratonfestive.com.
4. Tacchino ripieno
Above Tacchino ripieno at Acqua e Farina (Photo: Acqua e Farina)
Tacchino ripieno at Acqua e Farina (Photo: Acqua e Farina)
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Acqua e Farina
For those seeking to deviate from traditional Asian flavours, Acqua e Farina has created the Tacchino Ripieno, a deboned stuffed turkey which has been a family recipe for two decades. Generously filled with minced chicken, chestnuts and mushrooms, this turkey is carefully sewn back together and slow-roasted until the skin is crisp and the meat extra moist. Rich juices that are released during the cooking process are used to create a luscious gravy, served alongside tender roasted vegetables.
The tacchino ripieno is available for takeaway only. To order, call 8499 7156 or visit https://acquaefarina.oddle.me/en_SG/.
Acqua e Farina
Address: 35A Keong Saik Road, S(089142)
5. Salt meringue baked festive turkey
Above Salt meringue baked festive turkey, available for dine-in only at Peppermint (Photo: Peppermint)
Salt meringue baked festive turkey, available for dine-in only at Peppermint (Photo: Peppermint)
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Peppermint
At Peppermint, the culinary team has masterfully crafted their salt meringue baked festive turkey. Enveloped in a delicate salt meringue, the turkey absorbs the rich, savoury flavours of the salt meringue while keeping the juice and moisture intact.
Complementing this exquisite turkey is a stuffing made from chestnuts—known for its sweetness and creamy texture—which not only enriches the dish’s aromatic profile but also adds a luxurious texture. Further elevating the dish, the turkey is served with a tart cranberry sauce that cuts through its richness and provides a refreshing balance. A drizzle of decadent black truffle sauce introduces an intense flavour and alluring aroma.
The salt meringue baked festive turkey is available for dine-in only. For reservations, call Peppermint at 6845 1112 or email peppermint.prsmb@parkroyalcollection.com.
Peppermint
International
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$ $ $
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6 Raffles Boulevard Level 4, Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, S(039594)
6. Spiced honey roast turkey crown
Above The show-stopping spiced honey roast turkey crown by Meadesmoore (Photo: Meadesmoore)
The show-stopping spiced honey roast turkey crown by Meadesmoore (Photo: Meadesmoore)
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Meadesmoore
Steak experts Meadesmoore stepped up to the plate this Christmas with a show-stopping spiced honey roast turkey crown. The plump bird is patiently roasted in a custom blend of spices to retain its juices while earthy truffle jus enriches each bite. Stuffings of apricot and sage gently perfume the prized white meat, and confit of turkey legs are fall-off-the-bone tender. This fowl centrepiece may just best a hunky tomahawk this year. Good for a small sized family, it feeds up to six folks including sides of zesty fresh Valencian orange and kale salad, scented with lavender vinaigrette; balsamic roasted assorted mushrooms of champignon, shiitake and beech; additively crisp truffle roasted kipfler potatoes, tossed with a nutty grana padano cheese and fresh chives. Of course, a toothsome dessert of pear frangipane topped with Madagascar vanilla-scented chantilly cream rounds off the festive feast.
The Meadesmoore spiced honey roast turkey crown is available for takeaway only. To order, call 6227 2247 or visit order.meadesmoore.com/en_SG/
Meadesmoore
Address: 21A Boon Tat Street, Level 2, S(069620)
