Nestled in the heart of Singapore’s bustling Orchard Road, Nanjing Impressions transports diners back in time to the dynastic era of imperial China. Stepping into this restaurant is like entering a traditional Chinese teahouse, with lanterns illuminating the premises and Qing dynasty-inspired decor setting the backdrop.
As Singapore’s first overseas branch of the popular Nanjing Impressions chain based in China, this restaurant brings the flavors of authentic Nanjing cuisine to our little red dot. Their menu features traditional dishes and cooking techniques perfected over decades, promising a one-of-a-kind epicurean experience.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore Nanjing Impressions’ extensive menu, highlighting popular dishes and providing prices to help you plan your visit. Read on for a tantalizing tour through this award-winning restaurant’s offerings!
Nanjing Impressions Menu
Signature Dishes
Nanjing Impressions takes great pride in their signature dishes, which epitomize the traditional flavors of Nanjing. These specialties are lovingly prepared using time-honored methods that unlock the essence of each ingredient.
Jinling Signature Salted Duck
- Whole $66.96
- Half $34.56
- Quarter $18.14
Nanjing’s iconic salt-water duck, cured to perfection over 10 intricate steps. The meat is fragrant, tender and full of flavor. A must-try!
Jinling Roast Duck
- Whole $66.96
- Half $34.56
- Quarter $18.14
Roasted in the traditional Nanjing style, the crispy skin crackles with each bite, giving way to succulent duck meat. An exemplary dish.
Palace Chicken with Pickled Chilli
- $12.74
Marinated chicken cubes fried just right and tossed with house-made pickled chillies. Piquant, moreish, and satisfying.
Chilled Drunken Virgin Red Crayfish
- 12 pieces $41.90
- 24 pieces $74.30
- 6 pieces $21.38
Live crayfish soaked in Chinese wine, chilled and served. Sweet, robust crayfish flavor shines through.
Appetizers
Nanjing Impressions’ appetizers showcase a breadth of flavors and textures to stimulate the palate. From crisp and tangy to warm and comforting, these small plates make perfect starters.
Nanjing Chilled Vegetarian Delights
- $9.50
A medley of wood ear mushrooms, beancurd sheets and vegetables like cucumber, seasoned with a special house sauce. Light and refreshing.
Crispy Lotus Shoots with Pickled Pepper
- $7.34
Crunchy deep-fried lotus shoots contrast beautifully with the sweet acidity of pickled peppers.
Braised Bean Curd with Granny Pickles
- $4.10
Silky soft beancurd blanketed in a savory sauce with homemade pickled vegetables. Warm and soothing.
Green Plum Marinated with Chinese Wine
- $6.26
Sweet and tangy green plums infused with the heady aroma of Chinese wine. An addictive starter.
Soups
Crafted from the finest ingredients and simmered for hours, the soups at Nanjing Impressions showcase the soulfulness of Chinese cuisine. Warming, nourishing and intensely comforting.
Double Boiled Winter Melon and Barley with Spare Rib Soup
- $10.58
Slow-cooked winter melon and pearlescent barley grains in a pork bone broth. Light yet substantial.
Double Boiled Cordyceps Flower in Supreme Chicken Soup
- $10.58
A tonic soup with cordyceps flower, chicken and ginseng. Renowned for its health-boosting qualities.
Boiled Chicken Soup with Wild Mushroom
- $9.50
Free range chicken and an assortment of wild Chinese mushrooms make a deeply satisfying soup.
Seafood
With fresh seafood air-flown daily, Nanjing Impressions captures the briny essence of the ocean’s bounty in every dish. From mild to spicy preparations, there is something for every palate.
Chilled Drunken Tiger Prawn
- From $18.14
Colossal tiger prawns soaked in Chinese wine, chilled and served. Sweet flesh perfumed with wine fragrance.
Deep-fried Seabass Glazed with Plum Sauce
- $31.10
Crisp-fried seabass fillets lacquered with a sweet-tart plum sauce. An explosion of contrasting flavors and textures.
Sliced Fish in Spicy Pickled Cabbage Broth
- $18.14
Slices of fresh fish poached in a broth of homemade spicy pickled cabbage. Lip-smackingly good.
Red Crayfish with Garlic
- 12 pieces $41.90
- 24 pieces $74.30
Plump crayfish wok-fried with aromatic garlic. Straightforward and incredibly addictive.
Poultry, Pork and Beef
From comforting stews to regal roast duck, the meat dishes at Nanjing Impressions are prepared with finesse and packed with flavor. Carnivores will be spoiled for choice!
Signature Nanjing Duck Vermicelli Soup
- $13.82
Shredded roast duck and chewy vermicelli in a hearty clear broth. Comfort food at its best.
Braised Pork Shank
- $30.24
Fork-tender pork shank braised for hours in a secret sauce. Intensely rich and meaty.
Beef Brisket & Vermicelli Claypot
- $15.98
Chunky slices of beef brisket and vermicelli braised in a claypot. Deeply satisfying.
Baby Rooster Stew
- $25.70
An iconic Nanjing dish. Baby rooster stewed with fermented bean paste, wonderfully tender.
Beancurd and Vegetables
For vegetarians or those looking for lighter fare, the beancurd and vegetable dishes pack a flavor punch without the meat. Healthy yet gratifying options.
Sautéed Eggplant with Sesame Oil
- $9.50
Chinese eggplant sautéed with sesame oil and garlic. Smoky, sweet and moreish.
Poached Seasonal Vegetables
- $9.50
A medley of fresh seasonal vegetables poached to perfection. Simple and light.
Sautéed Beancurd in Mala Sauce
- $9.50
Silky soft beancurd fried and blanketed in tongue-numbing mala sauce. Fiery and full of flavor.
Poached Spinach in Century & Salted Egg Stock
- $10.58
Vibrant spinach poached in a rich century egg and salted egg broth. Decadent and unique.
Snacks and Small Eats
In addition to main dishes, Nanjing Impressions has a delightful selection of snacks and small eats, from dumplings to crispy rice cakes. Perfect for grazing and sharing.
Nanjing Impressions Potstickers
- 2 pieces $4.10
Pan-fried pork and chive dumplings, crispy on the bottom with juicy fillings. A crowd favorite.
Huaiyang Sweet Strata Cake
- $5.18
Layers of fluffy pancake interleaved with sweet peanut filling. Satisfyingly chewy.
Imperial Scholar Spring Rolls
- 2 pieces $4.10
Crunchy deep-fried spring rolls encasing pork, carrot and cabbage. Moreish and flavorsome.
Wanton Dumplings in Supreme Chicken Broth
- $5.18
Plump wanton dumplings in a double-boiled chicken broth. Comfort in a bowl.
Rice and Noodles
From fried rice to noodles, carbohydrate cravings are perfectly satisfied here. Generous portions made for sharing.
Nanjing Special Shredded Duck Fried Rice
- $15.98
Fluffy fried rice speckled with shredded roast duck and egg ribbons. A hearty meal.
Nanjing Noodles in Light Soy Sauce Broth
- $5.18
Chewy handmade noodles in a simple yet tasty broth flavored with light soy sauce. Slurp-worthy.
Fried Assorted Grain with Shredded Duck
- $15.98
A medley of grains wok-fried with shredded duck, egg and vegetables. Healthy and delicious.
Desserts
Meal endings are made sweet at Nanjing Impressions with traditional Chinese desserts like tong sui soups and rice cakes.
Red Bean Glutinous Rice Balls in Sweet Wine Lees
- $4.10
Soft glutinous rice balls filled with red bean paste, served in a sweet fermented wine lees soup.
Snow Fungus and Red Dates Dessert Soup
- $5.18
A light and refreshing chilled soup with snow fungus, red dates and lime juice. Not too sweet.
Traditional Brown Sugar Rice Cakes
- $6.26
Chewy rice cakes made with brown sugar. Sticky, sweet and satisfying.
Chilled Konjac with Peach Resin
- $5.18
Jelly-like konjac cubes served with sweet peach resin syrup. Cooling and pleasantly chewy.
Beverages
To complement the meal, Nanjing Impressions offers classic hot and cold beverages like Chinese tea, herbal drinks, juices and soda.
Wong Lo Kat Herbal Tea
- $3.78
A perennial Chinese favorite, this herbal tea is known to aid digestion.
Luohan Snow Pear Juice
- $3.78
Refreshing chilled juice made from the prized Luohan pear. Naturally sweet and delicious.
NJ Sour Plum with Hawthorn Juice
- $3.78
A tangy and complex drink of sour plum and hawthorn berries. An intriguing flavor.
Coke, Sprite
- $3.78
Thirst-quenching soft drinks. Also available – Coke Light, Mineral Water, Fresh Orange Juice.
Chinese Wines
To complement this epicurean journey, Nanjing Impressions offers specially imported Chinese wines best savored chilled.
Winter Chilled Rice Wine
- 10° 250ml $17.06
- 14° 250ml $17.06
This aromatic rice wine has notes of honey and osmanthus. Served chilled, it is light and refreshing.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our comprehensive guide to Nanjing Impressions’ extensive menu. Offering a diverse range of traditional dishes, many specially flown in daily from Nanjing, this restaurant provides an unparalleled opportunity to experience authentic flavors from imperial China.
While prices are slightly higher than in China, they remain reasonable given the quality of ingredients and effort put into each dish. With friendly staff and an immersive ambience transporting you back in time, Nanjing Impressions is a worthy visit for any foodie seeking a taste of history.
Visit this award-winning restaurant on Orchard Road for a meal you will remember for years to come!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the restaurant’s opening hours?
Nanjing Impressions is open daily, 11am to 10pm.
2. Does the restaurant accept reservations?
Yes, reservations are recommended and can be made by calling +65 6352 7877.
3. What is the average cost per diner?
Expect to spend about $40 to $60 per person for a multi-course meal with drinks.
4. What are the popular dishes to try?
Recommended dishes include the Jinling Roast Duck, Lion’s Head Meatball, Baby Rooster Stew, Braised Pork Shank and Chilled Drunken Tiger Prawns.
5. Are there vegetarian/gluten-free options?
Yes, there are many vegetarian-friendly dishes like sauteed eggplant and poached vegetables. Let the staff know of any dietary restrictions.
