Spice Into the New Year: A Start-Work Lunch at Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine

Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine at 8-10 Mosque Street

Happy Lunar New Year to all my readers, wherever you may be.

I started work today (19.02.2026). Although not many colleagues were around, I still managed to gather a few close ones for a “start-work lunch” at a fancy restaurant that serves Chinese cuisine. After some discussion, we decided on Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine in Chinatown.

Even better, it was my first time trying their food. I’ve always known it to be a popular spot with notoriously long queues. Thankfully, we arrived early because right after we were seated, a steady stream of patrons began pouring in.

Snacks & Ice Cream Corner for patrons once you enter

As we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by the Snacks & Ice Cream Corner located opposite the waiting area. I didn’t even realize it was there until we were about to leave!

My colleagues especially loved the Golden Horn Snack, but I thought both options, including the Crispy Crust, were equally good. And yes, that’s coming from a true snack lover.

We visited as a group of five, and each of us picked a dish we wanna try. If you’ve been following my blog over the years; reading my food reviews and trying out my recipes, you can probably guess which dish I chose without much difficulty. I am so surprised that they served the rice in a small ricecooker. Usually if that's how it is, I see a bucket of rice instead. Wow... I wonder how many small ricecookers they have. 

Signature: Golden Broth Sour and Spicy Fish

We requested a less spicy version of the Golden Broth Sour and Spicy Fish, as I suppose not many of us can handle intense heat as well as we used to; age is catching up with us!

It’s definitely a must-order dish. The fish was incredibly fresh and tender, and absolutely delicious on its own, especially with light tangy, citrusy notes from the lemon-infused broth.

Dry Tossed Vermicelli Pot

I must say, being a true noodles lover, I found this vermicelli (tang hoon) so savoury and satisfying that I could easily go back for seconds. It absorbs the flavour perfectly. 

That said, it might be a little too ambitious to order a whole pot just for myself, as the portion is quite generous. Much as I enjoyed it, I suspect I might get a little jelak (overwhelmed by the richness) after a while. But for sure, a must-order for me if I ever patronize again.

Boiled Beef with Chilli Oil

You’ll definitely need a bowl of rice to go with this Boiled Beef dish as it pairs perfectly and helps balance the flavours. The beef was tender without much tendons with a level of spiciness that I could comfortably tolerate.

One of my colleagues, however, felt it was a little too oily, even though she agreed it was tasty. At first glance, it looked like a generous heap of beef, but hidden beneath were plenty of vegetables and bean sprouts, making it more substantial than it seemed.

Signature: Hunan Stir-Fry Pork

I think this might be one of the rare occasions where I actually had so many vegetables in a single meal, simply because every dish was cooked so deliciously.

The same goes for this simple-looking Stir-Fry Pork. Despite its modest appearance, the pork was tender and flavourful, making it just as satisfying as the rest.

Pumpkin Shrimp and Tofu Stew

With every mouthful, the slightly sandy texture of the pumpkin purée can be tasted. While the dish was decent overall, it didn’t quite deliver a wow factor.

That said, it felt like a wholesome and nutritious option with protein-packed with silken tofu hidden beneath the pumpkin layer, complemented by diced carrots, peas, and small shrimps for added texture and flavour. Feels like drinking soup.

Roasted Chili & Century Egg Smash Eggplant

I had a rather conflicting yet ultimately delicious experience with this so-called “Thunder Tea,” though it wasn’t exactly the traditional version. It came with roasted chilli, century egg, and eggplant, creating an intriguing combination of flavours.

When served, we were told to smash and mix everything together before tucking in. The result was a truly unique taste that’s quite hard to describe. If I had to pinpoint it, I’d say the flavour of the century egg stood out the most, giving the dish its distinctive character.

Must-have this Year of the Horse

Overall, it was a truly satisfying dining experience at Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine, both in terms of flavour and variety.

From now on or actually, I should have done this earlier, to follow my friends’ and colleagues’ recommendations more often and explore places I’ve yet to try. It’s the best way to broaden my palate and experience different flavours across cuisines.

I’ll definitely be back, though perhaps at another outlet next time, just to try their highly recommended Tomato-Braised Beef Brisket that my colleague has been raving about.

Hope you enjoy this post like how I enjoyed their food. If you have patronized this restaurant before, what others do you recommend trying? Waiting to hear from you all. Cheers! 

Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine
8-10 Mosque Street Chinatown
Singapore 059488
Nearest MRT: Chinatown

Website: https://xiangxianghunancuisine.com/

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All expenses were paid for by the writer and her colleagues. All opinions and reviews are based on her personal preferences and taste, and do not reflect the views of others.