🍽️ Alijiang at VivoCity — Spicy, Smoky, and Seriously Satisfying

We had dinner at Alijiang at VivoCity and left feeling stuffed, satisfied, and a little bit obsessed. The restaurant has this warm, rustic vibe—dim lights, carved wooden screens, and Xinjiang-inspired décor that instantly sets a different tone from your usual mall dining. We kicked things off with the cold cucumber salad—crunchy, chilled, lightly garlicky and tangy. It was the perfect starter to get the appetite going, especially before the heavier dishes started landing. The lamb skewers were a must. Juicy, slightly charred, and seasoned with that signature cumin-spice rub that Xinjiang food does so well. If you’re into bold flavours and smoky grill vibes, this is the one to go for. Then came the Peking duck, and it was surprisingly solid—crispy skin, tender meat, neatly sliced and served with the classic pancakes, hoisin sauce, and scallions. Wrapping up those little parcels never gets old. The mapo tofu was full of kick. Silky tofu in a deep red, spicy sauce that had that numbing tingle from the Sichuan peppercorns. It packed heat but wasn’t overwhelming—definitely the dish that brought the most fire to the table. We also had the Chinese-style hand-pulled noodles, and they were everything I wanted—bouncy, fresh, and tossed in a savoury sauce with bits of meat and veg. Nothing fancy, just hearty and comforting. To round it all off, a simple plate of stir-fried vegetables—crisp, lightly seasoned, and a much-needed break from all the richness. Dinner was lively, unpretentious, and full of flavour. The staff were fast and friendly, and despite it being a busy evening, everything came out hot and well-timed. Perfect for a relaxed night out if you’re craving strong, spicy flavours and a bit of something different. #summervacay #singapore #singaporetrip #vivocity #harbourfronttrip