De Golden Spoon Restaurant occupies a distinctive position in Singapore’s dining scene, quite literally. Located at 62 Seng Poh Lane in Tiong Bahru, this establishment sits in a single-storey standalone structure right in the middle of the Seng Poh Lane open-air carpark. While this unconventional location might raise eyebrows, it’s become part of the restaurant’s unique character.
Interior Design & Atmosphere
The restaurant opts for a nostalgic approach with its interior, evoking the aesthetic of Chinese restaurants from the 1980s. The air-conditioned dining room features a no-frills setup that initially presents as a quiet, quaint space with retro charm. However, the atmosphere transforms dramatically as the evening progresses.
During peak dining hours, particularly on weekday evenings, the restaurant fills to capacity with business crowds. The clientele tends to be office workers still in professional attire, suggesting the restaurant has become a popular after-work dining destination. The noise level can become quite high during busy periods, amplified by the hard surfaces throughout the dining room. The outdoor sheltered seating area provides an alternative, though weather conditions may affect its desirability.
Ambiance Rating: 2/5 – While the retro setting has charm, the acoustic environment during busy periods can detract from the dining experience.
The No-Corkage Advantage
One of De Golden Spoon’s most compelling features is its no-corkage policy. In Singapore’s increasingly expensive dining landscape, BYO (Bring Your Own) restaurants without corkage fees have become rare commodities. This policy likely contributes significantly to the restaurant’s popularity, especially among groups looking to enjoy their preferred wines or beverages without incurring additional charges.
For diners who appreciate pairing their meals with specific drinks or simply want to control their beverage costs, this policy represents substantial value and flexibility.
Menu & Pricing
De Golden Spoon deserves commendation for making their complete menu with prices available online. This transparency allows diners to plan their meals and budget accordingly, a practice that should be standard but remains surprisingly uncommon.
The menu focuses on tze char (煮炒) style Chinese cuisine, featuring a range of seafood, meat dishes, and noodle preparations. Prices appear in the moderate range with the “++” suffix, indicating that service charge and GST will be added to the listed prices.
Food Quality & Dishes Reviewed
Bamboo Clams ($15++ per piece)
The bamboo clams represent a seafood option that falls into the “decent but unremarkable” category. While properly prepared, they lack the memorable qualities that would make them a must-order item. For the price point, diners might expect something more distinctive.
Rating: Adequate
Golden Spoon Crispy Chicken ($16++ for half chicken)
The restaurant’s namesake dish, the Golden Spoon crispy chicken, unfortunately doesn’t live up to the billing that comes with putting it in the establishment’s name. The primary issue is dryness, with the chicken lacking the juiciness that would elevate it from acceptable to excellent. While the exterior achieves decent crispiness, the overall execution suggests this dish needs refinement.
Rating: Below expectations for a signature dish
Panfried Coffee Pork Ribs ($15++)
The standout performer of the evening, the coffee pork ribs represent what De Golden Spoon can achieve when firing on all cylinders. While not quite reaching the heights of established favorites like those from Keng Eng Kee, the ribs deliver enough flavor and satisfaction to warrant a return visit specifically for this dish. The coffee rub or marinade provides complexity, and the panfrying technique appears to be well-executed.
Rating: Highly recommended – the best dish sampled
Fried Hor Fun with Deer Meat ($24++)
This dish presents an interesting combination, with venison being a less common protein choice in tze char establishments. The portion size is generous, and the hor fun noodles themselves are well-prepared, exhibiting the desirable wok hei (breath of the wok) that indicates proper high-heat cooking technique.
However, the dish is let down by the treatment of the deer meat, which appears to have been over-tenderized. This excessive tenderization can result in a mushy texture that doesn’t showcase the natural qualities of venison. At $24++, this becomes the priciest dish sampled, and the protein preparation doesn’t justify the premium.
Rating: Good noodles, disappointing protein execution
Service
The service receives a middle-of-the-road rating of 3/5. No specific complaints or commendations were noted, suggesting competent but unremarkable service. During busy periods with a full house, service standards can be challenging to maintain, which is a common issue in popular tze char establishments.
Value Proposition
With an overall value rating of 3/5, De Golden Spoon sits in the middle ground. The no-corkage policy adds value for groups bringing their own beverages, potentially offsetting the “++” pricing structure. However, the food quality doesn’t consistently justify the prices, with some dishes delivering better value than others.
Consider that the “++” pricing means approximately 17% will be added to all listed prices (10% service charge + 9% GST, though the exact calculation may vary). This makes the bamboo clams effectively around $17.55 per piece and the deer meat hor fun approximately $28.08 per serving.
Overall Assessment
Overall Rating: 3/5
De Golden Spoon Restaurant occupies an interesting niche in Singapore’s competitive dining scene. Its quirky carpark location, nostalgic interior, and valuable no-corkage policy give it distinctive characteristics that set it apart from competitors. However, the food quality proves inconsistent, ranging from forgettable (bamboo clams, crispy chicken) to genuinely good (coffee pork ribs).
Who Should Visit
- Business groups looking for a convenient after-work dining spot
- Wine enthusiasts who want to bring their own bottles without corkage fees
- Nostalgic diners who appreciate retro Chinese restaurant aesthetics
- Budget-conscious groups who can leverage the BYO policy for savings
Who Might Want to Pass
- Diners seeking a quiet atmosphere during peak hours
- Those expecting standout signature dishes (the namesake chicken disappoints)
- Premium venison lovers (the over-tenderization doesn’t do the protein justice)
Recommendations for Your Visit
- Order the coffee pork ribs – this is the clear winner
- Bring your own beverages to maximize the no-corkage advantage
- Consider off-peak timing if you prefer a quieter atmosphere
- Book ahead for weekday dinners given the business crowd popularity
- Skip the crispy chicken unless they’ve improved the recipe since this review
- Budget for the “++” charges when planning your spending
Operating Details
Address: 62 Seng Poh Lane #01-11, Singapore 160062
Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM; 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Reservations: Recommended for dinner service
Payment: Prices listed with “++” (service charge and GST additional)
Final Verdict
De Golden Spoon Restaurant exemplifies the middle tier of Singapore’s tze char scene. It’s not a destination restaurant that will draw food pilgrims from across the island, nor is it a place to avoid. Instead, it serves as a reliable neighborhood option with some standout moments (coffee ribs) and some forgettable ones (most everything else sampled).
The no-corkage policy remains its strongest selling point and may be reason enough for groups to choose it over competitors. However, if you’re seeking consistently excellent food regardless of BYO benefits, you may find better options elsewhere in the Tiong Bahru area.
For a casual weeknight dinner with colleagues where you’ve brought some good wine, De Golden Spoon fits the bill. For a special occasion or food-focused gathering, you might want to explore other options that deliver more consistent culinary excellence.