New to the bustling Jordan neighbourhood is Asian Village, a small restaurant specialising in Southeast Asian cuisines. Although it does not benefit from street-level entry, large and colourful signboards make the entrance difficult to miss.
As soon as the lift doors opened, our voices were drowned by pop music blasting from a stereo in the corner of the eatery. Luckily, the dining area was far from packed and we managed to find ourselves a table away from the speakers. The simple decor exuded a comfortable ambience - but it was ruined by the overpowering music.
Dishes on the menu were divided into three broad categories - Indian, Nepalese and Southeast Asian - with little intertwining between them. We started with Vietnamese-style tiger prawns which, at $110, was among the most expensive choices on the menu. But it proved excellent value for money, as the quality prawns were cooked to perfection.
The chicken korma ($65), however, was disappointing. The taste of the curry was hardly noticeable and as a result, the yoghurt sauce could have been easily mistaken as a plain creamy sauce. Nonetheless, the meat was tender and a serving of almond flakes added a subtle piquancy to the dish.
Stir-fried kangkong ($45), more commonly known as tung choi in Hong Kong, had a spicy touch that excited the palate. Despite that, the vegetable would have tasted better if cooked in a more flavourful sauce, with less oil. Handi biryani with vegetables ($65), which came piping hot in a clay pot, went perfectly well with our main courses. The rice was complemented by diced vegetables, which added bite to the dish.
The maitre d' displayed an eagerness to please, but service was at times sporadic. Dinner for two, including service charge, came to $314.