Hsiang Tzu Lung Home Cooking

Review

Hsiang Tzu Lung Home Cooking is at No. 25 Siwei Road in Da'an District, in a residential area near MRT Daan Station and Xinyi Anhe. The MICHELIN Guide explains that it was formerly Talking Heads, which moved here and changed its Chinese name in 2019 while keeping the English one. The cooking is mainly Hunan and Jiangsu-Zhejiang home style, it has been a Bib Gourmand for many years, and Supertaste includes it among Da'an's Bib Gourmand picks.

MICHELIN singles out the red-striped fish, firm and flavourful and best simply steamed, but quantities are limited, so reserve it when booking a table. Ingredients are bought fresh daily, a blackboard lists the day's limited dishes and seafood, and portions can be adjusted to the size of the group. Diners also often order lion's head meatballs, pork ribs and pork belly, and the chicken soup is praised for its clean taste; many mention the kitchen avoids MSG. The sources found here do not list individual prices, and MICHELIN marks it as mid-range, so check the menu on site.

Praise focuses on honest home-style flavours, fresh ingredients, sensible portions and quick service; regulars describe it as unfussy but careful Jiangsu-Zhejiang cooking that also suits overseas guests. Criticism mentions thin front-of-house staffing, sometimes a single server doing everything, and a stern owner who rarely smiles, which can make first-timers nervous; some find the fried rice dishes only average.

According to the MICHELIN page, hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., closed Tuesdays, cash only. Dinner is often full, so diners strongly recommend booking, and limited fish should be requested early. The dining room uses a lot of wood and feels bright, clean and warm. Parking nearby is difficult, so take the MRT to Daan Station and walk.

Good for families and friends who want well-made Hunan and Jiangsu-Zhejiang home cooking without a formal banquet hall. On a first visit, go with three or four people and order the steamed red-striped fish with lion's head meatballs, pork ribs or pork belly, plus chicken soup and greens; the blackboard's daily specials are often worth a look.