Nan Yang Jiang Kee (Scarlett Supermarket Paya Lebar Square)

It does seem that the opening of Yuen Kee Dumpling 袁记云饺 might have inspired the opening of other Chinese establishments with similar concepts across the island. While Clementi has seen the existence of ZHANGJIYUNJIAO / Zhang Kee Dumplings 张记云饺, it does seem like the East is also seemingly seeing the opening of such a concept within the space of Scarlett Supermarket that has just taken over the former premises of Giant Supermarket in Paya Lebar Square. Nan Yang Jiang Kee 南洋蒋記 takes up a stall unit within the food court-esque area within the Scarlett Supermarket located in the basement of Paya Lebar Square — these folks can be found within an area across from that of Bao’s Pastry which is best known for their Xiao Bei Crispy Floss Cake (Seaweed Flavour) that has also gone viral on social media ever since they had landed in Singapore; both stalls being located close by to both the Charcoal Grill & Salad Bar Keisuke as well as Kuan Zhai Wan Wan Xiang 寬窄碗碗香 there. Nan Yang Jiang Kee’s menu is somewhat close to that of Yuen Kee Dumpling’s in the way that they both offer various noodle dishes alongside their freshly-made dumplings that are prominently displayed behind the counter — even the way that the dumplings are stocked behind the counter does seem to be pretty similar to the way that Yuen Kee Dumpling does at their stalls here.

Whilst most of their noodle offerings does seem to surround around what more mainland Chinese-style establishments would be serving up, it is interesting to note that Nan Yang Jiang Kee does serve up a Wanton Noodles and Dumpling Noodles in both soup and dry mixed formats for those who wishes to pair their wantons / dumplings with noodles rather than have them alone. We went with the Wanton Noodles (Dry Mixed) considering our usual preferences for dry noodles. Whilst it is not being stated on the menu, it does seem that the Wanton Noodles (Dry Mixed) at Nanyang Jiang Kee does come with Corn and Pork Wontons — the only Wonton offering on its menu. The Wanton Noodles (Dry Mixed) served at Nan Yang Jiang Kee does seem to be served in a style similar to that of the Hong Kong-style wanton noodle with the noodles tossed in a light sauce — one thing we did note about the noodles here is how they are pretty springy. Unfortunately, the noodles does come with a slight hint of alkaline-y notes that would be quite typical of Hong Kong-style wanton noodles; we did find it a little difficult to finish. Meanwhile, we also note the inclusion of crispy bits of pork lard that attempts to provide a contrast of flavours in terms of savouriness — the wantons coming with a slurpy, slippery smooth skin and were well packed with meat, though the inclusion of corn nibs does add a slight hint of sweetness to the wantons.

We also wanted to give their various Dumplings a go and the best way to try a number of the Dumplings that Nan Yang Jiang Kee has to offer would be through their Five Flavours of Dumplings. Whilst Nan Yang Jiang Kee does serve up a variety of seven (7) different flavours of dumplings on its menu, the Five Flavours of Dumplings only showcases a fixed set of five (5) different flavours in a serving size of 10 pieces — the five flavours of Dumplings being the Corn and Meat Dumplings, Chives and Meat Dumplings, Celery and Meat Dumplings, Cabbage & Meat Dumplings and Fungus & Meat Dumplings. Considering how all five dumplings in the Five Flavours of Dumplings does come with pork fillings much of the difference between each flavour variation was within the element that accompanied the meat. The one flavour variant that tasted a little more different from the rest would probably be the Corn and Meat Dumplings — itself being the dumpling variant of the Corn and Pork Wontons that was being served up with the Wanton Noodles (Dry Mixed); the nibs of corn similarly adding a note of sweetness to the meat fillings with the meat fillings carrying a firm bite. The remaining flavours within the Five Flavours of Dumplings does seem to be a little more centred around the meat fillings in retrospect.

Overall, Nan Yang Jiang Kee does provide its patrons with the experience of what one would somewhat expect from an establishment that is noted to be serving up freshly-made dumplings and wantons; that being said, we do feel that its offerings aren’t quite up to par to what Yuen Kee Dumpling — the main underlying difference with Yuen Kee Dumpling is how they have offered sauces to go along with their wanton and dumpling offerings that seemingly help to add a pop of flavour that other establishments replicating them are unable to provide. That being said, we do find Nan Yang Jiang Kee’s offerings to be pretty decent overall, while the prices of their dishes (wanton, dumplings and noodles all inclusive) are all in the range of $6 to $10.50 (the only exception being the Sichuan Old Style XiaoLongBao priced at $3.80 for three (3) pieces) — rather wallet-friendly to be considered as a daily meal option for those working or staying around the Paya Lebar neighbourhood.