Ever wondered what kind of delicacies was served to those emperors of ancient China? Metropole Herbal Restaurant, located in vibrant Clarke Quay, draws inspiration from the historical roots of Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM) to bring you an entire banquet fit for a Chinese emperor. From double-boiled soups and claypots to Peking duck and whole fish, almost every dish in Metropole is infused with the goodness of Chinese herbs. Whoever said healthy food can't be delicious?

• The Vibe
  Step right into Metropole Herbal Restaurant and coo over the traditional wooden medicine counter on your left. Dr Li Lian Xing, the residential herbalist, TCM physician and acclaimed acupuncturist, operates his miniature pharmacy-cum-clinic from there. Venture forth and be greeted by colourful wall murals and a distinctively herbal aroma in the air. The typically Chinese vibe of family bonding is certainly strong in Metropole, where boisterous families crowding together at a table are common sights.


• The Food
  Instead of the usual modest starters of salted peanuts, Metropole Herbal Restaurant offers a healthy alternative of ginseng roots. Fried to a golden crisp, the ginseng roots are nothing like the proverbial bitter herb. Instead, they are crunchy and carry a tinge of sweetness, almost like tapioca chips. Be warned that they are highly addictive!

  Herbal soups are extremely popular at Metropole, where Dr Li's herbal prescriptions are worked into scrumptious ingredients and boiled to perfection. Have a shot at their Double-Boiled Fresh Frog Soup with Gastrodia Tuber ($12) for an intoxicating taste of Chinese nutrition. Pieces of frog legs are simmered to melting tenderness so that the flesh separates from the cartilage upon meeting your tongue. The soup is thick with the essence of frog leg and gastrodia tuber, a traditional Chinese herb that is believed to sooth the liver and promotes blood circulation.

  In the same healthy style, the Chef's Poached Live Fish with Special Sauce, Garlic and Coriander ($80; seasonal price) is a charmer. The fish is beautifully simmered in premium stock to highlight its freshness. The fragrance of coriander adds a lovely touch to the originally light taste of this dish, which makes a very good option for family with senior members who require soft foods. If you fancy something with a crunch, the Stir-Fried Fresh Chinese Yam with Sweet & Sour Sauce and Chinese Wolfberries ($18) will not disappoint. The fresh slices of Chinese yam give a delightfully resounding crunch and are smothered in a tangy sauce that revives your appetite, making it a hit with young children.

  A dish not to be missed at the Metropole Herbal Restaurant is the Roasted Herbal Beijing Duck ($58). The roasted duck is crisp and suitably oily on the outside, and textured on the inside. Served alongside are their handmade rice-flour skins in a dim sum casket to ensure that the skins are kept warm and soft. These skins are incredibly thin yet perfectly whole, which goes to show the marvellous skills of their chef, and coupled with the duck, Japanese cucumber and spring onion, yields roll after roll of tasty Beijing duck treats.

• The Service
  You will feel right at home in Metropole, with the staff's friendly smiles, warm attention and polite manners. The family-oriented restaurant makes sure that their staff will not be seen as strangers intruding upon your family time. Instead, you will feel like you are dining at a family friend's place where your presence is always welcomed.

The SD Food Advisor's Take on Metropole Herbal Restaurant
It can be a hassle trying to identify Metropole Herbal Restaurant because their English signage is pretty much overwhelmed by the gigantic Chinese signboard at the entrance. Once you see some historical-looking Chinese characters, you have probably found Metropole. The food is a good balance between nutrition and taste, and not unpalatably pungent with Chinese herbs so if you have reservations about downing those wolfberries, ginseng roots and danggui, you are in for a pleasant surprise.