Dian Xiao Er

How would you like to pick up a "secret manual/recipe" like one of those you see in Chinese kungfu movie?? Well, we picked this one up at an unexpected find - Dian Xiao Er at Changi Airport Terminal 3. Famous for its delicious herbal roasted duck. Looking around for Chinese food, we stumbled upon this tiny little restaurant looking like an olden Chinese traditional inn made up of bamboo settings filled with olden Chinese tables and chairs. Their menu booklet is entitled their "secret manual/recipe" and looks just like one of those "Chinese martial arts secret manual" picked up by one of those martial arts exponent you see in a Chinese kungfu movie! (Please see photo above for a view of the menu booklet I was referring to)

In the "secret manual", of course you would find their best recommendations to a good menu. Each cuisine served in the restaurant is specifically described in their "manual" so that you would know the goodness and benefits to that dish you intend to order.


We had to try the recommended "Ten Wonder Herbs Roasted Duck" as its their signature dish! The roast duck appears to have been already all roasted and ready to serve. But my goodness, this dish is fantastic! Never knew roasted ducks taste so good, especially with herbs! The texture and flavour of the duck was very good. The duck was well marinated and the meat was very tender but not fatty. The skin was also thin and crispy. Served with the herbal gravy, the duck tastes simply great! I understand that the ten wonder herbs are typically consumed for vitality and energy. To put it simply, its to recharge a person. So a revitalising dish it is indeed! With a unique flavour given to a duck.

We also ordered other dishes like the herbal soup and the Xiao Er Crispy Toufu (beancurd) which was one of its recommended dishes. My complaint is that the serving seems little and might not be enough. We went as a group of three for dinner but had to eat with constraint as the food seems just too little in my opinion. Despite the little complaint I have, the herbal duck is still worth going for.

Dian Xiao Er has about 7 outlets now around Singapore. The one we went is at 65 Airport Boulevard Level 3, L-F3 Changi Airport Terminal 3, Singapore. Tel: 6542 3789.