Restoran 88 Fried Pork Belly

Dinner at Restoran 88 was a memorable experience, especially after almost a year since my last visit. The warm and welcoming front-of-house service by the lady boss, Alice, added a personal touch to our evening. One of the highlights was discovering that the crab porridge was available. Alice mentioned that the specific type of crab used is typically only available during the rainy season, making it a special treat that's not often on the menu.

Crab porridge

This trip I have my daughter's friend, Gie, to thank for making the reservation and choosing the dishes. That's her placing the order for the food. Alice, the lady boss, is of course the lady in yellow.

We indulged in a variety of dishes: stir-fried venison, fried pork belly, steamed lala (clams), fried calamari, stir-fried baby French beans, and a fish soup in a milky broth. Each dish was prepared with care and attention to detail.
The stir-fried venison was tender and flavourful, perfectly seasoned to bring out its natural taste.

The steamed lala was fresh and succulent, with a light and fragrant broth that enhanced the clams' sweetness.

The fried calamari was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, a delightful balance of textures.

The stir-fried baby French beans were crisp and vibrant, adding a refreshing touch to the meal.

The fish soup, served in a milky broth, was comforting and rich, providing a soothing contrast to the other dishes.

However, the star of the night for me (each of us had different favs) was undoubtedly the fried pork belly. Crispy and perfectly caramelized, it had just the right amount of crunch and flavour. The caramelization added a delightful sweetness that complemented the savoury pork, making it an instant favourite.

Restoran 88 continues to impress with its high-quality dishes and exceptional service and shatters all expectations of its humble appearance.