TungLok Peking Duck (Velocity@Novena Square)

TungLok Peking Duck at Velocity@Novena Square is a Chinese restaurant that builds its menu around Peking duck. It belongs to TungLok Group, which runs more than 35 restaurants in Asia, including TungLok Heen, TungLok Seafood and Lao Beijing. This Novena branch opened in 2022. The brand's other restaurant, at Orchard Central, has been open since 2014.

The brand says it was the first restaurant in Singapore to roast Irish duck from Silver Hill Farm the classic Peking way. Each duck is served in three stages, so one bird gives you several different dishes.

What to order

Most tables order the Peking duck. It comes in three steps:

• The skin: crisp slices with a blueberry sauce and popping candy, which crackles as you eat.
• The breast: tender slices to dip in a homemade mustard sauce or a sweet dark sauce.
• The thigh: rolled in a thin wheat wrap with condiments from the "Eight Treasures Box".

Beyond the duck, the à la carte menu covers seafood, meat, vegetables, rice and noodles. The Novena branch also has its own menu of home-style dishes that are not served at Orchard Central. These include steamed kampung chicken with black bean sauce, and wok-fried pomfret slices with preserved olive vegetables. There is also a dish of braised mixed vegetables, known as Buddha's delight.

Groups can choose from set menus that pair the Peking duck with fish, prawns and other courses. On weekdays, the Novena branch offers a value set lunch. During hairy crab season, a special crab menu joins the line-up.

The setting

The restaurant is on the second floor of the mall and seats about 130 guests. The mall describes the dining room as a mix of Eastern and Western style. There are three private rooms, which suit family dinners and business meals.

Good to know before you go

• Reservations: booking is highly recommended, especially for the private rooms. You can book online through the official website.
• Dress code: smart casual.
• Vegetarians: the restaurant says it offers vegetarian options.
• Bringing wine: you may bring your own bottle, but a corkage charge applies.
• Delivery: the restaurant also takes online orders for delivery.

Getting there

Velocity@Novena Square sits directly above Novena MRT station on the North South Line. It is only a short walk from the train platforms. The restaurant is at 238 Thomson Road, units #02-11/12.

Nearby

In the same mall, Tomi Sushi in Novena serves sushi made with Niigata rice. For Teochew cooking, try Chui Huay Lim Teochew Cuisine on Keng Lee Road. Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice is a local favourite for Hainanese chicken rice. To stay close by, look at Oasia Hotel Novena. You can also browse more Chinese restaurants in Singapore or all restaurants in Newton and Novena.