The Soup Expert (尚一汤)

The Shanghai-famous restaurant The Soup Expert is the latest addition to Singapore’s dining scene, marking the brand’s first international outpost outside China. Renowned for its nourishing Cantonese-style double-boiled soups, the restaurant has built a strong reputation for its meticulous four-hour steam-boiling technique and wellness-focused recipes. 

A distinctive highlight of the dining experience is its elegant individual teapot presentation, where each soup is served in a custom-made teapot and paired with matching teacups, allowing diners to savour every comforting sip in a unique and refined way.

Before stepping into The Soup Expert, diners are greeted by a whimsical teapot-shaped signpost that playfully showcases the restaurant's signature double-boiled soups. Each directional sign points to a different nourishing soup variety, adding a touch of creativity and charm to the entrance while building anticipation for the comforting meal ahead.

Which Directions to your Soup?

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by The Soup Expert's illuminated signage, where the brand's identity is cleverly represented through a distinctive soup pot icon. The simple yet elegant logo perfectly reflects the restaurant's dedication to its signature nourishing soups, creating a warm first impression even before stepping inside.

The Soup 

With the introductions out of the way, it was time to flip through the menu and explore what The Soup Expert is best known for. From its nourishing double-boiled soups to a selection of signature dishes, the menu showcases a variety of comforting offerings thoughtfully prepared using premium ingredients and time-honoured recipes.

Menu of The Soup Expert

One of the restaurant's most distinctive touches is its unique way of serving soup. Each nourishing broth arrives in an individual teapot, accompanied by matching teacups for a refined and comforting experience. The presentation not only keeps the soup warm but also encourages diners to savour every sip. During our visit, we enjoyed the Old Hen Herbal Soup ($12.90), Abalone Ginseng Soup, Wild Mushroom Bamboo Fungus Soup, and Chuan Bei Snow Pear Pork Soup ($12.90), each thoughtfully brewed to bring out the natural flavours of its ingredients.

The Old Hen Herbal Soup delivered a comforting and traditional chicken soup flavour that felt both nourishing and homely. 

The Abalone Ginseng Soup was another enjoyable choice, featuring a gentle ginseng note that was not overpowering and suited my palate perfectly. 

For those who enjoy earthy flavours, the Wild Mushroom Bamboo Fungus Soup was a delightful option, combining savoury meat broth with the natural sweetness of mushrooms and the unique texture of bamboo fungus. 

One of my personal favourites was the Chuan Bei Snow Pear Pork Soup. The pairing may sound unusual at first, but the subtle herbal notes of Chuan Bei blended harmoniously with the sweetness of snow pear and the richness of pork, resulting in a distinctive yet highly enjoyable soup.

Soup in Teapot

The Soup Expert embraces a clean and contemporary interior, furnished with warm wood accents that create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Simple wooden tables, rattan-back chairs, and cosy booth seating are thoughtfully arranged within the spacious dining area, while soft lighting and neutral tones add to the restaurant's relaxed charm. The understated décor allows diners to focus on what matters most, enjoying a comforting bowl of nourishing soup.

Interior of Dining Area

The Homestyle Braised Chicken is available in both half and whole chicken portions, making it ideal for sharing among family and friends. Beyond the tender braised chicken pieces, the dish also includes flavourful braised chicken feet, adding an extra layer of richness to the pot. Coated in a glossy savoury sauce, every bite was deeply satisfying, while the robust gravy paired exceptionally well with a bowl of steamed rice, making it a comforting dish that kept us reaching for more.

Homestyle Braised Chicken - $19.90 (Half) / $38.90 (Whole)

The Fragrant Spicy Pork Trotters is a hearty braised dish that arrives bubbling in a rich, glossy gravy. Alongside the tender pork trotters, the claypot is generously filled with soy beans and braised chicken feet, creating a comforting combination of textures and flavours. The sauce was particularly well executed, savoury, fragrant, and packed with depth, making it irresistibly good when spooned over a bowl of steamed rice. Despite its name, the spice level was well balanced, allowing the rich braising flavours to shine through.

Fragrant Spicy Pork Trotters - $18.90

Crispy Sea Bass in Supreme Soy Sauce is one of those dishes that instantly feels like home. Even without knowing it came from a Shanghai restaurant, the familiar combination of crispy golden skin and savoury soy-based sauce brings a sense of comfort with every bite.

The sea bass was expertly fried, achieving a delightful contrast between its crackling exterior and moist, flaky flesh within. Generously topped with fragrant garlic and chopped spring onions, the fish soaked up the rich supreme soy sauce beautifully, creating a flavourful balance that was both simple and satisfying. It is the kind of dish that pairs effortlessly with a bowl of steamed rice and keeps everyone reaching for more.

Crispy Sea Bass in Supreme Soy Sauce - $28.90

Claypot Mushrooms with Dried Shrimp was a surprisingly addictive dish that delivered plenty of flavour despite its humble appearance. The mushrooms were plump, juicy and beautifully coated in a savoury glaze, while the dried shrimp added bursts of umami with every bite.

Served bubbling hot in a claypot, the dish was fragrant from the wok hei and aromatic garlic, with spring onions lending a touch of freshness. What made it especially enjoyable was the mushrooms' juicy, almost "popping" texture that released their natural sweetness as you bit into them. Simple yet well-executed, it was the kind of comforting dish that paired wonderfully with rice and complemented the richer dishes on the table.

Claypot Mushrooms with Dried Shrimp - $15.90

Golden Garlic Pork Ribs was an addictive starter that disappeared from the table in no time. Deep-fried to a beautiful golden-brown hue, each pork rib delivered a satisfying crunch on the outside while remaining tender and juicy within.

The generous topping of crispy golden garlic elevated the dish with its irresistible aroma, while slices of chilli added a subtle kick that complemented the savoury flavours. Fragrant, crispy and packed with umami, this was the kind of finger food that kept everyone reaching for just one more piece.

Golden Garlic Pork Ribs - $18.90

The Wok Seared XO Hokkaido Scallops was a vibrant dish that showcased the natural sweetness of premium scallops alongside a medley of colourful vegetables and mushrooms. Lightly seared to retain their tender, bouncy texture, the scallops were plump and juicy, allowing their delicate flavours to shine.

Wok Seared Xo Hokkaido Scallops (Xo酱炒北海道带子)

The addition of XO sauce brought a savoury depth and subtle seafood umami that elevated the dish without overpowering it. Crisp snow peas provided a refreshing crunch, while black fungus and mushrooms contributed contrasting textures and earthy notes. Finished with fragrant crispy shallots, every bite offered a delightful balance of sweetness, savouriness and wok fragrance, making this a refined yet comforting dish to share.

From the plate of Wok Seared Xo Hokkaido Scallops

For dessert, we were introduced to the Sweet Potato Ice Cream, a popular treat in Shanghai and certainly one of the more intriguing dishes of the evening. Presented as a block of vibrant purple sweet potato ice cream and drizzled with an intricate lattice of mayonnaise sauce, it was a dessert that immediately sparked curiosity.

I must admit that the idea of pairing ice cream with mayonnaise did not quite win me over at first. Surprisingly, however, the combination worked better than expected, with the creamy richness complementing the naturally earthy sweetness of the sweet potato. The accompanying crisp biscuits added another layer of enjoyment, especially when used to sandwich chunks of the ice cream for a delightful contrast of textures. Unconventional yet memorable, it made for a unique and satisfying end to the meal.

Sweet Potato Ice Cream - $11.90

The Soup Expert delivers the kind of comforting Chinese fare that feels both familiar and satisfying. From hearty soups and homestyle classics to well-executed seafood and wok-fried dishes, every meal is prepared with care and balanced flavours. Whether you're gathering with family or simply craving a comforting meal, The Soup Expert offers a welcoming dining experience that keeps diners coming back for more.

The Soup Expert (尚一汤)
Location: Suntec  Suntec City, Tower 1, 3 Temasek Blvd, #03-315, 316, 331 Singapore 038983