These days, Crystal Jade is everywhere, serving all variations of East Asian food. This large and popular chain comprises 70 restaurants and is rapidly expanding in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Of the 70, there are two Korean outlets in Singapore . This one in Centrepoint is perpetually crowded, attracting office workers, businessmen and shoppers in Singapore 's Somerset area.

• The Vibe
  The outlet attempts to combine Korean elements with sophisticated-chic designs. The parquet flooring complements the dark brown theme of the restaurant, except that the place is a little too mocha-coloured. You end up having to eat in the dark and the cloistering effect is accentuated by the tall, dark cushioned seats. The lights are stylish, creating artistic shadows in the ceiling. The restaurant's entrance is glassed, with Korean words sprayed on it – an outstanding but tacky notice. At the corner of Crystal Jade Ginseng Chicken is a small rock garden, Korean-style, encompassing a fountain.

• The Food
  Korean food always seems incomplete without the side dishes. At Crystal Jade Ginseng Chicken, you can try ordering 1 Set of Side Dishes ($8), comprising 6 dishes. There's the spicy radish, a sour and slightly spicy dish similar in taste to the famous kimchi. There is also the potato dish – cubes of potato in strong mayonnaise. Most of the dishes here are ordinary, and your best bet would be the spinach, which is cold and refreshing.

  For your main course, sample the Stewed Top Grade Beef Short Rib ($22), a generous bowl of tender beef ribs. The ribs are served in a black pot and are slightly sweet because of the plum. There is also a hint of garlic in the beef and you find pieces of chopped garlic in the stew. Satisfying but also ordinary, this dish at least contains a large portion that makes it worth your money.

  The highlight of Crystal Jade Ginseng is its Seafood Pancake with Green Onion ($15) – crispy, deep-fried flour with bits of prawn, chilli, onions and squid in it. Extremely crispy and salty but not too oily, the Seafood Pancake at this restaurant far outdoes most eateries. While this dish is not enough to fill you, it at least lets you indulge in something to satiate your craving.

  These days, it's difficult to go to a Korean restaurant without being tempted to at least try the barbequed selection. Crystal Jade offers the King Prawn ($20), Scallop ($20) and Pig Collar ($16), amongst other barbequed dishes. The king prawns are not all that kingly and are rather small; at least they are fresh and juicy. The pig collar, sliced thinly, is a little tough and cold. Your best bet would be the scallops, which are tender and barbequed well although a little too salty. On the whole, Crystal Jade's BBQ dishes are average.

  Given the name of this Crystal Jade outlet, trying the Authentic Ginseng Chicken Soup ($25) is a must. Fans of herbal soup will love this slightly bitter concoction of ginseng and chicken broth. The chicken comes in a sizeable portion, too, and is tender. Stuffed with rice before cooking, the soup contains bits of rice that adds texture to the dish. Alternatively, try the Korean Style Cold Noodle Soup ($16). This dish contains many ingredients such as boiled egg, carrots, pieces of meat and even pear. Despite this, however, it is bland. Adding wasabe and vinegar to it makes it more refreshing, but all the taste comes from the sauces you add.

  Crystal Jade's desserts are more promising than its main dishes. The Chilled Coconut & Egg White Cake ($5 for 3 pieces) is silky and has a rich coconut taste. It is, however a little too sweet. The Chilled Mango Pudding with Sago and Pomelo ($5), on the other hand, is positively delicious, with smooth custard in mango juice and syrup – the mixture of sour and sweet sensations is tongue-tingling.

• The Service
  The service staff, dressed in traditional Korean attire, is friendly and hospitable. Probably the best part about the restaurant, the service is efficient and friendly. Plates are changed on a regular basis and dishes arrive promptly.

The SD Food Advisor's Take on Crystal Jade Ginseng Chicken & BBQ
The restaurant is always crowded, hinting that there must be something credible about it that has somehow escaped my notice. The prices are reasonable by average restaurant standards, but do not justify the quality of the food. While I personally would not go there because of the cold ambience and unspectacular food, it nevertheless remains a popular place amongst Singaporeans.