Explore underwater dining with Aqua Gastronomy at Resorts World Sentosa

The Aqua Gastronomy experience at Resorts World Sentosa brings you dining amongst underwater inhabitants inside its S.E.A. Aquarium. Our editor Daniel Goh does the deep-dive.

“Look at that fish! Just imagine it served steamed Cantonese-style.”

“Bet that stingray will taste really good grilled with sambal.”

Indeed, some of the fish swimming in the Resorts World Sentosa’s S.E.A. Aquarium would make some mighty fine eating. But that’s probably not what the organisers of Aqua Gastronomy had in mind.

Aqua Gastronomy, which takes place in an gallery within the aquarium, is a pop-up dining experience by Resorts World Sentosa that presents a special collaborative six-hands ocean-themed menu between Forest森’s Chef de Cuisine Tony Choo, Ocean Restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine Marvas Huang, and Resorts World Sentosa Executive Pastry Chef Kenny Wong. Diners would be served these seafood-based delicacies as they soak in the glorious underwater spectacle of the many marine specimens swimming in the central Open Ocean Habitat that forms the centrepiece attraction of the aquarium.

Thankfully for these oceanic creatures, none of them would be harmed in the making of this four-course menu. Chefs Tony, Marvas, and Kenny weren’t quite so cruel to serve them up in full view of their fellow underwater denizens.

Instead, Misty Morning Sea featured Canadian scallops. Marinated and diced, it’s served tossed with glass noodles and trout caviar in a delectable Asian dressing that set the tone for the meal. Then there’s Ocean’s Reflection, with a grilled Norwegian wild-caught langoustine presented alongside a massive prawn wonton.

The main course was an attraction in and of itself. Shining Seas sees locally-farmed Kuhlbarra barramundi – in fact, all of the ingredients served up at Aqua Gastronomy are sustainably sourced -alongside clams, but what made the dish special was an especially delicious sauce which glowed with green luminescence. We’d find out later that the sauce was made from shiitake mushrooms, and rendered a glowing green from the additional of vitamin B2. The accompanying fried rice was a tasty culinary revelation as well, if not as luminescent.

For an addendum of $48++, there’s an option of Gratin of Boston Maine Lobster for those who are feeling hungry or particularly lavish. It’s highly recommended. It’s perfectly grilled to retain the briny sweetness of the crustacean flesh, while its blanket of melted Gruyere and creamy Hollandaise made it all the more moreish.

Dessert too saw a touch of the sea. The Treasures Of The Ocean came as a chocolate globe that – when smashed apart – revealed a trifle of chocolate, bergamot-accented curd, seawater caramel, and a seaweed crumble within.

Even the drinks came ocean themed. The Secret Sea Garden is a twist of the classic French 75 with the use of The Botanist Gin and Veuve Clicquot, while Deep Blue Dreams is – as one might expect – your elevated version of the Blue Lagoon. There are wines and spirits available too, but none of them are aligned as thematically as the signature cocktails on offer.

If there’s one word to describe Aqua Gastronomy, it’s dreamy. Between the ethereal and almost meditative music piped through the gallery speakers, the alternating yet soothing lighting, and the tranquility within the aquarium, it could have put one to sleep. Instead it’s a riveting spectacle with excellent pacing of the courses.

Still, we’d loved to have some sambal stingray.

The Aqua Gastronomy underwater dining experience at Resorts World Sentosa, which runs from September till 31 October 2020, features a four-course set dinner menu at $98++ for RWS members and $118++ for non members. Drinks are ordered separately. Special holiday and festive editions of Aqua Gastronomy will run from 6 November 2020 to 3 January 2021 and are now available for booking.

Follow us on Telegram to get updated on events and other spirited announcements!