Restaurant Cougar Lee 錦軒: An Innovative and Modern Chinese Restaurant in Singapore

Cougar Lee 錦軒 is a family-run private kitchen in Singapore, helmed by Beijing-born Chef Ethan Lee, serving homely Chinese mains we are familiar with at incredible value and high quality ingredients. Honoring tradition while redefining flavour, this spot blends traditional techniques with bold innovation, making each dish both comforting and exciting.

Chef’s Lee dishes are mainly inspired by his childhood memories of his family restaurant in Beijing, China.

From exquisite handcrafted dim sum to signature Beijing-inspired mains, every bite tells a story of heritage, mastery, and playful creativity.

Atmosphere & Vibes

Walking into the restaurant, what hit me first was the comforting aroma of broth and wok-fried dishes that got my stomach rumbling.

The space blends traditional Chinese charm with refined modern touches — think classic brush paintings and vintage cookbooks lining the walls, paired with sleek wooden tables and an open kitchen where you can catch a glimpse of Chef Lee. Watching them work feels like witnessing culinary artistry in motion.

It’s cosy, intimate, and polished without being pretentious, the kind of place that’s perfect for family dinners, date nights, or a quiet celebration over comforting food. Every detail, from the tableware to the playlist, feels thought-out to make you slow down and savour each bite.

The restuarant has a seating capacity of 38 pax indoors and 4 pax outdoors.

Food Highlights

The menu features their signature dishes, small plates, freshly made Touhua, meat, seafood, double-boiled soup and desserts. It offers quite a variety of classic Chinese dishes and they even serve Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup.

Premium Double-Boiled Soup of the Day 今日炖汤 — Black Chicken Soup ⭐

Our soup of the day was Black Chicken Soup. It was a hearty, soul-warming soup featuring tender black chicken and sweet red dates. Unlike the typical bitter herbal soups, this one was smooth, naturally sweet, and umami-rich. The chicken is tender, juicy, and melts in your mouth. This dish was a comforting, homely starter that makes you want seconds or even thirds.

Yellow Tail Amberjack 酸橘芒果鲕鱼 ($18)

This dish was a refreshing sweet and salty seafood starter. The succulent amberjack slices were paired with tangy mango, chervil, citrus, and a light chilli dressing. The fish has a firm, meaty bite that makes it feel hearty, while the dressing adds bursts of zesty citrus sweetness and gentle heat with every bite. My only complaint was that the portion was so small as it left me wanting more!

Lee’s Steamed Roasted Iberico Pork “Siu Mai” 生煎脆皮烧麦 ($3.90/pc, min. 5 pcs) ⭐

The dish was an absolute star of the night. We didn’t know what to expect looking at the juicy and perfectly seasoned Iberico pork encased in a crispy, pan-seared wrapper, finished with silky wasabi dressing dipped into chilli oil. Every bite of it hits the spot – the crunch, tender and then umami were all sequenced perfectly. Honestly, I was not expecting the wasabi to go so well with a traditional Dimsum dish, but it added a subtle kick without overpowering the savoury meat. I guess it’s pure addictive magic.

Foie Gras Terrine wrapped in Filo Foil 脆皮桂花鹅肝 ($6.90/pc, min. 5 pcs)

Imagine a luxurious, rich bite of buttery foie gras wrapped in crispy filo pastry, topped with pistachio and fruity vinegar glaze. The foie gras was marinated with a mixture of Chinese spices which include five spice, star anise and dried apples. It is then slow-cooked in German Sweet wine and wrapped with filo pastry.

The terrine was savoury with a tinge of nuttiness, while the glaze added a sweet-tangy lift. Perfectly balanced and refined, this dish might look plain but it is multi-flavoured.

The Classic Ngoh Hiang 古早辣椒五香肉卷 ($16) ⭐

Golden, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this classic Chinese meat roll is filled with a peppery prawn and pork mixture. The Spicy Thai Dipping sauce, Nam Jim, adds tangy, slightly sweet heat to the dish. It elevates the nostalgic, homely flavour elevating it to the next level.

Grilled King Prawn with Handmade Noodle 焗大虾拉面 ($32)

Chef Lee is probably a master in food textures. This fish features a giant grilled fresh prawn served with al dente handmade noodles. The noodles are drenched in rich, buttery prawn and tobiko bisque and finished with a sprinkling of tobiko caviar for bursts of briny pop.

Each bite balances umami, sweetness, and ocean-fresh flavours perfectly. The prawn was flavourful and the noodles and sauce matched so well together, we really savoured every bite.

Braised Monkfish 芦笋烧鲮鲠鱼 ($48) ⭐

Tender monkfish served with jumbo asparagus and heirloom tomatoes in a thick tomato-based sauce, slightly spicy and subtly sweet. On first taste, the sauce reminded us of chilli crab but is far more refined. Every bite was rich, comforting, and layered with flavour. The portion was abit small for us but other than that the fish was fresh and the sauce matched so well.

Homemade Burnt Cheesecake 法葱巴斯克 ($12)

This was an interesting East-meets-West dessert. It’s a chewy and lightly caramelised cheesecake topped with fresh chives and paired with salted egg yolk ice cream.

The pairing of cheesecake, salted egg yolk ice cream and chives created a sweet-and-savoury harmony that’s comforting, indulgent, and delightfully addictive.

The texture of the cheesecake reminded me of the famous Ah Ma homemade cake which was really nostalgic. A perfect end to the meal!

Drinks 🍸

Cougar Lee’s drink menu keeps things fun yet refined — from sparkling Prosecco and crisp Sauvignon Blancs to playful, Asian-inspired cocktails with names like One Night in Beijing and Shanghai Tower.

We tried the 61 Tras Street and the Sour Apple Martini. Both leaned on the fruitier side, light without being overly bitter. The flavours were clean and well-balanced, easy to sip yet still strong enough to hold their own against the bold, savoury dishes.

Our Verdict 💭

Restaurant Cougar Lee 錦軒 nails the balance between comforting homely flavours and elevated culinary techniques. Small plates may be bite-sized, but the flavours are bold, layered, and unforgettable. The waiting time was slightly longer than expected but every dish came piping hot out of the kitchen which was something I really like especially with chinese cuisine! The must-orders for us were definitely the Black Chicken Soup, Siu Mai, Braised Monkfish, and the Classic Ngoh Hiang.

Besides the food, the service was also amazing. All of the staff and the chefs were friendly, attentive and we had a really good time there. We would absolutely be back for a dinner with our families. Come visit Restaurant Cougar Lee 錦軒 to explore new flavours, and enjoy classic Chinese dishes with a creative twist!

Special Promotion

Their lunch and dinner courses are going at 50% off. The 4-course lunch menu is priced at $25++ while the 5-course set lunch is priced at $35++. For dinner, the 5-course dinner set is priced at $35++ while the 6-course menu is priced at $50++.