SINGAPORE — A chance discovery of the traditional method of grilling fish and topping it with Ma La sauces led two friends on a visit to Wushan Town in Chong Qing, China to start what is now one of the most popular restaurants in the country. Captivated by the robust flavours, they set up their first shop in Beijing in 2005 and gained fame for their Chong Qing-styled grilled whole fishes served with a variety of sauces.

Though a seemingly simple concept, the restaurant has since expanded to 54 outlets in 12 cities in China including Shanghai, Suzhou, Wuhan and Hangzhou. Now, in partnership with The Minor Food Group Singapore, it has opened its first outlet outside its homeland in Singapore at Raffles City. The 5000-sqf space can seat up to 150 diners.

“Our Singapore menu is almost the same as the ones you’ll find in Riverside Grilled Fish restaurants in China including Beijing and Shanghai, with very slight localisation to the menu dishes to cater to Singaporean’s tastes,” said co-founder Li Chang Jiang, who added that the aim is to keep the dining experience as authentic as possible.

“We strongly believe in ensuring that we have the resources to maintain the highest food and service standards across all outlets before expanding, so as to ensure that the Riverside Grilled Fish experience is never compromised,” he said of every restaurant they have opened.

“We are now at a stage where we are truly confident in bringing the original Riverside Grilled Fish experience to a wider international audience with a strong team supporting us in Singapore.”

At the restaurant, diners can choose to pair their preferred fish — red tilapia, sea bass, black promfret or garoupa priced from S$35 to S$42 — with any of the eight accompanying sauces. They also have the option of choosing from 18 different types of side dishes including sausages, pork belly, tofu sheets and flat vermicelli to be cooked with their whole grilled fish (at an additional cost of S$2.50 to S$4.50 per side dish).

Aside from traditional Ma La sauce, the restaurant’s signature fragrant spicy sauce is a colourful and robust choice, made with dried chilli, diced spring onions, sesame, yellow beans and peanuts. Highlights from the selection of appetisers and snacks include Si Chuan specialities such as the crispy duck and a cold noodle dish made with soy beans imported from the province.

Long queues are expected, and you will likely have to wait at least a couple of years for another outlet near you. “We will be putting the focus on this restaurant for the next two years, to ensure the utmost quality and service to our customers ... before opening more outlets in Singapore,” Li added.

Riverside Grilled Fish Singapore is located at Raffles City Shopping Centre, #B1-06/07, 252 North Bridge Road. Call 6352 2035 to enquire.