Smolder — Live-Fire Dining by Ah Hua Kelong
The latest venture by the founder of Ah Hua Kelong and the creative mind behind the acclaimed Scaled, Smolder brings the authentic charm of a coastal backyard barbecue to an urban setting, blending the simplicity of farm-to-table freshness with the sophistication of modern grill dining.
At Smolder, the star attraction is undoubtedly the whole grilled fish - offered in options such as Seabass, Snapper and Pearl Grouper. Each is lightly seasoned with salt and pepper before being seared over charcoal, resulting in crisp skin, moist flesh, and a lingering aroma of smoke that elevates the natural sweetness of the catch.
For those seeking variety, the menu showcases international influences while keeping the focus on seafood. The Blackened Seabass, crusted with Cajun spices and paired with a refreshing corn salad, delivers a smoky, spicy balance. Meanwhile, the Grilled Snapper Escovitch, inspired by a Jamaican classic, combines a tart-spicy-sweet sauce with crisped skin and sautéed vegetables for a vibrant interplay of flavors.
The Portuguese Seafood Stew is a comforting highlight, featuring mussels, clams, prawns, and pork belly simmered in a rich tomato base. For pasta lovers, the Grouper Piccata Pasta pairs flat ribbons of pappardelle with grilled grouper pan-fried in a light lemon-butter sauce, a dish that balances indulgence with restraint.
Smolder’s smaller plates demonstrate the same level of care and finesse. The Stuffed Squid filled with prawn, bacon, capsicum, onion and herbs, is a textural delight, complemented by a zesty lemon caper squid ink sauce. The sides extend beyond seafood too: Elote offers Mexican-style grilled corn with smoky sweetness while the Zucchini & Parmesan Fritters deliver a crispy, savory bite. Each dish carries a distinct character while aligning with Smolder’s flame-forward theme.
Desserts like the Five Spice Apple Wonton (a creative play on apple pie), offers a delightful crunch and warmth, the NY-Style Cheesecake with smoked honey glaze is rich yet refined, while the Olive Oil Cake accompanied by honey-whipped cream cheese, is moist and fragrant.
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📍 Smolder.sg | Originally posted on Instagram
