Thaipan Restaurant (Tzechar)

I apologize for the lack of pictures, but I'll add more as I can get them. Although, this is undoubtedly their best dish. Butter Squid. Disclaimer: only the butter squid is fantastic. Everything else is just "good", so manage your expectations. That being said, I feel like they have cut the portion size gradually, which is a bit disappointing.

This is more a good niche value place rather than an absolute good food place, which I'll cover below.

To eat:
Butter Squid. Unless you're allergic to squid (or butter), you absolutely have to try it. Words cannot describe the absolute shiokness of sinful food with more sinful butter on it. Word of caution though, it can get gelat in large quantities (but what doesn't?) so order appropriately for your party size.

Cereal Chicken. Good amounts of cereal, and they use good parts of the chicken. Tender chicken bits, none of that stretchy, dry or stringy crap. I really like this, although people have said it's just "good".

Because I'm only supposed highlight the absolute best, I have to put a filler warning. The other dishes are not out-of-this-world.

Thaipan Jade Tofu with X. The menu recommends the crab meat (obviously), but I actually think the best value pick is Golden Mushroom. Costs less, and the tofu is the one you want, not the extra stuff on it.

Various noodles/rice dishes. Seafood/salted/olive fish fried rice all decent. I actually think the pineapple fried rice is a bit plain, but maybe that's because I don't like pineapples. The oddly positioned Hong Kong fried noodles was quite enjoyable for $4.80.

Cost:
Shared dishes can cost between $10-$30 depending on what type of meat you get, with beef/prawn being the top end. Butter squid is $10/$15/$18 for reference. I felt that $15 was okay for 3 people, but you could go with $18 and order less of other things. Staples are <$10 a person. Totally bill usually works out to ~$25 per pax.

Pros:
A couple of great dishes, a lot of good/decent ones,  nothing really bad. Pretty cheap for a "restaurant". Outdoor poolside area is great for long and chill dinners. Has free parking. It's actually part of Mandarin Garden's clubhouse, but if you tell the guardhouse "Thaipan" they'll let you in. Not too crowded usually either. They also take reservations, which is a plus for some. I just wing it and have gotten lucky.

Cons:
If you were looking for mindblowing food, this isn't the place (other than the squid). But like I said, it's a great value place. Also if you don't drive this place is probably not worth the effort to go out of the way for.

Opening hours:
1130am - 3pm
530pm - 10pm

Address:
13 Siglap Rd, Singapore 448911 (the clubhouse in the middle of the condo, tell the guardhouse "Thaipan")