With the second season of Heaven Official’s Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu, or 天官赐福 in Chinese) currently airing on Netflix, fans are gearing up for a return to Ghost City. Closer to home, a welcome celebration is in order, as Aniplus café in Singapore is hosting its second Heaven Official’s Blessing collaboration café.
Running from 26 January to 22 February, the event follows the successful first run in 2022, and this time, it elevates its menu to new heights. Bringing various character-inspired food and drinks to life, it presents the perfect opportunity for enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the world of the show.
The café is decked out in Heaven Official’s Blessing decorations, and the tables are adorned with art of the characters, along with chibi table toppers. As always, the café has a large screen playing iconic scenes from the show’s first and second seasons, which certainly brings back memories. Each food set comes with postcards and coasters of the various characters in the series given out at random, so you can try your luck at getting your favourites.
We tried The Crown Prince’s Blessings Noodles (S$18), which turned out to be Yi Mian (寿面), or longevity noodles, stir-fried with a generous serving of crispy chicken, egg, and shrimp. Each forkful was a harmonious blend of noodles and ingredients, featuring a generous mix of crispy chicken, egg, and shrimp. The highlight was undoubtedly the chicken cutlet – freshly prepared and crispy. Though delectable, it’s worth noting that this dish is quite hearty and can be rather filling.
The Paradise Manor’s Red Braised Beef Rice (S$18) resembles the popular Taiwanese braised pork rice dish Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯) a unique beefy interpretation. The braised beef slices were tender and chewy, and the sauce was not too overpowering. Accompanying the beef were a braised egg and baby bok choy, lending an authentic touch reminiscent of the traditional dish. It’s also served with crunchy and appetising pickled cucumber, a refreshing contrast that made for a nice way to finish the meal.
A standout dish is the Ghost City Tempura Rice Bowl, elegantly priced at S$22. This dish is a nod to the classic Japanese tendon, featuring an array of crispy tempura delights such as prawn, mushroom, lotus root, and eggplant, all perched atop a bed of fluffy rice and complemented by the house coleslaw. The freshly fried tempura offers an irresistible crunch, especially when paired with the homemade soy sauce, which has a rich, albeit salty taste, or the tangy chilli mayo.
In the desserts section, The Gambler’s Den Lava Cake, priced at S$17, emerges as a true showstopper. Artistically plated, it’s embellished with white chocolate dice topped with a hint of strawberry sauce, reminiscent of the one Hua Cheng gifts to Xie Lian in the anime, adding a touch of elegance to the presentation. The lava cake, with its rich, gooey centre, perfectly complements the accompanying vanilla ice cream. For those keen on capturing their culinary experience, the dice-shaped chocolate not only adds a thematic twist but is also impressively sturdy, ensuring it holds up for those Instagram-worthy shots.
On a different note, the Butterfly Lovers, available at S$14, offers a more whimsical approach. This glittery cream cheese glazed doughnut is adorned with butterflies and flowers, creating a visually stunning treat. However, contrary to expectations, the butterflies and flowers turned out to be more decorative than edible. Additionally, the glazed doughnut seemed a bit out of sync with the rest of the themed menu, presenting an unexpected twist to the dessert offerings.
The drinks menu featured two distinctive options that left a lasting impression. The first, Xie Lian’s drink (S$9) – a Strawberry Burst Tea – emerged as a refreshing choice for tea enthusiasts. This delightful concoction, blending lychee, orange, and lemon, created a harmonious cocktail of fruits. Its light and airy notes, reminiscent of Xie Lian himself, make it a perfect accompaniment to the main dishes, offering a soothing balance to the palate.
Meanwhile, Hua Cheng’s drink (S$9) took a more adventurous turn with a Rose Sangria Mocktail. This beverage is elevated by the addition of freeze-dried strawberries and raspberries, with the sparkling ade component adding a vibrant kick, and mirroring the Crimson Sought Rain Flower’s daring personality. Together, these elements combine to create a robust and memorable flavour profile, making it a standout choice for those seeking something unique and spirited.
As for merchandise, the Aniplus-exclusive items are the blind packet trading polaroids (S$5, limited to 20 per person), which come in fifteen random designs, a Hua Cheng and Xie Lian-themed desk mat (S$25), and a cloth cleaner (S$8).
All visitors will be entitled to freebies with merchandise purchase – any purchase will entitle them to a themed paper bag; spending S$15 grants a random sticker, while spending S$30 yields a hologram ticket with seven random designs (Hua Cheng, Xie Lian, Qing Xuan, Ming Yi, Jun Wu, Qian Qiu, and the title logo).
All in all, it’s evident that the second iteration of the Aniplus-hosted Heaven Official’s Blessing café has successfully surpassed its predecessor. The carefully curated menu, coupled with an array of complimentary treats, makes each visit a memorable gastronomic journey.
If the allure of a culinary adventure to the Ghost City is calling, be aware that slots are being snapped up quickly on the official website, which is currently accepting reservations. For those planning to visit, it’s important to note that the café will be operating on a reservation-only basis from 16 to 18 February 2024, with no walk-ins permitted during these dates.
Trinity is a geek who enjoys watching anime, superhero and Sci-Fi movies and TV shows. She enjoys gaming (however has terrible gacha luck) and creates cool homebrew campaigns in her free time. She’s always up for a new adventure — with a cosy jacket and a good book in hand.
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