From breakfast to dinner, these Chinese restaurants offer exciting flavors that bring the country’s vibrant cuisine to Filipino diners.
Chinese cuisine is one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic, considering the country’s sheer size and cultural diversity. Filipinos have long appreciated China’s cuisine, due largely to the country’s long history with the Chinese diaspora. Nowadays, one need not travel very far to get a taste of China’s traditional flavors or exciting, contemporary twists to its classic dishes. A number of hotel restaurants in Metro Manila offer all this and more; below are five in particular that will cover your Chinese food cravings from breakfast to dinner.
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Jasmine
While most Chinese restaurants are open for lunch and dinner service, who says you can’t get your dumpling fix for breakfast? Many know New World Makati Hotel’s Jasmine for its all-you-can-eat dim sum feasts. However, it also recently launched a special Breakfast Menu. Available from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM every Sunday, it is a great option for morning meals spent in the company of loved ones.
A Hearty, Nutritious Feast
With the skilled hands of Malaysian executive chef Brandon Ng, Jasmine’s breakfast menu presents Chinese-Malaysian favorites that are hearty without being overly indulgent. A must-try is the Kaya Toast with Soft Boiled Eggs, perfect with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
A Chinese breakfast is not complete without the warm, comforting bites of rice or congee dishes. Savor Jasmine’s Garlic Fried Rice with Chicken, E-fu Noodles with Scrambled Egg and Vegetables, and Pork Century Eggs Congee, all of which are the perfect start to the day. Vegetable and tofu options are also available for a complete, nutritious meal. These include Braised Vegetarian with Mushrooms and Bean Curd Skin, and Tofu with Century Egg and Meat Floss.
Early Bird Dim Sums
Jasmine also presents an exquisite selection of dim sum, both steamed and fried, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of China and Malaysia. Steamed dim sum highlights include the Har Gao Shrimp Bamboo Shoot Dumpling, Xiao Long Bao, Shanghainese Pork Dumpling, and Siu Mai Pork Crab Meat Dumpling.The fried and baked dim sums offer crunchy, chewy, savory bites that are not to be missed. These include the Seafood Taro Puff, Barbecued Pork Pastry Puff, and Spinach Dried Scallop Dumpling, among others.
Beverages and Desserts
An array of beverages like Soy Milk, Freshly Brewed Coffee, or fragrant Jasmine Tea make for good meal accompaniments. Meanwhile, desserts like the Deep-fried Sesame Balls with Lotus Paste, Warm Taro Cream, or Red Bean Broth end the meal on a perfectly sweet note.
Summer Palace
Edsa Shangri-La’s Chinese restaurant, Summer Palace, proudly introduces two new dining experiences to guests: an innovative Lobster Menu and exciting Dim Sum Daily Pairings.
Indulge in an Exquisite Lobster Feast
Crafted by Chef Boon Hoe Bun, Summer Palace’s lobster lineup features a tantalizing array of new signature dishes that highlight the flavors and textures of this crustacean delicacy. Dishes in the special menu include Wok-fried Lobster, Bi Feng Tang style (a delectable lobster in a crunchy layer of garlic and breadcrumbs, topped with chillies and bell peppers); and the Braised Lobster Noodles in Superior Sauce (silky rice noodles enveloping sweet, succulent lobster meat).
Savor Innovative Dim Sum Delights
Summer Palace also presents paired dim sum creations. Guests can enjoy two distinct dim sum creations each day of the week, which offer a delightful and varied dining experience in every bite. To get an idea of how the week starts, a Monday dim sum pairing includes Deep-fried glutinous rice dumplings with Kurobuta pork and Steamed fish maw with chicken rolls; meanwhile, a Tuesday pairing consists of a Baked chicken pie topped with baby abalone and Steamed rainbow shrimp dumplings with foie gras.
“Our rotating menu allows us to continuously surprise and delight our guests,” shares Chef Andy Liew, Dim Sum savant at Summer Palace. “Each day brings a different pairing to the table, making every visit to Summer Palace a fun and unique culinary adventure.”
Crystal Dragon
Situated on the upper ground of Nüwa Manila at City of Dreams, Crystal Dragon is the hotel’s crown jewel for an exquisite, Cantonese dining experience. It evokes refinement in every detail, from its tasteful interiors to the sublime menu and expert service. Its extensive menu gives special prominence to fine Cantonese cuisine. Dishes are made from the best-sourced ingredients, which Crystal Dragon executive chef Khoo Teng Jin (or Chef Danny, as many call him) and chef de cuisine Chan Choo Kean artfully put together to achieve a harmony in flavors, textures, and presentation.
Regional Delicacies
With regional Chinese specialties included on the restaurant menu, Crystal Dragon highlights the rich spectrum of China’s gastronomy, blending culinary traditions with contemporary flair and technique. The restaurant features lunch and dinner a la carte and six-course set menus. It also offers special themed menus during significant occasions, as well as vegetarian and plant-based alternatives.
Must-try items include its popular Szechuan Hot and Sour Soup with prawn dumpling and tobiko [fish roe], Braised Sea Treasures Broth, and Poached Hokkaido Scallop in sour broth. The Roasted Farm Peking Duck remains a crowd-favorite that is representative of the restaurant’s expertise in different cooking techniques. Its iteration with black truffle sauce has also garnered an avid following. Guests should also try the restaurant’s Shanghainese Smoked Pampano (pompano) Fish Fillet and Flaming Wagyu Beef Spicy Sichuan Style with King Oyster Mushrooms.
Hua Yuan
Hua Yuan Brasserie Chinoise, the signature restaurant of Hilton Manila, recently launched its highly-anticipated new menu last June. As a beacon of Shanghai’s culinary heritage, Hua Yuan introduces an array of authentic Shanghainese cuisines. Here, chef Xi Qiao Yuan prepares each dish with his traditional cooking secrets and extensive expertise.
Sumptuous Shanghai Favorites
The new menu aims to transport guests to the heart of Shanghai. Each dish tells a story of rich tradition and culinary finesse, allowing diners to experience the true essence of Shanghainese gastronomy.
Among the specialty items is the tantalizing Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables and Steamed Bun, which perfectly balances succulent meat with the tangy notes of preserved vegetables. The legendary Xiao Long Bao, delicate and bursting with savory broth, will transport guests straight to the vibrant streets of Shanghai.
For those seeking unique combinations, the Wok-Fried Antler Mushroom with Celery and Chinese Bacon promises a symphony of textures and flavors, while the Braised “Lionhead” Pork Meatball with Salted Egg Yolk and Baby Abalone will captivate diners with its bold and indulgent composition.
Other standout creations include the Tossed Omaha Beef with Homemade Sesame Cream Sauce and Cucumber; Deep-Fried Soft Shell Crab Coated with Salted Egg Yolk; Braised Yellow Eel; and the aromatic Fragrant Tea Smoked Duck.
Photos courtesy of New World Hotel Makati, Edsa Shangri-La, City of Dreams, and Newport World Resorts.
