Chinese dining at its finest at Crystal Jade

MANILA, Philippines - In a country with close culinary ties to practically all of its Asian neighbors, there’s something to be said about having that authentic dining experience that stays true to the point of origin. For example, Chinese cuisine, without the local influence, has a vastly different flavor — just ask anyone who has gone to Hong Kong, Singapore or mainland China. The preparations, tastes, and customs are different. Thankfully, anyone who wants a truly authentic Chinese dining experience needs only to go to Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight in Greenhills and Crystal Jade Dining IN at The Fort.

Crystal Jade prides itself for a varied selection of authentic Chinese cuisine courtesy of chefs from Shanghai in China, Hong Kong, and other places where exemplary talent for Chinese cooking can be found. For both restaurants, the food is prepared by these foreign chefs who were specially screened and trained at Crystal Jade’s head office in Singapore, guaranteeing the highest level of food quality. All the genuine flavors and preparation from the mother country are faithfully reproduced and served on a daily basis.

Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight

As the first Philippine branch of the worldwide chain of Chinese restaurants, Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight introduced to the country its famous signature multi-flavored Xiao Long Bao. Quickly an instant favorite, the colorful assortment of cheese, spicy beef, vegetable and dried beancurd, shrimp, and spicy chicken soup dumplings steamed to perfection in a wooden basket became synonymous with the Greenhills branch located at VMall. So much so that the restaurant was first named “Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao” on its 2010 debut.

Cherry Chu-lo, operations vice president of the Crystal Jade restaurants in the country, explains that the franchise has the liberty to provide different concepts and experiences across all its branches, catering to different types of diners. “The concept we have in VMall is Shanghai Delight, a combination of Shanghai food and Cantonese cuisine — it’s casual dining. At The Fort, which is Dining IN, it’s authentic fine dining Cantonese cuisine,” she says.

Retaining all of the dishes everyone has come to know and love, Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight will awe newcomers with its unique menu items. Try out the delicious Tan Tan Mien, noodles with dried shrimp and peanut in spicy sauce, and also the Noodles with Beef in Chili Oil. Other noodle dishes that have joined the lineup are the Noodles with Spicy Chicken, and Pork Chop with Noodle Soup. And if you’re going to try out Crystal Jade’s famous Xiao Long Bao, you can also order the classic, white variant that is just as savory as its colorful cousins. On weekends, black truffle and foie gras Xiao Long Bao is available.

Other weekend specials include Deep-fried Garoupa with Sweet and Sour Sauce, Sauteed Crab with Salted Egg Yolk, and Braised Pork Knuckle served with pancake. These are available from Friday to Sunday. For breakfast, from 7 to 10:30 a.m. every day, diners can indulge in a selection of congee from Salted Pork and Preserved Egg, Pork Rib with Preserved Vegetables and Dried Oysters, Snow Fungus Pumpkin and Sweet Corn, and the newest Fish Fillet and Beef Congee.

Crystal Jade Dining IN

At the other side of the city is Crystal Jade Dining IN, located at the Bonifacio Global City. Opened in March 2013, this latest in the franchise offers a vastly different experience, catering to the fine dining market of the area. This is reflected in its elegant, modern interiors and exclusive Cantonese menu.

A team of chefs from China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Hong Kong has been drawing in diners with creative preparations of instant favorites such as the Peking Duck, Suckling Pig, Crab Claw Soup, lobsters, seafood, and the delicious Bolo Bun — a delicacy made of bread and roast meats.

Literally the biggest and most-acclaimed menu item is the Poon Choi Treasure Pot, a dish symbolizing sharing, unity and prosperity. Diners who wish to have this need to call two days in advance. The result is a big bowl that can serve anywhere from three to four or six to eight people. In the broth with oyster sauce mix are 10 heads of abalone, sea cucumber, dried scallops, prawns, braised pork belly, goose web, Garoupa fillet, Japanese black mushrooms, quail eggs, Chinese cabbage, radish, roast duck, taro, and sea moss.

Though the ubiquitous Xiao Long Bao won’t be found here, instead diners can find delicious dimsum choices such as Ha Kau, Siew Mai, Chicken Feet, Radish Cake, Pork Rib in Black Bean Sauce, and many more. “Crystal Jade Dining IN is starting to boom,” enthuses Lo. “Our location at the corner is great, and both locals and foreigners recognize Crystal Jade as a world-famous brand.”

Crystal Jade is an international brand known far and wide for introducing authentic Chinese cuisine in many major cities across Asia. The two branches in the Philippines are no exception, quickly gaining wide acclaim and recognition for its unique offerings and genuine atmosphere.

Lo promises that more Crystal Jade restaurants in the country are in the works and the menu will continue to excite and delight old and new diners alike. “We continue to improve and constantly maintain the quality of the food and the service we provide,” she adds.

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Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight is located at VMall, ground floor entrance, San Juan City. For reservations or inquiries, call (02) 570-5233. Crystal Jade Dining IN is at Unit SEUG201, Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Avenue cor. 30th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. For reservations or inquiries call (02) 808-5233.

PROMOS

• Dining IN’s Delicious Dimsum Weekends: From 3 to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in March, Crystal Jade Dining IN will offer unlimited dimsum with bottomless iced tea for only P688 per person. If there are six or more diners availing themselves of this offer, they will be served Crystal Jade’s special noodles for free.

• Anniversary Specials: Celebrating Crystal Jade Dining IN’s first anniversary, for the entire month of March, diners with a minimum transaction of P10,000 will receive a P1,000 gift voucher. For Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight, diners with a minimum transaction of P5,000 will receive a P500 gift voucher.