First Dine: A Peek at Paradise Dynasty’s 8-Flavored Xiao Long Bao
It was an awesome fine-dining Chinese date last week as we finally got to visit Paradise Dynasty Manila in one of their newly opened branches at the Podium Mall in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.
It’s been quite a while now ever since we wanted to try out Paradise Dynasty when they first opened in the Philippines but wasn’t able to push through due to schedule conflict. But stars-aligned eventually pointing to paradise, a food paradise, that is.
And what made it better was that we dined with a group of friends so we ordered A LOT!
Aside from the usual-sized tables, the restaurant offers the traditional Chinese fine-dining experience with round tables fit for big families or a group of 12 or more with the typical lazy Susan to allow easy sharing of food.
8 Flavoured Xiao Long Bao
They are known for serving very good traditional Xiao Long Bao in different variants, colors, and flavors – hence the “legend of 8 flavoured Xiao Long Bao“!
So, we ordered them to try.
We highly recommend you get the set which already has all eight colors/variants of the Xiao Long Bao (P 388) flavors namely:
- Signature Original, (white)
- Ginseng (green)
- Foie gras (brown)
- Black Truffle (black)
- Chees (yellow)
- Crab Roe (orange)
- Garlic (grey)
- Szechuan (red)
The single-flavor Xiao Long Bao set costs P 188 to P 330 for 6 pcs , depending on the flavor.
How to Eat a Xiao Long Bao
Also know as soup dumplings, Xiao Long Baos are served fresh and hot so be extra careful.
For the uninitiated, you may use a chopstick to pick it up from the curled tip and support the bottom with a soup spoon.
It would be interesting to note that the restaurant provides a small leaflet containing instructions on the preferred way to consume the set for beginners.
Seats For Two suggests that you start with the original flavor and in numeric order (based on the leaflet), down to the one with the most distinct flavor, the Szechuan Xiao Long Bao.
In particular to our preference, the truffle and ginseng Xiao Long Bao are among our favorites. Ginseng is known for its many health benefits while truffle is known for its exquisite taste. On the other hand, you may also order a single flavour basket (eight pieces) that you like.
For first time Paradise Dynasty diners, we suggest having the variant set so you could try everything.
Beyond Xiao Long Bao
After the Xiao Long Bao appetizers, of course we ordered other Paradise Dynasty dishes.
Since we ordered a lot, we featured them on a separate article on NomNom Club food blog; check out the other dishes and appetisers of Paradise Dynasty!
Nonetheless, we maintained the desserts here for good measure and for your eyes to feast on. 🙂
Paradise Dynasty Desserts
The Glutinous Rice Stuffed in Red Dates can actually be part of the main course and is not technically classified as a dessert.
Nonetheless, due to its sweet inclination, we recommend it as a dessert. One of our Chinese friend in the group gave us a tip that these dates come in as a handy partner for the Poached Beef in Szechuan Oil dish as the dates can counter the chili oil’s effect!
The red dates’ texture also complements the soft sweet glutinous rice.
Lastly, black steam buns, anyone?
Yes, it’s called Charcoal Custard Lava Bun! Consume immediately while the custard filling is hot!
We’ll definitely be back at this Podium branch since it’s near to our place! You can also visit their other branches in S Maison beside Conrad Hotel and other branches ot open soon!
Paradise Dynasty Philippines
S Maison, Conrad Seaside Boulevard Corner Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City
Level 2, Podium Mall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
S Maison Telephone: (02) 828 8333
Pdoium Telephone: (02) 682 3333
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paradisedynastyph/
Website: http://paradisedynasty.ph
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