Experience the Flavors of Dragon Court: Hakaw, Siomai, Fried Rice, & Beyond
Recently, I was invited to visit Dragon Court Restaurant to sample their food, and I couldn’t resist the temptation! After coming back from Iloilo, I had planned to start a week of cleansing with fruits and veggies, but I quickly realized that I wasn’t quite ready to give up all the deliciousness that Dragon Court had to offer. Needless to say, I was wrong – again!
I was excited to visit the newly reopened Manila Prince Hotel, and thanks to car-hailing services, I quickly found it near some of Manila’s most popular universities. As soon as I stepped into the lobby, I was filled with nostalgia.
But nothing could have prepared me for the experience that awaited me in the Dragon Court restaurant. It felt like I had been transported to my favorite dimsum restaurants in Shanghai! The interior was adorned with red lanterns, and the classic Lazy Susan revolving table added a touch of magic to the oriental ambiance. I knew I was in for a truly unforgettable experience.
After over two years of closure due to the pandemic, Dragon Court has finally reopened its doors and is now welcoming guests to experience the luxurious and traditional Chinese cuisine in its grand and elegant setting. Step inside and be transported to a world of authentic flavors and exquisite dishes, all served in an atmosphere of an old-world dimsum restaurant.
Here are some of the dishes we sampled:
Shrimp Dumpling (Hakaw)
Hakaw, the beloved dim sum dish originating in Guangdong, China, is a steamed dumpling filled with succulent shrimp and crunchy bamboo shoots. Its unique wrapper made of wheat starch gives it a translucent look, and it’s often served with a side of soy or chili sauce for added flavor. This delightful dish is also called har gow or crystal shrimp dumplings.
Shrimp and Pork Siomai with Crab Roe
I never thought I’d find something that could make siomai even more delicious, but when I tried Shrimp and Pork Siomai with Crab Roe, I was amazed! The combination of ground pork, shrimp, and crab roe wrapped in a thin dough wrapper and steamed to perfection was just divine. It’s now my favorite siomai in town, and I can’t get enough of it!
Prince Hot and Sour Soup
Hot and Sour Soup is a popular soup in Chinese cuisine known for its spicy and sour flavors. The soup typically includes mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu, and thinly sliced pork, all cooked in a flavorful broth made with chicken or vegetable stock, rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili paste, and other seasonings. Some recipes also call for adding wood ear mushrooms, lily buds, or egg ribbons.
Vegetarian Stewed Eggplant in Clay Pot
Satisfy your taste buds with a classic Chinese dish of Stewed Eggplant served in a traditional Clay Pot. This spicy dish is packed with flavor, thanks to the combination of eggplant, ground pork, garlic, ginger, scallions, and a delicious sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and rice wine.
Simmered in a clay pot, the eggplant becomes tender, and the flavors mingle together to create a truly unforgettable dish. As a lover of all things spicy, I can attest that this is one meal that will not disappoint!
Fried Fish Roll with Salad Sauce
I was absolutely delighted when I tried their Fried Fish Roll with Salad Sauce! Instead of the cream dory, they opted for a succulent grouper fish that was lovingly wrapped around a tasty filling of vegetables or cheese, then lightly breaded and fried to golden perfection.
The tangy and creamy salad sauce that accompanied the rolls was the perfect finish, made with a satisfying blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a hint of herbs like dill or parsley. I can only imagine the recipe that goes into making this delectable dish!
Crispy Fried Chicken Hong Kong Style
Crispy Fried Chicken, Hong Kong Style, is everyone’s favorite dish to have your taste buds dancing! This popular dish is known for its crunchy exterior and succulent interior, and it’s often spiced with a hint of five-spice powder or Sichuan peppercorns to give it an extra kick of flavor.
Stir-fried Shredded Pork Beijing Style served with Momo Wrapper.
This classic Chinese dish combines tender, juicy pork slivers with a rich, umami-filled sauce and is served with thin, steamed momo wrappers. The savory stir-fried pork is made with garlic, ginger, scallions, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil, all cooked together to create a flavor explosion.
Dragon Court Fried Rice
The lotus leaf-wrapped fried rice I sampled here at Dragon Court was simply the best! The texture of the rice was just right – not too sticky – and the flavor was spot on, with hints of shredded meat, carrots, shrimp, and other spices. It’s definitely one of the best fried rice dishes I’ve ever had in Manila.
Hot Almond Cream with Glutinous Rice Ball
Finally, for dessert, we indulged in a delightful Chinese classic: Hot Almond Cream with Glutinous Rice Ball. This creamy and nutty treat is renowned for its unique flavor and texture. The glutinous rice balls are filled with sweet black sesame paste and served in a hot almond cream soup. It’s a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth!
Get ready for a culinary feast through the flavors of Chinese cuisine! Dragon Court Restaurant, a renowned haven for Chinese delicacies, is now open and ready to surprise your taste buds. From hot and sour soup to handmade hakaw and siomai, and from Lemon Chicken to their famous selection of fried rice, every bite is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Dragon Court is open for lunch from 11am to 3pm and dinner from 6pm to 10pm, from Mondays to Sundays.
Contact
For inquiries and reservations:
Telephone +632 5328 2222
Email: [email protected]
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