Crystal Jade Dining-in
If you’ve been to Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao in Greenhills, then you might already have an idea what to expect from the newly opened Crystal Jade Dining-In Chinese restaurant in Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City.
But you are not entirely right. Although almost similar in name, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao focuses in dimsum while Crystal Jade Dining-In offers authentic Cantonese cuisine.
Starting w/ the appetizer
Having started in Singapore before expanding to foreign lands, Crystal Jade restaurant has already been known for years for its authentic Chinese cuisines with a twist and exquisite food.
For the unfamiliar, here are some dishes we tried from their menu a week ago:
Baked Bo Lo BBQ Pork Bun
The Baked Bo Lo BBQ Pork Bun (180/3pcs) is good appetizer that is a bit on the ‘heavy’ side. But you wouldn’t mind it with the tasty oriental style BBQ pork in a soft bun baked in Hong Kong style bo lo crust.
Baked Bo Lo BBQ Pork Bun
Crispy Duck Sandwich & Shredded Duck Fruit Salad
Appetizers are most flavorful in Chinese restaurants so much so you can mistake it for a main dish. And the Crispy Duck Sandwich (P680) is one example.
It has eight slices of bite-size duck meat with crispy skin on top. Although not indicated in the menu, it is actually a Peking Duck.
It is also served with a generous and creamy shredded duck fruit salad on the side which complements the crunchy duck sandwich.
Crispy Duck Sandwich
Sauteed Prawn & Scallop with Chicken and Assorted Mushroom Served in Pumpkin
The pumpkin is certainly a looker with a mixture of prawns, scallops, chicken, and assorted mushroom filling.
As complicated as it looks, it is actually a simple sauteed dish. What makes it good are the necessary fresh ingredients (such as the prawns and scallops) and the interesting variety of mushrooms. A perfect dish for mushroom lovers.
I’m not sure though if the pumpkin can be requested to be sliced and served. I didn’t dare ask at that time. 🙂 A small serving costs P680.
Sautéed Scallop & Prawn with Chicken & Assorted Mushroom served in Pumpkin
Braised Pork with Special Sauce + Bun
If you’re Chinese, you’ve certainly had this dish one time or the other.
Their braised pork (P350) looks similar with most Chinese restaurants but certainly tastes among the best. Served with toasted or steamed bun (also known as kua pao), you can put the sweet pork in between. Don’t forget to put a lot of sauce in it.
Surely, one kua pao will not be enough for this dish. Feel free to order another with only a few bucks.
Braised Pork with Special Sauce (served with bun)
Double Boiled Crab Claw Soup with Superior Mushroom in Fresh Coconut
This is the highlight of the day. I haven’t had a dish like this in any Chinese restaurant I’ve been to for the past 34 years.
The Double Boiled Crab Claw Soup with Superior Mushroom in Fresh Coconut (P480) is exactly as its name describes. Served in a half-open young coconut shell, the light-tasting broth was boiled once before it is put in the ‘buko‘, and boiled again while “in” the ‘buko‘ shell.
The crab claw is gigantic and meaty while the mushrooms are perfect with the broth. You can actually put this towards the end of the meal as a great pallete cleanser as well. :p
Double-boiled Crab Claw Soup with Superior Mushroom in Fresh Coconut
Chilled Avocado Pudding & Pomelo
The Chilled Avocado Pudding (P180) is a refreshing break from the flavorful dishes we just had above. The soft pudding will be loved by everyone from kids to adults. The pomelo bits give an interesting texture as well. It’s a bit overpriced for me though.
Chilled Avocado Pudding & Pomelo
Dessert Time!
Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Taro
For a buchi lover like me, the Glutinous Rice Dumpling (P160/3pcs) is a welcome dessert. Although without the external sesame seeds, it is covered with coconut shreds whose texture complements the taro filling.
Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Taro
Crystal Jade Dining In
Bonifacio High Street Central, Taguig City
Contact Nos. (+632)808-5233; (+632)519-8191
11 am to 11 pm
Crystal Jade Dining-In