Celebrate SG50 at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight

There's no better place to savor Xiao Long Bao, the iconic soup dumpling, than at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight. And as Singapore celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, it's also a good time to discover rich and authentic Singaporean flavors in a dumpling...

Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight joins Singapore's national celebration of its 50th Anniversary with the limited edition Hainanese Chicken Xiao Long Bao and the Chili Crab Xiao Long Bao. It's Xiao Long Bao with a uniquely Singaporean twist... 

Crystal Jade Culinary Concepts Holding, founded in Singapore back in 1991, celebrates the independence anniversary of its country of origin with limited edition variants for its popular xiao long bao infusing uniquely Singaporean flavors. The special Limited Edition Xiao Long Bao in Hainanese Chicken and Chili Crab flavors (P 228) are available only until September 30, 2015. You can even order a combo with both flavors for the same price. It's SG50 with a flavorful spin, only at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight.

Our feast at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight began with the Noodle with Dried Shrimp & Peanut in Spicy Sauce (P 328 Full Portion/P 198 Snack Portion), a comforting bowl of noodles in a thick and rich sauce with a spicy kick.

Each noodle, with its perfectly chewy texture, is draped with the rich sauce bursting with flavor in every bite. A layer of soothing heat follows each distinct note, from the mildly salty dried shrimps and the delicate sweetness of peanuts for a flavorful and hefty dish. This one's a meal in itself.

Then, the Limited Edition Xiao Long Bao was served, with a combination of Hainanese Chicken (upper left) and Chili Crab (lower right) Xiao Long Bao. The contrasting colors sets both variants apart, and if you go for the combo, start with the Hainanese Chicken Xiao Long Bao... 

With both chopsticks and a spoon, lift the delicate Hainanese Chicken Xiao Long Bao from the bamboo steamer with its topknot, also the strongest part of the dumpling. Then, gently dip the Xiao Long Bao in the vinegar-ginger dip. Better yet, skip the dip first to fully enjoy the flavors on its own.

Laid on a spoon, nibble gently to release the steam and the piping hot broth, and as it cools, finish it off from the spoon. The flavors of the Hainanese Chicken Xiao Long Bao are rich yet mild and delicate, with just a hint of ginger. It's comfortingly familiar, yet new and different in its soup dumpling execution. The richness of the Hainanese Chicken pairs well with the xiao long bao for a celebratory Singaporean flavor experience.

After the Hainanese Chicken Xiao Long Bao, go for the brightly colored Chili Crab Xiao Long Bao. The Chili Crab Xiao Long Bao's vibrant colors are as intense as its flavors, capturing one of Singapore's iconic dishes and recreating it in a soup dumpling.

The delicate and briny sweetness of the crab and the sharp and more pronounced notes of the chili are balanced by the mild flavors of the dumpling for another winning combination. Both variants recreate classic Singaporean flavors, a fitting tribute to commemorate Singapore's fiftieth anniversary.

For the mains, our feast continued with Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight's Fried Rice in Yang Chow Style (P 288) paired with...

...one of Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight's newest dishes, Sauteed Squid with Salted Egg Yolk (P 388). The texture of the tender squid contrasts with the light and crisp batter, but it's the salted egg that makes this dish special. The bold notes of the salted egg provides that flavorful kick to the dish, making this dish another must-try along with the new limited edition Xiao Long Bao.

Our feast continued with Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight's signature dishes, like the Sauteed Bean Curd with Seafood in Hot Stone Pot (P 458), a hearty and comforting dish with soft tofu, seafood and vegetables, served sizzling hot...

...and the Sauteed Sliced Beef with Broccoli (P 358), with tender beef, mushrooms, and fresh broccoli. The flavors are mild and clean, and not overpowering, and great as is or paired with the Yang Chow Fried Rice. The vegetables in both dishes are fresh, delivering a delicate sweetness and a crisp snap with each bite. New dishes, along with signature bestsellers, there's always something new to discover and familiar flavors to come back to at Crystal jade Shanghai Delight.

For dessert, Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight offers several options to cap your feast, including the signature Mango Cream with Sago & Pomelo (P 130, L) and the colorful Chilled Avocado Pudding with Mango Cream & Pomelo (P 159, R), or...

...Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight's Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Taro (P 120). Another satisfying lunch at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight, with a celebratory Singaporean twist. Savor Singapore's fiftieth anniversary with the new limited edition Hainanese Chicken and Chili Crab Xiao Long Bao, only at Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight.

Crystal Jade Shanghai Delight is located at Unit 117-121, V-Mall, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan. or call 570-5233 for inquiries and reservations.

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