Cantonese, Anew: Celebrate The New Year with New Dishes and Exquisite Abalone at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Lung Hin

Signature classics and exciting new dishes await diners at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's acclaimed Cantonese restaurant, Lung Hin...

Recognized as one of the outstanding Chinese restaurants outside of China at the 16th China Hotel Industry Golden Horse Awards, Lung Hin continues to elevate the bar with uncompromising quality, freshness, tradition and authenticity for its signature best-sellers and inspired new dishes to kick-off the new year with a flavorful start.

At the special tasting preview of Lung Hin, the special menu revealed an impressive nine-course feast prepared by new Chinese Executive Chef, Lai Cheuk Kou or simply Chef Terry (R). Chef Terry brings with him well over 36 years of culinary experience from different well-known establishments and hotels in China and Hong Kong.

Have a refreshing beverage like Marco Polo's signature Grape Earl Iced Tea, a soothing blend with Earl Grey Tea, seedless grapes and elderflower-infused ice cubes served with sweet elderflower syrup and Turkish Delight.

Our feast began with the traditional Prosperity Toss with Salmon Yu Sheng, a special Cantonese-style raw fish salad prepared for the new year to symbolize abundance and prosperity. Each ingredient in the seasonal Yu Sheng represents the cherished hopes and aspirations for a bountiful new year...

...coming together in a festive and celebratory toss. The higher and messier the toss, the better. The fresh salmon, along with the fresh vegetables and other ingredients combine for clean and vibrant flavors for an auspicious start to another memorable feast at Lung Hin. The seasonal dish reflects Lung Hin's exceptional cuisine, setting the standard in Cantonese fine-dining (for more on Lung Hin, see my previous posts, Exceptional Service That Exceeds Expectations: A Forbes Travel Guide Staycation at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila  with a lavish dinner at Lung Hin and Marco Polo's Award-Winning Lung Hin on my first dining experience at the hotel's signature Cantonese restaurant).

Chinese Executive Chef Terry then served the first course for the exclusive tasting preview with Lung Hin's delicate Steamed Shrimp Dumplings with Gold Leaf, fresh off the steamers. The gold leaf adds an indulgent touch to the dumplings...

...with each bite delivering contrasting notes from the soft dough and the fresh snap of the shrimps delivering a burst of rich flavors. Each dumpling is masterfully prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients for clean yet bold flavors.

Lung Hin's signature Peking Duck with Osmanthus Jelly on Potato Chip was then served next, a creative reinterpretation of a traditional Cantonese favorite. Elegantly plated, each slice of Peking Duck is intricately laid on the soft Osmanthus Jelly and crisp potato chip. Best enjoyed in one bite to fully experience each distinct note from the different components, the popular best-seller from Lung Hin continues to amaze and impress.

And going for seconds is almost guaranteed and expected with this elaborate specialty at Lung Hin. The richness of the juicy Peking Duck, with its lightly crisp skin, is tempered by the refreshing notes of the fragrant jelly. A hearty and comforting Double-Boiled Chicken with Red Dates and Wolfberry Soup was then served next...

...with the delicate notes of the chicken complemented by the sweet and tart hints of the red dates and wolfberries for perfectly balanced flavors. The mild and subtle flavors soothes both the palate and body, just what you need to enjoy the rest of the feast at Lung Hin. But its the Sauteed Tiger Shrimp Ball in Supreme Chicken Stock that struck just the right notes, playing with your palate with its rich briny sweetness and creamy broth that lingers long after the first sip. A bite of the plump and succulent shrimp ball is announced by an audible snap followed by fresh and clean flavors. The dish is perfectly finished by the equally flavorful broth. This one's a personal favorite. 

The Pan-Fried Grouper Fillet with Truffle Oil and Sugar Peas highlights both texture and flavor in another masterfully executed dish. The light and crisp batter adds textural contrast with the tender and almost melt-in-your-mouth fillet with its sweet and briny hints. The truffle oil adds that indulgent layer of nutty notes giving depth to the dish, and the fresh sugar peas completes the play of varied flavors. 

No Cantonese feast is complete without noodles, and the Pan-Fried Crispy Egg Noodle with Prawn Ball and Minced Pork adds a celebratory vibe to our feast at Lung Hin. The thick and savory sauce drapes the crisp noodles giving it bold flavors, while the savory richness of the minced pork and fresh notes of the prawns complete the festive celebration. Each ingredient brings its own distinct layer of flavor to the dish, pretty much a party on a platter in that elegant Lung Hin style. Chinese Executive Chef Terry has even more flavorful surprises to offer diners at Lung Hin, with his new dishes like Baked Prawns with Cheese and Avocado, Chilled Dragon Fruit with Mango Mix, Steamed Vegetarian Dumplings, Steamed Mushroom Buns, Mini Buddha Jumps Over The Wall Soup, and Braised Japanese Sea Cucumber with Canadian Wild Rice. Exciting things are definitely happening at Lung Hin, but there's more...

From January to February 28, 2018, diners at Lung Hin can experience and indulge in exquisite Abalone along with their other signature dishes for a unique dining experience. Regarded as a premium and much-coveted ingredient due to its high value and limited supply, abalones take the spotlight at Lung Hin with Chef Terry's new dishes like the Braised South African Abalone with Hong Kong Dried Sausage and Waxed Meat Fried Rice. It's a unique dish with the prized abalone draped in a thick and savory sauce flavored by the intense notes of the sausages. The tender abalone delivers delicate flavors complemented by the sauce and sausages for a refreshing and new flavor experience. Diners can enjoy this unique dish for 12 heads at P 3,288 per piece. Other lavish abalone dishes include the Braised Whole Australian Abalone with Supreme Oyster Sauce in 6 heads at P 1,200 per piece, and the Braised Whole South African Dried Abalone with Supreme Oyster Sauce for 12 heads at P 2,088 per piece. Diners can enjoy a variety of set menus with abalone dishes for even more options to fit any occasion or celebration.

Our lavish feast at Lung Hin ends with a traditional Chinese New Year delicacy, the Nian Gao, glutinous rice cakes that have been part of every new year celebration for countless centuries. The sweet and sticky delicacy is believed to bring prosperity and the promise of a better and more abundant year. Diners can enjoy this popular delicacy until February 21, 2018 in a variety of flavors and special packages. Diners and guests can choose between the Double Happiness Koi Nian Gao with both Orange and Coconut Flavors at P 1,388 and the traditional Round Nian Gao in Ube or Brown Sugar Flavors for P 988 per box. Perfect as gifts or as a well-deserved treat to you and your family, Lung Hin adds its own uncompromising quality to the much-loved new year treat.

An exciting new menu alongside popular best-sellers, exquisite abalone dishes and traditional Chinese New Year delicacies, Lung Hin starts the new year with an upbeat and high note. And with Chef Terry at the helm, diners can rediscover what sets Lung Hin apart from the usual Chinese restaurants in the metro with its complete dining experience that begins with the elegant interiors, the panoramic views, exceptional service and impressive dishes. Start the year right with a memorable lunch or dinner at Lung Hin, and experience Cantonese...anew. 

Lung Hin is located at the 44th Floor of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Street, Ortigas Centre, Pasig City, Metro Manila or call (632) 720-7777 for inquiries and reservations. 

Dude for Food is now on Facebook and Instagram, check out the FB Page and IG Feed for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and "Follow" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB and IG widgets on the right sidebar.