Progressive Chinese: A Tasty Peek at Ping Pong Diplomacy's New Dishes

Who would've thought that the game of table tennis would pave the way in re-opening Sino-American relations back in the seventies? A milestone in international diplomacy, it's also the inspiration behind one of the metro's newest restaurants serving modern Chinese cuisine...

The wittingly named Ping Pong Diplomacy at SM Aura Premier offers its own inventive take on modern Chinese cuisine, described as "Progressive Chinese," for a new flavor experience that's unique and different. Fusion? Not quite. It's Chinese flavors that's fresh and bold that can only come from the out-of-the-box philosophy of maverick techpreneur Charles Paw and Chefs Him Uy de Baron and Noel Mauricio. Come and step back in time, back to the seventies when Nixon and Chairman Mao shook hands for the first time thanks to the game of ping pong, and experience Chinese cuisine like nothing you've tried before at Ping Pong Diplomacy...

Located at the third level of SM Aura Premier, it's hard to miss Ping Pong Diplomacy with its bold yet playful interiors consistent with its quirky name. The design theme takes its cue from Chinatown in the seventies, when America and much of the world didn't know much about China except for the common stereotypes.

Inside Ping Pong Diplomacy (R), your nostalgic step back in time is helped along with a play list of familiar tunes from the era, setting the mood for a unique dining experience. On one side of the brightly-lit interiors, one can take a peek at the semi-open kitchen layout, with Chef Him Uy de Baron (L) firing  up the kitchen.

Techpreneur Charles Paw had a simple directive, redefine Chinese and American cuisine in ways never done before, and Chefs Him Uy de Baron and Noel Mauricio took the challenge with a fresh and open mind. "No cookbooks." Start fresh. Clean slate. And the concept of Ping Pong Diplomacy slowly took shape with its wide array of unique dishes. Where else can you find burgers with an Asian spin with their Oriental Burgers like 5-Spice Chicken, Szechuan Pork Belly, or Cumin Pulled Lamb? And with inventive new additions to the menu, Ping Pong Diplomacy is on a mission to re-excite your palate. Start your game at Ping Pong Diplomacy with their refreshing Cucumber Ginger Cooler (P 110), an invigorating blend of cucumber and ginger and the perfect beverage to open up your palate for their new dishes...

There's really nothing simple with Ping Pong Diplomacy's Simple Fried Egg (P 195), a tasty and crisp egg dish with scallions and pork floss drizzled with oriental sauce. Definitely not your usual egg dish...

Savory with a whisper of sweetness and a soothing layer of heat from the chilies, Ping Pong Diplomacy's Simple Fried Egg delivers rich flavors and textural contrasts with each bite. From the crisp outer layer of pork floss and chicken skin to the soft egg, this one's a real winner. The sheer simplicity of the dish is what makes it an absolute must-try at Ping Pong Diplomacy.

But Chefs Him Uy de Baron and Noel Mauricio have more tricks up their sleeves. The Crunchy Eggplant (P 195), with battered and deep-fried eggplant draped in a fragrant sweet and tart sauce with prickly ash is perfectly crisp, and you can't stop with just one piece.. And the crispness is retained despite being covered in sauce. The fresh herbs add to the multiple layers of distinct flavors, with each tasty bite more intense than the last. It's amazing what Chefs Him Uy de Baron and Noel Mauricio can do with eggs and eggplant, but there's more...

Crab fat ice cream? Absolutely. It's the kind of unconventional creativity you can expect from Ping Pong Diplomacy. The Cold Shrimp Salad (P 320), with plump shrimps laid on Crab Fat Ice Cream and Szechuan Puffed Rice with coconut dressing takes the traditional cold seafood salad to a whole new level. The briny sweetness of the fresh shrimps is kicked up a notch with yet another layer of richness from the crab fat ice cream. Crab fat ice cream may seem so wrong, but all you need is one bite of the succulent shrimps with a spoonful of crab fat ice cream and Szechuan puffed rice to erase all your doubts. Seriously.

Going Chinese is never complete without Yang Chow Fried Rice (P 280), wok-fried rice with char siu and vegetables, and Ping Pong Diplomacy's version pairs well with the savory dishes served next...

...like the Soy Lacquered Chicken (P 495), the classic chicken dish reinvented with Chinese style lacquer, orange and cinnamon. The tender and juicy roast chicken with its sweet and savory lacquered glaze is clearly another winner chicken dinner. The subtle notes of the chicken are complemented by the lacquered glaze, and you'll want some extra Yang Chow Fried Rice with this one.

The Lump Crab Scallion Oil Noodles (P 585), soft yet firm noodles topped with succulent lump crab meat, ginger, scallion oil, and spring onions, is another tasty surprise. Unlike the usual overly seasoned noodle dishes, this dish has pleasantly subtle notes where the delicate flavors of the crab meat come through with its fresh flavors. The scallions and herbs complete the dish. In contrast with the other dishes, the Lump Crab Scallion Oil Noodles was a tasty change of pace with its mild flavors, and it's a personal favorite.

The Steamed Sea Bass (P 1,400), with a buttery soft fillet of premium sea bass draped in savory garlic sauce and ginger soy is another dish that preserves and maintains the natural, clean and fresh flavors of the fish. The sea bass just melts in your mouth, followed by the nutty hints of garlic. It's another well-executed dish at Ping Pong Diplomacy.

Have your veggies. Ping Pong Diplomacy's Chopsuey (P 325) is yet another tasty spin of the classic vegetable dish, with the smoky hints of grilled vegetables adding a unique flavor to the dish, and perfectly finished by the chop suey sauce and fresh red radish.

Bold flavors make a comeback with Ping Pong Diplomacy's savory Braised Beef Curry Casserole (P 550), with tender slow-braised beef, cheddar cheese, and sweet potato gratin...

...and the Sweet and Sour Pork (P 445), yet another playful twist on the original dish with crisp pork spare ribs, pineapple chunks and roasted apples. The sweetness of the pineapple chunks and roasted apples add that familiar flavor to the dish, but it's the crunchy and well-seasoned pork spare ribs that make it refreshingly new and different. Both the Sweet and Sour Pork and Braised Beef Curry Casserole require extra orders of Yang Chow Fried Rice, so go ahead...

And here's the beef. Ping Pong Diplomacy's Sesame Beef and Broccoli (P 875), fork-tender Black Angus Steak with marbled potatoes, grilled broccoli, and sesame beef sauce, capped our preview of the new dishes. Tender, juicy and perfectly grilled, the Sesame Beef and Broccoli reflects the creative Sino-American fusion of flavors, and it works. The beefy richness of the premium steak is great on its own, with the sweet broccoli completing the dish. Another favorite.

The new dishes are a welcome addition to Ping Pong Diplomacy's current menu, reflecting the unique style and playful approach to flavors. Each dish brings together familiar flavors, executed in new and exciting ways, just like their innovative burgers. And now that I've mentioned Ping Pong Diplomacy's bold burger creations, here's even more good news. From June 5 to 9, Ping Pong Diplomacy offers their signature burgers for only P 8. You read that right. Lucky 8 takes on a whole new and flavorful meaning at Ping Pong Diplomacy, all you have to do is line up at Ping Pong Diplomacy at 2pm on the said dates and select one burger of your choice: the 5-Spice Chicken, Szechuan Pork Belly, or Cumin Pulled Lamb. But better hurry. The lucky 8 offer is only good for the first 50 customers per day. But rest easy, you've got June 5 to 9 to avail of the offer, that's five days. Then again, it's always a good idea to drop by Ping Pong Diplomacy and try the new dishes, so you win either way. Game? Let's...

Ping Pong Diplomacy is located at the Third Floor of SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City or call 02 960-4271 for inquiries and more information.

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