Dining in the Next Normal: Recalling Days of Noodles and Dumplings at Paradise Dynasty Before the Lockdown

If I remember, it was one of the last few dining out experiences before the lockdown. Bowls of fresh noodles and platters of sumptuous dumplings, the usual suspects with every visit at Paradise Dynasty were always at the core of our dining experience. Little did we know that everything was about to change...

News of a viral pandemic in Wuhan, China broke the news as early as December last year but I, like many others, didn't see the need to raise the alarm. Like past experiences with the bird flu and SARS, we all thought that our distance from the mainland would be enough. But Covid-19 was unlike any virus previously encountered. Globalization and the continuing rise in foreign travel helped spread the virus and by March, the extent of the pandemic reached worldwide proportions. Technological advancements in travel made the world a smaller place but it also made it more vulnerable to the spread of viral threats. It's a lot to take in, but that was farthest from our minds that day in Paradise Dynasty...

Paradise Dynasty celebrates four flavorful years in the Philippines as it continues to serve its wide range of bestsellers from noodles and dumplings to savory dishes in all its three branches in the metro. The significant milestone, however, was overshadowed by the lingering threat of a global viral pandemic. Back then, a sudden craving for noodles and dumplings simply meant heading down to one of Paradise Dynasty's three branches in S Maison, The Podium and SM Aura Premier. That changed when a nationwide lockdown was implemented back in March. Suddenly, our daily routine would transform almost overnight, as shifting consumer habits emerged as a result of the pandemic. It's been a year of disruption. We've seen the emergence of home dining and the food delivery culture in the new normal, removing the dining out experience from the daily routine. Cravings for Paradise Dynasty's specialty offerings, like these crunchy Crispy Vegetable Springs Rolls seem to be even more intense when you can't have it...

...and the craving becomes much more real for the Signature Original Xiao Long Bao, the bestselling soup dumplings of Paradise Dynasty.

Delicately soft dumplings with a flavorful pork broth that just bursts with a savory richness with each bite, it's a key element that long defined the Paradise Dynasty dining experience.

Then, there's the countless bowls of comforting noodles at Paradise Dynasty. The La Mian Seafood in Signature Pork Bone Broth combines succulent seafood with springy hand-pulled noodles draped in a rich yet light broth...

...and the La Mian with Pork Wanton in Hot Chili Vinaigrette, one of many personal favorites packing a soothing heat for an added layer of flavor. Soft yet firm noodles and the savory richness of the pork wantons deliver a flavorful punch, capped by the comforting notes of the broth tempered perfectly by the sharpness of the hot chili vinaigrette. 

It's this combination of flavors that you missed during the quarantine. But with its pick-up, take-out and food delivery options, you can once again enjoy these comforting dishes by Paradise Dynasty in the safety and comfort of your own home. 

On the side, the Stir-Fried French Beans with Minced Pork complements your Paradise Dynasty feast delivering both flavors and textures with the subtle crispness and sweetness of the garden-fresh French beans layered with the savory notes of the minced pork. 

My list of favorites at Paradise Dynasty includes the Steamed Pork and Chive Dumpling (L) fresh off the bamboo steamer with its savory filling of pork wrapped in a delicately soft dough and the Fried Rice in Yang Zhou Style (R)...

...which pairs perfectly with the Dynasty Crispy Chicken for a complete meal in itself. We've missed a whole lot of our favorite dining experiences during the lockdown, but food deliveries, at least for the moment, addresses these cravings. The experience component is, however, taken out of the usual equation. The new normal forced the food service sector to adapt and pivot in response to changing consumer habits in these challenging times, and the food delivery option allows many of your favorite establishments to reconnect with their loyal customers.  

The new normal is here to stay, and Paradise Dynasty is open for dine-in, pick-up and take-out following the latest health and safety protocols to satisfy your long repressed cravings for noodles and dumplings. If you'd like to experience Paradise Dynasty at home, you can with their Special Menu for take-out, pick-up and delivery via FoodPanda. As we continue to change and transform in the new normal, it's reassuring to know that some things remain just the way we remember it. Like the dumplings and noodles at Paradise Dynasty. A sudden craving for dumplings and noodles? Paradise Dynasty is here to satisfy your cravings, now celebrating four flavorful years in the country...

Paradise Dynasty is located at the Second Floor, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City or call 682-3333 for inquiries and reservations.

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