Paradise Dynasty: Charcoal Custard Lava Bun, Xiao Long Bao, and more!

Paradise Dynasty - The Podium

Just after a year of successful opening at S' Maison in Conrad Manila, Paradise Dynasty made its way to another strategic and upscale location at the new side of The Podium.

luxurious ambiance

This Singapore-franchised dining destination exhibits a different interior as the S' Maison branch but provides the same luxurious modern imperial vibe.

different interior as S' Maison branch

Spacious, sophisticated, no doubt diners may be intimidated by its exterior and interior. But surprisingly, food offerings here at Paradise Dynasty are affordable! I can even think of other Chinese restaurants with more expensive dishes yet does not provide the same level of elegant ambiance.


spacious	modern imperial vibe

There are two function rooms that can accommodate 12 people each for a more private setup.

function rooms

I've tasted half of the dishes served here in my first Paradise Dynasty visit in S' Maison branch. You may read my experience here: http://www.patchesoflifebyjessa.com/2017/01/paradise-dynasty-xiao-long-bao-and-more.html.

But what's good about this new branch in The Podium is that there are new dishes only being served here (for now) such as the Charcoal Custard Lava Bun, Chilled Baby Spinach with Vermicelli, Kung Pao Chicken, and Crispy-fried Crystal Prawns tossed with Salted Egg Yolk.

Drinks


Water Chestnut Drink (Php80)	Homemade Barley Tea (Php80)

If you're tired of the usual soda, shake, or juice, try Water Chestnut Drink or Homemade Barley Tea, in hot or cold, for a unique yet refreshing drink. Water Chestnut Drink has this sweet, corn-like taste. Can be likened to watered down nutty syrup, but good! For Homemade Barley Tea, the first thing that comes to my mind is "am" or rice water. Simple and earthy, with unapparent sweetness.

Charcoal Custard Lava Bun (3pcs - 188Php)

Charcoal Custard Lava Bun

Oh my, these new-in-the-menu Charcoal Custard Lava Buns are gems! The soft charcoal-infused black buns reveal a golden oozing filling of salted egg yolk custard -- creamy and balanced saltiness and sweetness. I'd definitely have this again!

Charcoal Custard Lava Bun

Radish Pastry (3pcs - 138Php)

Radish Pastry

I don't usually eat radish unless it is in a radish cake form. But this Radish Pastry is a wonderful way to enjoy it through its thin crunchy and flaky layers complementing the soft shredded radish filling. It's a great starter or even snack.

Radish Pastry

Special Dynasty Xiao Long Bao 8 Flavours (8pcs - 388Php)

Special Dynasty Xiao Long Bao 8 Flavours

The Special Dynasty Xiao Long Bao in 8 flavors that made Paradise Dynasty famous should definitely be part of your list when you dine here. The proper, or ideal, way to eat it is to start with the Original Xiao Long Bao (white) in the middle, then Ginseng (green), going clockwise for increasing flavor intensity: Foie Gras (brown), Black Truffle (black), Cheesy (yellow), Crab Roe (orange), Garlic (gray), and Szechuan (red).

Foie Gras Xiao Long Bao


Special Dynasty Xiao Long Bao 8 Flavours	Signature Original Xiao Long Bao

Signature Original Xiao Long Bao (6pcs - 188Php, 10pcs - 298Php)

Signature Original Xiao Long Bao

I haven't tried all the 8 xiao long bao flavors yet tasting the Signature Original Xiao Long Bao alone is equally satisfying. These delicate pieces burst in your mouth with its light and tasty soup and leaves a wonderful experience.

Pork Dumpling in Hot Chili Vinaigrette (6pcs - 168Php)

Pork Dumpling in Hot Chili Vinaigrette

It may look like dumplings soaked in chili sauce, but no worries as these Pork Dumpling in Hot Chili Vinaigrette just provides a kick of sour and spice to heighten the meaty dumpling.


Pork Dumpling in Hot Chili Vinaigrette	Chilled Tofu with Century Egg

Paradise Dynasty's Chilled Tofu with Century Egg (188Php)

Chilled Tofu with Century Egg

Chilled Tofu with Century Egg is a good choice as appetizer with its lightness and mild taste. Some people like me are not so fond of century egg. But for this dish, I feel that the century egg bits enhance the flavor.

Chilled Baby Spinach with Vermicelli (288Php)

Chilled Baby Spinach with Vermicelli

Another new in the menu is the Chilled Baby Spinach with Vermicelli. I am not a veggie lover but I appreciate the baby spinach crunch combined with some sourness and spice.

Lettuce Roll with Homemade Sesame Sauce (288Php)

Lettuce Roll with Homemade Sesame Sauce

Lettuce Roll with Homemade Sesame Sauce looks really simple -- literally rolling lettuce and having sesame sauce as dip. But the freshness and crunch of the lettuce is really good that even I, who is not into greens, enjoyed it by just dipping on the sauce. A healthy option for appetizer.

Lettuce Roll

Steamed Glutinous Rice stuffed in Red Dates (238Php)

Steamed Glutinous Rice stuffed in Red Dates

Steamed Glutinous Rice stuffed in Red Dates is something listed appetizer but I don't mind having as dessert. This is really good -- imagine sweet sticky rice in fruity and healthy red dates. Recommended!


Steamed Glutinous Rice stuffed in Red Dates	Stir-fried Shredded Pork in Black Bean Sauce

Stir-fried Shredded Pork in Black Bean Sauce served with Chinese Crepes (388Php)


shredded pork on Chinese crepe	Stir-fried Shredded Pork in Black Bean Sauce

They may look like noodles but this is Stir-fried Shredded Pork in Black Bean Sauce. The texture of the shredded pork feels like noodles, but once you've tasted it, you'll realize it's really pork. The black bean sauce is very savory and it works best by wrapping it in Chinese crepe.

Scrambled Egg White with Fish and Conpoy (328Php)

Scrambled Egg White with Fish and Conpoy

Scambled Egg White with Fish and Conpoy appears like a normal egg soup but it is tasty! I personally did not notice the actual fish and conpoy as they blended well with the egg white pieces, but the taste says it all.

Scrambled Egg White with Fish and Conpoy

Kung Pao Chicken (298Php)

Kung Pao Chicken

I love Kung Pao Chicken in general due to its sweet and spicy combination. Having this as one of the new additions in Paradise Dynasty's menu is a definite thumbs up for me! Add to that, their version has cashew crunch, no strong flavors, and truly enjoyable.


Kung Pao Chicken	Crystal Prawns in Salted Egg Yolk

Crispy-fried Crystal Prawns tossed in Salted Egg Yolk (588Php)

Crispy-fried Crystal Prawns tossed in Salted Egg Yolk

Crispy-fried Crystal Prawns tossed in Salted Egg Yolk is another new in the menu but should be part of the must-try list at Paradise Dynasty. Prawns were cut into pieces and were covered in salted egg yolk batter to appear like poppers. If you're a fan of salted egg dishes, don't miss this dish! The salted egg texture is very evident yet the saltiness level is well-balanced.

La Mian with Scallion (Dry) (200Php)

La Mian with Scallion

La Mian with Scallion is the noodle soup you'll need after tasting various dishes of varied flavors. The light and pleasant taste of the soup is a great way to cleanse the palate.


La Mian with Scallion	Poached Sliced Fish in Szechuan Chili Oil

Poached Sliced Fish in Szechuan Chili Oil (788Php)

Poached Sliced Fish in Szechuan Chili Oil

For a more challenging soup option, try Poached Sliced Fish in Szechuan Chili Oil. But please be warned that this dish is really really hot and spicy -- the kind that will linger in your mouth and trigger a few coughs. Although the spiciness is so evident, it is not numbing and you can still taste the other ingredients in the soup. Though really, this is not for everyone, especially those who suffer GERD like me. The one I described is even the "less spicy" variant.

Poached Sliced Fish in Szechuan Chili Oil

Pan-fried Pancake with Red Bean Paste (168Php)

Pan-fried Pancake with Red Bean Paste

Dessert time! First up is the Pan-fried Pancake with Red Bean Paste. Thin, crispy, light. The outer part reminds me of the pan-fried crisp and taste of tikoy. The red bean filling is enough to provide that sweetness to complement the crunch.

Pan-fried Pancake with Red Bean Paste


Pan-fried Pancake with Red Bean Paste	Pan-fried Pumpkin Pastry

Pan-fried Pumpkin Pastry (138Php)

Pan-fried Pumpkin Pastry

Pan-fried Pumpkin Pastry has very thin crisp part but the rest are slightly chewy like tikoy. I like it as it is not overwhelmingly sweet though I have yet to associate it with pumpkin.

I admit I am one of those happy people that Paradise Dynasty branched out. I find it as one of the best Chinese restaurants for the following reasons: quality and great-tasting food, unique and various food selections, luxurious ambiance, and given all those, they manage to keep their prices at reasonable amount.

Paradise Dynasty
Second Floor, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City