Best Food In China

Location

In less than a year, Zen 1903 has received four various people’s choice awards.
When it comes to eating, I am very spontaneous. It’s about what comes to mind at the very moment when I am hungry–a recipe from a cookbook, a mouthwatering picture online, or a sudden craving, or the Weekend Dim Sum Brunch at Zen 1903….

With a large variety of dim sum, and Cantonese dishes, we barely made a dent in the menu but were able to span the categories of choosing.

The Black fungus in mustard sauce was a well prepared light yet spongy fungus, but the mustard sauce was hot enough for a headache if eaten to quickly. It was a definite picker upper and quite a treat.

The Assorted vegetables with sweet sauce were a letdown it has to be said. The sauce was actually more savory bean sauce and consisted of cut carrot, leek, and cucumber. The sauce was separate from the vegetables and was not the sautéed Chinese variety expected.

Zen signature shrimp dumplings were a strong starter. These shrimp dumplings perked me up as soon as I had the first bite, and yes, those shrimps did “crunch” and “bounce” The delicacy of the skin paired wonderfully with the fragrant, fresh shrimp.

The Steamed pork dumplings were tasty mixture of ground pork, fresh ginger, garlic, green onion, and steamed in a bamboo steamer.

The Steamed flat noodle with honey pork was warm, soft and the rice quickly evaporated in the mouth, but was spongy and lacked a strong melody of flavors.

Roast crispy goose by traditional oven was also an odd dish. Similar to roast duck, but served cold and was rather too chewy instead if succulent for my taste.

The Fresh homemade almond cream with egg white was actually warm, almond milk, similar to those found in the store. It would have been tastier if served chilled and would be a great drink rather than dessert.

The Glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf was a savory mushroom and pork with rice that lived up to the name.
The Fried rice with honey pork and vegetables was a highlight, and like western Chinese rice. Flavorful and full of fried egg, leek, spring onion, and pork, the flavors blended well and did not overpower the rice.

The Coconut and flour syrup jelly cake was a lovely palate cleanser. Perfect for summer desserts it placed itself upon the tongue delicately, and then freshen the mouth.

The Pan fried bean curd sheet rolls had a satisfying and heavy amount of well cooked beans, but had a light sponge outer wrap.

The Baked sesame roast pork puff was the favorite dish. Sweet yet sour, it was like a tiny meat pie or pasties.
Finally, the Deep friend glutinous dumpling with diced pork and vegetables were served piping hot, and had a soft molded pork ball that could really be crunched or bitten through lasciviously. They were crunchy and sticky, and lasted in taste.

At RMB 108 per person, and 54 rmb for kids 6-10 years of age, the price is a steal when you think about the unlimited dim sum and the location in the upper crust Qianmen 23. Most places charge around 300 rmb, and are not historically or centrally located. The food is of quality to be expected when dining in establishments like this, and the dumplings and buns do hold their own. There is also on offer a well stocked bar, a breadth of high quality new and old world wines, and of course traditional teas and freshly squeezed juices. A Chardonnay Penfolds is a sweet light compliment to the dim sum.

Zen 1903’s Hong Kong Chef is an award winner back home, including being voted one of the top 5 chefs in Hong Kong, by Best Chef in Hong Kong. In less than a year, Zen 1903 has received four various people’s choice awards. Most weekends are filled with Cantonese expats eating and networking at the dim sum brunch.

As the only Chinese restaurant in Qianmen 23, Zen 1903 with its lounger décor and large windows is a refreshing change in venue and pace from the traditional hotel brunches which tend to have on view a plethora of dishes to make you feel overly satiated and can communicates a vibe of every man for himself in order to ensure you get the dishes you want.. At Zen 1903 the dim sum is brought to you, rather than presented buffet style. Since the brunch is only weekends, and not in a buffet format, the dim sum is fresh and made to order, rather than being allowed to sit out all day.

Of course the service is impeccable with English speaking, diligent staff that even fold your napkin onto your lap.

Zen 1903 is a perfect place to slowly indulge in Cantonese dim sum, while casually unwinding in front of a crystal clear view of Tiananmen Square. With this brunch, you can feel indulgent without paying the price.

-- by Larissa Paschyn

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