Chinese casual dining restaurant Modern Shanghai takes its guests anew to a gastronomic journey with the launch of “Grand Dine-asty,” so called because most of the restaurant’s new dishes have deep roots and historical significance in various parts of China.
Certain to please the modern palate, these new sweet and savory dishes are expertly prepared by the restaurant’s Chinese chef using traditional ingredients and cooking methods to preserve the dishes’ authenticity.
From the province of Hainan comes Modern Shanghai’s version of Hainanese Chicken, a definite must try with its exquisitely succulent half portion of white organic chicken meat steamed with aromatics like ginger and lemon grass and served with fragrant rice and garlic-chili dip (P538).
A popular fare in Singapore, this dish actually traces its origins in China’s smallest province located at the southernmost part of the country. Its tender and moist meat comes not only from the slow steaming process but also from using young poultry. This dish also comes in regular half chicken (P398) and leg quarter with Rice (P258).
Another way to enjoy chicken is to have it cooked in soy sauce, which gives the dish its perfect golden color while spices add flavor. Soy Chicken is a northern Chinese specialty that is a staple in many family feasts. Modern Shanghai offers this dish in regular (P398) and organic half chicken (P538), sharing style. You can also enjoy it in regular leg quarter Soy Chicken with rice (P258).
For those who love red meat, the restaurant finds inspiration in one of Guangdong’s famous dishes, the Black Pepper Beef (P328) , to indulge guests’ craving for both protein and heat. Bite-sized strips of top quality beef are quickly stir fried to with black peppers, white onions, garlic and ginger.
Noodle-lovers, meanwhile, will be happy to know the addition of the Birthday Noodles (P298). Eating noodles is a symbol of long life in Chinese culture and traditionally served during birthdays and Chinese New Year. It is their counterpart to the birthday cake. Modern Shanghai’s take on this dish has noodles and assorted seafood, meat and vegetables in a savory sauce
For something light but filling, have a serving of Old Fashioned Shandong Buns (2 pieces at P128), a beloved snack from the coastal province of Shandong that’s steam-fried and filled with tasty minced meat and vegetables.
Other recommended dishes to share are the Modern Shanghai Clay Pot Tofu (P348) and Eggplant and Salty Fish Clay Pot (P228) good for 2-4 persons. The latter was inspired by the traditional recipe of Southern China with fresh tofu, bok choy and shrimp masterfully cooked in a clay pot. The Salty Fish Clay Pot, on the other hand, is a unique Chinese dish of braised eggplant sautéed with tinapang lapu-lapu.
A perfect way to end a filling meal at Modern Shanghai is the restaurant’s toothsome desserts. Be sure to leave room for these treats – Cantonese Sponge Cake(P128) , traditional steamed brown sugar sponge cake; Chocolate Buchi(4 pieces at P188) and Cookies and Cream (4 pieces at P208), authentic Chinese rice pastry with a Western twist.
Modern Shanghai is The Bistro Group’s first Chinese restaurant concept
that offers food lovers an authentic taste of Chinese cuisine in a modern Asian setting.
For a complete list of Modern Shanghai’s new dishes, check out www.facebook.com/ModernShanghaiPhilippines or visit any of the restaurant’s branches located in 2/F North Veranda, SM Mall of Asia and 3/F Glorietta 2.
