Ming Palace Restaurant and Mooncakes at Corus Hotel by Polly Szantor
I had a last-minute offer to join a group of food bloggers at Ming Palace Restaurant, and when the word DURIAN is included in the invitation, I just can’t say “no”. We were asked to review the Mooncakes, especially the durian varieties, so the wonderful dinner that preceded them was an unexpected bonus.
Ming Palace must be one of Kuala Lumpur’s best kept
secrets. I had no idea that this
rather unassuming hotel, known to me only as the terminus for the Aeroline Bus
to Singapore, had such an excellent restaurant. The reason became obvious later when the chefs presented the
Mooncakes. Executive Chef Ng,
formally with the Equatorial Hotel, brings with him a wealth of experience and
stunning recipes, while Chef Raymond Seow oversees the Dim Sum and Mooncakes.
secrets. I had no idea that this
rather unassuming hotel, known to me only as the terminus for the Aeroline Bus
to Singapore, had such an excellent restaurant. The reason became obvious later when the chefs presented the
Mooncakes. Executive Chef Ng,
formally with the Equatorial Hotel, brings with him a wealth of experience and
stunning recipes, while Chef Raymond Seow oversees the Dim Sum and Mooncakes.
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Dinner began with Chicken and Cordycep Flower Herbal
Soup. These special mushroom
flowers are thought to have a host of health benefits including improving kidney
and liver function, and reducing blood pressure, blood sugar and heart disease.
Chinese Herbal Soup is not usually a favourite of mine, but this version won me
over. Tender chicken sat in a rich
broth and I enjoyed the chewy texture of the flowers. The soup was followed by 4 varieties of Dim Sum, each most delicious:
Otak-Otak Siew Mai, an interesting take on a Malaysian classic, Steamed
Dumplings Sichuan Style in a spicy vinegar sauce, Prawn Dumplings with Seaweed
and Tofu Skin Roll with Shredded Scallop and Chicken.
Soup. These special mushroom
flowers are thought to have a host of health benefits including improving kidney
and liver function, and reducing blood pressure, blood sugar and heart disease.
Chinese Herbal Soup is not usually a favourite of mine, but this version won me
over. Tender chicken sat in a rich
broth and I enjoyed the chewy texture of the flowers. The soup was followed by 4 varieties of Dim Sum, each most delicious:
Otak-Otak Siew Mai, an interesting take on a Malaysian classic, Steamed
Dumplings Sichuan Style in a spicy vinegar sauce, Prawn Dumplings with Seaweed
and Tofu Skin Roll with Shredded Scallop and Chicken.
Next came Sichuan Noodles with Prawns. These chewy noodles are made of mung
bean and potato flour, with a texture quite unlike regular wheat or rice
noodles. They were excellent.
Pipa Tofu with Apple Salad was new to me. The tofu is mixed with scallops, chicken
and onion and formed into the shape of a pipa, a classical Chinese stringed
instrument. It was served on a bed
of crunchy, sweet-sour green apples in mayonnaise, creating a tasty and unusual
combination.
and onion and formed into the shape of a pipa, a classical Chinese stringed
instrument. It was served on a bed
of crunchy, sweet-sour green apples in mayonnaise, creating a tasty and unusual
combination.
The Crispy Chicken with Mango Thai Style was quite
unlike the usual Thai Green Mango Salad.
This version was more citrusy and a bit sweeter than the Thai variety. I’m not sure how the chef managed to
maintain the crispy skin on the chicken, but it worked very well and created
another winning arrangement.
unlike the usual Thai Green Mango Salad.
This version was more citrusy and a bit sweeter than the Thai variety. I’m not sure how the chef managed to
maintain the crispy skin on the chicken, but it worked very well and created
another winning arrangement.
The final savoury course, Pan-fried Dumplings with Shallots and
Chives, also elicited appreciation from all. I had to stop myself from reaching for a second ball of
tender, flaky pastry filled with mellow allium flavours. I knew I had to leave room for the pièce de résistance, the
Mooncakes!
Chives, also elicited appreciation from all. I had to stop myself from reaching for a second ball of
tender, flaky pastry filled with mellow allium flavours. I knew I had to leave room for the pièce de résistance, the
Mooncakes!
But there was one more treat in store, a palate-cleansing Chilled Ginger Jelly. Light and refreshing, this was the perfect segue to the jewels of the evening, the mighty Mooncakes.
The Corus Hotel is offering
10 varieties of Mooncakes this year, and I had the privilege of tasting seven
of them. They have several
traditional flavours such as Lotus Paste with Single Yolk, and my personal
favourite made with seeds and nuts. There is also a low sugar version with white lotus paste. One of my companions pointed out the thin crust of these baked cakes,
meaning more of the filling we so enjoy.
The more modern mooncakes are made with a soft skin and are fresh rather than baked, such as the Snow Skin Ying Yang Sesame. They’re a little softer and more delicate than the more robust baked variety, but they’re equally delicious.
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The gold Medal winner in 2010 and 2011 was the Snow Skin D24 Durian Mooncake and new for 2012, is the latest edition to the repertoire, the Snow Skin Musang King Mooncake, my all-time favourite. These delicate, aromatic delights entice the nostrils and reward the tongue. Absolutely delectable! Please note that the snow skin varieties are fragile. They must be kept in the fridge and eaten within 2 days or they can be frozen.
Reason to visit:
To experience a feast of flavours at Ming Palace Restaurant, and to
taste the heavenly Durian Mooncakes.
To experience a feast of flavours at Ming Palace Restaurant, and to
taste the heavenly Durian Mooncakes.
Ming Palace is pork-free, and the restaurant is in
the process of applying halal certification. For reservations please call 03-2160-5927/5988
the process of applying halal certification. For reservations please call 03-2160-5927/5988
For more information visit the hotel’s
website: www.corushotelkl.com
I heard that their Snow Skin Musang King Mooncake is very good, will go and try that soon! 😀
I think they're fantastic, CK. I heartily recommend the Ming Palace too.
there's something about a chinese banquet that just can't quite be replicated in other cuisine! i love the sharing of huge plates of sumptuous recipes. and there's always something different to try … i hadn't heard of tofu with apple salad either! 😀
I think it's especially appealing when the chefs embellish a recipe and make it their own. I was impressed by the combination of flavours and textures in several of the dishes at the Ming Palace Restaurant.