The Philippine outpost of celebrity chef Jereme Leung, this fine bay-view restaurant at Conrad Manila is one of the best places for contemporary Chinese cooking in the country. Its expertly made dim sum and barbecued specialties have garnered the attention of local gourmands: China Blue is the originator of the much-copied steamed truffle mushroom bun, shaped to resemble a whole shiitake, while the succulent honey-glazed Matsusaka pork neck shouldn’t be missed. (Pair this with a pot of sweet-smelling Taiwan osmanthus oolong tea.) Delicate, perfectly crispy, and filled with finely diced char siu, the double-layered ham sui gok—fried glutinous rice dumplings—rival those of top Hong Kong establishments.

Another must-try is the signature eight-hour Golden Broth and seafood soup, which incorporates carrot puree, scallop, crisp prawns, and bamboo pith mushroom for a divine result that is light yet rich in flavor. For carnivores, wok-fried Angus beef tenderloin cubes with asparagus and punchy Hunan black pepper will hit the spot. China Blue’s custardy homemade spinach bean curd, braised in a Sichuan-style sauce, is also worth ordering. Leung’s knack for putting modern twists on traditional Chinese cuisine extends to an award-winning dessert of chilled almond pudding with an intensely floral lychee sorbet; the addition of an ube-stuffed spring roll adds a Filipino touch. Come with a few friends and order plenty of dishes to share. —James Louie

eatdrinkhilton.com
+63 2 8683 3915
Level 3, Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard/Coral Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

China Blue by Jereme Leung

Manila Dining

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