A delicious anniversary
You might think you have a pretty firm idea about Chinese food – after all, it’s one of the most widely available cuisines all around the world, and is everywhere in Bangkok. Still, if this city has one constant – apart from the traffic – it is surely it’s ability to surprise and the expertly prepared offerings at Imperial China might force you to rethink what you think you know about Chinese food.
That is due in large part to Chef Chu, who has been running the kitchen at Imperial China for 10 years – indeed, the restaurant is celebrating his anniversary with a range of special dishes.
If you’re after a Cantonese feast, there’s plenty on offer – we’ll get to that – but if you fancy the lighter fare, then the dim sum is sensational; the light, bite-sized portions or ornate seafood and pork will have you and your friends fighting each other for control of the Lazy Susan.
As delicious as the dim sum is, it’s the main courses where Chef Chu really fires – everyone is familiar with spring rolls, but the ones at Imperial China, made with snowfish and avocado, (B750) are unlike any you’ve had previously, the ingredients off-setting each other perfectly and the texture of the pastry excquisite.
The seafood extravaganza continues with baked tiger prawn with salt egg (B950) and stir-fried Hong Kong scallops with macadamia (B850). The scallops, in particular, hit exactly the right note and will remind seafood lovers precisely why they love their food fresh from the sea.
One of the more unusual dishes is braised bamboo pith with enoki mushroom and abalone (B450) – the flavour is not quite as full as in the other dishes but they’re definitely moreish and reward trying something new.
However, the centrepiece of the whole meal – one of the chef’s signature dishes – is the spectacular garoupa (B100 per gram), which comes in pairs. One of them is stir-fried and served with celery and garlic, while the other is deep-fried and served with sweet and sour sauce. Definitely a winner. รร.อิมพีเรียล ควนี สป์ ารค์ สุขมุ วิท 22
Imperial China
Imperial Queens Park Hotel, 199 Sukhumvit Soi 22 | 02-261-9000 imperialhotels.com/imperialqueenspark | Daily 7am-10pm
