The 4,000 or so years of noodle tradition is still very alive in Mandarin and Cantonese cuisines. Noodles hang across China like fine white tapestries, demonstrating decades of practiced technique. From Udon to Vermicelli, each noodle has distinct traits of perfection. These practices have been passed down through generations and have stretched their way onto my dinner plate in Dhaka.
Ming Mary
I witnessed how Asians stay true to certain flavours across 44 million kilometres when I ordered the Ming Mary. The vegetable concoction starts with a tomato base and builds with hints of tamarind and chilli pepper. This combination made me realise that certain combinations please the palettes of millions.
Prawn Cheung Fun
As I picked a Prawn Cheung Fun, the alabaster rice noodle gently slipped off the other pieces (a sign that I was about the experience quality noodle). It revealed a pink prawn centre that renders itself to the welcome chewiness of each morsel. Dipping in the house special chilli sauce, I knew that my chopsticks would be put to the best use during the entire meal.
Sesame Custard Balls
My meal concluded with my fingers grabbing the sweet take on a classic dimsum. A few seeds fall on the plate as a I broke open the Sesame Custard Balls. The golden fried crust reveal the gooey custard centers that melt against the crispy exterior. It’s an unexpected contemporary conclusion to the authentic East Asian experience.
Sliced Beef with XO Sauce
The steam journey didn’t end at the sea. The Chinese food pyramid is built on a foundation of starch so a bowl of hot rice is a must for the Sliced Beef with XO Sauce. The bold bell peppers and precisely tendered beef dance across the pristine rice. The finest moments of this alliance is the XO Sauce gravy, which coats every grain of rice, with its decadent broth.
Spicy Chicken and Eggplant with the XO Sauce
From the pristine placed dim sum, I wanted to get into something messier; enter the Spicy Chicken and Eggplant with the XO Sauce. A piping hot bowl mixes texture and flavour, as bits of silky eggplant are accompanied with slivers of chicken. Drenched in the signature chilli sauce, the dish is not for those who cannot appreciate the heat.
Steamed Fish with Mushroom Soy Sauce
Now leave it to something piping to cool yourself down; the Steamed Fish with Mushroom Soy Sauce is a tranquil morning at the Hainan Port. Gently take a fillet as this delight remains true to its flaky softness and generously fork up the chewy black mushrooms. The true taste of the sea is married with the earthiness of mushrooms and kick of ginger.
The Yin and Yang Experience
Whether it’s intimate dining or a big-wig meeting, Chopstick’s environment resonates the same attention to they give to the spectacular menu. They have nestled the best for last. The private dining room is an opulent, private space to celebrate any occasion in the comforts of you and your loved one. From intimacy to a more serious note, impress your clients and colleagues at their spacious board room. The spacious and calming interior privates absolute privacy with all the fixings for an ideal meeting. Your guest will have room to discuss pressing matter and mingle with a dining and lounge space all in one.
Photographs by Tutul Nesar