Regina Troy Barrios

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Crystal Dragon dim sum

<h2 id="isPasted"><strong>In a nutshell</strong></h2><p>Dim sum at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/crystaldragonmnl/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Crystal Dragon</strong></a> has always been excellent, but a new menu by their newly appointed dim sum chef raises the bar. It’s luxurious, thoughtful, playful, and full of personality—just like the restaurant’s refreshed interiors. Expect reimagined classics, intricate seafood dumplings, surprising textures, and desserts that dazzle.</p><div><br/></div><h2><strong>Need to know</strong></h2><p><strong>Location:</strong> Crystal Dragon, Upper Ground Level, Nüwa, City of Dreams Manila</p><p><strong>Menu Availability:</strong> New dim sum menu available daily during lunch, until 5:00 p.m.</p><p><strong>Price Point:</strong> Premium à la carte; most items range from PHP 350 to 500</p><p><strong>Best For:</strong> Luxe weekend lunches, food savvy diners, and dim sum connoisseurs</p><p><strong>Must-Try Dishes: </strong>Jade Puff Pear, Goldfish Dumpling, Dragon King Soup, Wagyu Pepper Bun, Spinach Noodles</p><p><strong>Pro Tip: </strong>Ask in advance for off-menu specials like the Spinach Noodles with Szechuan Broth or the Dragon King Dumpling Soup</p><p><strong>Chef Behind the Menu: </strong>Newly appointed Dim Sum Chef She Chong Ngooi, with 17 years of experience in five-star hotels and specialty dim sum kitchens</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17524634190581 Crystal Dragon - refreshed interior.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">A refreshed space that sets the stage for culinary artistry | Photo: City of Dreams Manila</span></span></span></div><h2><strong>A dim sum menu that dares to delight</strong></h2><p>When we were invited to try the new dim sum menu at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/crystaldragonmnl/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Crystal Dragon</strong></a> in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cityofdreamsmanila/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>City of Dreams Manila</strong></a>, we expected nothing but the best in Chinese regional cuisine.</p><p>With high expectations, we arrived at the venue and were immediately struck by the newly refreshed space, featuring a vibrant carpet and modern tableware. The refined dining setup, accompanied by splendid hospitality, set the stage, and we anticipated that the dishes would perfectly complement the ambience.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17524634523582 Crystal Dragon Head Dim Sum Chef She Chong Ngooi.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Dim sum mastery by Chef She Chong Ngooi | Photo: City of Dreams Manila</span></span></span></div><h2><strong>The chef behind the craft</strong></h2><p>We then met <strong>Executive Chinese Chef Danny Khoo</strong> and <strong>Chef de Cuisine Chan Choo Kean</strong>. However, the star of the day was the new <strong>Dim Sum Chef de Cuisine, She Chong Ngooi</strong>, the creator of the new and expanded menu. He brings 17 years of expertise in dim sum making, honed at prestigious five-star hotels and high-end dim sum houses.</p><p>The new menu features a wide range of over 20 innovative dim sum, intricately prepared with premium ingredients and masterful technique. Chef Chong shared his creative process:</p><blockquote><p>“I pay special attention to the taste, focusing on the combined flavors of ingredients and innovative techniques to give traditional dim sum new vitality by incorporating some local ingredients and enhancing traditional recipes to suit contemporary taste preferences.”</p></blockquote><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17524635080323 Jade Puff Pear with Seafood Filling.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Jade Puff Pear—crisp, delicate, and filled with seafood surprise | Photo: City of Dreams Manila</span></span></span></div><h2><strong>A parade of pleasures, one course at a time</strong></h2><p>The tasting started with the amuse-bouche: a <strong>Jade Puff Pear with Seafood</strong>. Visually stunning, the edible flower-adorned pear rested on a nest of fried noodles, set on a custom-made salt stone plate.</p><blockquote><p>“I also place importance on the plating and presentation to make each dim sum both pleasing to the eye and to the palate,” Chef Chong explained.</p></blockquote><p>He described the dish:</p><blockquote><p>“Inside, we use grouper fish and prawn with a supreme oyster sauce for the filling.”</p></blockquote><p>The result was a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The puff was crunchy on the outside, yet moist and chewy on the inside. If this was a sign of what was to come, the rest of the selection had me buzzing with excitement.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17524657040615. Hokkaido Scallop Phoenix Dumpling with XO Sauce.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Hokkaido Scallop Dumplings in XO, pure umami elegance | Photo: City of Dreams Manila</span></span></span></div><p>The first course was dim sum served in a steamed basket, composed of a <strong>Goldfish Dumpling Filled with Shrimp and Diced Pumpkin</strong>. Biting into the bright orange goldfish, we could taste the water chestnut that gave it a unique texture. Equally stunning and delicious were the rest of the dumplings: the <strong>Imperial Crabmeat Crystal Dumpling</strong>, the <strong>Chilean Cod with Lemon Zest</strong>, and the <strong>Steamed Preserved Turnip and Chicken in a Bean Curd Bag</strong>.</p><p>For the second course, we were given a special, off-the-menu treat: the <strong>Dragon King Dumpling Soup</strong>. This dish was special to the chef, as it contained ingredients considered delicacies in Chinese culture. It was an ode to dried seafood, which gave the clear soup a rich flavor that blended perfectly with the dumpling, abalone, and sea cucumber.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17524656700836. Braised 10 Head Abalone, Sea Cucumber and Pork.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">A luxe trio: abalone, sea cucumber, and pork in harmony | Photo: City of Dreams Manila</span></span></span></div><p>The third course included the Chef’s Selection, presented on a uniquely folded plate. Chef Chong suggested eating them from left to right, starting with the <strong>Deep-fried Hoisin Sauce Roasted Duck Meat Puff</strong>, which had the mildest flavor profile. Next was the <strong>Deep-fried Shrimp and Duo Egg Roll</strong>, a traditional fried dim sum also known as the prosperity roll, wrapped with shrimp paste, century egg, and salted egg yolk. The last item, the<strong> Pan-seared Black Pepper Wagyu Beef Bun</strong>, delivered an explosive finish with its strong pepper taste and aroma.</p><p>The fourth course was another off-menu special:<strong> Poached Homemade Spinach Noodles</strong> in an <strong>Aromatic Szechuan Seafood Broth</strong> with a <strong>Tiger Prawn Stuffed with Prawn Mousse</strong>. While not on the standard menu, the restaurant accepts special requests for this dish if ordered in advance, as the spinach noodles are freshly handmade.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17524656232594 Kataiffi Avocado Lava.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Kataifi Avocado Lava, golden threads meet creamy indulgence | Photo: City of Dreams Manila</span></span></span></div><h2><strong>A sweet ending worth the applause</strong></h2><p>The finale was a sweet ending deserving of a standing ovation. A dessert tray showcasing true artistry. Chef Chong proudly highlighted two à la carte desserts:</p><blockquote><p>“I would like to focus on two of our à la carte desserts. The first one is the Golden Swan Puff with a red bean paste filling and a touch of mango lava. The other is the Kataifi Avocado Lava Roll, which is crispy on the outside from the kataifi and filled with creamy avocado.”</p></blockquote><p>The chef’s complimentary item for the day was the Cranberry Red Wine Snow Skin. Known as a snow skin mooncake, this was specially made with a cranberry and red wine filling. Summing up the entire experience was the Mango Pudding molded into a Chinese guardian lion, a symbol of luck, royalty, and prosperity.</p><div><em>Chef Chong turns everyday dim sum into miniature masterpieces. Some treasures aren’t on the menu. To discover them, book your journey at +632 8800 8080, visit <a href="//cityofdreamsmanila.com">cityofdreamsmanila.com</a> or follow </em><a href="https://www.instagram.com/crystaldragonmnl/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>@crystaldragonmnl</em></a><em> on Instagram.</em></div>

<p>Crystal Dragon’s new dim sum menu offers refined reimaginings, secret off-menu gems, and a sensory dining experience crafted by a master dim sum chef. </p>

Crystal Dragon’s new dim sum menu offers refined reimaginings, secret off-menu gems, and a sensory dining experience crafted by a master dim sum chef.

Crystal Dragon Has a Secret Menu—And This Is How You Get It

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Crystal Dragon Has a Secret Menu—And This Is How You Get It

Bambi Torres Camus

Published Jul 14, 2025 12:23 PM PHT

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Updated Jul 17, 2025 03:59 PM PHT

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