hua yuan brasserie chinoise - hilton manila

familiar w/ shanghainese cuisine?! well, now i am... when all the while i thought they were just pronouncing it wrong 😹 sorry, but there really are times when one gets inducted in to something new and for me that’s totes fine ‘coz to learn is an avenue to grown and share.

speaking of growth and sharing, hilton manila in partnership w/ zomato featured a collaborative menu that y’all can avail at hua yuan brasserie chinoise until the 8th of june. authentic shanghainese and cantonese signature dishes from hilton kuala lumpur‘s award-winning guest chef, lam hock hin and hilton manila’s resident chinese sous chef, kevin xu known as the four hands culinary series: flavors of china is an indulgent bill of fare that you should introduce your taste buds to.

this event is part of the laudable celebration of the hilton hotel’s 100 years in the hospitality industry, to ascertain guest and diners of their a1 commitment to quality and customer first.

the 8-course dinner menu (minimum of 6 diners) is exclusively available from 30may until 08jun and is priced at 2,888/person. that rate is totally worth it, ‘coz for other restos, that’s the cost of a roasted duck - w/c is included in the menu. lemme break down ze chic ta·ble d'hôte:

appetizer
mixed salad w/ kaori bako, golden scallops and anchovies - the crabmeat and the scallops were fresh and sweet, i asked for more dressing because the flavor is packed there and sure tasted like laing or bicol express. you think that be weird, but it all married well and my taste buds loved the kick of heat that complements this starter.

soup
double-boiled black and white garlic soup w/ sea cucumber and spare ribs - black garlic is a thing and it’s my new fave. it’s left to steep in a secret marinade that sets a sweet, balsamic-y perception to your palate. the broth had a clean finish, the spare ribs were tender to the bite and so is the sea cucumber. i know it’s a delicacy, but me not a fan. it’s texture is a mix of hard jello, mushroomy, crunchy nata de coco kinda feels, lolz.

main course(s)
hua yuan fragrant tea smoked duck - this was served in a container where the duck was unseen as it was enveloped in a cloud surprise. the moment the server lifted the cover, omfg, the smell of the wonderful roast and the lingering tea-ish aroma just hits you in the face asking to be eaten, stat! the duck fat between the skin and the meat was luscious and each bite was just inexplicable, you dont need the help of the hoisin to bring about that flavor ‘coz it already great on its own.

buttermilk prawn w/ egg flakes and scented curry leaves - my oh my, this was nummy! the prawn was succulent and sweet, hard to wrestler w/o a knife but that can be forgiven the moment you get a tasting of this. creamy and spicy and the scented curry leaves made a remarkable impression even if it just lingered a bit.

deep fried grouper sweet and sour style w/ pine nuts - twas a lil sweet for me, hence the addition of the chili and light soy sauce came into play. the batter made the fish crisp but i felt it was more batter on the outer portion unless you dig deeper near the belly area to get your dose of fish.

smoky grilled sliced pork w/ leeks - a lil on the salty side w/c im not gonna complain about ‘coz salt is something im pro for. eat it together w/ the sautéed leeks resting beneath the slices and it’ll give you that balance of sweet. be sure to slide ‘em morsels on the dusted paprika on your plate for that umph of spice.

fried rice w/ x.o. sauce - yes, the rice comes last as part of their tradition. no matter how many times we asked for the rice to be served, sorry, y’all have to follow chronology, haha. but it was worth the wait. the rice was spectacular, the texture, soft. the flavor, a myriad of all things good. the verdict, finished in a minute, the chef was both pleased and surprised it was gone in 60seconds. haha, what can i say, i love rice!

dessert
coconut cream jelly w/ taro balls and peach gum - aint that sweet but it was a toothsome. i got curious about the peach gums, turns out they were like jellies and if you wanna mukbang, this is perfect! the consistency of the coconut cream jelly was wonderful and the strawberry on top gave it that sweet tangy burst of extra flavor.

hua yuan is located at the 2nd floor of hilton manila at the newport city and it is one of a few restos in the metro that offer authentic shanghainese cuisine w/ a modern take to cater to a more discerning market. expect creatively presented dishes w/ bold flavors to excite the palate. for booking and inquiries, pls call +632 239 7788 or email mnlph_f&binquiry@hilton.com

takaw tikim

once you enter hua yuan, you will certainly feel a 'fine dining' vibe. the ambience is certainly one of the best and it would make you feel really fancy.

we ordered the ones below:
spinach tofu with shredded pork
the emperor's flamed crispy chicken with glutinous rice '40min'
shanghai fried rice
fresh noodles with caramelized shallots
steamed cod fish in chinese aged wine
garlic salt and pepper squid with pork tenderloin
shanghainese braised pork belly with osmanthus flower "hong shao rou"
crispy eggplant pyramid with beef chili sauce
special shrimp dumpling with black truffle
shanghainese pan-fried wanton
double dragon pearl blooming tea
red sugar glutinous rice roll
mango cream, pomelo tapioca

the emperor's flamed crispy chicken has a specific show cooked in front of you where they will use whiskey to light it up in flames.
the shanghainese braised pork belly with osmanthus flower "hong shao rou" was a little chewy? it could be softer and close to "melt in your mouth" goodness, considering it was braised.
the spinach tofu with shredded pork was split evenly for 5 people, which was really convenient. it tasted really good and better than other chinese restaurants.
for the crispy eggplant pyramid with beef chili sauce, it was something new to try and good for those instagram posts/stories! definitely a must try when going here.
the special shrimp dumpling with black truffle was nothing special for its price, it tasted like a normal hakaw and we weren't able to taste the "truffle".
for the fresh noodles with caramelized shallots and shanghai fried rice, they were cooked perfectly and certainly better than outside chinese restaurants.

the service was really good since we had the blooming tea that can be refilled once you finish the teapot, and the servers were really nice while they joke around and suggest different dishes.

the only portion we were disappointed at was the steamed cod fish in chinese aged wine since it was a little bit expensive but was served on a really small plate. nonetheless, the others were portioned well and a little much more than what we paid for.

for me, you are paying alot for the ambience and "feel" design of the restaurant.
go here when you want to splurge a little on your dinner date or eating out with family but do not expect to become "full" when leaving the restaurant.
eating at hua yuan is certainly a must try experience!

ambience/place: 5/5
food: 4.5/5
service: 5/5
pricing: 4/5

price range is okay for me as this is the fine dining restaurant in a 5 star property. good server and just one thing about the photo they uploaded in their official website its different from the actual yee sang they had served. to ensure not mislead to other guest as well. recommend to take down to avoid confusion. came here during cny with group of friends.
overall highly recommended.

date with husband in a fancy chinese restaurant. ambiance is soo lovely. price is a okay not bad. service is good. the hot n sour soup is not good for someone who is acidic. braised pork belly taste yummy but needs to be more soft so it will be not hard to chew. the cod fish in chinese wine is superb! that was my favorite. the rest are all good and worth the try.

great food! try their crispy eggplant pyramid and garlic slat and pepper squid with pork tenderloin! yummy !

perfect place if you want traditional chinese cuisine. the staff and manager at the time we dined were very welcoming and attentive. the place exudes an elegant ambience and is a good one to visit if you’re seeking a bit of exclusivity from the usually crowded restaurants in the metro.

we really love and feel loved at hua yuan restaurant, all crews are accommodating. this place is perfect for group date, family get together, and business meetings too. kudos hua yuan family!! we keep coming back for more ❤️
highly recommended: steamed grouper (black lapu-lapu) with soy sauce, wasabi crispy prawns, steamed assorted xiao long bao, tea smoked duck, marinated chicken... and etc. kudos hua yuan, hilton manila!!

hua yuan brasserie chinoise, hilton manila, resorts world manila, pasay city. new! manila's first shanghainese cuisine restaurant in an upscale casual dining environs.

must try! cod fish in chinese wine - delicately cooked cod fish basking in clear chinese wine, fine flavors penetrated through the light cod.

black chicken soup - according to the chinese, the cooking style of black chicken is good for the health. serves as a medical soup of sorts that heals any ailments.

xiao long bao - colored xiao long bao that corresponds to a specific flavor.

beef short ribs - fork tender beef in a heavy, thick brown sauce. it practically falls off the bone.

duo style prawns - the wasabi flavor was mild and i like how they served the prawn in two ways, making it easier for picky diners to choose.

salted egg french beans - classic poached french beans in a salted egg dressing

shanghai style fried rice - surprisingly, this rice dish came off light to the tummy, but filled with all sorts of meats and vegetables.

customize your set meal according to your budget, hua yuan also has function rooms good for 12 to 24 for intimate gatherings. beautifully designed, impeccable service driven staff makes it a must visit at hua yuan. recommended.

hua yuan brasserie chinoise in hilton hotel offers a fine dining experience with its beautiful shanghai-nese cuisine created by resident chinese chef, kevin xu. hua yuan means ‘flower garden’ in chinese. upon entering, i can see the beautiful title wasn’t just a name. the restaurant seemed like a palace. it’s designed with gold furnishings, black marble and glittering pieces. it gave us a fine dining ambiance. and upon seeing their dishes, it was evident that its flowers were its delicate and fine plating.

hua yuan brasserie chinoise offers a unique gastronomical journey of china, showcasing the authentic shanghainese cuisine made from organic and seasonal ingredients. it has dining rooms too that can accommodate up to 30 persons for private functions.

steamed assorted xiao long bao and steamed cod fish with chinese wine, ftw! 🇨🇳😋

#ilovetoeatph 😃❤️

hua yuan pronounced hwa yen  literally translated means "garden". it is one of the innovative dining options at hilton manila that is located at the second floor and is accessible from the resorts world manila grand wing casino. its forte is modern shanghainese  cuisine marrying traditional recipes with locally sourced ingredients.

server maniel was great!:) food was awesome!:)

we went to the chinese restaurant there. the food was nice. i pretty like the dish that is wasabi shrimp? i forgot the name of the dish. i really like the taste of that. and i also liked the appetizer that the chef's gift to us. for me the i liked the place. it's not crowded and the waiters are also nice.

the same with other outlets at hilton. the service is impeccable. the venue is elegant as well as relaxing.

upon placing my reservation via phone, i felt there was something unique with this resto. from food description to reservation, from seating to ordering and from eating to saying thanks for the delicious food, it was excellent all the way. and carl deserves majority of my praise due to his unique manner in treating customers, especially first-timers like us.

will defintely go back for more !!