A guide to top Chinese restaurants in Dubai
As the Covid-19 crisis started to unfold earlier this year, out of all the world’s cuisines, Chinese restaurants, were the first to suffer, mostly because of discrimination. There was never any data to indicate that diners were at a greater risk of infection from a Chinese restaurant than at any other establishment. On the back of a pre-lockdown review where I called for us to support these outlets, here is a guide celebrating some of Dubai’s top Chinese restaurants. They need our custom now more than ever.
I give you 18 restaurants divided into licensed and unlicensed – and then alphabetically. Any other Chinese haunts of yours I may have missed?
LICENSED
- Chuan: likely Dubai’s most expensive Chinese restaurant, however, the food is well executed at this relative newbie on The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah. The menus are overwhelmingly mammoth with traditional Cantonese and Sichuan dishes, combined with a sprinkling of Chinese-European fusion plates. Veering towards seafood, Chuan also prides itself on roasted Peking duck which must be ordered upon reservation.
- Hakkasan: the restaurant that elevated Chinese dining to well-deserved Michelin level – in London. The Hakkasan brand may originate in the UK, but it has been Abu Dhabi owned for a few years – and has successfully adapted for the Dubai market at Atlantis. From the timeless dark and sultry dining alcoves (perfect safe spacing design) to the Cantonese-style dishes that marry authenticity with creativity, the jasmine tea-smoked Wagyu beef ribs remains one of the world’s most iconic dishes.
- Hutong: a new international arrival with outposts around the world, Hutong in DIFC specialises in Northern Chinese cuisine – and hence the Beijing specialty of roasted Peking duck. Served two ways – with pancakes – and then diced with lettuce leaf cups – this has to rank highly as one of Dubai’s best Peking ducks. A gorgeous, inviting dining room and terrace.
- Long Yin: this golden oldie at the Le Meridien Dubai Airport opened nearly 27 years ago and is still going strong. Another restaurant that marries Cantonese with Sichuan dishes.
- Royal China: the first Chinese franchise to dock in Dubai, back in 2011. Royal China’s Hong Kong-style Cantonese dim sum is world-famous, as is its crispy aromatic duck with pancakes. This DIFC restaurant boasts a very loyal following.
- Shang Palace: another Dubai institution, this one at the Shangri-La was revamped earlier this year with a new look, retaining its signature Cantonese flavours and a weekend dim sum brunch.
- Zhen Wei: located at Caesars Palace Bluewaters, this relative newbie on the Dubai dining scene, serves up Hong Kong-style Chinese fare, Saturday dim sum lunch included.
- Zheng He’s: this waterside restaurant at Mina ‘A Salam boasts a new look following a recent refurb. The modern twist on Chinese cuisine remains with a Malaysian chef at the stove. Re-opening date TBC.
UNLICENSED
- China Sea: a Deira institution near Clock Tower roundabout, China Sea has been pulling in punters for as long as I’ve been in Dubai. You won’t find a more authentic Chinese in town, reflected in the diner demographic.
- Han Cuisine: two locations in Springs Souk and Business Bay. I have ordered in from Han directly from its user-friendly website. You can also schedule orders in advance – or dine in. Classic flavours with dishes freshly made.
- Little Lamb Restaurant: previously known as Xiao Wei Yang. I’ve tried the Baniyas Street, Deira location for a Mongolian-style hot pot feast. Branches also in Dragon Mart, Dubai Marina and Reef, Deira.
- Long Teng: the unlicensed sibling to Chuan, this popular Business Bay restaurant prides itself on seafood dim sum, in particular for a compelling Friday brunch deal. One of the few Chinese restaurants to remain busy pre-lockdown, which it has maintained since reopening.
- New Shanghai: a contemporary twist on Shanghai-style Chinese in Dubai Mall.
- Streetery Food Hall: a homegrown concept in JLT, this mini South East Asian food hall serves comfort food from Thailand, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Korea with three concessions – Zen, Hing Kee and Fat Aunt’s.
A few that come highly recommended from FooDiva readers:
- Imperial Dragon in Mankhool for old-school Chinese.
- Lucky Panda in International City for Hong Kong-style Chinese.
- Nine Squares also in International City for Cantonese hot-pot.
- The Monk has three locations in Karama, Emirates Hills and Silicon Oasis serving Indo-Chinese dishes.
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
No comments yet