Shang Palace, Shangri-la, Jakarta

Shang Palace is the Chinese restaurant of the Shangri-la Hotel, Jakarta.  Though traditional in appearance, its approach or “software” is decidedly more modern and fusion. 

Chilled fresh tiger prawns with homemade orange sauce

Refreshing.  Would have been more satisfying if it had been Tiger Prawns.

Sichuan hot and sour soup with crab meat

This had crunch and texture to it and that elevated it about the average masses. 

Homemade bean curd with vegetarian ham, shimeji mushrooms and dried scallops

The standout of the evening.  OMG! I had never tasted beancurd like that.  It was firm to the touch of my chopsticks but when you bite into it, it was so smooth.  The taste was so light, so light. OMG!  I watch Japan Hour, a travel program on Japan shown on Channel Newsasia.  Occasionally, they would showcase a restaurant where the beancurd is made with spring water.  Spring water?!  I can’t wait to taste it myself.  Nihon ni ikimashio!

I would have preferred the sauce of this dish to be lighter.  It was a little too heavy for my taste.  The spinach was a very welcomed balance to the other meatier, starchier dishes. 

Wok-fried US beef with green asparagus in red wine sauce

Hmmm….this is a pretty western dish in a traditional-looking restaurant.  US beef.  Succulent.

Fried rice with lobster meat and chili shrimp paste

I usually like my fried rice salty and hot from a lot of pepper.  This doesn’t taste like that but hey, perhaps it’s just a different style.

Chilled mango sago cream

This is another highlight of the meal.  I like the decidedly east meets west approach of pairing  sago (Asian, traditional) with ice-cream (western).

The restaurant serves Tie Guan Yin tea as a welcome.  The jasmine tea I chose to accompany my meal was the second best thing of the night (the first being the beancurd).  Though I am not usually a Chinese tea drinker, I really enjoyed the tea and its fragrance.  I like that they place a tealight under the teapot to keep the tea warm.

Like certain movie stars who look great on film and in photos, but really look quite ordinary in person, this restaurant photographs better than it looks.  It’s not ugly but it really shines on digital.

The restaurant is quiet and the service attentive.  It is a good place to enjoy a quiet Chinese meal and unwind from the traffic.  Above all, come for the beancurd.  IT IS WORTH IT.