UrbanWireBy Sonia Nicola Chew
You almost expect a Manchurian official with pigtail to saunter out and read an Imperial edict at Paradise Dynasty.
After all, this new Chinese restaurant on the fourth level of Ion Orchard, spells grandeur in all its décor and service and is reminiscent of the Qing dynasty.
The restaurant’s textured pillars and walls are made from 100-year-old timber and adorned with chandeliers customised to look like imperial court lamps, in royal colours of red and gold.
It’s no exaggeration to say that you truly eat like royalty here as the chefs serve you personally while tea masters pour tea for you from long spouted pots. Even the waiters’ uniforms resemble that of authentic Chinese court robes worn in the past.
With such a lavish and opulent setting, you’d expect to pay quite a bit for a meal here. However, Paradise Dynasty is surprisingly quite affordable and comparable to other casual dining establishments like Din Tai Fung or Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao.
A glance around revealed a mixed clientele, from rich tai tais [wives of wealthy businessmen] to families dining together and friends loosening up after a day of work.
The must-try here is definitely their novel take on a familiar dish, the xiao long baos (steamed dumpling with broth within), which come in a myriad of 8 different colours and flavours.
If you’re a first timer there, it’s best to try the Signature Dynasty Dumplings basket that contains one of each flavour at just $13.80.
Though slightly pricier than than your average xiao long baos, these inventive flavours are a result of several rounds of tasting and testing by Eldwin Chua, the CEO, and the chefs at Paradise Dynasty.
The xiao long baos still retain its traditional minced pork filling but are stuffed with additional ingredients depending on the flavours such as Ginseng (soup), Szechuan (chilli oil, peppercorn), Crab Roe. Those with more adventurous or Western palates will appreciate fusion offerings such as Black Truffle, Cheese, Garlic and even Foie Gras, which are proving to be a big hit among customers indeed.
They even come with an instructional guide on the order of flavours to be eaten for the best experience – always sample the mildest before proceeding to the richest flavour.
Not for you? Well, you can always go for the Original basket ($6.80 for 6, $9.80 for 10) for traditional xiao long bao with fresh minced pork swimming in a sweet soup broth, held together by a delicately steamed flour parcel.
Another highlight of Paradise Dynasty is the 18 types of la mian (hand-pulled noodles) that they serve. You can even watch the chefs deftly transform a lump of dough into fine strands of noodles while waiting to be served.
Smooth and slippery with an almost immaculate dewiness to it, the la mian here is certainly a crowd pleaser.
The silky white noodles may look bland, but take one bite into the La Mian with Poached Marble Beef in Szechuan Style ($10.80), and you’ll discover the plain canvas of the carbs only allows the magic of the gravy’s fiery spices to burst to the fore. You can’t resist this dish.
If getting your tongue numbed by chilli doesn’t appeal to you, UrbanWire’s other recommendation is the La Mian served with double-boiled Chicken Soup ($10.80). A sip of the soup will have you instantly slurping down the noodles with great relish. Simmered over slow fire for 12 hours, the soup is rich and flavourful, and hits the spot when coupled with the handmade noodles.
A great way to finish off your culinary experience here is the Glutinous Rice Dumplings served in Ginger Soup ($3.20). If you prefer a potent ginger brew instead of the typical rock sugar soup, this is the dessert for you.
The handmade tang yuan is chewy and bursts to ooze out sweet dark sesame paste that is well balanced out by the aroma of ginger. This dessert hits all the right notes; wrapping up your scrumptious meal here at Paradise Dynasty.
Address: #04-12A, Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn
Telephone No.: 6509 9118
Opening Hours: 11 am to 10 pm (Mon – Fri), 10 am to 10 pm (Sat, Sun)
Rating: ★★★★✩