Of Xiao Long Bao and Shanghainese Cuisine

Let's explore the flavors of Modern Shanghai from its soup-filled Xiao Long Bao and other mouthwatering dishes - old and new!

About a month ago or so, my husband and I dine at the newly opened Modern Shanghai located at the new Glorietta Mall (it's the newly renovated Glorietta complex). It was our second time at MS, first was at their Mall of Asia branch though.

The restaurant boasts a spacious and modern interior, cozy ambiance and a wide variety of famous Shanghai cuisine.

Modern Shanghai's Xiao Long Bao

Xiao Long Bao is a traditional Chinese food from the region of Shanghai in China. It's a soup-filled dumplings. I've tried Xia Long Bao in another Shanghai restaurant, they even have flavored Xia Long Bao too!

Xiao Long Bao

Before we started our Xiao Long Bao, Mr. Paul Kwok, president of Modern Shanghai approached us and introduce Modern Shanghai's Xiao Long Bao.

For only P205, you get 8 pieces of Xiao Long Bao, cheaper compared to the one I previously had. 

Modern Shanghai's Xiao Long Bao

Paul showed us how to eat Xiao Long Bao.

Mr. Paul Kwok, president of Modern Shanghai

Xiao Long Bao

Xiao Long Bao is best consume when hot. It comes with a ginger vinegar sauce although it's flavorful by itself. 

Xiao Long Bao

I had Shanghai Lily, MS Signature tea drink with the oriental mix of lychee, grapefruit honey, mango juice, chrysanthemum tea and Sprite garnished with fresh mint. 

Shanghai Lily

Treasures of Shanghainese Cuisine

We had another appetizer called Deep-Fried Scallion Pancakes (P148). It's a comfort food that could be a healthy substitute for ordinary and sometimes tiring pancakes. I like the sesame seeds on top and the pancake light and warm.

Deep-Fried Scallion Pancakes

Modern Shanghai features Treasures of Shanghainese Cuisine with a Modern Twist! Aside from xiao long bao, MS offers a wide array of sumptuous dishes anchored on the culinary traditions of Chinese cooking.

Braised Lucky Pork Knuckle

Are you ready? Let's start with the Signature dishes, first Braised Lucky Pork Knuckle (P888) slowly braised in brown sauce with baby pakchoy. It's highly recommended because of it's flavorful sauce, tender and juicy meat. It was a fantastic dish, very tasty.

Paul introduced new dishes that will be out very soon. One is the Crispy Chicken in Chili & Pomelo Sauce. I'm not a fan of chili or spicy food though but the pomelo and chili sauce was absolutely delicious!

Crispy Chicken in Chili & Pomelo Sauce

Another one is the Crispy Pork with Coriander Mayonnaise Sauce. A flavorful pork dish, I love the goodness of coriander mayonnaise sauce which I thought is best for grilled dishes only. In between bites, I had a cold Shanghai Lily and a delicious flavor of Crispy Pork w/Coriander Mayo sauce that lingers in my mouth!

Crispy Pork with Coriander Mayonnaise Sauce

Moving on with seafood. A marriage of flavor and texture, Modern Shanghai’s Deep-fried Garoupa with Sweet & Sour Sauce (P888) should not be missed. I love the crispiness outside and softness of the meat. The sweetness is just right, you would ask for rice! They are also serving steamed Garoupa.

Deep-fried Garoupa with Sweet & Sour Sauce

Also on the menu are traditional hand-pulled noodles soaked in a flavorful soup and with choices of chicken, beef or pork dumplings for toppings.

You know you're in a Chinese restaurant when you see familiar Chinese desserts and teas including Jasmine, Buckwheat, Ginseng Oolong and Loong Jin.

Fresh Mango Pudding

Glutinous Dumplings in Sweet Ginger Soup

Fresh Mango Pudding (P108) and Glutinous Dumplings in Sweet Ginger Soup (P88)

Blooming Tea

A delightful experience on eyes as well as the palate having a hot mug of Blooming tea! I waited and watch how it opens. It's a bundle of tea leaves and flowers wrapped like a bulb and blooms when water is poured over it. You can choose from variety of delicate aromatic Blooming Teas such as Peaceful Garden, Golden Sunrise, Fairy Jasmine and Lily Blossom. 

Blooming Tea

Moreover, Modern Shanghai regularly introduces new dishes. Among the new and delightful dishes are Steamed Garoupa, Siomai, Hakaw and River Spinach with Minced Pork.

Dumplings

I'm happy to share to you that the restaurant also offers Lunch Promotions that are pocket-friendly choices. The top sellers include:

• Beef Scallions Lunch Set that has sautéed string beans with minced pork, egg fried rice, Xiao long bao, and serving tea for only P298; 
• Deep-fried Pork Ribs Set with sautéed river spinach with minced pork, egg fried rice, Xiao long bao, and serving tea for only P388; 
• Deep-fried Fish Set with sautéed river spinach with minced pork, egg fried rice, Xiao long bao, and serving tea for P298 only.

Thank you Mr. Paul, Zhè shì wǒ de róngxìng rènshi nǐ "it was my pleasure to meet you"!

Mr. Paul Kwok

with the husband, occupying seat #1 on our couple blog, SeatsForTwo.com taken at Modern Shanghai, SM Mall of Asia

SeatsForTwo at Modern Shanghai

Visit Modern Shanghai 
New Glorietta Complex, Makati
SM Mall of Asia

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