Xilaimen, Redefining authentic Chinese Cuisine

Being raised in a Chinese decent, I grew up attending gatherings on different Chinese restaurants almost every month. This developed my partiality on Chinese cuisine.

As time goes by, I noticed the changes on the taste of the local Chinese restaurants in the metro, factors to be considered could be the availability of ingredients or maybe some establishment are trying to adapt the Filipino taste buds or trying to join the bandwagon of fusion restaurants.

So for those craving for authentic Chinese cuisine their only choice would be to brave the traffic of Chinatown in Binondo.

Fret not!

XILAIMEN, a Chinese Restaurant serving authentic Chinese cuisine

This new restaurant in Robinsons Place Magnolia in New Manila offers the old-Chinatown taste with a modern ambience.

As I checked the menu, I was surprise that they are very affordable and will suit the average citizen. This breaks the misconception that if the place looks expensive, food served there must be expensive as well.

We were served the following dish to try.

For starter, A must in a Chinese restaurant, Mixed Cold Cuts.

Xilaimen’s mixed cold cuts includes Pata hamon, Lechon Macau, Soy Chicken, Soy Tofu, Seaweed and Century egg.

Notes: The Pata hamon is tenderly done. Larger than usual cut of Lechon Macau. The Soy tofu has a premium tofu taste (not plain).

We were then served Mixed Seafood with Polonchay soup.

Polonchay is  a preferred vegetable of the Chinese since it has a high nutritional value. Their soup taste awesome complemented with the morsels of seafood in the soup.

Lechon Macau

Just like the ones served with the cold cuts platter, Large chunks of Crispy Lechon Macau holds the true flavor unlike the thinly sliced version other restaurants serve. Theirs have lesser fat content as well, somehow takes away the guilt feeling.

Pan fried Prawn with Salted Egg

Now this one has a twist of fusion, The salted egg gives a nice compliment to the prawn giving it an awesome taste. Fresh prawns were dipped in a batter of mashed salted eggs then pan-fried to a crisp. The color looks enticing too.

Elephant Shell with Broccoli flower in XO sauce

Before you try to imagine eating an elephant, this one is actually giant clams that have a long tongue.

In the Asian region XO sauce in a dish exudes elegance in a dish. XO sauce is made of roughly chopped dried seafood, including scallops, dried fish and shrimp, and subsequently cooked with chili peppers, onions, and garlic.

The Broccoli is nicely blanched that it still has the crunch.

Lapu- Lapu in Egg White

In an effort to shy away from the usual Lapu- Lapu dish, this one is fillet of Lapu-Lapu stir-fried with egg whites. I can tell that their fish is fresh judging from the taste. Yum yum.

Spicy Frog legs

This might not be appealing to others who have not actually tried frog meat, but I have to tell you that this dish taste great! Frog meat taste like chicken but better since brings a more umami taste and the texture is better.
 
Xilaimen’s version is deep fried with batter and tossed with salt and pepper bits. The taste is a fusion of sweet, salty and spicy.

Salted Fried crabs with Sotanghon

Xilaimen serves only the freshest catch, their crabs are meaty and tasty paired with the secret sauce mixed in the noodle.

Yangchow Fried Rice

As you may know, this type of fried rice is a staple in every Chinese restaurant. Though I have to state that theirs offer an authentic taste since not all Yangchow are created equal.

Meal ender desserts served were Fresh fruit platter, Iced Almond Jelly and Golden Pie.

The Golden pie got my interest. It’s a bread pastry covered with sesame seed and filled with lotus paste. Taste like butchi but better.

Head on to Xilaimen to have your fill of these Delectable dishes and a lot more. It is located at the Al-fresco wing of Robinsons Place Magnolia in New Manila, Quezon City. For reservations and inquiries, you may contact (02)720.97.25 Email: xilaimen_magnolia@yahoo.com