This Chinese short order eatery is housed in the same building as that of their more formal dining counterpart (Gloria Maris Seafood Restaurent) as well as their Shabu Shabu/Hotpot Restaurant (Green Maris). It's location is just beside the long time popular supermarket Unimart in Greenhills Shopping Center so I guess detailed directions is not neccessary as of the moment.
By da way, there were unconfirmed rumors that the Gloria Maris group is looking for a new location to move to since Greenhills Shopping Center might undergo a major major makeover. (can anyone confirm this ??)
Anyway, rumors or not ... allow me to share with you some of the dimsum we ordered that particular december morning of 2010.
FRIED TARO PRAWN
I just saw a young couple from the other table order this and I was quite intrigued as to what it is because of its cute shape. The server told me that this particular dish is not even in their menu yet........ Truth to tell, I'm never a fan of any taro dish (I mean give me kamote or regular potatoes anytime) but at least I can I tried it. hehehehehe
Aside from the generous serving of taro, which basically comprised 80% of the dish, there were some small slices of chicken inside as well as the prawn (though a small prawn if I may add). Both chicken and prawns were cooked just right and would have a subtle salty taste (if you ate this seperately). But bite it together with the rest and all you're going to taste is the taro.
CHIU CHOW DUMPLING
The server told me that this dumpling comprises of some minced pork, peanuts and yellow corn...... Before I continue, I always make it a personal point to try out dumplings without any dipping sauces so that I can get the actual flavor of the dumpling. Sadly (aside from the subtle sweetness coming from the peanuts) the dumplings were bland in taste.
Another issue is the size of the dumpling ...... I personally like dumplings or siumai in smaller bite sizes so that one can easily pop it in my mouth. Unfortunately for me, the dumplings came in overly big sizes that it would roughly take at least 3 bites before finishing it. And by then a lot of the fillings would have already fallen off.
ASADO SIOPAO (Roast Pork Bun)
One thing commendable about this establishment is that almost all the food items are served steaming hot and the buns are no exception. It's also soft and fluffy as if you are biting into a big piece of cotton. The asado pork fillings are not bad with the right blend of sweet and salty. I however think it kinda lacked a little more sauce as it tasted somewhat dry. (I personally like my asado siopao oozing with sauces)
CRYSTAL SCALLOP DUMPLING
When one orders a scallop dumpling. Surely one expects the dumpling to contain (at the very least) some pieces of scallops ....... I felt kinda cheated when I opened up the dumpling and saw some minced pork and veggies, BUT no trace of any scallops whatsoever. Instead they substituted that with japanese crabstick. (which has a slight similar texture to the scallop). They shoud have just called this Crabstick Dumpling.
I actually wanted to return the dish but my parents and sister insisted that I just let it slide.
FRIED SALAD SHRIMP DUMPLING
I wasn't exactly sure what they meant when the word SALAD was mentioned. I opened up the dumpling and I saw minced pork and a piece of shrimp. (Does that make it a salad ???) Anyway, the fillings (shrimp and minced pork) were too salty for me. And the deep fried skin was too oily.
SPARERIBS WITH TAUSI
Just by looking at the dish, one can tell thats it going to have a very oily aftertaste ........ and it did. Then there is definitly a need to add more tausi because I didn't taste any of it.
BICHU RICE ROLL
I'm not familiar at all with this dish (my brother in law ordered this one) but it looked like Hofan Rice Noodles wrapped around a piece of fried bread...... There is absolutely no flavor whatsoever in this dish as it is completely bland. The dipping sauce was no help as it too seemed a bit underseasoned. Too bad because I would have enjoyed it what with the contrasting soft and crispy texture.
SHANGHAI SIAO LONG PAO (Soupy Pork Dumplings)
One of the main reason why I enjoyed the Soupy Pork Dumplings at CRYSTAL JADE is because of its size as it takes just a single bite. That way you get to taste all at once the entire dumpling (the skin, the fillings and the soup) in one go....... Gloria Maris' version is a bit large that its going to take around 2 bites. Wouldn't that spill out the soup????
Oh wait, where's the soup ???? It must have dried or leaked out during the steaming process.
RADDISH CAKE
Nice and crispy on the outside ...... but unfortunately too soft and mushy on the inside. And there seemed to be too little of those minced pieces of salty pork which could have given the sweetness of the radish a nice contrast.
FRIED TARO PRAWN
I just saw a young couple from the other table order this and I was quite intrigued as to what it is because of its cute shape. The server told me that this particular dish is not even in their menu yet........ Truth to tell, I'm never a fan of any taro dish (I mean give me kamote or regular potatoes anytime) but at least I can I tried it. hehehehehe
Aside from the generous serving of taro, which basically comprised 80% of the dish, there were some small slices of chicken inside as well as the prawn (though a small prawn if I may add). Both chicken and prawns were cooked just right and would have a subtle salty taste (if you ate this seperately). But bite it together with the rest and all you're going to taste is the taro.
CHIU CHOW DUMPLING
The server told me that this dumpling comprises of some minced pork, peanuts and yellow corn...... Before I continue, I always make it a personal point to try out dumplings without any dipping sauces so that I can get the actual flavor of the dumpling. Sadly (aside from the subtle sweetness coming from the peanuts) the dumplings were bland in taste.
Another issue is the size of the dumpling ...... I personally like dumplings or siumai in smaller bite sizes so that one can easily pop it in my mouth. Unfortunately for me, the dumplings came in overly big sizes that it would roughly take at least 3 bites before finishing it. And by then a lot of the fillings would have already fallen off.
ASADO SIOPAO (Roast Pork Bun)
One thing commendable about this establishment is that almost all the food items are served steaming hot and the buns are no exception. It's also soft and fluffy as if you are biting into a big piece of cotton. The asado pork fillings are not bad with the right blend of sweet and salty. I however think it kinda lacked a little more sauce as it tasted somewhat dry. (I personally like my asado siopao oozing with sauces)
CRYSTAL SCALLOP DUMPLING
When one orders a scallop dumpling. Surely one expects the dumpling to contain (at the very least) some pieces of scallops ....... I felt kinda cheated when I opened up the dumpling and saw some minced pork and veggies, BUT no trace of any scallops whatsoever. Instead they substituted that with japanese crabstick. (which has a slight similar texture to the scallop). They shoud have just called this Crabstick Dumpling.
I actually wanted to return the dish but my parents and sister insisted that I just let it slide.
FRIED SALAD SHRIMP DUMPLING
I wasn't exactly sure what they meant when the word SALAD was mentioned. I opened up the dumpling and I saw minced pork and a piece of shrimp. (Does that make it a salad ???) Anyway, the fillings (shrimp and minced pork) were too salty for me. And the deep fried skin was too oily.
SPARERIBS WITH TAUSI
Just by looking at the dish, one can tell thats it going to have a very oily aftertaste ........ and it did. Then there is definitly a need to add more tausi because I didn't taste any of it.
BICHU RICE ROLL
I'm not familiar at all with this dish (my brother in law ordered this one) but it looked like Hofan Rice Noodles wrapped around a piece of fried bread...... There is absolutely no flavor whatsoever in this dish as it is completely bland. The dipping sauce was no help as it too seemed a bit underseasoned. Too bad because I would have enjoyed it what with the contrasting soft and crispy texture.
SHANGHAI SIAO LONG PAO (Soupy Pork Dumplings)
One of the main reason why I enjoyed the Soupy Pork Dumplings at CRYSTAL JADE is because of its size as it takes just a single bite. That way you get to taste all at once the entire dumpling (the skin, the fillings and the soup) in one go....... Gloria Maris' version is a bit large that its going to take around 2 bites. Wouldn't that spill out the soup????
Oh wait, where's the soup ???? It must have dried or leaked out during the steaming process.
RADDISH CAKE
Nice and crispy on the outside ...... but unfortunately too soft and mushy on the inside. And there seemed to be too little of those minced pieces of salty pork which could have given the sweetness of the radish a nice contrast.
wow! gloria maris dimsums never looked so yummy, hehehehe. nice pics.
ReplyDeletethere should be some restaurant that serve the real XLB , like the ones they have at beijing, where you need a straw to sip the soup inside of it. well... hehe
love your blogs keep it up cuz!
@ steven .... that must be one big xiao long bao if it requires a straw. hahahaha
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the day that the chinese restos here will veer away from their usual tired and tested fare. And hopefully give us something different.
makes my tummy growl and my mouth water!
ReplyDelete