Hot & Steamy

Call them Dumplings, Momos’, Dim sims or just simply Wantons, this dish made of ground meat or vegetables wrapped up in delicate rice or flour skins and then steamed to create a smooth as silk, melt in the mouth savoury, is a treat to all the senses. They are beautifully wrapped like the Australian Dim Sims and Chinese Sui Mui, once served the  steamy smell they let makes your mouth water and what can I say about the taste. Surreal!

Culinary Muse definitely has a penchant for these juicy appetisers and she brings to you her guide to where you will find the best of these in Mumbai

Culinary Muse’ Top 5 picks of Steaming Brilliance (Dimsims et more)

5.      Steamed Chicken Wanton’s, Mr. Chow – At no. 5 we have Mr. Chow, a Chinese home delivery chain. They have yummy steamed chicken wantons – dumplings of soft chicken, spices, sprinkled with sautéed golden garlic flakes and spring onions. Priced at Rs 100 for 6 pieces, this the most affordable option and mind you not coprimising on quality. Mr. Chow has outlets in Colaba ( # 22160076), Bandra (#26489951) & Prabhadevi (#24334551)

4. Korean Momo’s, All Stir Fry – These are succulent bags of hmmmmm (thats what happen when you put it in your mouth). You need to eat it to feel it. Approx priced at Rs. 200. C/O The Gordon House Hotel, 5 Battery Street, Apollo Bunder, Colaba , Mumbai. # 22894400, 22894451, 22894452

Wanton Soup at Oriental Blossom

3. Dim Sim Set Menu, Oriental Blossom – A while ago Oriental Blossom the Pan- Asian restaurant at Marine Plaza introduced an ode to the dumplings with a Dim Sim Set Menu. From Dumpling Noodle Soup – a clear broth with silky wantons in it to the prawn rolls and sui mui’s, everything here is brilliant. Come here to savour a an amazing array of steamed dishes! The set menu is priced at Rs 500 for Veg and  Rs 600  for Non-Veg and is only available on the weekends. Hotel Marine Plaza, 29, Dinshaw Wachha Road, Marine Drive, Nariman Point, Mumbai

Busaba Momo's

2. Tibetan Momo’s, Busaba – No one can beat the momo’s at Busaba! Gorgeously wrapped  in an extra thin layer of phyllo, it goes really well with the green and red chilly sauces they serve. The divine experience of eating this will always keep you craving for more!

Cheung Fun at Royal China

1.  Cheung Fun, Royal China – Numero Uno position goes to beautiful dish from Royal China. These actually look like steamed spring rolls, translucent enough to reveal the meat rested in a pool of mild and balmy soy sauce. From the moment this enters your mouth you know that Paradise is made of things like these!

Quicktip: Get yourself to learn how to use the chopsticks and instead of snacking on some unhealthy burgers, pastas and pizzas, treat yourself to this tasty & nutricious steamy fare. Accompany it with some Jasmine or White Tea and Ooh Heaven is a place on Earth!

Royal Feast

Review – Royal China

Mumbai has always been home to some of the best Chinese fare. Whether it’s the roadside spicy affair or the finer more authentic ‘peking duck’ et all offering places Mumbai has it all!

Royal China has been in the Mumbai Chinese circuit since sometime now. Quite popular amongst the hoity toity it’s located at next to Sterling Cinema. The first time I went there I didn’t quite like what I ate. Blame it on my HR College fiery Chinese upbringing! But last time I went there, the meal was something worth writing home about. It also has Bandra outlet.

Now for all the Apple/Mac suckers and for the usual technoholics ordering at Royal China is quite a treat with an Ipad Menu. Personally I loved the experience of just holding in my hand, delicately touching the screen, to view the dishes I am about to order. That’s the best part you can actually see a picture of what your ordering making it an awesome experience.

Hot & Sour Soup

Stir Fried Chicken with Chilli Oil & Spring Onion

We start our meal with the traditional Chicken Hot & Sour Soup, a brilliant peppery and tasty broth not the one you would usually find.  The next was Salt & Pepper Prawns which was crispy batter fried prawns sprinkled with wok tossed Chilly and Garlic. Again yummy in my tummy! The Stir Fried Chicken with Chilli Oil and Spring Onion, which is actually a main course but we ordered on suggestion from our Maitre d’ and also lack of options on the appetizers bit, was good as well. Pan tossed Chicken flavoured with light Chilly oil made for delectable combination. In the vegetarian the Lettuce Vegetable Wrap is also a great dish. A mix corn peppers, crispy fried noodles is provided that needs to be filled into fresh crunchy lettuce leaf that painted with Plum Sauce

Salt & Pepper Prawns

Braised Mushroom Noodles

Chicken in Black Pepper Sauce

Lotus Leaf Wrapped Rice

In the mains we order for the Chicken in Black Pepper Sauce was delicious. The Lotus Leaf wrapped Rice had a beautiful aroma emanating and with a taste so ambrosial it could give the whole Hrithik Roshan in Spain Combination of ZNMD a run for its money . The Braised Mushroom Noodles – pan-fried noodles on a bed of Lettuce Leaf topped with braised Shitake mushrooms was a divine dish! Nothing like I have had before, this dish is a must have especially for the lovers of Shitake Mushrooms.

For dessert we had the dulcet Banana in Toffee syrup – crispy batter fried bananas topped with honey and sesame seeds served along with Vanilla ice cream. The crispy exterior, the hot goey banana interior combined with chilled ice cream made the dish saporous! Not for the diabetic or calorie conscious though!

All in all the experience at Royal China was great. I think with a menu like that, Royal China manages to cater to the growing sect of discerning foodies and is doing especially well at it taking by the crowd that started to fill the place on the day I went.

An average meal for two would be a mere Rs 800 – 1000 per head

Quicktip: If you love your Chinese and want to eat it too! Royal China is a must go. The Lotus Leaf Rice and Braised Mushroom Noodles are must haves!

The Co-ordinates

Royal China, Behind Sterling Cinema Building, Hazarimal Somani Marg, Fort , Mumbai

Phone: 66355310, 6635531, 22077513, 22072492

Timing: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM to Midnight

Food Type: Chinese, Pan Asian

Serves Alcohol: Yes

Payment Methods: Credit Cards Accepted