Craving Chinese? These 5 places in Bengaluru are serving the best food this Chinese New Year
Budget or luxury - these top Chinese joints are a must-visit for every food aficionado in Bengaluru.
Legend has it that the Chinese New Year started with the victory over a mythical beast called the Nian. Frightful and monstrous, the beast was believed to have caused grave destruction in the village, killing villagers and children every year, around the time of the annual Spring Festival. This plight continued, until one day when a valiant old man stayed up all night and warded off the monster with firecrackers and bright red spring scrolls.
Nian’s defeat was celebrated jubilantly by the villagers, setting off more firecrackers and adorning their houses and streets with red lanterns and scrolls. It’s 2020 now, and the ancient tradition of the Spring Festival is still prevalent in China and across various parts of the world.
Traditionally, the celebration marking the beginning of a new year on the Chinese calendar, begins a day prior. Elaborate feasts are organised on New Year’s Eve, with an extraordinary spread of rice, stews, noodles, and other finger-licking delicacies.
A traditional Chinese feast Source: Shutterstock
It’s the 'Year of the Rat' this year, and the celebration officially kicks off on January 25. This means you might be a little short on time to actually visit China for the festivities, but hey, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the best of Bengaluru’s Chinese food.
YSW recommends these 5 places if you are looking for an authentic gastronomical experience this Chinese New Year:
Memories of China - Taj Vivanta
Steamed fish | Source: Shutterstock
Popular among food aficionados for introducing authentic Chinese food to Bengaluru, Memories of China, at Vivanta by Taj, in Bengaluru, combines fine dining with the best of Asian flavours. The restaurant, an epitome of lavishness and quality service, has held its footing in the foodscape of the city for years. Even as new joints and Chinese restaurant open and shut shops, Memories of China has remained an unfazed favourite for its devotion to authentic flavours – be it the traditional Peking duck or Steamed Fish in Black Chili Sauce.
What’s more? You can dine under a twinkling chandelier or treat yourself to a private dinner with your friends and family.
Where: Taj MG Road, Bengaluru
Price for two: Rs 3,500 (approx.)
The Lantern - Ritz Carlton
If an open-air ambiance, replete with the touch of green is your kind of vibe, then The Lantern at The Ritz-Carlton is a must-visit. Mixing elements of fine dining and night-life, the indoor-outdoor restaurant serves you exactly what the name suggests – a rich Chinese culinary experience. Even the décor of the place is in sync with the theme of the eatery, with a sleek bar, terrace seating, and roaming carts that can turn your night out into a memorable experience.
Explore the mix of colours, aromas, and textures with unlimited Dim-Sums from the Executive Lunch or go bold and try the cocktails featuring a local twist at The Lantern.
Where: The Ritz-Carlton, 99 Residency Road, Bengaluru
Price for two: Rs 3,500 (approx.)
Mainland China
An assorted bowl of noodles | Source: Shutterstock
Pan Fried Japanese Mushroom Dumplings, Matchstick Potatoes with Truffle Oil, Crispy Bombay Duck with Sriracha, Crispy Squid with Butter and Curry Leaves, Lemongrass Fish, Pomfret in Miso Chilli Sauce, and Kind Prawns in XO Sauce. This is the kind of spread Mainland China has in mind for the occasion of Chinese New Year.
Quirky and festive, the menu is a delight for the taste buds and at the same time, easy on the pockets. What’s even better is that the restaurant chain has multiple outlets in Bengaluru – meaning greater choice without traveling the distance.
Where: Indiranagar, Whitefield, Koramangala, Church Street, and Jayanagar
Price for two: Rs 1,700 (approx.)
Yauatcha - 1 MG Road Mall
Minimalist décor, dim lighting, and a laid-back ambiance – Yauatcha, the sleek fine dining restaurant at the 1 MG Mall, is just the place you need to visit to turn a regular evening, extraordinary. The restaurant boasts an extensive food menu – with a vast choice for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians – and an even impressive concoction of cocktails.
Keeping in mind the Chinese New Year, Yauatcha is also dishing out a few of its of its specialties this weekend, like the Jing Su Peony cocktail. It’s a blend of celebratory flavours with a touch of lychee, which is said to bring good luck.
Where: 1 MG Road Mall, Bengaluru
Price for two: Rs 2,000 (approx.)
Bangalore Mandarin
Piping hot dumplings | Source: Shutterstock
Now this is not a restaurant dedicated to authentic Chinese food – its menu boasts a PAN-Asian, oriental offering – but the place brings in the familiar taste of comfort and the famous Indian-Chinese variety of flavours.
With a cozy seating arrangement and an array of red lanterns adorning the walls and the ceiling, this neat little restaurant, tucked away in the heart of Indiranagar, is just the right place if you are looking for a simple dine out with your loved ones. Some of the top picks off the menu include the Honey Sesame Prawns, the Chang Sha Fried Chicken, Hot & Sour soup, the Mandarin Special Noodles, and the Date & walnut Wonton with Ice Cream to complete the sumptuous experience.
Where: Indiranagar
Price for two: Rs 1,100 (approx.)
