Hua Yuan pronounced Hwa Yen literally translated means “garden”. It is one of the innovative dining options at Hilton Manila that is located at the second floor and is accessible from the Resorts World Manila Grand Wing Casino. Its forte is Modern Shanghainese Cuisine marrying traditional recipes with locally sourced ingredients. Last Friday along with other select foodies, we enjoyed the following at this elegant dining place at Hilton Manila at Resorts World Manila.
New in Hua Yuan
(unless otherwise stated)
Will be Available on Jan 2020
For starters , we were presented with a trio of dishes, two of which are new on the menu and will be available on Jan 2020
Heirloom Shrimp P488
In the regular menu
I started with the caramelized shrimp. I ate the whole thing shell and all and it was really good. You have a crunchy exterior that tasted sweet from the saccharine sauce and from the crustacean’s natural flavor. It was a joy biting into it and leaves you wanting for more.
Cherry Tomato in Roselle Tea Sauce P488
New! Will be available on Jan 2020
That red cherry tomato beckoned with its Christmas red hue. I was half expecting it to have some acidity but instead was delightfully surprised how fruity it was.
Pork Stomach with Enoki Mushrooms P488 per person
New! Will be available on Jan 2020
I thought I was just eating Enoki mushrooms. Surprised to find out that it had pork in there somewhere. Not that I mind, I have no aversion to eating meat
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| Gong Cai |
After that trio of appetizers, elegant silver boxes with bamboo topping were served to us. Each container housed 3 pastel colored XLB that were pretty to behold. The pink one is the Gong Cai variant.
Per Wikipedia, Gong Cai is Stemmed Lettuce or Mountain Jelly fish that becomes crunchy like jelly fish when rehydrated
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| Crab Meat |
Steamed Assorted Xiao Long Bao
New ! Will be available on Jan 2020
Amazing yellow on this particular xlb. Skin was just right – not too thick nor too thin.
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| Crab Meat (Yellow), Gong Cai (Pink), XO (Green) |
The green XLB is called XO. What is XO sauce made of ? Per Wikipedia …
Developed in the 1980s in Hong Kong for Cantonese cuisine, XO sauce is made of roughly chopped dried seafoods, including dried scallops (conpoy), fish and shrimp, which are cooked with chili peppers, onions and garlic.
Crispy Rice
Actually, I forgot to ask what the name of this one was. I only know that it stood out for me because it looked like sushi and tasted like our very own suman (sticky rice) when you fry it. I shall order this again. 
Wok Fried French Beans P488
New
Duo Flavored Shrimps P688
New
The way the shrimps were presented two ways was amazing. The first variant were shrimps in its natural form albeit sans shell and head and were glistening in something syrupy. The second type was dipped and battered then fried before being slathered with what looked like green sauce . Wasabe? I wonder. I prefer the latter, it fills the mouth lovingly with the batter then the succulent shrimps and mystery sauce for a nice finish.
Steamed Cod Fish with Chinese Wine P988
New
For a few moments there , I thought we were having soup. Turned out the “broth” was actually the natural “juice” from the fish after steaming combined with Chinese wine.
I tried the “soup” first and found too salty. When I spooned a mouthful of the cod though, I went through all layers of flavor before I realized how gorgeous this dish was.
The first note was a little bland. But it finished off quite nicely with the last note full of umami
Delicate, subtle then the surprise robust flavor at the end…scrumptious!
Salt & Peppered Crispy Pork Knuckles P798
New
The combination of crispy and chewy from the gelatinous cartilage was a winner for me. Do not forget to dust some secret dark yellow powder on it before eating.
Deep fried Crispy Seaweed in Yellow Croaker P458
I am a bit at a loss with this one. It was like the familiar kikyam but not really
Braised Beef Short Ribs P488 per person
Regular
The serving above is a big platter for several people.
Shanghai Rice P458
Regular
It was actually providential that Chinese lauriat always serve rice for their finale. Otherwise, I would not have been able to help myself and indulge in carbs. As it was, I was too full to eat rice at that juncture. But tried a bit so can discuss here in my blog.
Chilled Coconut Cream with Peach Gum ball & Taro Ball P198
Regular
Really enjoyed the Chilled Coconut Cream. Now if only they replaced the balls with mangoes , the dessert would have been perfect. As it was, the peach gum ball and taro ball were really hard to chew.
Overall,
It was an enjoyable foodgasmic adventure with like-minded friends last Friday. Delicious food enjoyed amidst an elegant ambiance, what’s not to love?
If you find yourself craving for excellent Modern Shanghainese Cuisine while at the Hilton Manila at the Resorts World, do check out Hua Yuan and let me know how it turned out for you.
I highly recommend Hua Yuan’s melt-in-your-mouth Braised Beef Short Ribs. It was tender. It was flavorful. It was a gorgeous dish! Do order their Steamed Cod Fish with Chinese Wine too and their XLB’s
Definitely returning with the handsome hubby and piggery in tow.
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Hilton Manila: A Sophisticated Urban Oasis at Resorts World Manila
Hilton Manila is located within Resorts World Manila’s first integrated entertainment and tourism
Hilton Manila is located within Resorts World Manila, the Philippines’ first integrated entertainment and tourism resort, which is located just across from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 and is conveniently accessible via the “Runway Manila” sky bridge.
Nestled within the city’s most diversified integrated resort, Hilton Manila is also close to key business districts and convention centers as well as museums and attractions such as the Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum, Villamor Airbase Golf Course, Newport Performing Arts Theatre and Newport Mall. Hilton Manila is also easily accessible to the popular Manila Bayside leisure and tourist hub via the NAIA Expressway and the Makati business center by the Metro Manila Skyway – making it an ideal choice for business and leisure travelers alike.
Hilton Manila offers 356 modern and stylish guest rooms and suites furnished with Hilton’s signature features and technology, including the famed Serenity bed; a well-appointed bathroom comprising a vanity area, toilet, and separate bathtub and rain shower; and the innovative Digital Key “direct-to-room” technology, which allows guests to use their smartphone or tablet as their room key for seamless access – a feature exclusively available to Hilton Honors members.
Besides stylish accommodations, Hilton Manila guests can enjoy unparalleled dining options, exceptional amenities and premier MICE facilities.
“Located just minutes away from the airport and within Manila’s lifestyle and entertainment hub, business guests and leisure travelers will be able to capitalize on Hilton Manila as a versatile venue for conferences, meetings and social gatherings, as well as an ideal location for staycation getaways”, said Simon McGrath, General Manager of Hilton Manila.
It’s a culinary journey at Hilton Manila with innovative dining offerings at its three restaurants and two bars. Executive chef Dennis Leslie, who has more than 20 years of F&B experience, brings new and exciting flavors and cuisine styles to the Philippine dining scene, creating a food and beverage experience that focuses on healthy, nutritious menus utilizing ingredients that are locally sourced, sustainable and organic where possible. The property’s dining outlets include:
⦁ Madison Lounge & Bar, located at the lobby entrance and reminiscent of New York City’s Madison Avenue bar scene. It offers artisanal coffee and a sumptuous grab-and-go selection available during the day and exquisite cocktails, premium wines and creative bar bites in the evening.
⦁ Hua Yuan, sited on the second floor and accessible from the Resorts World Manila Grand Wing Casino, introduces modern Shanghainese cuisine, using traditional recipes and locally sourced ingredients, in a casual yet upscale setting. Signature dishes include Hong Shao Rou, Tea Smoked Duck and an impressive selection of Dim Sum favorites among others.
⦁ Kusina, an all-day dining restaurant that serves Filipino cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood cooked “dampa-style”, classic Filipino recipes with a twist, as well as international staples at its interactive buffet stations.
⦁ Port Bar, the perfect place to relish pre- or post-dinner drinks, brings in the finest range of craft beers, premium whiskies, cognacs and dark rums from around the world. The bartenders are also known for whipping up creative takes on classic cocktails.
⦁ Freestyle Pool Bar, where guests can enjoy a light bite paired with expertly concocted cocktails by the poolside. Draft beers and drink specials are also available during Happy Hour from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Guests seeking exercise or relaxation can take a dip at the hotel’s expansive resort-style saltwater lagoon pool, relax poolside on sun-loungers or at the swim-up bar, or work up a sweat at the 24-hour fitness center, with the latest fitness equipment and free weights. There is also a wet and dry play area for children to enjoy.
For stress-free planning and organizing of events, Hilton Manila has six versatile and comprehensive venues to choose from, perfect for business meetings, corporate events and social gatherings, such as weddings, debuts and other milestone celebrations. The meeting spaces comprise multifunctional facilities and a beautiful 545-square-meter ballroom with a 6-meter crystal-encrusted ceiling. The elegant ballroom can accommodate up to 500 people for a reception/cocktail set-up. All venues feature natural daylight and are fully equipped with the latest audiovisual innovations such as smart LED televisions, tech-ready connections for laptops and other video sources, high-definition video conferencing suites and wireless internet.
Hilton Manila is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 14 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, such as an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of points and money to book a stay. Members can also redeem their Points for free nights, and can gain access to unique events through the Hilton Honors auction platform.
For inquiries and reservations, visit www.hiltonmanila.com or call +632 239 7788. Follow Hilton Manila (@hiltonmanila) on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more information and updates.
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About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
For nearly 100 years, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the world, providing new product innovations and services to meet guests’ evolving needs. With more than 585 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties are located in the world’s most sought-after destinations for guests who know that where they stay matters. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Begin your journey at www.hilton.com, and learn more by visiting newsroom.hilton.com/hhr or following Hilton Hotels & Resorts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 16 world-class brands comprising more than 5,600 properties with nearly 913,000 rooms, in 113 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2018 world’s best workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its nearly 100 year history. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, more than 85 million members who book directly with Hilton have access to instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.