Crystal Jade Dining IN Fort - Cantonese Dimsum Buffet in Manila Every Weekend!

I was at Crystal Jade Dining IN at the Fort recently and it was kinda fun that got the chance to chat with Head Chef Lam about Cantonese food - particularly their current weekend dimsum buffet offerings. "Dimsum" if translated literally is like "touch of the heart or little morsels of love". It used to be just an added snack in the afternoon that has now evolved into a meal in itself. One can find a lot of these dishes (traditionally in trolleys) and the yumcha phenomenon in Hong Kong and Cantonese restaurants.

melody-co.jpg

For a limited time, Crystal Jade Dining IN at the Fort (Bonifacio High Street) offering a Dim Sum Feast (unlimited orders) every Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.!

dimsum-manila.jpg

I was reminded of the Lazy Susan dinners we had in our old house and how we would dine as a family. That was way back when we were still young and my siblings and I were still here (complete and unmarried) in the Philippines. I remember I'd be hogging off a particular dish and finish it all without regard because I only liked to eat a few things haha. Today though, as we have grown with individuality, our primary means of bonding would be buffets because in a way, we'd still be seated at the same table reunited yet we each get to eat as much of what we want. At this particular Crystal Jade buffet, you won't go to a buffet table anymore. You'd be handed a menu then the food will be made as you order (so a quick tip is to maybe order what you want already at the start and not wait to the last minute due to the cooking time).

dimsum-manila.jpg

So each person has free-flowing iced tea already with this meal package then if you come in groups of 6 or more, you get Crystal Jade special noodles too.

dimsum-manila.jpg

Ah, I've been trying to find out how to make this appetizer without luck haha. CJ has it. 

pickle-appetizer.jpg

Here's the CJ Dim Sum menu. It's still available a la carte from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CJ is closed from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. during Mondays to Fridays...). So without the promo, you can get it during Mondays to Fridays 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturdays to Sundays 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.!

crystal-jade-manila-menu.jpg

There are 22 items to choose from.

crystal-jade-manila-menu.jpg

This is the Baked Bo Lo BBQ Pork Bun.

dimsum-manila.jpg

It's like the one they have at Tim Ho Wan only less sweet and it's topped with a pineapple-inspired topping.

dimsum-buffet-manila.jpg

They don't have Xiao Long Bao in the menu at CJ Dining IN (only at Crystal Jade Greenhills) but they have Steamed Shrimp Dumplings or Hakaw.  It was a popular choice among my tablemates and they ordered more than 2 sets.

dimsum-manila.jpg

Ah, I missed using chopsticks.. hehe.

dimsum-buffet-manila.jpg

My favorite was actually the Siew Mai or Steamed Pork & Shrimp Dumpling with Crab Roe. Although I'm used to eating siomai, this one tasted fresh and different (and no, it's not because of the crab roe).

dimsum-manila.jpg

There's the Steamed Cream Custard Bun with Salted Egg Yolk.

crystal-jade-dimsum.jpg

It was also popular in the table but I like my cream custard without the salted egg taste. It's too overpowering and scary it seemed like I was eating a big and runny (and rich) egg yolk haha.

dimsum-buffet-manila.jpg

I was actually surprised that I liked the Steamed Vegetarian Dumpling with Coriander because I hate coriander but the flavor was all well-balanced in this dish.

crystal-jade-dimsum.jpg

If I ate too much of this, I might actually like coriander haha.

dimsum-buffet-manila.jpg

I tried to stay away from this dumpling because it was green and they are usually bitter. But this one is made from Steamed Shrimp & Spinach and it wasn't bitter. I liked more shrimp though so I just ate the Hakaw for seconds =D

crystal-jade-dimsum.jpg

This one is Deep Fried Shrimp & Mango Roll - good if the mango is in season ;)

crystal-jade-dimsum.jpg

This is also deep-fried - Shrimp & Shredded Chicken Spring Roll.

crystal-jade-dimsum.jpg

This one is the familiar Pan-Fried Carrot Cake with Dried Shrimp & Preserved Meat. It's actually not made from carrots, it's just called that and in truth, this is Radish Cake. It has more flavor and a more smokey taste than the one below.

crystal-jade-dimsum.jpg

This is actually one of the dishes I liked a lot. It's the first time I encountered Steamed Radish Cake. It's lighter, feels healthier and easily digested

crystal-jade-fort.jpg

I asked Chef Lam which dish in the menu deserved more attention and this was one of them. Indeed, the ordering will depend on the lifestyle and likes of a person but for the ones who love fried food, this can easily be skipped over (and that's too bad coz it's really good too..). 

dimsum-buffet-manila.jpg

If you're wondering why we seemed to have eaten everything on the menu, our table agreed to order one of each item then just add more so that we get to taste everything =) There's Steamed Chicken Feet, by the way.

crystal-jade-dimsum.jpg

Next up was the Steamed Glutinous Rice with Conpoy wrapped in (imported) Lotus Leaf. Think Ma-chang - very filling. This is usually eaten for the Dragonboat Festival.

dimsum-buffet-manila.jpg

There's Steamed Beancurd Skin Rolled with Shrimp & Minced Pork in Oyster Sauce. Everything seemed steamed, noh? I guess almost everything is healthy ;)

crystal-jade-dimsum.jpg

This is Steamed Pork Rib in Black Bean Sauce. Their version has a thicker flavor like adobo. Probably better with rice.

crystal-jade-fort.jpg

If you like the BBQ Pork type, there's another kind in the menu if you like it more for dessert - Baked BBQ Pork Pastry with Sesame.

crystal-jade-fort.jpg

I loved that there's a Steamed Rice Roll Series. The most popular in our table was the Shrimp smothered in sauce.

crystal-jade-dimsum.jpg

There's a BBQ Pork version & Coriander.

crystal-jade-fort.jpg

I liked the Scallop & Asparagus one (left) the most ;)

crystal-jade-fort.jpg

Lastly, I didn't get to try the Steamed BBQ Pork Bun version because I was so full and it looked too filling.

crystal-jade-dimsum.jpg

Sadly, I ran out of Egg Tarts and it will still take 20 minutes to make (plus I was stuffed) so next time will do haha. This is my all-time favorite ;)

crystal-jade-fort.jpg

So there you have it! Lots of food to fill you up for that afternoon craving at CJ Dining IN BHS. You know where to go ;) Dimsum is traditionally eaten in the afternoon while congee and noodles are for midnight snack. Oh, I asked Chef Lam what dim sum is usually paired with and he said tea (because you usually say 我们喝茶 or "Let's drink tea!" when you're inviting somebody for dimsum 吃点心). How about some Crysanthemum tea 菊花茶? Why would you even think to drink hot tea on a hot day?! Check out the explanation from a friend during my Beijing trip here =D 

dimsum-buffet-manila.jpg


Restaurant Details:
Unit SEUG201, Bonifacio High Street Central
30th Street corner 7th Avenue
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Open Mondays to Sundays 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tell me below: What would you order among all these? Haha =D