Chinese New Year Dinner Jakarta 2014

Chinese New Year is approaching in less than a week and who will be better companion to spend the CNY if not your loved ones like your family, even better when the moment’s surrounded by good food. Eatandtreats has compiled its list of the best places for Chinese New Year dinner in Jakarta. This list is compiled based on what those which I have personally visited before and I saw (or you can say pictured) the potentials from these restaurants as the great venues for the private and intimate dinner with your loved ones, and most importantly, they serve freaking good food and in my dictionary, does not neccesarily has to be all CHINESE food, even though it’s suggested.

I totally understand the urge of having a more special touch to the dinners but trust me, good dinner doesn’t mean it has to rip you off,  I have added some of the “friendlier” names.

Enough yakking, here is eatandtreats’ Chinese New Year dinner Jakarta 2014 list (sort on alphabetical order).

ANGKE
Komplek Ketapang Indah B1 B-I/11
Jl. K.H. Zainul Arifin
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This particular name is probably one of the “seniors” and legend of the Chinese culinary scene in Jakarta since it’s been there for a long time, decades ago. Even my parents actually held their wedding reception there. When it comes to awesome Chinese cuisine, Angke is surely a well-respected name, one of the reasons is probably all those uncountable wedding banquets that has been held there and therefore must be a reason, I would say they serve seriously nice food... as simple as the fried noodle and the boiled chicken blew me away.

Bengawan

Keraton At The Plaza
Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 15
Jakarta Pusat 10350

Bengawan is a buffet restaurant located in Keraton At The Plaza Hotel Jakarta and it’s one of the most famous at its league. For me, they have a good quality control of their food and most of the times when I come here, I always go for their raw seafood station because they’re fresh and in a way “addicting”. I think Bengawan is a nice place to spend a lovely dinner with your family because it’s managed by Keraton, which is known for its top notch luxury and private environment. I suggest this if you want to have a slightly more quiet and private dining.

 

Cahaya Lestari
Jl. Mangga Besar Raya #87
Jakarta Barat 11170

photo credit: the hungry doctor

Cahaya Lestari is seriously can’t be missed from this list, from many Chinee restaurants that I have visited before, this is probably on my top 10 list. Frankly speaking, venue wise, not the most luxurious or fanciest one, but trust me, sometimes venue could be the least of your worries and in the end, it’s the food that keeps you rave for more. Make sure to try some of their signature dishes like their Fish Head Soup, Boiled Chicken and Lindung Cah Fu Mak.

Din Tai Fung
Plaza Indonesia 3rd fl Unit 30
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Jakarta Pusat 10350
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Din Tai Fung is one of the most well-known Chinese restaurants in the world and their reputation is undoubtedly magnificent. In a nutshell, they have beautiful range of Chinese cuisine to choose from and personally for me, I love their Dim Sum series, their dumplings and I am super blown away by their mango ice dessert, some call it "Mang Guo Bing". Very good!

Duck King / Imperial Chef

photo credit: the hungry doctor

I put these two on the same league because it’s actually being organized by the same group and they both are awesome. I personally think nothing THAT significant is different, they both serve Chinese cuisine but Duck King is more proper for those who want to have lovely duck dishes. Make sure you order the roasted duck and pecking duck when you happen to visit this.

E&O
Menara Rajawali, 1st fl.
Jl. Dr. Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung LOT #5.1
Kawasan Lingkar Mega Kuningan
Jakarta Selatan 12950

I told you earlier that to celebrate Chinese New Year, it doesn’t neccesarily mean that you must have Chinese food, well I mean it’s suggested but if you can be more open for the other Asian cuisine like what E&O is offering you, that would be very lovely. E&O wins the number one spot as eatandtreats best restaurant of 2013 simply because it’s AWESOME in every way. Another reason why to choose E&O is actually the portion of the food, most food here is for sharing serving and why not share it with your loved ones like your family?

Imperial Treasure
Plaza Indonesia 1st fl. Unit J 113
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Jakarta Pusat 10350
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Imperial Treasure is also one of the top Chinese restaurants in town and most of the times, I keep on coming back thanks to their lovely lamians, but beside all those fabulous lamians, they also have nice Chinese dishes options like their signature Salted Egg Yolk Prawn which I love. Overall it’s a nice place to spend your CNY dinner. Pricing? reasonable.

Jun Njan
Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall Level 5 (West Mall) #11A
Jl. M.H. Thamrin #1
Jakarta Pusat 10350

photo credit: the hungry doctor

Another famous name when it comes to Chinese restaurants in Jakarta is Jun Njan, Jun Njan which by the way means "remembering your own roots" is known for its generous portions (emm have you had their prawns?) and mostly good and wide range of Chinese courses.

Lai Ching
Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta, 2nd fl. (Garden Wing)
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said
Jakarta Selatan 12920
021 - 12920

Lai Ching is a Chinese restaurant located in the Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta. Lai Ching is probably the most famous for its Dim Sum, some awarded their Dim Sum as the best in town, based on my personal experience, the Dim Sum were indeed nice, awesome seasoning and filling. Beside all those must try Dim Sums, don’t forget to try out their signature Beggar’s Chicken during your visit here.

Paradise Dynasty
Plaza Senayan 5th fl.
Jl. Asia Afrika 8 
Jakarta Selatan
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Paradise Dynasty is known for its colorful Xiao Long Bao which brings a lot of costumers to keep on coming back. Overall they have series of decent Chinese food that you should not miss, but still, the must try menu is their Xiao Long Bao. 

Raja Kuring
Jl. Kakap 5 RT. 002
Pluit Penjaringan, Jakarta Utara 14440
021 - 661 0332
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Raja Kuring is probably one of the most famous Chinese restaurant on the region, its fame as the wedding reception venue is undoubtedly steady, well why not when you have great food with great prices? Again, Raja Kuring may not be the best looking restaurant when it comes to its interior but again, I have to emphasize this, nothing beats the beauty of good food, you can even turned away from all those little details when you’re electrified by the good food.

Sentral
Jalan Tomang Raya No. 29
Jakarta Barat

Sentral is one Chinese restaurant that you simply should NOT miss and underestimate, okay, to be honest, I think it’s not the most luxurious and fanciest when it comes to decor, but I think from all those Chinese restaurants I have visited before, this will certainly be in my top 10... OVERALL! First, I love their food, even though they make it for large group of people (usually for wedding reception) the food still tasted really good. Don’t miss their Fried Chicken and Roasted Duck if you happen to hop in here.

Shang Palace
Level 1 Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta
Kota BNI Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 1
Jakarta 10220
021 - 2922 9999

Shang Palace is an upscale Chinese dining by Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta and when Shangri-La is behind all these ventures, you can rest your worries. I haven’t found one bad restaurants from Shangri-La, and guess what, most of the times, generally their restaurants always make it to the *ahem* eatandtreats list. The recommended menus here are their Marinated Pork with Soft Buns, Fried Rice and their Seaweed Tofu and Mushrooms.

Soup Restaurant
Plaza Indonesia 3rd fl. Unit 22-24
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Jakarta Pusat 10350
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When it comes to my personal favorite Chinese restaurant then Soup Restaurant is one of those that I instantly have in mind. What I love about this restaurant is its simplicity and the great range of food as well as the taste. You should try their Olive rice and Chicken dishes when you pay a visit here.

Sulaiman Chinese Muslim Restaurant
Jl. Wahid Hasyim No. 116
Menteng, Jakarta Pusat (Across Akmani Hotel)

Sulaiman Chinese Muslim Restaurant came to my surprise, it has a unique concept because this restaurant serves Chinese food that is appropriate for Muslims. Let’s open the card and be honest, venue wise: NOT the best place, gathering proper and far from fancy, more like a street food type I would say, but food wise, freaking awesome! You know I use the word “freaking” when it’s seriously good.

Despite the not so glamorous venue, please, at least for once when you happen to be in the Sarinah area, pay a visit. May not work for a Chinese New Year dinner, but always do for the Dinner for the Chinese. Major LOL but I meant it.

Talaga Sampireun
Jl. Lapangan Golf 7
Taman Impian Jaya Ancol (Pademangan Utara)
Jakarta Utara

Talaga Sampireun is a big name when it comes to Sundanese restaurants in Jakarta. They serve decent food and undoubtedly awesome and comfortable venue, for a more private dining, make sure you book one of their cottages but it will cost you extra, but not crazy different. I see this restaurant has a huge potential because during dinner, the ambiance of this restaurant somehow turned a lot more heartwarming... just family material.

Taste Paradise
Plaza Indonesia 4th fl.
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Jakarta Pusat

Taste Paradise is one of the most upscale Chinese restaurants in town, well I noticed some Chinese restaurants use the word “Paradise” by the way. Let me tell you upfront that dining here won’t cause you small money but they are worth it. I have tried some of their highlighted menu like the Hi Sit Soup, The Swallow Nest Soup, Roasted Duck, Beef Courses and they’re all great! I guess you should really consider Taste Paradise on your personal list, but remember, don’t take so long, it’s less than a week already.

If you’re willing to pay more for luxury, they have super fancy VIP room with minimum spending IDR 500k++/person for 18 people. You do the math.

Tien Chao

Gran Melia Hotel Jakarta

Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. X-O

Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan

021 - 526 8080

Opening Hours:

Lunch: 11.30 AM - 14.30 PM (DAILY)

Dinner: 18.00 - 22.30 (DAILY)

Tien Chao is a Chinese-Cantonese restaurant located in Gran Melia Hotel, interior wise, one of the best, well, I mean... hotel restaurant... and food wise, awesome. Went there to attend a lunch invitation for Chinese New Year promotion and the food was great, you can read the whole post here. If you're willing to come here, please make your reservations two days before in advance, even more is better because they tend to get super packed for CNY dinner.

Xin Hwa

2nd fl. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta

Jalan Kebon Kacang Raya

Jakarta Pusat 10310

Another great Chinese restaurant that you should consider is Xin Hwa at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta. They seriously have great range of Chinese cuisine and most of them made with perfection, if not, all. 

There you have it, some of eatandtreats selections to spend your Chinese New Year lunch or dinner with your loved ones. One of the purpose of creating post like this besides helping the readers is also as Chinese restaurant glossarium in Jakarta. Well, if not for the special occasions like Chinese New Year dinner, those featured in this list could always be in your consideration whenever you're craving for great Chinese cuisine.

I hope you're having an awesome dining time later and happy early Chinese New Year dinner from eatandtreats :).

Somebody send me an angpao for writing this! Nah, I'm just kidding, but if you really want to, I am very open HAHAHA!

Shoo for now.

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Chinese New Year Festive at Tien Chao, Gran Melia Hotel Jakarta

Chinese New Year is approaching! I am so excited for it and I have been imagining the scene of togetherness, the food and what's funny is that actually it's almost like the food that brought the vibe of togetherness alive! It's the food that gather everyone together on the table while eating together, laughing together, and it's probably not the most common scene we see everyday, some probably had this once in a year.

Don't deny that you're excited about the *ahem* hong baos, too, right? Trust me, everyone who claims "no" is a liar :p.

To celebrate Chinese New Year 2014, Tien Chao Chinese Restaurant in Gran Melia Hotel Jakarta is presenting you the newest finest selections of Chinese and Cantonese feasts! The man behind the glorious food you're about to see was Chef Ken Choy from Malaysia, he was such a talented chef and his creations were top notch.

Steamed Unagi Dumpling
IDR 55k
The awesome lunch started with some of the new Dim Sum series and this one was the Steamed Unagi Dumpling which was awesome. The dumpling skin was soft and chewy, but in a way molded to hold the generous filling which then made it resistant. The Unagi was cooked nicely and seasoned just perfectly. Great way to start the lunch.

Crispy Mango Prawn Roll
IDR 48k
This following course was one of my favorites of the day. I simply loved everything on the plate, the skin was crispy and appropriately cooked and there were some memorable vibrant play of flavors (the sweetness of the mango and the saltiness from the prawn) as well as textures. You just need to hop everything in and let them burst in your mouth, it was totally decent.

Salmon Wo Tie
IDR 48k
This was probably the first time for me to ever try Wo Tie with salmon filling, and apparently I ended up pretty impressed. The salmon and the coating were cooked nicely and both lightly seasoned, and again, worth the try.

Yee Sang in Thai Style
IDR 288k
I honestly wasn't expecting this to be THAT good and refreshing, this dish had a very impressive range of flavor and texture excitements! The traditional idea of eating this was to have the diners (those who happen to join the dinner) to mix everything together, I and some other bloggers were geared up with our weapon (read: chopsticks) to mix everything together with the special sauce. The sauce was created from the mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and nuts, while the elements of this dish included raw salmons (which were uber fresh), deep fried crabs, vegetables, fruits, fried dumplings and more. Short to say, genuine freshness and bursts of flavor. Much love for this.

Did I mention that this portion was the smallest in the range? It was funny and insane to know because this was even left unfinished at last because we were extremely full due to the lunch set, I couldn't imagine how big is big for "medium" and "large".

Roasted Pecking Duck

IDR 328k

If I have to choose the BOMB of the day, it would probably be this roasted pecking ducks which I honestly couldn't stop picking from the plate. They were (now I can use this) out of the world good, the skin was golden crispy and the meat was so tender, juicy (even the fats!) and they're oozing my taste buds in a good way. Major must try!

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I know you're drooling *crunch crunch*

Smoked Australian Tenderloin Beef
IDR 388k
The name told you everything already, they were indeed as tender as they could be, The beef was marinated and cooked in wine and soy sauce, and I guess that's why I found the smokey aroma from the cooking to be a tad overpowering, almost smoke like flavor. The Bok Choy on the other hand were really fresh and crunchy, I found they were such nice match to the beef.

XO Seafood Fried Rice
IDR 218k
I am not an avid fan of rice but that's not the case for fried rice, I know it sounds weird but even though they're technically rice, but fried rice is still fried rice and I always have room in my tummy for it. This XO seafood fried rice was nice, fragrant, lightly seasoned and generous amount of seafood was given. I also love the long rice grains they're using and having this while it's still warm was just perfect.

Lemongrass Jelly

IDR 58k

After fabulous series of courses, there must be a good dessert and this was the "mouthwasher" of the day. It was refreshing enough but I was honestly expecting a heavier hint of sourness from the lemongrass (lime lemongrass would be good eh?) and for this size, I thought the price was a little heavy.

Don't worry guys, the food you saw above was not even close to "all", Gran Melia is offering you a wider range of Chinese and Cantonese cuisine in Tien Chao and they're having special promotions for CNY dinner:

- Chinese New Year Gala Dinner on Thursday, 30th January 2014. Starts from IDR 688,000++/pax up to IDR 988,000++/pax for 7 - 9 courses.

- Special Chinese New Year (31 January - 28 February 2014). Peking Duck, Braised 6 Head Abalone, Braised Sea Cucumber with Fish Maw & Dried Scallop Served in Claypot

- Yu Sheng with Red Wine Honey or Yu Sheng a la Thai priced from IDR 298.000++/serving for 3 pax.

So what are you waiting for? I have personally tried some of the menus myself and I am happily spreading the good news that Tien Chao is a great choice for dinner time with your loved ones. Seriously worth your calls so book your tables now! They're extremely packed for CNY events as what the PR told me.

THANK YOU GRAN MELIA HOTEL JAKARTA FOR THE AWESOME LUNCH. EATANDTREATS LOVES YOU AND HAPPY (EARLY) CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Tien Chao Restaurant

Gran Melia Hotel Jakarta

Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. X-O

Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan

021 - 526 8080

Opening Hours:

Lunch: 11.30 AM - 14.30 PM (DAILY)

Dinner: 18.00 - 22.30 (DAILY)

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email: eatandtreatsindo@gmail.com