Yu Lei

If you're looking for a luxurious fine dining experience, Yu Lei might be the place for you. I'm telling you this place is the very definition of fine dining, from the magnificent interiors to the presentation of the food, everything about this place screams luxury. 

Upon entering, you'll walk through a beautifully lit hallway. It's covered with 10,000 pieces of glasses imported all the way from the Czech Republic. If that isn't enough to wow you, the dining hall also has another 10,000 pieces of glass designed like lotus pods. It's the biggest chandelier you will ever encounter. 

The setup of the tables was also unlike any other. There were 2 sets of chopsticks for each person; one is for eating and the other is for getting food from the platters. It doesn't get any fancier than that! 

There's also a beautiful view of Manila bay outside so you can get some fresh air while you wait and take some pictures while you're at it. They also offer private rooms. I think the biggest one can fit up to 20, maybe 30 people.

Crispy Sweet & Sour Kurobuta Pork in Three Types of Vinegar (Php 1,100): one of the dishes that stood out the most for me was this one. I love that the sweetness and sourness were perfectly balanced despite the three types of vinegar mixed together. I don't remember it being crispy but it was just the right texture for me because it was covered in sauce but it wasn't soggy.

The Stir-fried King Prawns in Kung Pao Sauce which I think is a new addition or the menu here isn't just updated yet. It's stir-fried butterfly cut prawns with mushroom & shishito pepper in kung pao sauce. It's a given, I feel like any prawn dish will be worth the purchase and this one did not disappoint.

Another favorite of mine is the Grilled Chicken & Black Truffle with "Youlin" sauce in Casserole (Php 1,500/half a chicken): I don't know what the youlin sauce is but it was delicious! I'm sure that if you're bringing kids with you, they would love this as well. What I like about this is that the grilled chicken was drenched in sauce so each bite was full of flavor. 

Which is why ordering the Yangzhou Fried Rice (Php 880.00): was a great idea. The serving is good for 4-6 people but we had to order another one because we finished this bowl quickly. Just the rice alone was fulfilling enough. It was like a fancy version of bagoong rice because it had so many dried shrimp mixed in it. It had a lighter taste than bagoong which makes it perfect for the other dishes. 

Among the desserts, my favorite was the Mango Jelly with Coconut Milk (Php 280.00): the mango jelly worked so well with the coconut milk that I didn't even mind the tapioca. It was sweet but had a hint of sourness which makes the overall experience a delightful one.

They also had Deep Fried Golden Sesame Balls (Php 280.00): which is the expensive version of buchi. I liked it because it was so crispy and they used red beans for the filling which I just adore.

We also got some Egg Tart (Php 280.00): which we just needed to try because it's a known staple among Chinese desserts. The crust was also crispy and the filling was rich in custard and I'm glad that you couldn't taste the egg much yet you know that it's there. 

The chef also gave us complimentary desserts which I actually loved even more, I don't think they're on the menu but I hope they put those in it too. Those were too delicious to be ignored.

Of course, such a lavish place would have such extravagant pricing but if you're looking to really treat yourself and live like royalty for a little while, you should try this place out. The service is also very commendable. The staff is very easy to call and they notice things so they assist you right away without you even asking. I had a pleasant dining experience and I will not forget this place for sure.

Monday lunch at Okada's fine dining Chinese restaurant, Yu Lei.

As you are led through the hallway adorned with crystals, the dining experience starts with Yu Lei's sophisticated setting and superb service staff.

Yu Lei's contemporary Shanghainese cuisine aims at lightness in flavour and is mellower compared to some other Chinese cuisines.

We got the set menu (voucher from the Okada Casino membership). Ordered the Sweet & Sour Kurobota Pork (meatballs) and the Shrimp & Squid stir-fry.

Compared to Cantonese cuisine, the dishes had mellower flavors. Not as sharp nor salty. But the flavors are there.

The set menu comes with an Egg Drop soup with tofu, dimsum of stuffed chicken wings and smoked salmon, and a dessert of chilled soybean curd.

On the expensive side, the set menu are priced from 1000php to 1300php. But the ambience is really wonderful and enjoyable.

#BoodleBear #YuLei #OkadaManila