The Suntime Century Chinese Restaurant at the Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai invites guests to embark on a unique culinary journey of Cantonese flavours. The elegantly-styled restaurant is reinterpreting traditional Chinese culture in both its environment and dishes.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer striking views of Lujiazui's skyline, and every meal here is as memorable as the last. Inside, the restaurant's warm, comfortable atmosphere is accentuated by wooden tables and soft lighting, making it an ideal retreat from the city's busy pace.
At the heart of this dining experience is Chef Zhang Chuntian, who has been with the hotel since its opening in 2013. Driven by a passion for Cantonese cuisine, the chef continues to innovate while staying true to the essence of traditional flavours. His latest à la carte menu reflects this delicate balance, combining classical techniques with creative modern twists.
Poached Chicken with
Chives and Oil
Chef Zhang's new menu breaks boundaries by blending Western plating techniques and ingredients with the timeless essence of Cantonese cuisine. Dishes like the 'Scallion Oil Poached Chicken,’ which sees tender young chicken simmered in a rich 'dragon bone broth' showcase his skill.
Double-Boiled Chicken Soup with
Bamboo Fungus, Sea Whelk Slices
and Mushrooms
Another standout dish is the 'Double-Boiled Chicken Soup,’ a unique fusion of two Chinese traditions: tea-drinking culture and slow-cooked soups. Featuring ingredients such as young chicken, black pork, sea conch, and cordyceps flowers, the soup infuses the rich, flavourful broth with the essence of tea.
Baked Rock Lobster
with Caviar
Another highlight is the 'Baked Rock Lobster with Caviar' dish, designed to emphasise the purity of the restaurant's ingredients. Instead of traditional Cantonese methods like steaming with garlic vermicelli, the lobster is simmered in a rich broth to lock in its freshness and flavour. Topped with caviar, this dish exemplifies the restaurant's dedication to refining Cantonese cuisine.
Crispy Okra Foie Gras
One of the restaurant's signature creations is the ‘Crispy Okra Foie Gras,’ which blends the luxurious texture of French foie gras with the refreshing crispness of Chinese okra. The dish balances richness with freshness while showcasing Chef Zhang's ability to marry Western and Chinese culinary traditions seamlessly.
Black Pepper Beef Cubes
For meat lovers, the 'Black Pepper Beef Cubes’ are a must-try. Made with premium 150-day beef, this dish stands out for its tender texture and robust flavour; the latter is enhanced by a specially crafted black pepper sauce. True to traditional Chinese cuisine, the beef is cut into cubes instead of being served as a whole steak — all the better for sharing and effortless enjoyment.
Throughout his 30-year career, Chef Zhang has mastered certain timeless Cantonese staples, such as slow-cooked soups and dim sum. With regards to the latter, the restaurant's dim sum offerings include hargao (shrimp dumplings), xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), and shumai (pork dumplings), which are all made by hand to ensure authenticity and the highest quality.
The new menu at Suntime Century Chinese Restaurant exemplifies Chef Zhang's dedication to innovation while honouring the canon of Cantonese cuisine. Each creation is a masterpiece unto itself, and proves that combining fresh ingredients with creativity can create a dining experience that satisfies all the senses.
📍No.1288 Lujiazui Ring Road,
Pudong District, Shanghai
☎️+86 21 3867 9413
All photos were shot by Time Out Shanghai. This article is not to be replicated without prior consent.
