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Moi with Chef Lou and Chef Vikash |
Chinese cuisine is widely seen as representing one of
the richest and most diverse culinary heritages in the world. It originated in
different regions of China and has been introduced to other parts of the world-
from Southeast Asia to North America and Western Europe.
China has distinct
geographical demarcations, and each region has its traditional style of
cooking. The ingredients used in the food are based on the natural agricultural
products of the region.
In Northern
China, for example, wheat is eaten more than rice as a staple food. Food using
wheat as its main ingredient, such as noodles and dumplings is prevalent there.
China's Southern cuisine uses far more rice, with such staples as rice noodles
and zongzi - sticky rice wrapped in leaves. Southern food is typically spicier,
and many minorities eat chilies every day.
Cuisine in China is a harmonious integration of color, aroma,
taste, shape and the finesse of the instruments. For the cooking process,
chefs pick the choicest ingredients and seasonings while employing unparalleled
complicated skills handed down from their forefathers, ever aspiring to their
ideal of perfection for all the senses. Among the many cooking methods they use
are boiling, stewing, braising, frying, steaming, crisping, baking, and
simmering and so on. When they finish their masterpieces they are arranged on a
variety of plates and dishes so that they are a real pleasure to view, to smell
and ultimately to savor.
“House
of Han” at Crowne Plaza Jaipur presents all the precision in a similar manner. As
we walked into this lavish yet elegant place, a huge red door with big golden
lion head handles welcomed us. House of Han, which literally translates to
House of China, reflects a unique combination of creative yet traditional
Sichuan dishes that reinforces the restaurant as a high-end destination for
Chinese delights in Jaipur. Designed to emanate the warmth of a typical Chinese
home, House of Han offers a wide range of gastronomic delights, complemented
with exquisite wines.
The
interiors have been wonderfully done, featuring woodwork with beautiful Chinese
paintings. Cutlery, crockery, tableware and other object d’arts for the
interiors have been specially imported from China. All these elements combined,
brings to life the character of House of Han. The restaurant comprises of four
private dining areas and seating for 96 pax.
Our feast began with the most authentic “Conpoy Seafood Soup”
and a “Veg Wonton Soup” which were really hearty and simple on flavors. Served
in a small soup pot with lid, it felt like we were in China. For the starters,
we were presented with the most awesome dimsums like the Crystal Chicken Dumplings,
Vegetable Dumplings and the Prawn Sui Mai. The round table which had even
number of chairs (auspicious to the Chinese) and a rotary glass table on it had
many dips and sauces as accompaniments to the dishes served.
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Tea Ceremony |
This lovely teahouse showcased a beautiful tea serving
ceremony. The tea pot with a long spout known as the “long spout kettle” was
used as done in China to pour Jasmine tea in small cups. Watching that was a
spectacle to the eyes, as holding and pouring tea from the long spout copper
pot needs a lot of practice and courage.
Coming
back to the sumptuous fare created by none other than the expat Chef Lou, who
has no less than magical hands! House of Han’s Celebrated Chef Jinhong Luo is
from the heartland of Southwestern China. He, along with his culinary team, is
showcasing his specialty dishes using sophisticated cooking skills to meet our
local preferences. Chef brings with him 16 years of experience in serving
Oriental cuisine. Chef Jinhong Luo who has worked with several hotel groups and
popular restaurant chains in the past is known for his excellent skills in
making dimsums and wok stir fry. Besides this, Chef also specializes in making
Cantonese, Hunan and Sichuan dishes.
The
next was the Deep Fried Onion Cakes which were very much like our own kachoris,
crispy and yummy. The crispy fried lamb was another flavorful and spicy dish
which suits our palettes very well. I loved the chicken steamed buns or baos as
we know them. My colleagues loved the prawn spring rolls so much that they re
ordered the same again. I can’t savour them as I am allergic to shell fish…..
my bad !! Same was with the beautiful and all so inviting crispy lobster served
whole on a plate. Everyone loved it a lot. I enjoyed my Chongoing style chicken
which was very well made in Sichuan style, crispy and spicy. The vegetarian
fare was as yummy as the non vegetarian one. The Lotus stem cooked in Hunan
style was really very good, crispy and tangy. The golden mushrooms in fragrant
salt and pepper was yet again a very nice and unique dish, devoured by all.
We
were almost full to the brim, but the Chef had already presented us with his
main course creations and our table was again full. OMG…wanted to eat it all
but was not in a condition to do so….still tried each dish to respect the
sentiments of the Chef and his hospitality. The dishes served were Black Mushrooms
and Bamboo Shoot with Black Bean Sauce, Spiced Mapo Tofu, Stir Fried Prawns, and
Crispy Fried Fish with Xiang La Sauce, Kung Pao Chicken, Pork Spare Ribs Salt n
Pepper with vegetable noodles and bamboo basket fried rice.
One
of the best fried rice I have ever tasted with the most yummy mushrooms and
crispy fish in a spicy and hot sauce. Chef Lou is so hospitable and passionate
that he came out at least twice to know if we were enjoying our meal or not.
The server Sanjay, who was present throughout our service is highly
knowledgeable about the whole cuisine and the concepts of that cooking, we were
totally flattered.
The
whole experience - ambiance, service, food everything
combined together made us feel so overwhelmed that we were totally out of words
for some time. I must say, people of Jaipur are lucky to have such a beautiful
and nice eating place in their hometown types which only existed in big metros
till now.
Crowne
Plaza Jaipur has one more flower in their all the more beautiful F & B
bouquet which already consisted of other very good food and beverage outlets.
House of Han being a specialty restaurant promises to be the best and as
authentic as it can be in the capital city of Rajasthan.
Rating ***** On a scale of 5
Ambience - 4.5/5.0
Service - 4.0/5.0
Food - 4.0/5.0
Authenticity - 4.0/5.0
Pricing - 4.0/5.0
Overall - 4.25/5.0
HOUSE OF HAN
Crowne Plaza Jaipur
Tonk Road, Jaipur
Coverage and Review By : Vickrham (vicky) for Foodmaniacs
Pics By : Vickrham (vicky)
Email ; vickrham.m@gmail.com