The Mandarin Oriental Taipei represents a unique meeting between European architecture and Asian luxury, offering a top-notch gastronomic escape. Among its jewels, the Michelin-starred Ya Ge restaurant delivers a symphony of flavors where Cantonese tradition and culinary innovation meet under the magical baton of Chef Cheng Kwok-Hung. My gastronomic journey at Ya Ge was a memorable voyage, marked by exquisite and original dishes.
Starred Gastronomy at the Mandarin Oriental Taipei
The Mandarin Oriental Taipei stands out for its emblematic architecture reflecting European styles, making this hotel a gem of luxury and refinement in the heart of the Taiwanese capital. With its 303 rooms and suites, combining luxurious comfort, classical inspiration, and contemporary touches, it offers an unparalleled lodging experience. The hotel's six restaurants and bars, including the famous Michelin-starred Ya Ge, showcase innovative and delicious cuisine, promising a true culinary adventure. It was in this prestigious setting that we got to discover Ya Ge for a delightful lunch.
Elegance and Culinary Excellence
The Ya Ge restaurant, distinguished by a Michelin star since 2018, embodies culinary excellence in a setting of rare elegance. A narrow passage, lined with Chinese antiques, leads guests to a dining room reflecting a classic Chinese style that harmonizes perfectly with the luxury of the Mandarin Oriental Taipei.
For more intimate occasions or business events, the restaurant also offers five elegant private dining rooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 20 guests.
Innovation and Tradition: The Culinary Journey of Chef Cheng Kwok-Hung
With a career spanning more than 25 years in culinary art, Chef Cheng Kwok-Hung has distinguished himself in the field of modern Cantonese cuisine. His impressive journey includes stints in renowned Michelin-starred establishments in Hong Kong, testifying to his expertise and dedication to excellence. In 2022, he brings his talent to the Ya Ge restaurant, where he starts as a sous-chef before being promoted to Head Chef in June 2023. This ascent reflects not only his technical and creative mastery but also his commitment to culinary innovation and the enhancement of authentic Cantonese flavors.
Chef Cheng's Reinvented Flavors
With a culinary experience that spans more than a quarter of a century, Chef Cheng Kwok-Hung stands out for his meticulous attention to detail, whether in mastering knife techniques, precision cooking temperatures, or the elegant presentation of dishes.
His preference for high-quality ingredients, such as abalone, fish maw, and bird's nest, allows him to reinterpret traditional classic dishes with a dazzling modernity. Chef Cheng envisions his cuisine as a harmonious fusion of creativity and innovation, rooted in the authentic traditions of Cantonese cuisine. He stages his culinary creations with a unique elegance, combining artistic presentation and carefully selected dishware to offer a contemporary taste experience that finely connects the heritage of the past with the boldness of the present.
A Memorable Lunch at Ya Ge
We began our lunch with a selection of appetizers with tempting presentations: perfectly poached Scallops, "Flower Grouper" fish accompanied by mushrooms and topped with a supreme soy sauce, a delicate shrimp paste garnished with almonds and bok choy, and the famous honey black pork, barbecued, a house specialty that particularly won us over. The continuation of our meal was marked by a selection of dim sum with original flavors and visually inventive presentation. We then enjoyed a refined soup with mushrooms and pigeon egg (perhaps a bit too "original" for my taste!), before delighting in an exquisite lobster in XO sauce.
The meal continued with wax gourd, an emblematic vegetable of Chinese cuisine, braised in a savory chicken broth. Then, the wagyu beef made its entrance, served with jasmine rice, a combination that delighted our palates. To conclude this lunch on a sweet note, we were charmed by snow eggs wrapped in a smooth almond cream, putting an exquisite final touch to this gastronomic experience.
My Opinion
Under the leadership of Chef Cheng Kwok-Hung, the Michelin-starred Ya Ge restaurant skillfully blends Cantonese tradition and innovation, to our greatest pleasure. The dishes, like our starters, were masterpieces of flavor and aesthetics, leaving a memorable imprint with every bite. This lunch was a true gustatory exploration, brilliantly linking past and present. A starred establishment meant for lovers of refined Cantonese cuisine.
Practical Information
A big thank you to the Mandarin Oriental Taipei for the invitation to discover their establishment. Of course, I remain free in my comments in this article!
About Florence Consul
Editor of Experiences Luxe since 2015, I love discovering new exclusive and authentic experiences all over the world. I left my home country (France) 6 years ago to become a global citizen, traveling 365 days out of the year. I am a foodie person and I make a point of tasting local specialities.