From the prestigious Grand Hyatt Taipei, standing in the shadow of the famous Taipei 101, to the artistic and culinary refinement of the Pearl Liang restaurant, up to the expertise and innovation of Chef de Cuisine Smith Lu, join us on an unforgettable journey that celebrates the best of Cantonese culture and cuisine.
A Prestigious Address at the Foot of Taipei 101
The Grand Hyatt Taipei is a prime choice for discerning visitors. Strategically located in the heart of the central business district, in the shadow of the imposing Taipei 101, this hotel is distinguished by its unmatched accessibility to upscale shopping centers. Its proximity to the Taipei World Trade Center makes it particularly attractive for business travelers. With its 850 rooms, the establishment is the largest hotel in Taiwan, offering from the moment one enters its three-story lobby an impression of opulence. However, the decor, where the luxury of the materials is combined with the simplicity of the furniture and the finesse of oriental artworks, gives the space a modernity and contemporary elegance.
Pearl Liang: An Elegant Fusion of Art, Culture, and Cuisine
The Pearl Liang restaurant embodies a remarkable fusion of art, culture, and gastronomy, under the influence of its muse, Liang, a Taiwanese woman with Shanghainese roots, whose travels and passion for art have inspired the unique ambiance of the space. In collaboration with renowned interior designer Tony Chi, Liang has brought to life a setting where modernity and Chinese chic meet harmoniously.
The interior design blends the delicacy of Chinese calligraphy with the serenity of minimalist floral arrangements, creating a Zen atmosphere. Cultural touches extend from Ming dynasty antiques to photographs of the Hunan and Yunnan provinces, enriching the visual experience of the guests.
Pearl Liang has established itself as a choice destination for lovers of Cantonese cuisine and dim sum, where each dish tells a story of authenticity and finesse. This experience is complemented by an impressive wine cellar that offers more than 200 selections of world-class wines, including exquisite champagnes. However, their drink of choice remains their delicious teas that perfectly accompany each dish.
Chef Smith Lu
Chef de Cuisine Smith Lu is distinguished by his exceptional journey and mastery of Chinese gastronomy. He honed his skills through an impressive culinary journey, working in 12 Hyatt hotels across China and serving as a guest chef in more than ten iconic cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan, and Harbin. This rich experience allowed him to familiarize himself with a variety of Chinese regional cuisines, thereby enriching his culinary repertoire. In 2022, he was promoted to the position of Chef de Cuisine at the Pearl Liang restaurant.
Our Unforgettable Feast at Pearl Liang
If you have an interest in the richness of Cantonese cuisine, you will undoubtedly recognize Peking duck as a cornerstone of this culinary tradition. Our gastronomic adventure at Pearl Liang began on an exceptional note with a lacquered goose, an exquisite variation that managed to awaken our taste buds. After being carefully marinated for 24 hours and delicately dried, it was masterfully prepared by the chef, offering us an entrée of incomparable flavor.
Our taste journey continued with a varied selection of steamed dim sum such as whole shrimp dumplings mixed with pork, and crab and shrimp meat dumplings. We had a big crush on the fried dim sum, an original creation of the restaurant where an envelope of Taiwanese purple sweet potato, stuffed with shrimp, chicken, and shiitake mushrooms, was fried to be ultra-crispy.
The seafood broth, enhanced with mushrooms and pumpkin, made its appearance, proving to be an immediate favorite due to its originality and richness of taste. This was followed by fried rice with mullet roe, scallops, and shrimp.
The highlight of the evening was the egg tart. With its 72 layers of pastry meticulously rolled by hand, filled with a finely fragranced custard cream and topped with precious fragments of bird's nest, this tart is very indulgent. The dessert, a refreshing blend of mango, pomelo, and sago, concluded this memorable feast on a light and exotic note, perfect to end such a rich and delicate meal.
My Review
Our feast at the Pearl Liang restaurant was a beautiful discovery (or rediscovery) of Cantonese cuisine. We especially appreciated the touch of creativity infused into these traditional dishes, but also the generosity and flavors of Chef Smith Lu's cooking. The desserts, which perfectly concluded this gastronomic evening, were also highly appreciated.
Practical Information
A big thank you to Pearl Liang and the Grand Hyatt 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.