FOOD REVIEW: Paradise Dynasty at Greenbelt, Makati

Celebrating the world’s first 8-flavored xiao long bao & other delights

Oriental cuisine, especially that of Chinese cuisine, is always thriving in the Philippines. Not only tucked within the corners of Binondo, but variations of a single dish could also often come in a variety of versions, and, as if participating in an unofficial (and unspoken) competitions between themselves, restaurants always try to get a leg up on their competitors and see who gets to serve the best cuisine. 

At the end of the day, however, it all boils down to the customer—did he or she have a good time?

When I was at Paradise Dynasty, I certainly did. 

EXTENSIVE MENU, SPACIOUS ROOMS

Located at the 3^rd level of Greenbelt 5 in Makati City, Paradise Dynasty hosts a wide range of Oriental cuisine; soups, prawns, pan-fried pork dumplings, and xiao long bao (among many others, of course) only take up an eighth of what they offer. Their menu is extensive and should a group of customers decide to try it all—preferably in private, as if in the comfort of one’s home—Paradise Dynasty offers well-lit dining rooms called VIP rooms to accommodate those wanting a more exclusive experience.

These rooms are spacious and elegant, lending an air of opulence and lavishness, like those that are often seen in Chinese dramas. A heavy Lazy Susan is installed on each of these rooms’ circular tables, and the dishes are all perched on top of it.

Paradise Dynasty offers four VIP rooms: two could accommodate ten people, while the remaining two accommodates twelve. 

These qualities must not deter potential customers into thinking that the regular tables have been cheapened as a trade-off. The regular seats are placed in an inviting, well-lit space, under intricate, hanging artistic fixtures, ensuring that any customer would get to enjoy authentic Chinese cuisine.

However, neither the scale of their offering nor the excellent interiors separate them from the rest, but rather something else entirely.

8-FLAVOR SPECIALTY

Their crowning glory? Their Specialty Dynasty Xiao Long Bao—the world’s first 8-flavored xiao long bao. 

When it comes to taste, beauty alone of how it is presented already serves a quarter of the equation. Coming in an array of colors, the eight flavored xiao long bao are served in a bamboo steamer, placed in the pattern of how it should be eaten. Yes, for the best experience, they recommend a correct order to eat.

You start with the original, followed by Foie Gras, Black Truffle, Cheese, Crab Rice, Garlic, Szechuan, and finally ending with Korean Kimchi. It thus elevates from a simple dining to a gustatory journey and having a guide makes the impact of Korean Kimchi incredibly fulfilling. 

It is the softest and most satisfying set of xiao long bao I’ve eaten, softly swirling inside the mouth, taking you to a wild ride and never letting you settle in a comfort zone. 

GUSTATORY EXPERIENCE

One of the most surprising is the Crispy-fried Crystal Prawns tossed with Salted Egg Yolk. Honestly, I didn’t expect anything from it in the beginning. It was set in between the steamed red bean paste bun—cute “panda siopaos,” as I call them—and a bowl of fried rice cooked in Yang Zhou style. 

A look at some of the foods you could order at Paradise Dynasty

But as soon as I took a bite, I failed to notice that I’ve already consumed two more of it. What could have been a run-of-the-mill fried prawns inside are balanced well with the taste of the salted egg.  The saltiness meanwhile does not overpower in taste but rather settles in between the crispy sweetness of the dish.

It goes well with their La Mian with Crispy Pork Chop Belly in Signature Pork Bone Soup, which helps accentuate the flavors of the fried prawns, blending to create an all-around gustatory experience.

If you’re too overwhelmed of all the good taste mixing in your mouth, they offer incredible fruit smoothies to help freshen the tongue. I would highly recommend choosing watermelon—it goes well with all the dishes.

Founded upon a Singaporean casual dining concept, the Chinese restaurant first arrived in the Philippines in 2016. Their Special Dynasty Xiao Long Bao, I think, perfectly encapsulates what they aim to be in the authentic Chinese cuisine market, as the Paradise Dynasty takes pride in offering a “memorable culinary experience.”  

Food is a deeply embedded part of culture. It is an expression of a society’s identity, their way of living. It encompasses a nation’s history and what form of comfort ensured a country’s survival. In a way, what the Paradise Dynasty offers is a way of experiencing what comforts a nation. 

The dishes I’ve tasted in Paradise Dynasty amalgamate into a singular image of a sailor coming back home to the bay under the warm embrace of sunrise after an intense day out at sea. To those who are looking for the same comfort, the seats at this restaurant in Greenbelt 5 will surely satisfy the experience that you are looking for.