Being a multi-ethnic country, Sri Lanka offers a vibrant mix of cuisine for an exciting gastronomical experience. The strong influence of regional flavours is also evident in the numerous hot spots in town today to indulge in many rich Asian flavours, from Malaysian and Chinese to Thai and Indian.
JADE is one such restaurant providing a gastronomical haven to indulge in authentic East Asian cuisine, with a special focus on Chinese dishes. We were recently invited to dine and experience some of their most popular dishes, full of rich, authentic flavours.
As we entered, we were greeted with the typical Sri Lankan hospitality, and swiftly ushered to one of their private seating areas, where we were treated to some of the finest in East Asian cuisines. While their menu was comprehensive with a mouth-watering list of appetizers, soups, mains and specials, the staff were also quick to suggest the popular dishes.
While JADE serves a variety of starters from prawn toast to deep fried fish balls, we decided to go straight to the mains. We ordered the Cuttlefish with Black Bean Sauce and Chilli, which arrived fairly quickly with a mouth-watering fragrance. Black Bean Sauce, which is a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine, added a unique and mildly spicy flavour to the cuttlefish.
We also ordered the Singapore Fried Noodles, which seem to be a firm favourite among those who regularly patronize JADE. It smelled fantastic and was full of flavour, seasoned with a special mix of spices and herbs. The noodles was cooked perfectly, was mildly spicy and had chunks of chicken and prawns as well as lots of veggies. The ‘small’ portion we ordered for two was priced at Rs.700 and seem to be large enough to easily serve the appetite of three.
The Garlic and Pepper Fish we ordered was a real treat. It was full of bold flavours, spiced with a signature pepper mixed spice powder together with sautéed garlic. We were told that it is prepared according to a unique spice mix safely guarded by the chefs at JADE, using authentic East Asian ingredients, which brings out its signature flavours. The fish was tender and succulent and is a real treat for those yearning spicy cuisine. The extra small portion we ordered for two was priced at Rs.430.
Jade has a mouth-watering line up of great East Asian dishes, from mildly spicy to extra hot, to suit your preference, while the chefs could also adjust the spiciness of the dishes if requested. We recommend speaking to the staff when placing the orders, as they can provide recommendations on the House Specials, as well as the popular dishes among customers, such as the Manchurian Chicken and the Deep Fried Cuttlefish in Hot Butter Sauce.
We also met up with the team behind Jade Restaurants, who explained how the dishes are prepared with extra care and with years of culinary experience. “We take great pride in how we prepare our dishes to suit the local palette without losing the authentic East Asian flavours unique to each dish,” they remarked.
While JADE is a great place to dine in with friends, it seems equally popular with families due to its family-friendly ambiance.
It also has take-away as well as delivery services offered free of charge within specified areas. The detailed menu could be accessed via www.jade.lk
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