Review: Shang Palace, Shangri-La, Kuala Lumpur

As soon as I arrived at Kuala Lumpur, the first thing I wanted to eat was dim sum. Not just any dim sum but dim sum in Shang Palace. My mom said that my timing was good since they have recently updated their menu. It was about time they did so. 

  

X.O Prawn dumplings: Prawn dumplings with a twist

One can never go wrong with the prawn dumplings in Shang Palace. The rice flour skin is thin and shiny. The prawns are huge and juicy. Sometimes, they incorporate novel ingredients onto the prawn dumplings and make it part of their monthly special.

In this visit, I had my favorite prawn dumplings topped with X.O sauce, a type of condiment which consists of dried seafood, chilies, onion, garlic and oil. It is an interesting combination that tantalizes the taste buds.

Chinese shrimp paste

With plain prawn dumplings, I sometimes have it with the home made Chinese shrimp paste. The shrimp paste in Shang Palace tends to be a little saltier than other restaurants but they are very generous with the amount of dried shrimps. 

Barbecue Pork Puffs with melt in your mouth texture

Apart from prawn dumplings, the barbecue pork puffs in Shang Palace are to die for.  They carry a lot of calories but it is too delicious to resist them. How can one ever resist the aroma of lard, roasted walnuts and barbecued pork?

Taro puffs that taste as good as the ones served in Lung King Heen

Recently, they have transformed their taro puffs. Back then, it used to be your average taro puff with pork and mushroom filling. Now, they have taro puffs filled with scallops that are laced with curry powder. This reminded me so much of those crab stuffed shell that I used to have when I was a child. It also reminded me of the taro puffs I had in Lung King Heen. Now there one reason lesser for me to return to Lung King Heen. :)

My favorite dish since childhood - steamed taro cake

They have also included steamed taro cake in their updated dim sum menu. It used to be part of their monthly specials that appeared once in a while. Served with fragrant sweetened soy sauce, the taro-laden cake was another dish which brought back rather lovely memories of my child hood. Back then, good steamed taro cakes are ubiquitous.

Another old favorite - Steamed Malay Cake with pine nuts

How I wish they would make the Steamed Malay cake as a staple but it is just a monthly special thing. It has a very bouncy texture and an unforgettable taste. Like the taro cake, it is difficult to find good Steamed Malay Cake these days.

 In my opinion, Shang Palace is one of the best dim sum places in Kuala Lumpur. This is why I keep going back to Shang Palace to have dim sum. This would be my fourth year of having dim sum in Shang Palace. Although Shang Palace is pretty pricey for most Malaysians, one can enjoy good food at a good price with Shangri-La's Prestige Platinium Card. The card entitles one with discounts in food and beverage outlets in participating hotels.

Nevertheless, Melburnians will find this place very reasonable. The prices are similar to those of Lucky Chan and Oriental Spoon but the food served in way above league of in the fore-mentioned places. This pretty much explains why I will NEVER have dim sum in Melbourne unless forced to. 

Litte things: 

-Cuisine: Chinese/Yum Cha

-Ambiance: Oriental, opulent

-Service: Can get pretty slow if the place is jampacked with people, which always is

-Budget: Reasonable if you have the Prestige Platinum Card, otherwise it can get pricey. For Melburnians, it will be very reasonable

-Reservations are necessary

-Opening hours/Location/Contact: Click here