Crystal Dragon Has a Secret Menu—And This Is How You Get It

In a nutshell

Dim sum at Crystal Dragon has always been excellent, but a new menu by their newly appointed dim sum chef raises the bar. It’s luxurious, thoughtful, playful, and full of personality—just like the restaurant’s refreshed interiors. Expect reimagined classics, intricate seafood dumplings, surprising textures, and desserts that dazzle.

Need to know

Location: Crystal Dragon, Upper Ground Level, Nüwa, City of Dreams Manila

Menu Availability: New dim sum menu available daily during lunch, until 5:00 p.m.

Price Point: Premium à la carte; most items range from PHP 350 to 500

Best For: Luxe weekend lunches, food savvy diners, and dim sum connoisseurs

Must-Try Dishes: Jade Puff Pear, Goldfish Dumpling, Dragon King Soup, Wagyu Pepper Bun, Spinach Noodles

Pro Tip: Ask in advance for off-menu specials like the Spinach Noodles with Szechuan Broth or the Dragon King Dumpling Soup

Chef Behind the Menu: Newly appointed Dim Sum Chef She Chong Ngooi, with 17 years of experience in five-star hotels and specialty dim sum kitchens

A refreshed space that sets the stage for culinary artistry | Photo: City of Dreams Manila

A dim sum menu that dares to delight

When we were invited to try the new dim sum menu at Crystal Dragon in City of Dreams Manila, we expected nothing but the best in Chinese regional cuisine.

With high expectations, we arrived at the venue and were immediately struck by the newly refreshed space, featuring a vibrant carpet and modern tableware. The refined dining setup, accompanied by splendid hospitality, set the stage, and we anticipated that the dishes would perfectly complement the ambience.

Dim sum mastery by Chef She Chong Ngooi | Photo: City of Dreams Manila

The chef behind the craft

We then met Executive Chinese Chef Danny Khoo and Chef de Cuisine Chan Choo Kean. However, the star of the day was the new Dim Sum Chef de Cuisine, She Chong Ngooi, the creator of the new and expanded menu. He brings 17 years of expertise in dim sum making, honed at prestigious five-star hotels and high-end dim sum houses.

The new menu features a wide range of over 20 innovative dim sum, intricately prepared with premium ingredients and masterful technique. Chef Chong shared his creative process:

“I pay special attention to the taste, focusing on the combined flavors of ingredients and innovative techniques to give traditional dim sum new vitality by incorporating some local ingredients and enhancing traditional recipes to suit contemporary taste preferences.”

Jade Puff Pear—crisp, delicate, and filled with seafood surprise | Photo: City of Dreams Manila

A parade of pleasures, one course at a time

The tasting started with the amuse-bouche: a Jade Puff Pear with Seafood. Visually stunning, the edible flower-adorned pear rested on a nest of fried noodles, set on a custom-made salt stone plate.

“I also place importance on the plating and presentation to make each dim sum both pleasing to the eye and to the palate,” Chef Chong explained.

He described the dish:

“Inside, we use grouper fish and prawn with a supreme oyster sauce for the filling.”

The result was a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The puff was crunchy on the outside, yet moist and chewy on the inside. If this was a sign of what was to come, the rest of the selection had me buzzing with excitement.

Hokkaido Scallop Dumplings in XO, pure umami elegance | Photo: City of Dreams Manila

The first course was dim sum served in a steamed basket, composed of a Goldfish Dumpling Filled with Shrimp and Diced Pumpkin. Biting into the bright orange goldfish, we could taste the water chestnut that gave it a unique texture. Equally stunning and delicious were the rest of the dumplings: the Imperial Crabmeat Crystal Dumpling, the Chilean Cod with Lemon Zest, and the Steamed Preserved Turnip and Chicken in a Bean Curd Bag.

For the second course, we were given a special, off-the-menu treat: the Dragon King Dumpling Soup. This dish was special to the chef, as it contained ingredients considered delicacies in Chinese culture. It was an ode to dried seafood, which gave the clear soup a rich flavor that blended perfectly with the dumpling, abalone, and sea cucumber.

A luxe trio: abalone, sea cucumber, and pork in harmony | Photo: City of Dreams Manila

The third course included the Chef’s Selection, presented on a uniquely folded plate. Chef Chong suggested eating them from left to right, starting with the Deep-fried Hoisin Sauce Roasted Duck Meat Puff, which had the mildest flavor profile. Next was the Deep-fried Shrimp and Duo Egg Roll, a traditional fried dim sum also known as the prosperity roll, wrapped with shrimp paste, century egg, and salted egg yolk. The last item, the Pan-seared Black Pepper Wagyu Beef Bun, delivered an explosive finish with its strong pepper taste and aroma.

The fourth course was another off-menu special: Poached Homemade Spinach Noodles in an Aromatic Szechuan Seafood Broth with a Tiger Prawn Stuffed with Prawn Mousse. While not on the standard menu, the restaurant accepts special requests for this dish if ordered in advance, as the spinach noodles are freshly handmade.

Kataifi Avocado Lava, golden threads meet creamy indulgence | Photo: City of Dreams Manila

A sweet ending worth the applause

The finale was a sweet ending deserving of a standing ovation. A dessert tray showcasing true artistry. Chef Chong proudly highlighted two à la carte desserts:

“I would like to focus on two of our à la carte desserts. The first one is the Golden Swan Puff with a red bean paste filling and a touch of mango lava. The other is the Kataifi Avocado Lava Roll, which is crispy on the outside from the kataifi and filled with creamy avocado.”

The chef’s complimentary item for the day was the Cranberry Red Wine Snow Skin. Known as a snow skin mooncake, this was specially made with a cranberry and red wine filling. Summing up the entire experience was the Mango Pudding molded into a Chinese guardian lion, a symbol of luck, royalty, and prosperity.

Chef Chong turns everyday dim sum into miniature masterpieces. Some treasures aren’t on the menu. To discover them, book your journey at +632 8800 8080, visit cityofdreamsmanila.com or follow @crystaldragonmnl on Instagram.