Authentic Chinese dishes at Jade's

THE name of this Chinese restaurant was taken from an island in China that literally means "green island."

To avoid misconceptions, however, its owner, Jimmy Go, chose a precious stone of the same color for the name of the restaurant.

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Jade Chinese Cuisine opened last December 27, 2009 at the back of Victoria Plaza in Bajada.

Go is not new to the food business since a brother also owns a restaurant though he decided to serve authentic Chinese food in his menu.

"I wanted to veer off from the regular and traditional fares with different dishes like scallops, steamed black chicken, and the yellow fish we import from China," he said.

He said that during the ancient times, yellow fish or Royal Fish is served only to members of the royal family. Now they serve it in a delectable steamed dish, its succulent meat melting in your mouth like butter. It is so tasty no wonder this fish was only eaten by China's royal family.

One side of the restaurant occupies tanks filled with live fish, crabs, eels and even shrimps.

"Customers can choose from the tanks and we serve them fresh," Go said.

With a seating capacity of 120 persons, the restaurant is also perfect for exclusive functions like weddings, baptisms and other special occasions. They also offer catering services at affordable prices.

The menu is indeed varied and not the usual menu in other Chinese restaurants.

"For the Chinese, food is not just for the stomach, it is also for your health. There is a corresponding food for good health. Like our native black chicken which is good for fertility and stomach cramps if you are a woman. Lapu-lapu if you are breastfeeding. Of course we know garlic cures cancer," Go said.

This means food is served not just to ease one's hunger but also to maintain good health. However, healthy food does not mean sacrificing taste. The dishes served at Jade Chinese Cuisine are fit for royalty. After all, Chinese cuisine is known for its savory and delectable taste.

"The Chinese want to eat good food. And this means perfect timing in cooking. Dapat hindi sobra sa luto, yung nandun pa ang natural juices ng meat and vegetables. Pag sobra sa luto, nawawala din ang vitamins," he said.

Each meal is a celebration of life, he says. They also want to give customers a taste of how traditonal Chinese food was prepared.

"Maraming wala sa menu but available upon the customer's request," he said.

The word "lauriat" means good food. They serve it in six to 12 dishes from appetizer to soup and main course, depending on the customer's preferences.

Go said most of the dishes in the menu are his favorites and which their family prepared while he was a grown up. He says their Yam Cake and Squash Cake are homemade.

Most of their recipes were handed down from one generation to the next. "We grew up not eating in restaurants so yung menu dito karamihan ng paborito na real Chinese cuisine," he said.

So what characterizes Chinese cuisine?

The cuisine is as varied as its provinces, he says. For each province offers a distinct taste.

"Like if I’ts Fujian, misua. Pag Cantonese, iba din. Peking, we have the famous duck. Shanghai naman yung lumpia. Pag Sichuan medyo spicy," he said speaking in general terms.

However, there are always noodles that are important for long life.

Jade Chinese Cuisine is open on Mondays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and then 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Now it's time to experience authentic Chinese dishes.