Jade Garden, Where Traditional Chinese Cuisine Meets Contemporary Dining

Deepika Nambiar
Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Chinese cuisine, one of the most popular in the world, if got from master chefs directly from China in a traditional Chinese ambience here in Kuwait then it’s a true delight. Now you can experience this true delight right here, that too with an enchanting panoramic sea view from the top of the high rise building facing the gulf road! Recently opened Jade Garden in Salmiya is a real garden in a Chinese wonderland. It’s the only Chinese Restaurant that gives authentic, contemporary Chinese Seafood cuisine made by Chinese chiefs. Spacious interior, high ceiling and a blend of traditional Chinese decor, makes it the right place for Chinese cuisine lovers. Experience the true feeling of fine dining as if you were in downtown Shanghai.

Jade Garden is a perfect retreat to unwind after an arduous day of work as it boasts of everything incredible. Situated at the 12th floor of Gulf Hotel, on Bagdad street, Salmiya, it creates a uniquely extravagant ambiance with seaside view. It is breath-taking to get an aerial view of Salmiya while dining.



The minute you step in Jade Garden Restaurant you feel as if you are in China. The staffs there are dressed in Chinese Costumes who welcome you with such a pleasant smile and the restaurant with a traditional Chinese décor. Red Chinese Lanterns, Red Chinese Knot hanging on the walls, a huge Dragon at the entrance, a huge vase with Chinese Scenery and décor imbued with splashes of red, giving the restaurant a chic and sophisticated look. The color red is fresh and pure, and in China it is called China Red. It is said that 'China Red' is an eternal theme for China, and an essential color for the Chinese people. This China Red was clearly seen in Jade Garden. The restaurant gives us a complete Chinese environment.



As Christmas is nearing, the staffs were all wearing specially decorated red caps and the centre of the dining area was decorated with a huge Christmas tree. It is evident that the Restaurant is all set to welcome the festive season.


Jade Garden serves authentic Chinese dishes with a contemporary twist and offers a wide variety of choices that is guaranteed to satisfy every palate. We were truly blown away with the variety this restaurant offers.

As we sat at the table we were given warm, damp cloth to wipe our hands. Then as a complementary they offered Jasmine Tea the most famous scented tea in China. The background soft Chinese music was so relaxing. We started off with soups Hot and Sour Soup, Tom Yum Soup - a Thai hot and sour soup made with crab as a main ingredient, a little coconut milk added to the broth as a finishing touch. Soups were light, flavoursome and quite delicious. The steward guided and recommended us with the best cuisines in each section with the required quantities to order. For starters we tried Crispy potato with shrimp, Vegetable and Chicken Spring roll. Crispy potato with shrimp – shrimp wrapped with crispy potato was a feast to our eyes. They are packed with sweet flavours that will tease your taste buds and leave you asking for more.

As we were having our starters the main course made its way to the table. We tried Mixed Fried Rice, Fried Fish with vegetables in Oyster Sauce, Chicken with Cashew nuts and extra Sauce, Egg Plant Sizzler, Vegetable noodles. The dishes delightfully complement the Mixed Fried Rice. Chicken with Cashew nuts, a popular Chinese dish is Warm toasted nuts with sweet stir-fried chicken. Egg Plant Sizzler was unique and appetizing. Presentation of each dish was amazing. We even ordered Juices. Juices were served with sweeteners so that we can add sweet to the juice as per our individual taste.




Chinese Cuisine is incomplete without trying it with Chop sticks, the traditional eating cutlery of China. Since we were not much familiar with it, the staffs were very much helpful to train us using it! They provided us with a Chopstick for beginners! One which tied with rubber bands. It was really a great experience having Chinese food with Chopsticks. The service was excellent.



As a complementary they give chopsticks to all customers when they are leaving.



The unique part for the sea food lovers is that you can choose your own lobsters from the huge aquarium. They will catch it for you in front of you and will cook it for you! This is the only restaurant where you get fresh lobster dishes.



With private dining rooms that can host 6-8 guests and a deliciously appetizing cuisine that goes on till late night, the restaurant is a great place for cozy gathering, or even a dinner date with friends or family.


They have a spacious Party hall. The hall is well decorated with Chinese musical instrument originally imported from China. The hall can accommodate 150 people. If requested they even have live band.


Another speciality with Jade garden is the surprise post card you receive along with your bill! You can fill the post card with your message and the address of your loved one and that is it! Your loved one will get that card by post as a special gift from Jade Garden! A typical greeting card reads “Remembered you when I dine in at Jade Garden”!



The manager there told us that if any customer is celebrating birthday there, the restaurant will give a complementary arrangement by their staffs to add up more fun to your celebration. The staffs wear special birthday masks and play music and sing Birthday song for them as complementary.


Starting from the January 2012, the restaurant is also offering an Emperors VIP card for the regular customers, using these customers can get a 10% off on their bill every time they dine there.


It was truly a great experience and we’ve never savoured Chinese food like this before. For all of us who tired of the regular places for Chinese food in the city, the entry of Jade Garden is a refreshing take on a traditional Chinese menu and the way it is served. 




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Deepika
Deepika Nambiar is part of the IIK team and IWIK core team. She does regular contributions to the news portal IndiansinKuwait.com and also for Timesofindia.com.
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