The Ching Palace: A taste of Royalty

Let me tell it to you straight: You haven't tasted Cebu's best Chinese food, unless you've tasted Ching. It's simply incomparable.

Nestled in Salinas Drive, Lahug, since 2003, The Ching Palace has earned its reputation as Cebu's Premiere Chinese Culinary Destination in a short span of time. The luxury of its taste has amassed such popularity that the restaurant recently scored three awards from various national marketing organizations for citations as the No.1, Best, and Most Outstanding Chinese Restaurant in Metro Cebu.

Wow! That's an impressive resume for a restaurant. Add in all the word-of-mouth recommendations I had been hearing and my curiosity (and appetite) couldn't resist any longer. I just had to taste it for myself! And I wasn't disappointed at all. The taste of the food is divine, superb and as authentic as Chinese food can get. Each dish presents such a distinct and delicious blend of ingredients that each is a unique experience in itself. One striking characteristic is the sauce of every dish, which gives lively flavor to the meats. For example, personally, I never eat seafood because I don't like the taste. But I changed my mind after sampling their Braised Lapu-Lapu in XO Sauce. The XO sauce offers a delightful medley of oriental spices and herbs that left me wanting to eat it all! I never thought seafood could taste as good as that. Likewise, the Stuffed Prawn with Curried Meat, with its zesty, rich flavor, could make anyone a believer.

The menu is filled with countless tasty-sounding dishes, each worth a taste. The restaurant is known for consistent food quality. There is also a list of Chef's Recommendations for the month, from appetizers to main dishes to desserts. Believe me, it's mouth-watering just to read the menu!

Besides the taste, the presentation of the food is a unique experience as well. For starters, take a look at the Cold Cuts. The slabs of meat are arranged in such a way that they illustrate an eagle with its wings spread out. How amusing is that? Yet that's only a hint of head chef Marlon Pueblos' mastery. What's really amazing in terms of presentation is the garnish that comes with the every dish. With the Stuffed Prawn with Curried Meat, for instance, there is a lovely carrot carving of a phoenix. It is so intricately remarkable that I couldn't help but admire it. Other meat dishes come with such elaborate carvings, each a different sight to behold.

I could go on forever raving about how delightful experiencing The Ching Palace is but then again, that would ruin the surprise. Instead, I highly encourage you to try it out for yourself and discover the vivid taste of authentic Chinese cuisine. The restaurant has expanded into an annex building with function rooms and a spacious parking area. With a capacity for 300 people, it can serve as a great (and delicious) venue for seminars, gatherings or special occasions. As they say, good food is best shared. So share the experience of gourmet food with your family and friends. It is definitely worth a visit…and many more after, I'm sure. Invite yourself to see just how good Chinese food can get when it's served at its best. It's a taste of royalty indeed, a taste of The Ching Palace.