Mooncake Festival @ Ee Chinese Cuisine, Eastin Hotel

It's the time of the year again where I'd have a mid-autumn get-together with the fellow foodies. We are probably one of the first to have mooncakes this year, and I'm glad that Eastin PJ surprises us with loads of new flavours every year. 

Before attacking the mooncakes, we began our dinner with the Thursday Night Special Promotion, where we managed to choose some traditional Cantonese dishes specially prepared by Master Chef Yong. The popular picks include Pi Pa Roasted Duck, Stewed Pork Knuckles and Chilled Chicken with Chinese Wine, just to name a few.

Here good food comes hand in hand with music. Be serenaded by the J Musical Live Band who will be performing evergreen Chinese and English hits from the 70's and 80's every Thursday from 7.30pm - 8.15pm and 8.45pm - 9.30pm, Promotion is valid till the end of September.

#1 Deluxe Twin Hot Combination (锦绣双宝拼)

First to impress us was the combination of Deep-Fried Prawn Ball (Prawn in Yam Puff Pastry) paired with the highly-prized Japanese Kurobuta Pork (a meat from premium Black Berkshire Pig), pan-fried into lightly charred perfection.

As the pork unraveled juicy goodness from its very moist texture. I enjoyed the robust, sweet savory flavour from the lean meat as well as the melt-in-the-mouth caramelized fatty layer. 

#2 Double-Boiled Fish Soup with Apple (苹果生鱼汤)

Following the palate teaser was a bowl of natural immune booster, comprising apple and Ikan Haruan (生鱼) which was believed to have healing properties, especially for deep cuts and surgeries. The consistency of the soup was just nice, and it tasted marvellous with a faint acidic flavour from the apple.

#3 Braised Eight Treasure Duck (八宝鸭)

I'm glad that Eastin is one of the very few Chinese restaurants who still serve this traditional dish that requires lots of skills and experience. Originated from Shanghai, it really is a dish more common to my parents' generation.

True to its name, the duck was stuffed with 8 different ingredients ("treasures") before it was braised for long hours till it became so soft that it gave a melt-in-the-mouth enjoyment. Some of the ingredients I detected were Chinese ham, lotus seed, mushroom, dried scallop and gingko nuts. Each of the distinctive flavour and texture, when combined, was purely a bliss!

#4 Deep-Fried Stuffed Boneless Chicken (百花鸡)

I was surprised by the presentation of the 'chicken'. Apart from the chicken wings and crispy chicken skin, the other parts of a chicken were replaced with a myriad of ingredients beautifully arranged into layers. 

Resting on a crunchy layer of Chinese almond, we had thick layers of bouncy Seafood Paste between the salted egg yolk and seaweed sheets. For the topping, the paperthin chicken skin was crunchy and robust in flavour. The fish paste, on the other hand, fell on a lighter note, so soft and moist inside.

 #5 Stewed "Tian Jin" Cabbage with Dried Scallops (瑶柱津白)

Another notable dish was the braised Chinese cabbage served piping hot from the kitchen, topped with soft, juicy dried scallops and crunchy deep-fried sliced scallops. As simple as it seemed to be, such dish was a comfort to the soul.

#6 Mini Lotus Leaf Rice (迷你荷叶饭)

What not to be missed for a family reunion was the celebratory dish, Chinese glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf. It was also a signature for the Dim Sum Menu at Ee Chinese Cuisine.

Unwrapping the lotus leaf, we found some jewels hidden beneath the fragrant rice. I loved the way the flavours of mushroom, salted egg yolk and dried shrimps were so well-infused into the rice.

#7 Double-Boiled Pear with Snow Fungus & American Figs (雪梨无花果)

Putting a sweet endnote to the elegant dinner, I left some space for the warm dessert which was full of beauty goodness. What a comforting dessert that reminded me of home.

... and the best part had yet to come...

Mooncake Delight (月饼)

Ee Kitchen's Freshly Baked Mooncakes

Dessers came one after another! We were tempted with a myriad of delectable baked and snow skin mini mooncakes, all freshly prepared and now some are already selling like hot cakes in the hotel! Eastin now prepares them in petite sizes, so that it won't be too cloying for one.

Petite-looking Mooncakes come in 8 pieces per box

#8 Pure Lotus Paste Double Yolk (双黄纯莲蓉月饼)

Starting from the most traditional variation, we had the baked pure lotus paste mooncake with double yolks. Low Sugar White Lotus is a healthier alternative for those who are watching on their sugar intake. I personally prefer Red Bean Paste mooncake because of its natural sweetness that tastes just as great.

#9 Pandan Paste with Single Yolk (低糖单黄香叶莲蓉月饼)

Besides lotus paste, the baked mooncake comes in more flavours including Pandan, Corn, and the latest combination in town--- Kei Zi Dong Guai (杞子当归)! The duo of goji berry and Chinese angelica wowed most of us, I felt it is worth a try =) 

#9 Jasmine Cheesy Citrus (茶香柠果芝士月饼)

Being the Executive Chef's personal favourite, Jasmine Cheesy Citrus was an interesting blend of floral and fruity scent with hints of baked cheese. The aroma of jasmine was strong on the nose, then the tangy citrus aroma filled the atmosphere upon the first bite, leaving a cheesy aftertaste lingering in the mouth. Highly recommended!

#10 Supreme Mixed Nuts (金华伍仁月饼)

I also love crunchy filling in the thin baked skin, providing a biting pleasure 

although I find it a tad sweeter than I'd prefer. 

#11 Special Mini Crystal Durian Paste (冰皮榴莲月饼)

The seasonal special Musang King durian mooncake is a new creation in celebrating Eastin Hotel PJ's 15th year anniversary. I'm tantalized by its golden complexion. The creamy filling has a good ratio of rich durian paste and shreds of durian flesh, definitely tops your choice if you're a King of Fruit lover!

List of Mooncakes by EE Chinese Cuisine in 2013

Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival

Duration: 12 August - 19 September 2013

HALAL SUPERIOR MOONCAKE 大餅 (4 pieces in a box)

1. Red Bean Paste / 豆沙月饼 @ RM17+
2. Jasmine Cheesy Citrus / 茶香柠果芝士月饼 @ RM1+
3.  Precious Black / 黑龙珠月饼 @ RM18+
4.  Low Sugar White Lotus / 低糖白莲蓉月饼 @ RM18+
5. Supreme Mixed Nuts / 金华伍仁月饼 @ RM20+
6. Pure Lotus Paste Double Yolk / 双黄纯莲蓉月饼 @ RM20+

PORK FREE MINI MOONCAKE (8 pieces in a box)

Baked Skin 小餅

1. White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk / 低糖单黄白莲蓉月饼 @ RM10+

2. Pandan Paste with Single Yolk / 低糖单黄香叶莲蓉月饼 @ RM10+

3. "Kei Chi Tong Gui" Paste / 低糖杞子当归莲蓉月饼 @ RM10+

4. Corn Paste with Single Yolk / 低糖单黄金粟莲蓉月饼 @ RM10+

Snow Skin 冰皮

1. Crystal Red Bean Paste / 冰皮豆沙月饼 @ RM10+

2. Crystal Green Tea with Single Yolk / 冰皮单黄绿茶月饼 @ RM10+

3.  Crystal Dragon Fruit Paste / 冰皮火龙果月饼 @ RM10+

4.  Crystal White Coffee Chocolate Paste / 冰皮白咖啡巧克力月饼 @ RM10+

SPECIAL Eastin Hotel Petaling Jaya's 15th Year Anniversary Mooncake (8 pieces in a box)

1. Mini Crystal Durian Paste / 冰皮榴莲月饼 @ RM105+

Note: Eastin offers delivery service for a minimum order of 20 boxes within the Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur area. Delivery charges of RM 80 for Petaling Jaya and RM 140 for Kuala Lumpur apply. For those who need customization services, this service will be offered to you on a complimentary basis with a purchase of 15 boxes. 

For more information, please call Ee Chinese Cuisine at +603 -7628 7338 or visit www.eastin.com

Well done to Master Chef Yong Kam Wah for the dishes from our specially-crafted 7-course menu. Be sure to come on Thursdays to try on his masterpieces and enjoy the food from as low as RM30 per portion! =)

Verdict:

1. Personally, I love the retro dishes especially the Braised Eight Treasure Duck and Stuffed Boneless Chicken. No complaints on the ambiance and service too.

2. Recommended mooncakes: Jasmine Cheesy Citrus and Mini Crystal Durian Paste

3. Pricewise, it falls on a medium range, but it is a good premier restaurant to visit for Cantonese authenticity. 

Ee Chinese Cuisine

Lobby Level

Eastin Hotel 

13, Jalan 16/11, 

46350 Petaling Jaya, 

Selangor.

Contact: 603-7665 1111
Email: info.pj@eastin.com

Website: www.eastin.com

Facebook: fb.com/eastinhotelpj

Business Hours
Lunch:
12noon - 2.30pm (Mondays to Saturdays)
10am - 2.30pm (Sundays & Public Holidays)
Dinner:
6.30pm - 10.30pm (Daily)