Palais de Chine — Restaurant in Seoul

Went for dinner back in May. The restaurant it's self was well decorated, had lovely views and was very clean. It felt very high end.

The staff was friendly and explained the dishes to the best of their abilities. However, I was expecting them to come by a little more often to make sure we had what we needed (did not come by to check if we wanted more water at any point in the evening). Otherwise no complaints.

The food: we ordered their Peking duck ahead of time as they are known for it but require you to book it ahead. Below is my review of each dish we sampled.

[ ] Black truffle, quail egg, pork siu mai : lack luster, pretty but not much flavor. Chili sauce (similar to a sambal) was a nice balance of flavour, acidic, sweet and a good amount of heat, truffles were lost to the chili sauce. [  ] Szechuan style spicy sauce soup pork dumplings : well balanced, nice presentation, not at all spicy, but over all very flavourfull. Good amount of acidity and freshness. [  ] Signature Peking duck : expensive for the depth of flavour. should allow 2 of 4 choices for "free" to make up for the cost (160$). Skin is very crispy, but without the hoisin sauce would be nearly flavourless. [  ] Stir fried Peking duck endive cup, black truffle(one of 4 choices) : nice, possible black garlic, truffle adds nice fullness and balance to the flavour. Char flavour is somewhat overpowering, could not taste the endive for tge burnt taste. [  ] Fujian style fried rice, with diced prawn, chicken, scallops, oyster sauce : mild flavour, scallops cooked well, served with pork broth soup (broth was exceptionally crisp and clean) , moderate sweetness, good seafood flavour.

[  ] Jasmine  mousse 'xiaolongbao' ice cream : Beautiful presentation, Jasmine flavour is almost imperceptible, overwhelmed by all other flavours ( whipped cream, hazelnut chocolate and full almond in the center, chocolate cookie on the bottom), would recomend a jasmine syrup popping tapioca bubble in the center so that it really makes it like a...

Went here fore NYE dinner. Relatively disappointed that all Barbecue items were "Advance Reservation", and was sad to see some items changed/not on the dinner menu. I came here in March for my Wife's birthday to much fair, we absolutely love the duck when we had came the first time, and the Sweet & Sour options as well as the varying buns. It was a delightful experience.

Fast forward just 9 months; it took 80 minutes for us to receive our final a la carte dish. Service was extremely slow for a restaurant predicated on mostly-prepared duck. The A La Carte dishes we had this time were a bit underwhelming; tasty, but not what I had expected from a Michelin Guide restaurant, and not what I had expected from my previous experience at Palais De Chine. The Kung Pao Chicken, served in a traditional manner, was unusually sweet, with the chicken offering a near sousvide texture where the remaining tendons/ligaments crunched not so delightfully. The Eggplant Stir Fry dish, a traditional favorite, was delightful, but covered with a tremendous amount of oil. Delightful, but harsh on the palate with nothing on the table to re-fixate and flush flavors. While the Sweet & Sour Hanwoo was tasty, the original Chicken option was far superior. Nonetheless, I was disappointed that some of the dishes I had previously had during a dinner service, were not available for order. When I made my reservations in Korean, the only item I was asked regarding a reservation, was the duck, not the other items on the BBQ menu (again, the first time I came, I did not have to reserve the crispy pork or iberico honey; I merely...

Nestled in the heart of the city, Palais de Chine is a delightful Chinese délicatesse that offers an unforgettable dining experience.

From the moment you step inside, you are transported to a different world, thanks to its stunning Chinese decor. The restaurant's interior is reminiscent of a museum, with intricate wooden carvings, traditional Chinese lanterns, and exquisite porcelain displays that captivate the eye.

While the menu might be more limited compared to typical Chinese restaurants, each dish is crafted with remarkable precision and bursts with flavor. The selection, though concise, is clearly curated to ensure that every item is of the highest quality. The flavors are authentic and each dish is prepared with a perfect balance of spices and ingredients that leave a lasting impression.

The service at Palais de Chine is impeccable. The staff is attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. They provide recommendations that cater to your taste preferences, ensuring a personalized dining experience.

Despite the limited menu, the exceptional taste of the dishes and the top-notch service more than make up for it. Palais de Chine is a place that I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a high-quality Chinese dining experience.

I look forward to my next visit, as this restaurant has quickly become one of...