Enter the Dragon

In just three years, the Dragon-i restaurant franchise has captured the hearts and tummies of local diners with its selection of regional Chinese specialties.

When your restaurant’s name means “descendants of the dragon” (Long Ti Chuan Ren), failure is not an option. Such is the significance of the name, says Dragon-i Restaurant Sdn Bhd’s CEO, Henry Yip, that they couldn’t even get it registered in China because the name was considered too important to bestow on a mere restaurant.

However, this minor setback has not broken the Malaysian chain’s stride. Since their first outlet in 2004, Dragon-i has added another eight in Malaysia, with four more — called Canton-i — up and running in China.

The Xiao Long Bao is a must-try dish at Dragon-i.

“While we are keen to expand beyond Klang Valley and abroad, we first need to have proper controls in place,” says Yip.

“It’s imperative that there’s no compromise in food quality. Currently, we have two Shanghainese executive chefs helping to ensure the authenticity of our dishes but it remains a constant challenge to ensure standards are maintained at all our outlets,” he explains.

One item everyone must try at Dragon-i is their signature Xiao Long Bao (Shanghainese steamed minced pork dumplings) — delicate dumplings that are simply irresistible, thanks to the exquisite filling of minced pork and superior stock.

Their cold starters such as Jelly Fish Salad and Chilled Chicken Marinated in Hu Diao Wine are comparable to what you would find in Shanghai itself. In fact, you can literally embark on a culinary tour of China when you dine here because Dragon-i offers the trademark regional dishes of Shanghai, Sichuan, Beijing and Lanzhou.

Some of the regional specialties include Sautéed Prawns in Sichuan Style, Braised Pork Belly with Beancurd Leaves, Sautéed Diced Chicken with Dried Chilli, Fragrant Tea-Smoked Duck, Honey-Glazed Smoked Duck Breast with Flour Pancake, and Deep-fried Crispy Eel.

The Sichuan-styled prawns, amply coated in a tangy-sweet sauce with wine accents, are fresh and springy to the bite. The pork belly, looking like a slab of brick-red kuih lapis, boasts layers of fat and lean meat. Savoury-sweet in taste, it has a melt-in-the-mouth tenderness. The dainty, plain steamed buns served on the side are perfect for mopping up the scrumptious sauce.

Chilli lovers will get a real kick out of the fiery hot crispy chillies found in the classic Sichuanese dish of Sautéed Diced Chicken with Dried Chilli. Another renowned delicacy is the Deep-fried Crispy Eel, which is crackly, finger-thick pieces of eel in caramelised sauce.

The Smoked Duck Breast is not to be missed. It pairs the mild gamey meat of the duck with crunchy deep-fried beancurd skin in cotton-soft, pillow-shaped dumplings. Boiled lotus seeds sweetened with a little honey further enhance the textures and flavours of the dish.

Brace yourself for wrap-and-roll action if you decide to sample the Tea Smoked Duck. Despite its deceptively dry and bony appearance, the duck is actually delectable — the skin is ultra-crispy, while the meat has a pleasant smoky quality. Wrap it in thin wheat pancakes together with sweet bean sauce, spring onion florets and cucumber strips, and you have yourself an incredibly tasty parcel.

No matter how full you are, you must give the desserts here a go.

The round, puffy Soufflé Egg White Balls with Red Bean Paste and Banana may look rather plain, but I guarantee that you’ll be smitten after the first bite, for within the thin, airy dough are smooth red bean paste and banana slices.

Ardent tong shui (dessert broth) lovers will find the selection here, including the Barley with Quail Egg and Foo Chuk, Mango Purée with Pomelo and Double-Boiled Apple with Chinese Almonds, good to the last drop.

Dragon-i
Non-halal
Lot S5313A, 2nd Floor
1 Utama Shopping Centre
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: (03) 7725 8822

Branches: Mid Valley Megamall – Cititel Lobby (03-2282 0155); Centrepoint Bandar Utama (03-7728 6866); Sunway Pyramid (03-7492 3688); The Curve (03-7728 6888); Cheras Leisuremall (03-9130 0688); Dragon-i Signature, Pavilion KL (03-2143 7688); AEON Bukit Tinggi, Klang (03-3324 0888); Queensbay Mall, Penang (04-646 6888).