JING TING is a 92-seater Northern Chinese Cuisine casual restaurant by the City of Dreams group, located at the upper ground level of the COD retail area.
Its name means “a little house” or “resting place” and is inspired by Northern Chinese “Hutongs.” A Hutong is a gathering place in an alley lined with gray-tiled houses and buildings in a traditional residential city in China like Beijing.
It’s a cool new place to eat in City of Dreams, especially when you’re craving for Northen-style dimsum and hand-pulled noodles, Beijing Style.
Here’s what to expect and what to order in Jing Ting…
JING TING
Upper Ground Floor, City of Dreams, Aseana Boulevard corner Macapagal Avenue, Paranaque City
Operating Hours: Open Daily 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM
Website: https://www.cityofdreamsmanila.com/restaurants/jing-ting
Jing Ting Menu: Appetizer, Chef’s Recommendation, Noodles | Beijing Dumpling Selection, Beijing Special | Wines | Beverages
I like the casual but trendy feel of the restaurant that aims to recreate the narrow lanes in between gray-tiled houses.
Best to seat in the couch areas for a little comfort and privacy, or the tables directly in front of the show kitchen.
Chef de Cuisine Yang Chen Fei–or Chef Allan for short–heads the Jing Ting kitchen, bringing 15 years of culinary expertise in Northen Chinese cuisine.
He also trained under famous Chinese Master Chef Cheng Hui, the chef of China’s former President Hu Jintao.
BEIJING DUMPLING
Beijing Pork “Jiao Zi” Dumpling (₱378/small bowl – 8 pcs.)
This type of dumpling reminds us of Dong Bei Dumplings in Binondo. The Jiao Zi has a bouncy dumpling texture and a flavorful filling inside.
It comes with a special dipping sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, sesame, and chili oil.
Chopped Beef and Celery “Jiao Zi” Dumpling (₱390 / small bowl – 8 pcs.)
Poached Pork and Kimchi “Jiao Zi” Dumpling (₱378 / small bowl – 8 pcs.)
It comes in different flavors and colorful dumpling wrappers, like green for celery and kimchi for the bold red color.
Mushroom, Vegetables and Pork “Jiao Zi” Dumpling (₱320 / small bowl – 8 pcs.)
Our hands-down favorite is the mushroom with a bit of pork and vegetables.
I like how freshly made the dumplings taste. Often times, simple flavors work for dumplings.
Pan-fried Beijing Pork Dumplings (₱298 – 6 pcs.)
You can also try the Chinese version of gyoza, with fried dumpling with a crispy web of sotanghon. I still prefer the steamed ones.
Pan-fried Pork Bun with Onions and Sesame (₱288 – 3 pcs.)
This reminds us of toasted siopao but pan-fried instead with onion and sesame flavor.
Pan-fried Bun with Sliced Beef Shank (₱368 – 3 pcs.)
Fried flat buns with loose sliced beef shank resembling burger patties.
Renmano 2016 Chardonnay Australia, Chairman Selection (₱220 – glass, ₱1,050 – bottle)
I like the house white wine with a bright yellow color and crisp flavors of melon, pineapple, and peach. It does not overpower the flavors of the dumplings.
HAND-PULLED NOODLES
Ordering the hand-pulled noodles takes time because they are made upon order. You can see this from the kitchen window.
Hand-pulled Noodles in Beef Broth (₱398)
I like the clear broth with full flavors of beef. This should be very comforting on a rainy day or after a drinking session.
You can taste just how fresh the noodles are–bouncy, soft, and easy to eat.
Hand-pulled Noodles in Clear Chicken Soup (₱368)
This is their version of chicken noodle soup. I’d still go with the beef broth, especially if you like stronger flavors.
Hand-pulled Noodles with Stewed Pork Ribs Soup (₱388)
This is like bak-kuh-teh without the herby flavors and more of a bulalo type of broth.
Northern Fried Noodles with Pork, Egg and Vegetables (₱268)
Tastes like ordinary pancit canton.
CHEF’S RECOMMENDATION
“Genghis Khan” Roasted Prime Beef Short Ribs (₱1,380)
A Mongolian-inspired short rib cut steak with cumin and spices, served with the bone and prepared for 12 hours.
The spices are a bit strong and different from your usual smoky BBQ expectation.
Renmano 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Australia, Chairman Selection (₱220 – glass, ₱1,050 – bottle)
The steak goes well with a bit of kalamansi to soften the spices. And you can pair it with the house Cab Sauv for a more enjoyable experience.
“Xinjiang Style” Spicy Lamb Skewer with Cumin Spices (₱768)
This is my favorite meat lamb cubes with cumin and Chinese spices, served in a giant sword skewer with drippings and additional sauce.
There’s no lamb-y aftertaste and each piece is seasoned well.
Fried Rice “Beijing Style” with Cabbage and Pork Belly (₱268)
The meats are best eaten with their Beijing style fried rice!
DESSERTS
Steamed Molten Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun (₱288)
You won’t go wrong with the oozing salted egg custard with an ash-colored “gold” bun.
Chilled Honey and Red Bean Cake (₱148) and Homely-style Sweetened Pumpkin Pastry (₱188 – 6 pieces)
I’m not a fan of these desserts…they taste heavy, especially after eating all those noodles.
Chilled Sweetened Eight Treasure with Shaved Ice (₱178)
A kind of halo-halo with 8 Chinese-style ingredients with dried fruits like raisins, corn, and black jelly. They don’t seem to go well together though.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is a great place to visit for impromptu eat-outs with your barkada or late night snacking if you’re in the City of Dreams area. The ambiance is not intimidating but you still get to enjoy your dumplings and noodles in a stylish interior. The noodles and dim sum are prepared fresh, and you can witness this right from the open kitchen window.
For the dim sum, order the Beijing Pork “Jiao Zi” Dumpling and the Mushroom, Vegetables, and Pork “Jiao Zi” Dumpling. I like the simple flavors of their steamed dumplings instead of the fried ones.
For the noodle soup, order the Hand-pulled Noodles in Beef Broth and/or the Hand-pulled Noodles with Stewed Pork Ribs Soup. The serving size is good to share, which means you can get to try the different flavors.
For the main dish, order the “Xinjiang Style” Spicy Lamb Skewer with Cumin Spices with the Fried Rice “Beijing Style” with Cabbage and Pork Belly. The “Genghis Khan” Roasted Prime Beef Short Ribs is good for big groups and is best eaten immediately while still hot.
For dessert, stick to the Steamed Molten Salted Egg Yolk Custard Bun. Budget about P600/head.
Congratulations to City of Dreams for another winning restaurant concept!
JING TING
Upper Ground Floor, City of Dreams, Aseana Boulevard corner Macapagal Avenue, Paranaque City
Operating Hours: Open Daily 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM
Website: https://www.cityofdreamsmanila.com/restaurants/jing-ting
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our meal was courtesy of our friends from City of Dreams. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Quickly order the Jiao Zi dimsum and the hand-pulled noodle soup upon arrival because it takes time to make them.