Jade Dynasty Offers Elegance and Affordability

Jade has long been associated with riches and nobility, with numerous cultures all over the world reserving the rare stone for use in only the finest objects, jewelry and art.

So when Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant, part of the Hong Kong-based Paramount Banquet Halls, opened last December on the fourth-floor Hookipa Terrace of Ala Moana Center, no expense was spared in creating an all-around dining experience fit for royalty.

Two bronze horse statues welcome guests through the glass double-doors, which lead to an awe-inspiring dining space decorated in lush fabrics, glass chandeliers and an illuminated bar that stands in the center of the main room.

But diners shouldn’t be intimidated by all this grandeur.

“We look expensive, but we are affordable,” says restaurant director Ave Kwok, who designed Jade Dynasty around the theme of “affordable elegance.”

“Our concept is to welcome everyone to sit in a super nice environment and enjoy what they really like,” he explains.

And it seems customers really like the dim sum.

“We have many local people visiting us for the dim sum for one simple reason: The dim sum is great!” Kwok says, adding, “We have more than 75 different types of dim sum, starting at $2.95.”

Dim sum service starts at 10:30 a.m. and goes to 5 p.m. every day, with new items introduced to the menu weekly. The newest addition is the Snow Mountain Char Siu Buns, what Kwok describes as “hot, melting and ono!”

Other popular dim sum dishes with restaurant regulars are the steamed Chive Dumpling ($3.50), Pan Seared Bean Curd Roll with fresh shrimp ($3.50), Red Bean Jim Dui (fried mocha balls with red bean inside, $2.95), Beef Look Fun (minced beef hand-wrapped with rice noodles, $4.50) and Egg Custard ($2.95).

But for those dining at Jade Dynasty for the first time, the sheer quantity of delicious dim sum may seem overwhelming. To help newbies get a taste for the menu, Kwok suggests starting with four tried-and-true favorites: Zhongshan Pork Dumpling ($3.50), soft, mouth-watering pork and gravy wrapped in a crisp-white dumpling skin; Taro Buns ($3.50), fresh taro wrapped with fresh pork and deep-fried; Mochi Rice ($3.50), dried shrimp, lap chong sausage and mocha rice wrapped in fresh lotus leaves and steamed hot to serve; and Orange Juice Balls ($3.50), a refreshing citrus-custard dessert.

“These are very famous dim sum dishes,” Kwok says. “They are what Hong Kong people always die for, they taste so good.”

The dim sum may be killer, but the main entrees are quite noteworthy as well. Starting from $12, the dinner specials run all day, with a selection almost as vast as the dim sum.

A few popular entrees include Tea-Smoked Shrimp ($23.95), live Dungeness Crab ($18.95), Dynasty Chicken ($19.95/half) made using free-range chicken, and Peking Duck with fresh bun ($48), prepared in the authentic old Chinese-style in a roast oven to retain the bird’s juices and flavor.

“Our famous beef simmered in a spicy broth ($17.95) is also good,” Kwok says. “It is hot and spicy, in a good way.”

A cooling treat, the Hong Kong Style Milk Tea ($3.95) is a specialty people once had to travel thousands of miles just to enjoy.

“All Hong Kong people love milk tea, and you do not need to travel to Hong Kong now!” Kwok says with a laugh.

With seven private VIP dining rooms, a 32-wide stage and top-notch audio/visual equipment to rent, the 8,250-square-foot restaurant is the perfect destination for family gatherings, events or special occasion.

“Our parities at lunch and dinner just went gang-busters!” Kwok says, noting that last month alone they threw more than 60 graduation parties. Party menu prices start at $230 for a party of 10, and can be customized to meet customers’ personal food preferences.

“When you visit Jade Dynasty, we want you to feel like a king and a queen and eat whatever you like,” Kwok says. “When you shop and want good food with a lot of choices, think Jade.”

Jade Dynasty Seafood Restaurant