Two large lions flank the entrance to Royal Garden Chinese Restaurant, its name emblazoned on the wall in gold.
It’s a sign for things to come once you step inside and discover that the ambiance is every bit as regal and indulgent as the flavors of its authentic Hong Kong-style dishes.
The restaurant has been a staple in the dining community for 28 years at its Ala Moana Hotel location, garnering a loyal group of customers that regularly flock to its establishment.
On Nov. 1, it will launch a month-long promotion for two items: Stuffed Duck ($45, for 10 people) and Chicken Stuffed with Mochi Rice ($35, for 10 people). Both will be half-off the regular price.
To prepare the first special, duck is braised until it is perfectly soft. It is stuffed with a mixture of barley, egg, chestnut and lotus seed before being braised completely and served.
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- Curry Crab with Longrice ($18.95 per pound or market price) and Peepar Tofu ($17.95 per order, for four people).
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- Stuffed Duck ($45, for 10 people)
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- Peepar Tofu ($17.95 per order, for four people)
The second dish for the promotion begins with de-boned chicken. After it is laid out, mochi rice is placed on top, followed by an egg-type batter. It is fried, which provides a crispy exterior and tender meat inside.
Two other dishes are worth trying during your next visit to Royal Garden.
Peepar Tofu ($17.95 per order, for four people) features tofu mixed with shrimp paste. It is fried and placed on a bed of spinach and topped with a gravy made of oyster sauce.
“This is one of our restaurant’s signature dishes, (it’s) very popular,” says owner Calvin Wong. He works alongside his brother, head chef Johnny Wong.
The second signature menu item is Curry Crab with Long Rice ($18.95 per pound or market price). Cooked in a stone pot and brought sizzling to the table, the whole crab is cooked with butter, garlic, long rice and curry. Its flavors boast subtle hints of sweetness and mild spices from the curry. Long rice noodles are cooked to perfection and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Though the market price is subject to change, Wong estimates that it will stay at its current price for a month or so.
Royal Garden Chinese Restaurant
Ala Moana Hotel, third floor
410 Atkinson Drive
942-7788
Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Honolulu, HI 96814
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