Food review: Why you need to 'duck in' to Zheng He's today

MUCH LIKE THIS week's restaurant being named after an historical Chinese explorer, we consider ourselves culinary pioneers bringing you a taster of what to expect from unknown restaurants across the UAE and beyond. Too grand? Definitely. However, if you do possess a taste for the exotic then Zheng He's at the Mina A'Salam hotel should be on your dining map as it was ours.
The Mina A S'alam - it's a hotel that, for us, sums up what's great about Dubai. Not to sound all travel segment-y, but the calm, yet opulent surroundings, the views and the five-star glamour really do add to any of the property's experiences, whether enjoying an aperitif in Bahri, overlooking the waterways and beach, or downstairs in our main destination for the evening. What is immediately apparent when entering Zheng He's is just how popular it remains. It has been on our hitlist for a few years now, which with other restaurants usually means its appeal has somewhat waned and we can have the place to ourselves. The East Asian specialists must be in possession of that certain stardust, however, because even on a Tuesday it was packed. Thankfully, we'd booked and the table for three was waiting, as was the avalanche of food about to come our way.
Our initial intention was to sample only the Duck Experience. We eventually did but before this, as is the case when visiting any Chinese eatery, we over-ordered on everything else. Chicken and shrimp spring rolls, chicken Char Siew Bao dim sum, seafood fried rice and wok fried beef noodles, to be honest, would have been sufficient. Just those four orders and their preparation was enough to have us wanting to return. The noodles in particular were exquisite. Though, no sooner had we tucked in, the main event arrived...enter the canard. The Duck Experience involves the chef bringing over a whole roasted Beijing bird to your table, carving it up and and serving it three ways. The first is the grand old favourite: with pancakes and Hoison sauce of which we must have eaten at least eight wraps. The other two modes (so our guests informed us) were duck salad with fresh pomelo and pine nuts and stir-fried Sichuan style. While reports of the latter two recipes were favourible, it was obviously the pancakes that sent us 'quackers'. We couldn't get enough. Utterly magnificent. P.S. If you do have to spend half an hour sat in a chair because you literally can't move from eating too much, there are worse views to observe than the Burj Al Arab splendidly lit to while away the time.
Where: Zheng He's
Best dish: Duck pancakes
Price: Duck Experience Dhs620
david@khaleejtimes.com