5 must-try dishes the next time you visit Hong at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh
Under the lead of Chef Wang Linhua, the culinary team aims to deliver sumptuous Chinese delicacies that don’t compromise on authentic recipes…
Comfortably ensconced on the second floor of The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, Hong has been a dignified stalwart of the Chinese fine dining scene since its inception. The restaurant opens up to a plush, roomy interior with red dominating the colour scheme and tables generously spaced out.
The traditional décor is complemented by oriental design elements such as hand-painted calligraphy panels, delicate floral wall motifs, and modern chandeliers evoking Chinese lanterns floating in the air, while the open balconies unveil the hotel’s indoor pool as the restaurant’s show-stopping backdrop.
With a new head chef at the helm, Chef Wang Linhua, who hails from the Henan Province, diners can expect an upgraded menu, which fuses classic Guangdong cuisine with modern presentation. At the same time, Chef Wang’s menu pushes boundaries, championing local produce and ingredients through his refined fine dining approach.
The line that Chef Wang treads is a fine one: sticking to authenticity, but enhancing the experience with new elements is a tricky balance. One thing is certain: through his style, the food at Hong is more refined and served with attentive and fine service.
Have a look at some of the dishes that we enjoyed at Hong at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh.
Sichuan-style Kou Shui chicken
The boneless silky fowl and bamboo shoots smothered in a thick, red-oil-based sauce is beautifully presented and pieced together like a chessboard. It has a sophisticated, multi-layered taste: garlicky, gingery, umami, savoury, sour, sweet, nutty (from the peanut butter and sesame) and mouth-numbing (but not overwhelming). This classic Sichuan cold dish is enough for a return visit alone.
King crab pumpkin soup
The sweet and refined earthy pumpkin flavour is accented with tender crab meat and spices. This creamy and aromatic soup has a hint of spice and everything nice. The ultimate comfort food for the cool weather.
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Wok-fried beef with LaoGanMa sauce
True Chinese food lovers will know that LaoGanMa chilli sauce is a beloved sauce. The version used in this dish is a mixture of roasted chilli peppers with preserved black soybeans in soybean oil. The result of these two is rich umami flavours. So, if you enjoy beef tossed in black beans chilli sauce, this is an absolute must-try. The Wagyu beef cubes are tender, juicy and wonderfully flavourful – highly recommended.
Wok-fried green beans
Vegetables often play second fiddle to meaty mains, but this dish is special enough to take centre stage. The green beans are perfectly charred and blistered, and the aromatics help achieve maximum flavour in this simple dish.
Yeung Chow fried rice with vegetables
Rice is a staple in Chinese cuisine. We love that Hong’s version of Yeung Chow fried rice is full of gloss, fragrant, and loaded with plenty of extra veggies.
Hong, The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, Second Floor, Sun to Fri 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Tel: 011 802 8392. @theritzcarltonruh