Kingdom Of Flavours

No. 8 China House is Grand Hyatt Manila’s official address for an exquisite and authentic taste of the Middle Kingdom,

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It’s like coming home,” explains Grand Hyatt Manila’s General Manager, Gottfried Bogensperger, looking about the commodious, informal space accented with pretty Oriental touches. Not only is the number “8” considered lucky in Chinese culture, but the intended storyline here is tinged with warmth and familiarity. An address of sorts, No. 8 China House is where one comes home, so to speak, to a soul gratifying, authentic Chinese meal.

It is also of no numerical happenstance that eight lavishly decorated private rooms, perfect for entertaining and hosting auspicious occasions, are found under the same roof. Each one features plush lounge areas and massive round tables outfitted with automated Lazy Susans for decadent dining.

Though the main thrust here is Cantonese, seven Chinese chefs, including Hyatt-grown chef de cuisine Carson Luo, stick to their territorial specialities, and do it utterly well. Three are dedicated to its far-reaching Cantonese bill of fare; one is a Peking Duck expert; another hails from the Szechuan province; and a sixth focuses on wok specialities. The various cooking stations spread throughout the well-designed space (one for the Peking Duck, one for the dim sum, and the other for the Cantonese dishes), create a relaxed atmosphere. Glass walls and the calibrated exhaust system, meanwhile, prevent kitchen aromas from permeating the air and clinging onto diners’ apparel.