Yue Chuan (Kingsbury).

Yue Chuan is a fine dining Chinese restaurant located at the Kingsbury hotel. The food is good, but not excellent.

The Food

The menu at Yue Chuan is very well presented, offering a curated and brief selection of dishes – unlike the encyclopaedic Chinese menus we usually encounter – which makes compiling your meal a lot easier. The menu highlights two chef’s specials: roast peking duck (Rs 9,500) and salt baked chicken (Rs 2,800) accompanied by informative, enticing descriptions.

But while the menu bears so much promise, the food falls slightly short. We ordered the XO chicken and prawns (Rs. 1200) and claypot tofu (Rs. 650) with a portion of garlic butter rice (Rs. 700). The chicken and tofu were fine, but nothing exceptional. The flavours were mild and lacked a little… something. The tofu again was fine but not great. This would have been perfectly acceptable at a mid range Chinese joint, but served at a five star hotel with five star prices, it wasn’t good enough.

The butter garlic rice, however, is exceptional. Buttery beads of rice are spiked the flecks of crispy garlic – it’s simple, but intoxicatingly flavourful. Also, enormously expensive at Rs. 700 (!) but it was the best part of the meal. I could honestly just eat it plain with their excellent chilli paste – which uses peanut quite interestingly to complement its spiciness.

We didn’t try that many dishes so the review is based on just the above. However, every dish at a restaurant like this one ought to be outstanding. And only one of them was.

Drinks

The beverage list is extensive, but expensive, and all drinks come from the King’s Bar next door. They have a good range of cocktails so we tried the red sangria with lemon (Rs. 700). It looks like pink lemonade and is alcoholic without tasting anything like alcohol (win). Round blackcurrants, wedges of lemon, apple and sprigs of mint float in a pearly spritz. It’s a delicious, refreshing drink. Doesn’t really taste like the conventional sangria which is much richer and actually contains wine (not sure where the wine was in this one). But I actually like the King’s Bar version better – it’s refreshing and heady. An excellent drink.

Ambience, Or Lack Of

Wonderful cocktails aside, however, the restaurant itself has little to no ambience. The shiny, over polished floors look a little tacky, as does the mottled gold ceiling. I don’t believe there was any background music and overall there was just a complete absence of atmosphere (the lights were too bright, the chairs were plush without being comfortable) – this is not the venue for a romantic date. There’s very little difference between the overlit mid-range Chinese dining experience and this. Our table for two was a clumsy arrangement next to a narrow wall – and we sat down feeling a bit like an afterthought. But the service was good. The staff were attentive and the manager in particular was extremely friendly and helpful.

So…

Yue Chuan doesn’t offer a dining experience. They offer Chinese food, but little more than that. With fine dining you expect a rounded experience – flawless service, great ambience and excellent food, which Yue Chuan doesn’t deliver.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Across Borders: A Culinary Bridge Between India and Sri Lanka Through Peshawri’s Timeless Flavors

By Vimasha Vishvadari Peshawri, a renowned restaurant chain, originated from the iconic Bukhara restaurant in

Highlights Kamu

Tenkū – a hidden Gem of the Japanese Cuisine

By Vimasha Weerawansha Ambience  The Kingsbury Rooftop offers a breathtaking panorama of the cityscape and

Highlights Kamu

Discovering Kamikura: A Journey into Authentic Japanese Cuisine

dBy Sharon Nonis Welcome to Kamikura, where the essence of Japanese cuisine meets the heart

Kamu

Full’R Burgers is Flipping into Maharagama

by Vimasha Vishvadari If you're on the lookout for the ideal burger spot in the

Kamu

Yi Jing Unveiled: Sri Lanka’s Top Chinese Dining at ITC Ratnadipa Blends Tradition with Modern Flair

By Poornima Bandara Yi Jing Unveiled: Sri Lanka’s Premier Chinese Dining Experience at ITC Ratnadipa

Highlights Kamu

Seafood Watti Rice: A Flavorful Feast from Fathi’s Spice Attic

Watti Rice is a delightful Sri Lankan dish that combines various meats, such as seafood

Highlights Kamu

Trending.

Mount Lavinia Hotel Marks “220 Years of Love” with Wedding Offers and NTB Amex Partnership

Mount Lavinia Hotel, Sri Lanka’s most iconic destination for romance, hosted an interactive briefing on

Trending

Cheers to a New Beginning: The Grand Relaunch of Cheers at Cinnamon Grand Colombo

Cinnamon Grand Colombo, renowned for its iconic hospitality experiences, proudly unveiled the newly relocated Cheers

Trending

New Year’s Eve at The Kingsbury Colombo

Embrace the wonder of Christmas with a world of joy and togetherness this New Year’s

Trending Yamu Guide

nta Takes to the Skies at Occidental Eden Beruwala

Occidental Eden Beruwala, the luxurious beach resort located on the pristine shores of Beruwala, recently

Trending

Celebrate the Season with The Kingsbury’s Festive High Tea Buffet at Churros

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with a Festive High Tea Buffet at

Trending

A Limited-Edition Christmas Masterpiece: Hazelnut & Passion Yule Log Train by Shangri-La Colombo

This festive season, Shangri-La Colombo unveils an exclusive culinary treasure - the Hazelnut & Passion

Trending

Yamu Guide.

New Year’s Eve at The Kingsbury Colombo

Embrace the wonder of Christmas with a world of joy and togetherness this New Year’s

Trending Yamu Guide

Tea, Treats, and Tidings: The Christmas Menu of t-Lounge by Dilmah

By Vimasha Weerawansha t-Lounge by Dilmah is a sophisticated tea experience that blends tradition with

Highlights Yamu Guide

Festive Feasts: Top Christmas Buffets of 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya Looking for the perfect spot to indulge in a festive Christmas buffet?

Highlights Yamu Guide

9 Unisex Gift Ideas for Your Friends

Written by Fathima Rukaiya, Finding the perfect gift for your friends can be a delightful

Highlights Trending Yamu Guide

9 Must-Read Self-Help Books for Personal Growth

By Jordain De Mel In recent years, people have turned to self-help books to serve

Highlights Yamu Guide