Celebrated Chef and menu at Yu Kitchen

In a move that has set Melburnians’ tastebuds aflutter, fine Chinese cuisine hotspot, Yu Kitchen, has just announced a spruce-up in time for spring, with a new menu and celebrated new chef.

Immersed in a beautifully designed, classy and intimate space in the luxury precinct of Chadstone Shopping Centre, Yu Kitchen is fast becoming one of Melbourne’s leading destinations for fine Chinese cuisine, and the new additions only serve to bolster their already brilliant offering.

With the culinary pedigree behind Yu Kitchen you could be forgiven for having super high expectations – and believe me, those expectations will definitely be met.

Leading the culinary operation is 2 Star Michelin Chef Chen Kentaro, son of world famous Iron Chef Chen Kenichi, with new Yu Kitchen Chef Karloong Yee stepping up from Sous Chef to lead the daily operations.

With over 21 years of culinary experience, Karloong started his illustrious career and trained at the Mandarin Oriental, Hilton and Westin Hotels. He then gained further culinary experience at the Mahogany Room as Assistant Chef De Cuisine at Silks Restaurant at Crown Casino before moving to China to gain further international experience.

Now at the helm of Yu Kitchen, Chef Karloong has broadened the menu, delivering his interpretation of homemade Chinese comfort food, to be enjoyed by all.

Boasting an eclectic selection of classic and traditional homemade Chinese dishes, Chef Karloong’s dishes are rapidly gaining favour with Melbourne foodies for his extremely aesthetic dishes and incredible flavours.

At Yu Kitchen you can expect to indulge in the finest handmade delicacies and treats from the selection of Yum Cha or traditional homemade Chinese dishes when ordering a la carte.

The new Yum Cha menu, made fresh in-house daily, includes Steamed Black Pearl Scallop Dumplings, Black Truffle Xiao Long Bao, Baked Charcoal Barbecue Pork Buns and Heavenly Pastry Swans filled with White Lotus Paste.

The new Yum Cha menu, made fresh in-house daily, includes many of the usual suspects you would find, but it also goes to the next level with Steamed black Pearl Scallop Dumplings, Black Truffle Xiao Long Bao, Baked Charcoal Barbecue Pork Buns and Heavenly Pastry Swans filled with White Lotus Paste. The freshness and presentation of the dishes is exceptional, but it’s when you get to the ones that are out of the ordinary (such as the Heavenly Swans – crispy layers of pastry filled with sweet lotus paste) that you realize you are having a truly exceptional experience.

Steeped in tradition but crafted with a keen eye for detail and a passion for pushing culinary boundaries, the a la carte menu boasts dishes including Foie Gras Chawanmushi with Crab Meat Soup, Braised Baby Green Lip Abalone Claypot with Sea Cucumber, Chen Kentaro’s signature Mapo Tofu and classic crowd pleasers including Premium Berkshire Sweet & Sour Pork and Wok-Fried Chicken with Kung Pao Sauce… just to name a few!

If you’re curious to really broaden your horizon, sample the Jellyfish with Sesame Seeds, the Wasabi Black Fungus, or from the dessert menu, the delightful Raindrop Jelly Cake.

A joint venture between The Oriental and Ruyi Group in Malaysia and renowned Calia Collective of Australia, Yu Kitchen encourages guests to discover and explore new and quirky dishes with its take on classic flavours with a touch of modernity.

The décor of the dining space is glamorous, modern and elegant; the first thing you will notice, after climbing the stairs to the first floor where you enter the eating space, is the ceiling which is strung with hundreds of vertical strands holding glistening orbs, which apparently represent the abacus.

Yu Kitchen seats 200 guests at any one time, and has partnered with world-famous Champagne Houses Dom Perignon and Krug to offer two exclusive and opulent rooms for an intimate dining experience for family, friends or for corporate events.

My experience at Yu Kitchen was wonderful and I have planned to go back over and over again – there are so many dishes I can’t wait to try.

Open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner, Yu Kitchen takes guests on a divine journey through the old world and new world of Chinese cuisine – a delicious journey not to be missed!

Yu Kitchen

Luxury Precinct Entrance Chadstone Shopping Centre – next to Tiffany & Co

Shop 41B, Ground Floor Chadstone Shopping Centre 1341 Dandenong Road Chadstone

Phone: (03) 9569 8301

For more information, please visit www.yukitchen.com.au