A delicious rediscovery of Cantonese classics, inventive creations, and the flavors of local ingredients
Makati City, Philippines | August 2026 — Jasmine’s introduction of its reimagined Cantonese menu takes diners from nostalgia to awe. Familiar Chinese flavors are given fresh expression through contemporary techniques, beautiful presentation, and carefully selected ingredients, creating a dining experience that feels both comforting and wonderfully new.
Jasmine, the signature Chinese restaurant of New World Makati Hotel, has refreshed its À La Carte Menu under the creative direction of Master Chef Brandon Ng, also known as Chee Kin Ng. The new selection brings together cherished Cantonese traditions and modern culinary sensibilities, with each dish offering something to discover.
What makes the menu even more interesting is its connection to the Philippines. Guided by New World Hotels & Resorts’ purpose of “creating a future where people and places enrich one another,” Jasmine works with local farmers, fisheries, and producers across the country.
Fresh vegetables from the Cordillera region, Bicol chili peppers, salted fish from Negros, and sustainably sourced seafood from Palawan find their way into the menu, adding a distinctly local dimension to Jasmine’s Cantonese repertoire.
A Feast of Flavors and Textures
We started with the Crispy Bean Curd with Salt and Pepper, which quickly became a favorite. Golden and crunchy on the outside, yet soft and silky inside, it is tossed with fragrant garlic, herbs, and savory salt-and-pepper seasoning. Simple in concept but so satisfying, it was the kind of appetizer that made us want another bite almost immediately.
Then came the Imperial Peking Duck served two ways. The classic preparation delivered that irresistible combination of crisp, golden skin, tender duck, delicate pancakes, and traditional condiments. The second preparation offered a different expression of the duck, bringing out another layer of flavor and texture. Two delicious takes on a timeless Chinese favorite.
The dim sum creations were equally delightful. The Seafood Lobster Dumpling brought a touch of indulgence, while the Golden Harbor Salmon and Asparagus Dumpling offered a delicate combination of flavors. The Assorted Mushroom and Truffle Dumpling had an earthy richness, and the Jasmine Oven-Baked Curry Chicken Puff added a fragrant, flaky bite to the assortment.
By the time the main courses arrived, the table had become a wonderful parade of flavors.
The Chinese-Style Beef Tenderloin with Onion and Mandarin Sauce featured tender beef complemented by the bright, citrusy sweetness of mandarin. The Honey Orange Chicken was deliciously sweet and tangy, especially when enjoyed warm. Then came the Chinese-Style Scrambled Egg with Scallop and Tomato—soft, silky, and wonderfully comforting.
The Fried French Beans with Minced Pork and Dried Shrimp added savory depth and an aromatic crunch, while the Pork Belly and Liver Sausage Fried Rice with X.O. Sauce brought the meal together with its rich, smoky, umami-packed character. It was the kind of fried rice that could easily stand on its own, yet somehow tasted even better shared with the dishes around it.
And then, dessert.
The Chilled Milk Pudding with Salted Egg Ice Cream was a delightful combination of creamy, cool sweetness with the distinctive savory note of salted egg. It was followed by the utterly adorable Steamed Creamy Cheese Piggy Bun—soft, fluffy, and almost too cute to eat.
Rediscovering Cantonese Cuisine at Jasmine
There is something special about a menu that respects tradition while giving diners a reason to look at familiar dishes differently. At Jasmine, the refreshed À La Carte Menu does exactly that.
Whether it is a family gathering, a business lunch, an intimate dinner, or a special celebration, the restaurant provides an elegant setting in which to enjoy the cuisine at a leisurely pace. Signature cocktails such as the Jasmine Bloom and Xiang Máo Drop, together with a selection of wines and premium teas, offer additional ways to complete the experience.
Jasmine’s new menu is ultimately a celebration of Cantonese cooking—rooted in tradition, enriched by Philippine ingredients, and refreshed with contemporary creativity. More than simply a collection of new dishes, it is an invitation to rediscover the pleasure of Chinese dining, one delicious bite at a time.
