Modern Shanghai introduces new chef, adds dishes to its menu

MANILA — Casual Chinese restaurant Modern Shanghai is bringing new flavors to its menu under newly appointed executive Chinese chef Ben Lam, who plans to introduce Cantonese specialties and seasonal offerings to the restaurant chain.

Chef Lam is now leading the culinary team of Modern Shanghai, one of the brands under The Bistro Group.

For years. Modern Shanghai is offering comforting flavors of Chinese-home-style cooking in casual, welcoming setting.

ABS-CBN News recently visited Modern Shanghai at TriNoma to meet Chef Lam, who demonstrated how to prepare Hong Kong-style noodles, one of his specialties and an upcoming addition to the menu. The restaurant serves Chinese cuisine inspired by classic dishes from Beijing, Sichuan and Shanghai.

 “My role is to ensure top quality every day, innovate new offerings, and foster a strong kitchen culture. Moving forward I plan to introduce seasonal menu rotations since Chinese cuisine follows the seasons,” said Chef Lam, who grew up in Hong Kong and is an expert in Cantonese cuisine. 

“I specialize in Cantonese cuisine, wok-frying, cooking seafood, and roasting,” added Chef Lam, who started his career as a kitchen assistant at 14 years old. He had served as head chef of several restaurants in Hong Kong before coming to the Philippines where he also worked in various restaurants.

Chef Lam will be the man responsible for Modern Shanghai’s upcoming specials, which will hit its menu soon. He is set to bring fresh culinary expertise and renewed take on modern Chinese comfort food. Apart from focusing on continuous menu enhancement he is particular on perfecting sauces and preparation methods to honor and bring the dishes closer to the traditional Cantonese flavors.

“We have training on how to make cook hakaw and Yang Chow fried rice, as well as the proper way of handling the wok. All these are meant to ensure that Modern Shang serves balanced and consistent food. I want to draw in more guests and encourage regular diners to visit more often,” he added.

Under Chef Lam, the restaurant will be introducing new dishes soon. Three of the upcoming dishes are Modern Shanghai’s newest centerpiece Roast Asado, Stir-Fried Chinese Pork Belly, which was exclusively crafted by Chef Lam, and the comforting Hong Kong-Style Fried Noodles.    

Invited guests also got first dibs on Modern Shanghai’s upcoming dishes which will be rolled out in the restaurant’s menu.

Modern Shanghai offers the authenticity of local Shanghai cuisine in a casual and home-like manner, reviving simple but hearty meals.

During the event, invited guests were also able to try some of Modern Shanghai’s bestsellers including  Crispy Fried Noodles, Peking-Style Roast Chicken, Roasted Crispy Pork, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Orange Chicken, and Our Signature Xiao Long Bao.

Also considered crowd favorites are Beijing-Style Beef, Premium Steamed Shrimp and Pork Siumai, Pan-Fried Shanghai Pork Buns, and Shrimp with Preserved Egg Yolk Paste.  

To complete your dining experience, you might also want to try their refreshing drinks and desserts such as Fresh Mango Cream with Sago and Pomelo

With its modern, clean and cozy ambiance, Modern Shanghai caters to families and large groups as well as solo diners.