Cantonese cuisine is always a comfort, and often a cuisine that tempts you to overeat. That is certainly the case at Li Feng, whose modern twists of traditional cuisine have earned it the rank of one of the best in its category in Jakarta.
Located on the 2nd floor of the Mandarin Oriental, Li Feng’s interiors already set a high standard. Inspired by the history of the spice trade between China and Batavia, Jakarta’s old colonial capital, the restaurant is refined and sophisticated, setting the scene for a fine dining meal of Asian persuasion. The restaurant offers three elegant and distinctive private dining rooms, all ideally suited to intimate gatherings and private celebrations.
The menu at Li Feng is made by Chef Fei of Jiang, Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou — a two Michelin-starred restaurant. As such, authenticity in flavour is guaranteed, but it is in the contemporary takes of these flavours and the finesse in presentation that has earned Chef Fei his much-deserved stars.
What characterises Cantonese cuisine exactly? It is a regional cuisine from southeast China, originating in Guangzhou but certainly popularised by nearby Hong Kong. Cantonese is known to be balanced, less greasy, some sweetness and milder in flavour, not allowing for spices to overpower the main ingredients — different to say the Szechuan style, where spices really set the precedent. It is the most globally served Chinese cuisine, which perhaps explains the readiness of our palates to savour its familiar flavours.
At Li Feng, Cantonese cuisine is certainly put on display with a long and varied menu. You’ll find barbecue dishes, like the perfectly Roasted Pork Char Siew, and traditional Peking Duck; delicious dim sum options are a must, especially Li Feng’s signature ‘Swan Dumplings’ and the Butterfly Pea Shrimp with Asparagus Dumpling. Temptations continue with the specialties, like the Wok-Fried Angus Beef in Special Sauce, and even into their rice options where the Fried Rice with Foie Gras and Black Truffle may be the most decadent form of this dish to exist.
Two of the newest items, launched in February 2023 by Chef Fei, are seafood options, such as the Sautéed Lobster with spring onion, red onion, and shallot garlic soy sauce; Sautéed Sliced Tiger Grouper with mixed mushroom and dried shrimp. But the masterful chef also added Grilled Lamb Chops with cummin sauce with crispy chilli and Sichuan Spicy Beef Slices to the menu.
For those hoping to get their fill of Cantonese cuisine, we wish you good luck, as the offerings at Li Feng will surely tempt you to keep the orders coming. The restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner.
Li Feng at Mandarin Oriental Jakarta
Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Jakarta
+62 21 2993 8825
mojkt-lifeng@mohg.com
@mo_jakarta
