Maison Gingko, a Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai serving traditional banquet-style dishes.

Traditional Cantonese & Showpiece Banquet Dishes at Maison Gingko

0 Shares
0
0
0

Maison Gingko is a Cantonese restaurant located in Shanghai Arch Walk mall in Gubei. This is the second Maison Gingko (Zhen, 文杏馆·臻), the first one is more upmarket, called Maison Gingko (Xin, 文杏馆·昕).

The Space

Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence

The location is an enigma. Shanghai Arch Walk looks like it could be in an episode of “The Last Of Us.” Compared to its surroundings, Maison Gingko is posh. It’s a big space with two dining halls and nearly a dozen private rooms adorned with expensive art pieces.

Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence

The Food

This kitchen is led by Chef Lu Jing (卢静), who was previously sous chef at Michelin one-star Lai Heen, The Ritz-Carlton, Macau. The food at Maison Gingko is traditional Cantonese made elegant. The menu covers both ends of the spectrum from dim sum to showy banquet mains like the braised chicken with ham.

Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence

Here are the highlights:

Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
The squab (¥78/one, 孜然脆皮乳鸽) is a specialty. It’s coated in cumin powder, which is a rare spice to find in Cantonese cuisine, let alone with the revered fried pigeon. Otherwise, it’s a textbook bird with crispy skin and juicy meat.
Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Honey-Stewed Barbecue Pork (¥158, 明炉蜜汁叉烧) – Possibly the best charsiu I’ve had. It has a crunchy, caramelized layer on top and the meat is tender and juicy.
Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Sliced Abalone with Celtuce (¥108, 青笋鲍螺片) – Tender slices of abalone with poached celtuce and soy sauce.
Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Braised Chicken with Ham (¥598) aka Jinhua Yushu Chicken (金华玉树鸡). This is a typical banquet dish, You’d need incredible knife skills for this showpiece, as you not only have to debone the chicken, but also remove all the fat. It’s paired with Jinhua ham and mushrooms, and given lashings of superior broth.
Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Shunde Fresh Fish Broth Soup (¥68, 顺德生拆鱼茸羹) – A comforting bowl of milky, slightly pepper fish broth.
Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Whole Grouper (¥300/500g, 自制黄椒酱游龙蒸石斑) – Filets of poached grouper painstakingly rearranged to resemble a swimming fish. The house soy sauce mix is perfect, and the ensemble reminds me of Cantonese restaurants from back home.
Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Kung Pao Australian Small Lobster (¥498/two, 宫保澳洲小花龙) – Two lobsters worth of meat stir-fried kungpao-style with leeks, cashews, and chilies.
Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Shrimp Meatball with Asparagus (¥398, 金莎焗虾球) – Like the Jinhua Yushu Chicken, this is another “made to impress” dish. You can’t tell, but these are massive globes of shrimp, and it isn’t just the batter. These big prawns from Shandong are coated in salted egg yolk and deep-fried. Undeniably delicious.
Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Traditional Fried Egg (¥48, 古法五柳炸蛋) – It’s an “old Canton flavor” dish made with “Five Willow Sauce,” a sweet-sour sauce with shredded green papaya, carrot, chives, ginger, and cucumber. Other than the sauce, it’s just a plain ol’ fried egg.
Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
Fried Rice (¥168, 文杏馆富贵炒饭 ) with fried shrimp, vegetables, beef, and fluffy egg whites.
Maison Gingko (文杏馆·臻) is a traditional Cantonese restaurant in Gubei, Shanghai. Expect showy dishes like Jinhua Yushu chicken for dinner. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence
“Wizard of Oz” Baos (¥88/6, 绿野仙踪雪山餐包) – Sweet-savory milk buns with pork floss jam. It sounds peculiar, but it’s hella tasty. I finished the whole bao, despite being full to the hilt.

In Summary

As far as I can tell, it’s very good. The dining experience and service was impeccable. The food has a fine touch. Dinner is better enjoyed with a big group. Standouts include the charsiu, braised chicken, and fish.

Dim sum lunch is slightly pricier than the average, and you can expect to pay upwards of ¥200 per person. Dinner is ¥400 and up.


Maison Gingko (Zhen, 文杏馆·臻)
Address: L301, 179 Maotai Lu, near Loushanguan Lu 茅台路179号金虹桥商场L301, 近娄山关路
Tel: 62688628
Hours: Daily, 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm

0 Shares
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like