High-end state banquet dishes under a thousand yuan – Lai Chi Kok Golden Dragon Hall reopens with dozens of new dishes

▲ The lighting above the Golden Dragon Hall features a winding dragon design. (Photo / Reporter Chen Mingren)

Reported by Xiao Wanning / Taipei

After six months of renovation, the Golden Dragon Hall at the Grand Hotel Taipei reopened today (29th). Everything from the ceiling, lighting, dining tables, carpets to the staff uniforms has been completely refreshed. From June 1st to 30th, diners enjoy a 10% discount on all meals, with many individual dishes available for under a thousand yuan, plus complimentary dessert boxes and homemade XO sauce for orders over a certain amount. Grand Hotel Taipei Human Resources Director Tseng Tsan-sheng said: “This reopening of the Golden Dragon Hall not only involved hiring a new head chef to design the menu, but also made significant changes to the service staff arrangement. Previously, there was an average of one server for every two to three tables, but now there is basically one server per table.”

▲ Grand Hotel Taipei Chairman Lee Chien-jung (center in photo) personally attended the reopening event of the Golden Dragon Hall. (Photo / Reporter Chen Mingren)

The newly launched dishes after the reopening include Jadeite Golden Prawns, Wolfberry Yam and Flat Peach, Xi Shi’s Congee, Mango Pomelo Sago, Olive Honey Glazed Ribs, Su-style Char Siu Buns, and Blue Ribbon Foie Gras Rolls, among others, waiting for foodies to try. Long-time patron and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Fu said: “Before the renovation, the Golden Dragon Hall even had ceiling leaks — this is not the standard expected of a long-established five-star hotel. After reopening, not only is the ceiling fixed, but the traditional carvings on the walls have also been beautifully restored.”

▲ New dishes at the Golden Dragon Hall: Wolfberry Yam and Flat Peach (left) and Jadeite Crispy Golden Prawns (right), both priced under 1000 yuan. (Photo / Reporter Chen Mingren)

Even though they are state banquet-level dishes, most cost under a thousand yuan. For example, the Jadeite Crispy Golden Prawns are stir-fried with salted egg yolk, the Wolfberry Yam and Flat Peach includes yam, flat peach, and matsutake mushrooms, and even the Xi Shi’s Congee, said to be a favorite of the ancient beauty Xi Shi, uses premium ingredients yet remains very affordable.

▲ Xi Shi’s Congee, loved by Xi Shi herself, is one of the new dishes at the Golden Dragon Hall. (Photo / Reporter Chen Mingren)

Notably, the Golden Dragon Hall has specially refurbished the historic state banquet venue and opened it as an extra-large private room for use, available free of charge with qualifying spending. It can be used not only for general business gatherings but also reserved for birthday banquets, family gatherings, and more.

▲ The renovated state banquet venue is luxurious and grand, suitable for use as a private room (left). Another new dish, Olive Honey Glazed Ribs (right). (Photo / Reporter Chen Mingren)

▲ The Golden Dragon Hall staff uniform has changed from the previous phoenix flower dress (right photo) to a more streamlined suit (left photo) (Left photo / Reporter Chen Mingren, right photo / Provided by the establishment)