Dumplings from the Ta-Tung restaurant in Barcelona.
1. TA-TUNG (Carrer de la Mare de Déu de la Salut, 75)
Ta-Tung cuisine cannot be understood without knowing the history of its owner, Kav Ly , and that of her family. She arrived in Barcelona fleeing the Cambodian genocide of Pol Pot in the 1970s. It was almost a miracle that her entire family was saved from the dictatorship.
In 1980 she opened her first restaurant and has since cared for Ta Tung as if it were her house. "In the family we started with Chinese cuisine even though we were Cambodian because if Chinese food was already exotic in the 70s, imagine Cambodian," says Kav Ly for Traveler.es.
Kav Ly she has cultivated a traditional cuisine in which she now dares to innovate with typical Cambodian dishes and ingredients, such as galangal (a type of ginger) . Here you can try fantastic dishes such as Cambodian rolls of rice pasta with mint. Delicious!
In addition to dishes brimming with flavor such as traditional Chinese-style sea bass or cod curry from Cambodia. Dessert and tea are a must: don't miss their sesame ice cream and his caramelized banana.
Cambodian mint rice noodle rolls.
two. WIN (Parliament Street, 46)
They say of him that he is the authentic Chinese from Barcelona . It may be because you don't find many westerners around here. “We close agreed menus with groups of Chinese who come on a trip,” Jesús Chang, son-in-law of the owners, tells us.
It is possibly the surprise of this trip through the Asian cuisine from Barcelona . Suffice it to say that we came across a group of young Chinese celebrating a birthday in one of their large rotary tables and putting on boots (literally). "The Chinese love to try many things and share, that's why there are so many dishes on the menu," Jesús tells us.
It is impossible to get to know all of his menu because it has 300 dishes, but we opted for the plate of mushrooms with leek sauce, the favorite of Lulu, the daughter of the owners.
Wino is perfect for discovering new textures and flavors such as bamboo (panda bear food) or Chinese sweet potato dessert. You should not miss their casseroles and the duck with wino sauce , secret recipe of Minyu and Xianhua, marriage and owners of Wino.
3. kao dim sum (Carrer Bisbe Sivilla, 48)
Electronic music, modern decoration and dim sums ( small bites in Chinese). "It's the casual and cool version of Shanghai," Meilan Kao, manager of Kao Dim Sum, tells Traveler.es.
Three years have been enough to become one of the favorite places in the upper area of Barcelona . The Kao is the son of the Shanghai, as are Meilan and Nayan, the daughters of Jose Maria Kao , owner and executive chef of the well-known Shanghai restaurant.
"Kao is a dim sum club . They are very popular establishments in London, New York, Hong Kong… that mix classic Chinese tapas with cocktails and wines”, she explains. El Kao is one of those places where time flies and you have a good time; It is perfect for a casual dinner with friends.
You will enjoy with their dumplings (Chinese dumplings) of shrimp or salmon, but yes, with the chili oil sauce . Ask for the chinese eggplant , if you do not want to miss one of its best dishes, and accompany it with its excellent rice.
Four. OUT OF CHINA (Carrer Aribau, 112)
It is certainly one of the most sophisticated Barcelona with an impeccable decoration of contrasts and pictures of the lotus flower, made by Aurelio Chafeiro . "When we opened fifteen years ago, we believed that a balance between the traditional and the contemporary was lacking in Barcelona," says Chenqui Wang, owner of Out of China.
“We have positioned ourselves more towards c cantonese cuisine because it is more balanced. We work with formulas, so that the client will always find the dish the same”, Chenqui told Traveler.es.
Ideal for palates looking for known flavors but cooked gently. We recommend the steamed ravioli with truffle compote and the noodles with trumpets of death.
Let yourself be seduced by the mochi of hazelnuts!
5. SHANGHAI _(Carrer Bisbe Sivilla, 48) _
We get more serious to talk about Shanghai, for many the best Peking Duck in Barcelona. José María Kao and his brother are the owners of this restaurant located in the Sarriá neighborhood with 40 years of history.
“My father has incorporated more innovation into Shanghai cuisine and has added more sophisticated local products, such as truffles. We also specialize in the world of wine, having more than 750 references ”, says Meilan Kao, daughter of the owner.
In Shanghai you will find Chinese cuisine fused with Catalan cuisine. This is why they are so successful. sauteed chinese noodles with rusiñol (typical Catalan mushroom), poached egg and grated Italian truffle. Tip for a sweet tooth: try the banana roll with Belgian chocolate sesame and honey.