Enter the Dragon-i

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The larger main dining area can accommodate many more people.

GEORGE TOWN, June 20 — When Dragon-i opened its first outlet in Penang’s Queensbay Mall in 2008, it upped the ante as far as Chinese restaurants on the island were concerned.

Instead of the typical, old-fashioned Cantonese cuisine and décor, diners were presented with a chic interior which, although the accent was still on Oriental, was altogether more elegant and contemporary.

And they were dazzled as much by the smart uniforms worn by the service personnel who communicate with each other through modern earpieces as by the food: the menu contained not just classic dishes but quite a few new ones they hadn’t come across before. The queues which formed outside every meal-time were, and still are, a testament to just how popular the place is.

In response to popular demand, the popular chain of Shanghainese restaurants from the Klang Valley has now started their second outlet in Penang, this time on the Lower Ground Floor of Gurney Plaza’s new wing.

“Penang people really like good food,” said CEO Henry Yip, “and we would like to thank them for their support. Now they can enjoy it on both sides of the island!”

Unique to the Gurney Plaza outlet for the moment: Pan-fried Meat Buns served in a stone bowl.

It’s great news as far as local businessman Peter Chung, who was one of the diners at the soft launch yesterday, is concerned: “Now I don’t have to drive all the way to Queensbay Mall just for my Siew Lung Bao (steamed meat dumplings).”

If you can’t find the 3000 sq ft place, worry not: just look for the flower arrangements which stand guard outside, sent by well-wishers congratulating them on the opening. Their signature “open kitchen” is still there, where all their skilled Hong Kong chefs prepare the aforementioned bao and other Shanghainese specialities like their popular hand-made lamian (hand-pulled noodles).

This time though the seating is divided into two parts: a smaller area just in front of the open kitchen, and across the public walkway the larger main dining. Both are kitted out in their familiar chic red and black décor.

All Dragon-i’s famous signature dishes are available, and as emphasis is on nutritious and healthy food, you’ll find unpolished brown rice and their double-boiled soups, prepared with input from a nutritionist, cooked with a no-MSG, low-salt, less-oil policy. Many ingredients like vegetables, flour, soya sauce and cooking oil are imported from China and Hong Kong to ensure authenticity and consistency in taste.

The carefully-chosen menu includes a selection of authentic dishes from Shanghai, Beijing and Szechuan rarely found in Malaysia, with mouth-watering names like Sauteed Fish Fillet in Rice Wine Sauce and Sauteed Szechuan-style Prawns.

I love their Spicy Szechuan Lamian which is served in a smooth, slightly peanut-ty gravy with a side dish of pork ribs. Truth be told it’s not spicy enough for me, but a bit of chopped chilli padi finishes it off wonderfully.

Hand-pulled lamian served in a spicy, Szechuanese peanut gravy, delicious with some chopped chilli padi.

There’s also an exclusive selection of “Chefs Recommendations” which includes some Shanghainese dishes you won’t find at any other outlet at the moment: their Pan-fried Meat Buns, served in a stone bowl, are one such, a flatter version of the traditional steamed Siew Bao. I think Penangites will definitely be pleased that they now have a choice of Dragon-i outlets to visit.

Dragon-i Restaurant

170-G-66 & A1, Lower Ground Floor

Gurney Plaza, Persiaran Gurney

10250 Penang