Jialu Chinese restaurant newly located in the National Hotel,Luzern, is an absolute welcome…read moreaddition to the current Asian restaurants on offer! I hail from Australia and we are spoiled for choices of wonderful asian restaurants, Chinese in particular ,so I like to think I know 'my stuff'. Before I forget, I would also like to add that the owners also have a 'Jialu' located in Hochdorf.
First of all the Luzern location is wonderful and when booking try to ask for a table on the window looking out onto the See Promenade so you have a wonderful view to the outside, but if not, no matter. The decor of this restaurant reflects the attention to detail of its owners..It is modern Chinese , very attractive lighting and the furniture was hand made in a modern twist of the traditional style. Even the chairs have traditional Chinese characters carved into the back rests but you won t find the taboo 'bad luck no 4' anywhere. I also really enjoyed the earthy dinner ware..the soup bowls on three legs are pure theatre....fantastic as you will find out if you order it, right down to the very delicate and gorgeous tea cups with the very whimsical almost alive little gold fish 'swimming' in the bottom.
But what about the food you ask! Well, we read the Menu card for ages trying to decide...so many delicious sounding offerings that we were spoiled for choice. I also want to add here that Jialu prides itself on authentic Chinese cuisine using the freshest of ingredients. The owner and her chefs all hail from near Beijing so the cuisine is northern China and Sichuan. Very importantly they do not use the very unhealthy MSG (Monosodium Glutamate with its range of nasty side effects, was banned in Australia on medical grounds for years now ) Their fish and prawns are MSC certified , and they can even provide Gluten-Free and Lactose Free on request. YAY!!!!
Well, my husband chose the "Scharf Saure' Suppe/Hot and Sour Soup made with chicken, egg and Bamboo , I had the Jialu Fruelingsrollen/ Chicken Spring rolls with a plum sauce which was such a very generous serve there was plenty to share with my lucky husband. He declared the soup delicious and nicely 'hot'. My Spring rolls were generously filled with vegetables and chicken and the rich sweet sauce complimented them nicely. It was also served on a bed of very fresh lettuce leaves and I ate them too. The only tiny criticism was that they were served so quickly from the wok..and perhaps I was too greedy!, but I did burn my tongue on them...so consider yourself fore warned and take it slow.
Next up was the Guo Bao Schwein/ Crispy coated and deep fried Pork with a Plum And honey sauce. As with most of their main dishes,it came served with nicely sticky steamed Jasmine rice.
Very tasty and it was enjoyed. My husband chose a French Sancerre wine to accompany our meal.
We then took a small break and waited for the Knusprige Ente, which is Jialu s version of Peking Duck. This came to the table in three parts. The pancakes in a bamboo steamer basket-6,but you can ask for more. On a separate plate, the shredded cucumber, spring onion and I think, Hoisin sauce. Then , served in a bowl , the duck with crispy skin with thinly sliced flesh attached and sitting atop a broth with pak choy. We enjoyed the ceremony of assembling the pancakes and the pleasure of eating them. Delicious!
Sadly there was no room for dessert this time, but we did share a pot of Jasmine tea to finish up. Anyone who has read my reviews know how I love a good cup of tea and I was not disappointed. It was perfect to help with the digestion of the rich meal we had just enjoyed and the whimsical little goldfish at the bottom of our tea cups was a lovely touch! We were delighted to be given superior quality Fortune Cookies with the Bill!
Through out the meal our very attentive and friendly Hostess, Frau Achermann- Liu, was on hand to advise and guide you through her menu and you can chose to converse perfectly in German, English or of course, Chinese. Her waiters were also very friendly and efficient. Go and try for yourselves and spread the word! In the warmer weather there is the added attraction of a lovely terrace area adjacent to the See Promenade. It is open for Lunch or dinner but it is closed on Mondays . Like all Chinese Restaurants, Jialu is Family and child friendly ....We were delighted with our experience and will definitely be back!
