Lotus Etang - A treasure trove of Pan-Asian food
Lotus Etang is a Pan-Asian restaurant in Gulshan, Dhaka. From Chinese to Mongolian to Thai, the eatery serves delicacies of different Pan-Asian cuisines. Try out Lotus Etang if you are in love with Asian food. Here's our review!
First impression
Paintings of lotus and the collection of statues depicting Buddha standing on lotus flower set the theme in the first few seconds. The see-through walls reveal the kitchen inside. The restaurant is quite spacious, with two private dining spaces for business meetings or small get-togethers. The terrace provides an aqua-dining experience, which is essentially a setup with a transparent floor with water flowing underneath it. And adjoining the terrace is a large round griddle for grills. But more on that later!
The restaurant, overall, has created an elegant and sophisticated ambience and interior.
The food
I started off with dim sums; Lotus Etang has several kinds. The sauces which accompany them are a delight. From light soya, to ginger and Chinese vinegar, to Schezwan chilli bean sauce- they provide an eclectic mix of aroma and a burst of flavours which perfectly complement the dim sums.
From the steamed 'Four seasons chicken dumpling' to the slightly crispy 'Chicken pot stickers' to their 'Prawn hargow' which is a dumpling seasoned in soya and sesame oil, Lotus Etang's dim sums are amazing.
Next was 'Mongolian beef steak', cooked by the chef in the large, round griddle in front of you. The circular grill is, across the world, popularly associated with Mongolian barbeque. The setup is large enough for a few chefs to work simultaneously.
At Lotus Etang, you can choose the vegetables and then give them to the chef, along with telling him your choice of rice or noodles and your selection from a range of sauces. Make your preferences known and then watch the chef work his magic with meat and butter and greens and fire while you wait for your food.
For desserts, I opted for 'water chestnut rubies,' which is a sweet delicacy of coconut milk, ice cream, mango leather and much more.
Lotus Etang's menu strives to provide you a holistic Pan-Asian culinary experience under one roof - Malay, Cambodian, Thai, Chinese, et al.
My pick
The steak was all right, and the 'water chestnut rubies' provide a refreshing twist to the meal. The star of the show, at least for me, was the dim sum. So if you were going to Lotus Etang and had asked me for recommendations for must try-outs, I would suggest their delicious dim sum. They surely will not let you down.
Prices
A meal at Lotus Etang, generally speaking, would cost you around Tk 1500. They are also currently running a promotional lunch offer for limited time, comprising of a generous and scrumptious set menu. This deal comes with a tag of Tk 499 (all inclusive).
Essential info
Address: 10th floor, 23 (Bay Building) Gulshan South Avenue. Contact number: 0161-222-6115. Facebook page: 'lotusetangbd'. Home delivery options: HungryNaki; Foodpanda; Lotus Etang also delivers itself in nearby areas.
By MH Haider
Photo courtesy: Lotus Etang
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