For years, Modern Shanghai has served quality Chinese cuisine inspired by the classic dishes of Beijing, Sichuan and Shanghai. Celebrating the flavors of home cooking, the restaurant brings together familiar tastes, generous portions and varied textures that evoke family memories and togetherness. Rooted in traditional recipes, Modern Shanghai offers the comforting flavors of Chinese home-style cooking in a casual, welcoming setting.
From Hongkong to the Philippines
Today, Modern Shanghai is refreshing its offerings with the introduction of its new Chinese Executive Chef, Ben Lam, bringing fresh culinary expertise and a renewed take on modern Chinese comfort.
Chef Lam began his career as a kitchen assistant at 14 years old. He spent three to five years as a prep cook before manning the wok station and preparing fried rice. Driven by a desire to master his craft, he moved to other restaurants continually refining his skills “I specialize in Cantonese cuisine, wok frying, cooking seafood, and roasting,” Chef Lam says.
He eventually became the head chef of some restaurants in Hong Kong. His desire to expand his experience and take on new challenges brought him to the Philippines where he headed the kitchens of several restaurants and supervised a hotel’s Chinese banquet and buffet operations. He later returned to Hong Kong to work as the chef of an exclusive golf club.
Now back in the Philippines and at the helm of Modern Shanghai, Chef Lam is dedicated to serving high-quality Chinese cuisine at accessible prices, creating a dining experience guests can savor and enjoy. “My role is to ensure top quality every day, innovate new offerings, and foster a strong kitchen culture. Moving forward, I plan to introduce seasonal menu rotations since Chinese cuisine follows the seasons,” he explains. He cited wintermelon as a popular ingredient during summer in China, while dumplings and gai lan, or Chinese broccoli, are among the food associated with the winter season.
Chef Lam focuses on continuous menu enhancement by guiding his kitchen team in proper cooking techniques and execution. He places particular emphasis on perfecting sauces and preparation methods to honor and bring the dishes closer to traditional Cantonese flavors. “We have training on how to make cook hakaw and Yang Chow fried rice, as well as the proper way of handling the wok. All these are meant to ensure that Modern Shang serves balanced and consistent food. I want to draw in more guests and encourage regular diners to visit more often,” he expounds.
A refreshed menu
Modern Shanghai allows guests to experience the diversity of Chinese cuisine through its selection of regional specialties. The dishes offer familiar flavors in a casual, home-like setting, with an emphasis on the interplay of taste, texture and aroma.
Among the restaurant’s bestsellers are the Crispy Fried Noodles, Wok-Fried Beef with Broccoli, Roasted Crispy Pork and its much sought-after Signature Xiao Long Bao. Other well-loved dishes include Peking-Style Roast Chicken, and Beijing-Style Beef. Other must-try offerings include Modern Shanghai’s Premium Pork and Shrimp Siumai, Pan-Fried Shanghai Pork Buns, and Shrimp with Preserved Egg Yolk Paste.
Under Chef Lam’s leadership, Modern Shanghai is introducing new dishes such as Roast Pork Asado, Crispy Pork Belly and Hong Kong-Style Noodles. There will also be other new food offers soon.
Dining at Modern Shanghai offers great value, pairing high-quality Chinese cuisine with accessible pricing. Under Chef Lam’s direction, the restaurant draws on rich heritage while catering to contemporary palates. From delicate dim sum and savory noodles to hearty meat and seafood specialties, the menu is thoughtfully crafted for bringing people together.
Website: https://modernshanghai.com.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ModernShanghaiPhilippines/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/modernshanghai/
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