If you’ve ever felt a little lost in Bengaluru’s bustling pan Asian cuisine scene (No judgements here), Yan Yan might just be the compass pointing due north. Occupying the space that once housed Lantern, this chic spot pulls inspiration from the diverse flavours of Sichuan, Hunan, Hakka and Canton kitchens. Think regionally inspired dishes elevated by rare ingredients, Kochi bay crabs, buttery ossetra caviar, creamy truffle notes and Havelock prawns that taste like a vacation you never want to end. Then there’s Yan Yan itself, the name translates to ‘a feast for the eyes,’ and the space with its red tones, silk accents, and vases looks straight out of a period drama on Chinese royalty. Once seated, you’re handed an iPad menu dish photography in Technicolour. Honestly, I spent longer deciding what to order than most people spend scrolling Instagram.
Crafted Cocktails, Bold Flavours
The cocktails here gleam like their jewel namesakes. My pick? The ‘Moonstone Elixir’ vodka, sparkling wine, and (brace yourself) bitter melon. Yes, karela in a cocktail, and somehow, it works! It’s fresh, crisp, with a citrusy bite that even karela haters approve of. In a city that loves its classics, Yan Yan redefines the boundaries, and it’s a feast in every sense of the word.
Imagine sitting down to a table full of promise, a mix of small plates prepared with precision and creativity. The first to land is the tofu skin and baby spinach salad. Delicate bean curd skin, chewy and savoury, rests on crunchy wonton crisps and fresh greens. It’s simple, but hits just right. Next up, the crab and quail egg salad.
Generously plated and visually appealing, leaving a great impression. The Shaolin asparagus with water chestnut steals the spotlight here, served with a dressing so rich in umami, you find yourself going back for another bite before you even notice. The dim sum platter feels like a quiet win. The casings are impressively thin, no bulky dough to distract from the fillings, and honestly, that’s always a relief when eating dim sum.
Savour Bold Chinese Classics
When it’s time for the mains, all focus is on the Sichuan chicken. Juicy chunks of chicken coated in a mildly spicy, nutty sauce arrive with dried red chilies and crunchy cashews. It’s the kind of dish you remember long after the meal ends. A side of prosperity noodles with soy garlic sauce fits like a charm. Truffle and tenderloin fried rice also makes an entrance, full of flavour and highly recommended. Vegetarians, don’t skip the 12 Mile Farmed Mushrooms, five types, cooked in a light gravy that enhances their earthy richness.
Dessert rounds things off beautifully. Warm sesame mochi stuffed with silky black sesame paste is pure comfort. Then comes the darsaan, a bed of fried noodles topped with tender coconut ice cream, sweet, crunchy, cooled by the ice cream melt. Both are winners.
Between the inventive cocktails, polished Chinese classics, and a staff that makes you feel at home, this is one experience I’m eager to encore.
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Fact Box
Where: The Ritz-Carlton, No. 99 Residency Road, Bangalore
Call: +91 80 49148000
