I recently had a date with the enigmatic Madam Chow, and came away rather impressed! Days before the unveiling of The Oberoi, Gurgaon’s latest culinary offering, social media was abuzz with the mystery surrounding Madam Chow. After seeing many-a teaser online, I finally got a taste of Madam Chow’s delicious repertoire. As the story goes, Madam Chow went travelling across the Orient and came back with a collection of recipes and spices of her favourite dishes that the namesake restaurant serves with aplomb.
Set in a beautiful glass pavilion, Madam Chow offers a gorgeous view of the cerulean pool and the verdant surroundings. Chef Wong Kwai Wah (Sam) and Chef Mark Lin have craftily put together an array of dishes from the Guangdong and Sichuan regions of China, along with some other eclectic fare. The fine food and beautiful ambience combined with the legendary Oberoi hospitality makes one want to sit back and savour the experience in its entirety.
The Star Dish
With plenty of dishes that stand out for their deliciousness, it’s difficult to pick just one. But the Cantonese -style seabass is the kind of dish that lingers long after the last bite. Delicately steamed, it embodies the clean, nuanced flavours that define Cantonese cooking—silky, tender flesh accented by aromatics. It is cooked to perfection and the subtle flavours allow the quality of the fish to shine through. Paired with edamame and golden garlic fried rice, it is pure comfort in a bowl, yet fitting enough for the luxe surroundings.
What’s More?
Madam Chow’s menu includes the entire gamut from delicate dim sums to indulgent roasts, theatrical small plates and hearty mains. From the Orient Tide with blue pea flower, rock lobster, and truffle, to the elegant golden crown with cream cheese and garlic, each dim sum seems to be crafted mindfully, with the perfect amount of filling. The Xiaolongbao, with its pork soup and goji berry, is delicate and holds well till you pop it in the mouth. Lychee bonsai is something revelatory, stuffed with shrimp and mozzarella it is pretty and playful in its presentation as we’re encouraged to pluck each dim sum off the tree! Chef Aarushi Garg takes us through the entire range, describing the flavours, technique and region where each is inspired from; her enthusiasm is infectious and we can’t wait to dig into everything at once!
But there’s so much that deserves to be enjoyed one bite at a time. Swan shaped puffs with spiced chicken and water chestnut are delightful and there are fluffy baos encasing decadent meats and veggies. And there’s drama too—Bonfire at the Table is literally lit with fire at your table, while the roast peking duck is a definite showstopper. Chef Wong personally carves the duck that is rolled into Mandarin pancakes with scallions and plum sauce. Accompanied by duck broth and stir-fried duck over jasmine rice, this indulgence comes in three layers of enjoyment.
Choose the dim sum and appetisers wisely so that you have space to enjoy some mains too. Drunken Lobster in rice wine with broccoli, Xinjiang cumin lamb ribs with Mala oil, and wok tossed chicken supreme with pickled chilli and asparagus each pack a punch. Round off the meal with Jasmine Tea Mai Lai Go, a Cantonese sponge cake with carnation milk and rice crisp—reminiscent of a tres leches, is light yet indulgent.
Drinks Menu
The beverage programme is as thoughtfully curated as the food. Signature cocktails such as Madam’s Favourite, Pearl of Fire, and Jade Hue draw on Asian ingredients and storytelling, while the extensive Chinese tea list, sakes, and international wines provide ample choice for pairing.
Vibe Check
Designed around the philosophy of Yin and Yang, the interplay of light, shadow, and texture creates shifting moods through the day—bright and airy at lunch, moody and intimate by night. The double height glass panels let in plenty of natural light; there are subtle Oriental accents to lend warmth to the minimalist design, and since the restaurant is split over two floors there are intimate clusters to suit various groups. The private dining room for 12 guests elevates the exclusivity of special occasions. Perfect for romantic dinners, refined business meals, or celebratory family gatherings, Madam Chow offers an atmosphere that is relaxed, yet luxurious.
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