Han Cuisine – Emirates Hills

Han is a home-grown, Singaporean-owned authentic Asian restaurant. This second incarnation is located on the first floor of the Spring Souk Mall in Emirates Hills; the original is in Business Bay. Han’s interior is clean-cut and easily recognisable as Asian without being full-blown Enter The Dragon. It has a small terrace on the opposite side of its mall entrance which is lovely to sit out in at this time of year. I was introduced to Han by my friend and restaurateur, Nicky Ramchandani. When Nicky, himself a passionate foodie and my culinary guru for all things Asian, recommends and/or praises a restaurant – I listen.

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The food at Han is outstanding, this branch easily as good as the one in Business Bay. Stand-outs from my first meal (with Nicky) were the Cantonese Style Roast Duck and the Beef Tenderloin Claypot Rice, both recommended by Nicky and definitely worth a try – claypot rice dishes are the ultimate Asian comfort food.

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The Fried Noodles, also a must-order, were simple, uncomplicated and deliciously Asian – just the way they’re meant to be. Our Steamed Mussels with Garlic were the other extreme though, a riot of flavours dominated by a heavy hand of garlic. I did not like the dumplings, the skins of which I found thick and floury. But everything else, including the garlicy seafood, I loved.

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Taking an order from an opinionated blogger and a seasoned restaurateur was never going to be easy but our waiter managed it without the slightest sign of intimidation. But that may be because neither of us could understand each other very well. We rattled off what we wanted, and he nodded and smiled. We realised we had a problem when a server plonked a dish we didn’t order on our table. I appreciated the fact that there was no fuss in exchanging the dish. They accepted that, no matter whose fault it was, the customer is right. That’s what I call well trained staff. Well done.

All-in-all I think Han is one of the better Asian restaurants in town and right up there with Nicky’s Streetery in JLT and Michael’s Noodle Bowl in Satwa. If you’re looking for a good, authentic Asian meal in the Emirates Hills area, Han is definitely worth a try.

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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.