Royal Orchid is the Asian arm of the Abu Dhabi based Royal Orchid Group of restaurants. Other notable restaurants in the group include Chappan Bhog, Kwality and Kababs & Kurries. Royal Orchid is the only Asian concept in the group, and I must admit, this Ibn Battuta branch is very well done – it looks and feels the part. There’s also a delivery kitchen in Downtown Dubai. The restaurant serves what I call Indian Chinese and Thai cuisine so there’s no surprise that there is a Nepalese chef in the kitchen.
We started with Vegetable Spring Rolls and Wasabi Prawns, the latter their answer to PF Chang’s Dynamite Prawns. Every Asian resultant seems to have dynamite prawns on their menu, but none have quite carved out a niche of their own like these guys. Their wasabi prawns are must-order wicked.
Vegetable Spring Rolls 
After a bite… 
Complimentary prawn crackers 
The amazing Wasabi Prawns – highlight of our meal
We went on to Kung Pao Chicken, Vegetable Hakka Noodles and Stir-fried Greens for our mains. No rice. The noodles and green were best forgotten but the Kung Poa was reasonably good. I would not go back for anything…except maybe the prawns.
Vegetable Hakka Noodles 
Kung Pao Chicken 
Stir-fried Green with Garlic
Service was their saving grace. Our waiter, Gila, was friendly, knew the menu well and made recommendations – something you don’t find very often nowadays.
Prices are the Royal Orchid’s Achilles’ heel – they’re too high – in the same range as Din Tai Fung which outclass them by a mile. So, it came as some relief that they accept Entertainer. All that said, if you’re at Ibn Battuta and craving Asian, this is definitely one of the better options.
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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.