By Wong Ah Yoke, 29 May 2005
Sunday Times

SETS APPEAL: The Imperial Set Menu offers some items that you see from the show and you can eat like a king - almost.

THE hit Korean drama serial Jewel In The Palace will debut on StarHub Channel 55 in about five weeks' time. But those who have been following it on VCD and DVD will know that part of its appeal, besides the engaging plot involving palace intrigue and rivalry, is the cooking scenes that spice up the 70-episode drama.

The show, which is set in the Chosun dynasty (14th to 19th centuries), is based on the true story of Suh Jang Geum, who works her way up from a royal cook to become the first imperial female physician in Korea.

As many of the scenes revolve around cooking and the health benefits of food, Korean restaurants here can expect a boom when the serial airs.

Anticipating the interest in the cuisine, especially the dishes once served in the royal court, Crystal Jade Ginseng Chicken and BBQ at Ngee Ann City has launched an ongoing Imperial Set Menu that is inspired by the show. The eatery is Crystal Jade's only Korean outlet.

Priced at $53.80 per person, the menu is served only if there are at least four persons and you need to order one day in advance.

If you can afford it, and can round up three other fans of the show, you are in for a treat. And be prepared for lots of food.

Consisting of seven dishes, plus a ginseng and honey drink as well as a fresh fruit platter for dessert, the meal is a showcase of cooking styles and flavours. Some of the items are from the show, albeit with modifications to suit modern palates.

First up is a selection of cold side dishes, such as kimchi and other marinated vegetables. Once they get your appetite awakened with their titillating flavours of chilli, garlic and vinegar, the other dishes come one after another.

Next is a dish of various vegetables and seafood fried in egg batter. Following this is grilled yellow fish; superior cold cut combination; a choice of stewed short ribs with fresh ginseng, BBQ chicken or BBQ pig collar; hot pot soup and fresh ginseng congee.

Other than the grilled fish, which seems a tad ordinary, the other dishes are truly worthy of an emperor.

My favourite is the plainest - fresh ginseng congee. The rice grains are boiled till they glisten like pearl bubbles and taste delicious, with the pieces of ginseng sweet and crunchy.

The hotpot is almost a meal in itself, stacked to the brim with a plethora of vegetables such as melon, mushrooms, gingko nuts and bamboo shoot, and seafood like prawns and scallops.

The cold combination is a feast for the eyes as well. Laid out in a lacquer box like a Chinese New Year candy platter, it is made up of thinly sliced vegetables in different hues such as cucumber, bamboo shoot, carrot, mushroom and peppers as well as fried shredded beef. These are all wrapped up in a flour skin like a popiah.

But unlike popiah, there is little oil in the ingredients, resulting in a cleaner taste and a healthier dish.

If all you know about Korean food is bulgogi beef and ginseng chicken, the Imperial menu will open your eyes to the wonders of the cuisine in terms of both aesthetics and flavours.

Though if you have watched Jewel In The Palace, you would already know that of course.

CRYSTAL JADE GINSENG CHICKEN AND BBQ
391 Orchard Road, #04-20 Ngee Ann City, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Tel: 6733-3229

Opening hours: 11.30am to 3pm, 5.30 to 10.30pm (Mon to Thu); 11am to 11pm (Fri to Sun & public holidays)

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Price: The Imperial Set Menu is priced at $53.80 per person, for a minimum of four persons. A one-day advance order is required.