You’ve probably eaten chicken lettuce wraps in many Asian restaurants. But the credit for innovating it goes to P.F. Chang’s. Co-founded by Paul Flemming and Philip Chiang, the first outpost opened in 1993 in Scottsdale, Arizona and has expanded over the years–today there are over 300 chains across the world. Now, the Asian dining spot taps the Indian market with Chang’s first outlet opening at One Lodha Palace in Lower Parel, Mumbai. What should diners expect? “A celebration of life, family and food,” according to Ramit Mittal, Executive Chairman & Director of Gourmet Investments Pvt Ltd and the man responsible for bringing the Asian culinary spot to the country, along with all its signatures whether it’s in the form of decor or dishes. Here’s all you can look forward to at the first outpost in the city.
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The Interiors
The iconic statue of the horse, symbolic of strength and loyalty, welcomes you at the entrance of P.F. Chang’s. Step inside and you’ll find the traditional red and gold interiors, the dragon and katana on the wall as well as the cherry blossom tree. An open kitchen gives you a peek into the chefs at work on the woks and the bar enthrals you with all its vibrant concoctions.
On The Menu: Fan Favourites & New Additions
While you ought to try the OG Chang’s Lettuce Wraps, you’ll also find other signatures on the menu like Dynamite Prawns, Chang’s Spicy Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken and Mongolian Tenderloin whose recipes are inspired by the co-founder’s mother, Cecelia Chiang. “We’re still utilising the same recipe for our dumplings and Mongolian tenderloin since 1993,” shares Taylor Viersen, Director of Operations Global Brand Development.
Catering to the needs of Indian diners, P.F. Chang’s in India is the first outlet to introduce vegetarian and Jain options. I loved the Asparagus and Peas Dumpling, Singaporean street style noodles, and the Samba roll from the vegetarian menu. The brand also takes pride in not using any MSG in their food as a nod to healthy eating. Don’t forget to indulge in the desserts especially the Banana Spring Rolls and the 6-layer chocolate cake aptly called The Great Wall of Chocolate.
Traditional Wok Style Cooking
P.F. Chang’s is known for its 2000-year-old tradition of Mandarin style wok cooking. “It started with people utilising a wok over a little fire in early China and continued to evolve. We’ve stayed very true to that tradition. It’s cooking on extremely high heat with a temperature of 700 degrees Celsius. This allows you to actually seal in the taste, texture, nutritions and maintain the proteins in the vegetables. So you’re gonna get a really good sear on things while still keeping the tenderness or the moisture and protein. I like to say it’s more like dancing than cooking, because when you’re good at it, it’s almost like poetry in motion, because you’re going from one side to the other,” Viersen shares.
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I got a chance to witness this myself as Chang’s Culinary Head, Chef Mario invited me into the kitchen to see how he cooks sesame chicken on the wok. It all starts with the drah ma station. “Not drama but ‘drah ma’ which means to pick the veggies that go into the wok,” he says. And once that’s done, you can toss it in the wok and sear it extremely fast on the high flame. The chicken is coated in potato starch (to help retain the moisture) and fried before being tossed in the wok. And once all the flavouring ingredients are added and it’s all cooked, voila! Your sesame chicken is ready to be served.
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Cocktails For Every Mood
Teetotallers can opt for the famous Ginger Beer here but if you’e looking to lift your spirits, P.F. Chang’s has you covered with a vibrant cocktail programme. From classic Margaritas to gin and whiskey-infused concoctions, there’s a drink that satisfies every palate and pairs well with the Asian food. My favourites include Midnight in Shanghai and Japanese Old Fashioned.
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Special Celebratory Spots
As Mittal mentioned earlier, P.F. Chang’s goes beyond being an Asian dining spot and is big on celebrations. Whether you want to bring in someone’s 50th birthday or simply throw a party for a friend who’s quit a stressful job, the restaurant celebrates all moments with you with a special touch. You will get golden mats, golden chopsticks and a different candle stick to up the ante of your dining experience.
Want to make a reservation at P.F. Changs? Find all details below:
Address: Ground Floor, One Lodha place, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, 400013
Timings: 12 pm to 12:30 am
Contact Number: +918655833294 or +918655833293
