China Blue Conrad Manila: Menu, Prices and the Dishes to Order (Review, 9/10)

The short version: China Blue by Jereme Leung, the Chinese restaurant inside the Conrad Manila, is an incredible value for a Michelin Selected restaurant. The room is blue instead of the usual red, it overlooks the bay and the MOA Eye, and at lunch we had it almost to ourselves. The Shanghai fish was excellent, the beef with Hunan pepper very good, and the service very attentive; the siu mai was the weak spot. Lunch for three came to about ₱5,080, roughly ₱1,700 a person.

I had lunch here with two others on a Monday in October 2026. We paid for everything ourselves.

Pros

• A beautiful blue room overlooking the bay and the MOA Eye
• The Shanghai fish, which comes out smoking under glass
• Very attentive, polite service
• Incredible value for a Michelin Selected restaurant
• Quiet at lunch; we basically had the place to ourselves

Cons

• The siu mai was large and a bit dry
• The marinated chicken came out a little cold
• About 30 minutes from Makati

Getting there

China Blue is inside the Conrad Manila, next to the Mall of Asia in Pasay. Come in through one of the Conrad’s main entrances and go up to the third floor, where check-in is, then walk past check-in and past the Sea Lounge. You can also come in from the S Maison mall side. Either way you end up in a very quiet hallway in the Conrad’s beige and light brown tones, which feels private and exclusive.

The setting: 9 out of 10

You’re greeted by the Michelin plaque and a big China Blue sign, with art and flowers to the side as a preview, and the host stand on the left with more art above it. It’s an artistic restaurant.

The theme is blue, down to the napkins, which I actually like. Most Chinese hotel restaurants are red; this one, by the water, feels more inviting, more peaceful and cleaner. It’s a pretty expansive room, and from the other side you can see into the open glass kitchen.

At lunch there’s virtually nobody there. There was one table when we arrived, and once they left, it was just us. They seated us at the very best spot, overlooking the MOA Eye. To me it’s a very special setting. The only thing holding it back is that it’s a bit far from Makati and BGC, though at about 30 minutes from Makati, it really isn’t too bad.

The food: 8 out of 10

We had the siu mai, the Shanghai fish, the marinated chicken and the beef with Hunan pepper, with three bowls of rice.

Shanghai fish (₱780): 9 out of 10. Excellent, and one of my favorites. It comes in a little glass container, and when they open it, the smoke pours out. The fish is smoky, crispy and very tasty.

Beef with Hunan pepper (₱1,660): 8.5 out of 10. Very tender, with just the right amount of flavoring. It goes very well with rice, even better than the chicken.

Marinated chicken (₱690): 7.5 out of 10. Quite good and seasoned nicely. The only drawback is that it was a little cold.

Steamed siu mai (₱390): 6.5 out of 10. Our one dim sum. Quite large, and by the time I ate it, a little drier, but still fairly tasty.

Peanuts: 8 out of 10. A nice little appetizer they bring out at the start. The rice is good too, though rice is rice.

The menu is big: dim sum at lunch, Chinese barbecue, bird’s nest soups, live seafood, abalone and more.

Service: 9 out of 10

Really very good. With us the only table, several staff members waited in the back, watching to see if we needed anything. They’re very attentive and polite and come over quickly. They attended to us right away, the food came out fairly quickly, and everything went smoothly.

What it cost

The siu mai (₱390), Shanghai fish (₱780), marinated chicken (₱690), beef with Hunan pepper (₱1,660), three rice (₱480), a lemon iced tea (₱250) and two bottles of water (₱380) came to ₱4,630. With the service charge and local tax, the total was ₱5,077, about ₱1,700 a person for three.

Value: 9.5 out of 10

An incredible value: a Michelin Selected restaurant with very good food and service and a beautiful setting on the water, for about ₱1,700 a person. The only thing that drags it down a teeny bit is the distance.

Vs. Din Tai Fung

Compared to Din Tai Fung, you get better quality here. You might get a little less food, but not by much, believe it or not, because the portions aren’t that small. I think China Blue is better, though I do really like Din Tai Fung’s seaweed salad, and the cuisine is a bit different. China Blue is more of a special occasion, not somewhere you’d go all the time.

I haven’t been to Shang Palace or the Raffles’ Chinese restaurant. Lugang is another higher-end Chinese place that’s pretty good, and I’ll review it in more detail.

Who it’s for

A special occasion, or anyone staying at the Conrad or near the Mall of Asia. Go at lunch if you want a quiet room and the best table by the window.

Tips if you go

• Go at lunch (11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) for a quiet room and the dim sum menu; dinner is 6 to 10 p.m.
• Ask for a table by the window, facing the MOA Eye.
• Order the Shanghai fish and the beef with Hunan pepper, with rice.
• The dress code is smart casual or business attire.
• From Makati, allow about 30 minutes.

Verdict: 9 out of 10

A beautiful blue room on the bay, excellent Shanghai fish and very attentive service, for about ₱1,700 a person. Not every dish was perfect, and it’s a trip from Makati, but for the right occasion it’s very good. I’d definitely go back. This restaurant is in my Where to Eat in Manila guide, with all fourteen ranked and matched to occasions.

FAQ

Where is China Blue?

On the third floor of the Conrad Manila, next to the Mall of Asia in Pasay. Go past hotel check-in and the Sea Lounge, or come in from S Maison.

How much does China Blue cost?

Lunch for three, with four dishes, rice and drinks, came to ₱5,077 with service and tax, about ₱1,700 a person.

Is China Blue in the Michelin Guide?

Yes. It’s Michelin Selected in the 2026 guide for Manila.

What should I order at China Blue?

The Shanghai fish and the beef with Hunan pepper.

What are China Blue’s hours?

Lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 6 to 10 p.m., daily. Dim sum is served at lunch.

Is there a dress code at China Blue?

Yes: smart casual or business attire.

China Blue or Din Tai Fung?

China Blue for quality and a special occasion; Din Tai Fung for an everyday meal with more food for the money.