Bangkok recently welcomed one of the Shangri-La hotel group's most seasoned Cantonese chefs. Chow Wai Man started out 40 yars ago training at the Shangri-La Academy in Hong Kong before returning to the group 10 years later.

Since moving from the Shangri-La Hotel Beijing late last year, he's been in Bangkok, only now unveiling his new menu at Shang Palace.  

Some of his specialties include “Buddha Jumps over the Wall” soup, which features dried scallop, abalone, shiitake and sea cucumber (B1,600), and baked lobster with his special stock (B550/100g).

We had a chance to try some of his food earlier in the month. Our favorite: the humble braised Chinese spinach topped with salted egg and century egg (B380)—amazingly flavorful.

Shangri-la Hotel, 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, 02-236-7777. BTS Saphan Taksin