Greer's OC

Paradise Dynasty, the xiao long bao specialist from Singapore, makes its foray into the U.S. with its first American outpost, at South Coast Plaza. 

The stylish and modernly-appointed 5,200-square foot restaurant — which anchors the new dining collective called Collage inside Bloomingdale’s — officially marks Paradise Group’s global expansion, with 45 Paradise Dynasty locations and more than 100 restaurants spanning multiple concepts across Asia. 

Touted for creating the world’s first Eight-Flavor, Rainbow Xiao Long Bao, diners can look forward to vibrantly hued XLB in an assortment of innovative flavors, including cheese, crab roe, foie gras, garlic, luffa gourd, black truffle, Szechuan and of course, original XLB, filled with 
Kurobuta pork. 

Weighing 25 grams and meticulously pleated with 18 folds, each xiao long bao is a lesson in deft precision, with delicate, petal-thin dumpling skin giving way to a tantalizing burst of savory soup broth with each bite. Guests can order soup dumplings in baskets of 6 or 10. 

In addition to XLB, Paradise Dynasty will offer an array of regional Chinese flavors, including specialties from Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Szechuan and Zhejiang. Must-try signature dishes include: Radish Pastry, Prawn and Kurobuta Pork Dumplings in Chilli Vinaigrette, Szechuan Crispy Chicken, Scrambled Egg Whites with 

Fish and Dried Scallop and the crowd-pleasing, ooey-gooey Steamed Salted Egg Yolk Charcoal Bun. Noodle lovers can also enjoy La Mian, fresh craft noodles served in a variety of ways, as a soup with pork bone broth that is simmered for 12 hours, or dry noodles in a chili vinaigrette with assorted toppings. 

Dessert options vary from Pan-fried Pumpkin Pastry and Pan-fried Pancake with Red Bean Paste to refreshing palate cleansers such as Chilled Aloe Vera with Osmanthus Jelly in Honey Lemon and Chilled Mango Pudding.

As with all Paradise Dynasty locations, each design-forward space features different color schemes and décor elements. The U.S. location, in particular, boasts a black and rose gold palette, with glossy black corrugated walls and touches of gray, most notably in the dining booths and along the ample bar, the brand’s first-ever cocktail bar within one of its restaurants. 

Paradise Dynasty is open daily. Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. then 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. then 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. then Sunday 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. then 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

The restaurant is located inside Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa. 714-617-4630

Image Credit by DYLAN + JENI