Asian Glories

good quality, good value cooking

The modern building features a strong industrial base with a warm and atmospheric interior. Owner and chef Kevin Fan pays tribute to Asian cuisine with dishes from Canton and Sichuan. When making a reservation, you can specify your preferred seating area: high tables with bar stools, lower armchairs, or the slightly more upscale section draped in linen. There is something for everyone. The dishes on the à la carte lunch menu are diverse and delicious. We start with a generous portion of raw tuna with citrus-soy sauce and crumbled wasabi nuts, followed by a steamed, slightly bland scallop served with glass noodles and scallions. On to the signature dish: pancakes with Peking duck, cucumber, scallion, and hoisin sauce. Very tasty, but the skin could be served just a little crispier. Highly recommended is the main course: a generous serving of crisply fried and subsequently wok-tossed beef strips with a delicious "mandarin sauce". The dessert is nicely presented and very tasty: an affogato made with black sesame ice cream. The restaurant has now been operating at its new location for over a year; the decor and atmosphere are excellent, but the service still lags behind and the dishes lack a bit of zing. And that is a shame, because this establishment has a reputation to maintain when it comes to excellent Eastern cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. A few details therefore need to be polished so that Asian Glories becomes a household name in Rotterdam once again.

'Never change a winning team' must have been owner-chef Kevin Fan's thought when he moved his restaurant. Even now, we are well catered for with traditional dishes from the kitchens of Canton and Sichuan. The staple ingredients are fresh and quali...

Begin dit jaar verhuisde Kevin Fan zijn Asian Glories van de vertrouwde plek, waar Kevins ouders het restaurant ooit begonnen, naar een nieuwbouwlocatie vlak om de hoek. Het is even wennen aan deze nieuwe ruimte: groot, met hoge plafonds en modern-industrieel ingericht. Het eerste gedeelte van het restaurant heeft de sfeer van een bar. In de open keuken bungelen pekingeenden boven het fornuis. Als je doorloopt kom je in een lager gelegen deel, met de vertrouwde linnengedekte tafels en grote ramen die uitkijken op de Delftsevaart. We hebben het gevoel dat deze nieuwe plek voor iedereen nog wat onwennig is en dat er qua inrichting nog iets moet gebeuren om de hoge ruimten wat huiselijker te maken. De niet al te grote menukaart biedt nog steeds keuze uit verschillende klassiekers afgewisseld met enkele wat meer experimentele gerechten. Daarnaast is er een verrassingsmenu, een dimsum-menu en Asian-tastingmenu. We gaan voor die laatste optie. We zijn vroeg, maar het restaurant loopt al snel vol. Als aperitief drinken we een glas kombucha-lemongrass met gember: niet te zoet, wel fris, met een duidelijke gember- en citroensmaak. Voor bij het menu bestellen we jasmijnthee, die gedurende het eten steeds wordt bijgeschonken. De eerste gang laat niet lang op zich wachten. Goede sashimi van tonijn met wasabikruim en een dressing van ponzu. Eet lekker weg. Daarbij een smakelijke salade van koude kip met sesamdressing. Beide gerechtjes zijn Japans geïnspireerd. De kwaliteit van de gerechten die volgen wisselt. De gestoomde coquille met glasnoedels en bosui is heerlijk mals, maar de noedels zijn nogal zout. Van de dimsum zijn de gestoomde varianten heel smaakvol, maar de drie gebakken soorten zijn vettig en de smaak valt wat tegen. We hadden uitgekeken naar de krokantgebakken softshell-krab, maar ook deze heeft een dikke panade met een vettige smaak die de smaak van de krab wegdrukt. De traditionele flensjes met pekingeend zijn wel erg lekker. Het menu sluit af met een mcJenny: een mini-baopao, gevuld met zachtgegaard buikspek, gekruid met Chinese vijfkruidenpoeder. Leuk gerechtje en overheerlijk! Asian Glories krijgt het voordeel van de twijfel, maar er zijn wat aandachtspuntjes te gaan.

Kevin Loh's Oriental family kitchen has long been a well-known institution in the heart of Rotterdam and is frequented by many regulars. Classic and lesser-known dishes take center stage here, prepared with exceptionally fresh ingredients. From our linen-tabled seat, we look out onto the open kitchen where freshly roasted Peking ducks await invitingly. The menu offers an extensive selection of hot and cold appetizers, soups, and main courses, but you can also opt for a surprise tasting menu. The handmade dim sum and duck with pancakes are classics worth making a detour for. We begin with Yum Cha, an assortment of Chinese snacks paired with jasmine tea, sampling siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings) and generously filled shrimp wontons. The next dish is crispy fried crab with sesame and seaweed served on crunchy iceberg lettuce. The jasmine tea is regularly refilled to help cleanse the palate. Duck with pancakes is a must, and at the table, a generous portion of roasted duck is served on homemade thin pancakes, topped with thinly sliced spring onion rings and hoisin sauce. Kevin then presents another classic: crispy fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce, executed in the 'Asian Glories' style—coated in sesame, fried in a delicate thin batter, and served with a thick, glossy sauce featuring onion and bell pepper. For wine, the list offers ample choice with selections from both the Old and New Worlds. A solid establishment.

A stone's throw from the Coolsingel lies Kevin Fan's charming Oriental restaurant. You won't find babi pangang or foe yong hai here. Instead, you'll discover an Asian cuisine defined by refinement and flavor. It is always bustling in this relaxed setting, which features tables dressed in white linen, a wooden floor, and understated Chinese art. Many fellow chefs enjoy dining at Kevin's, just like numerous regulars and passersby. Alongside several set menus, guests can choose from an à la carte selection. The wine list boasts surprisingly many excellent bottles across all price ranges. We sample super-fresh raw tuna sliced paper-thin, accompanied by citrus-soy sauce and sharp wasabi peas. The scallop arrives in its shell with fragrant garlic and noodles. The fried dim sum is stuffed with shrimp and eggplant, while the steamed version comes with spiced chicken. The Marcel Deiss Complantation from Alsace complements the spicy and sweet notes beautifully and remains highly affordable. Naturally, the Peking duck is also featured, served both in thin crepes with cucumber and leek, and as roasted strips with pine nuts, sesame, soy sauce, and iceberg lettuce. We are attended to by an exceptionally friendly Asian team of skilled women who work swiftly and precisely. Finally, the bill is perfectly aligned with the quality served.

Snow-white set tables on a beautiful wooden floor, ochre-yellow walls combined with dark wood and Chinese art scattered here and there. Located a stone's throw from the Coolsingel, this excellent restaurant by Kevin Fan features a lovely space downstairs for groups and parties. From our table, we have a clear view of the open kitchen and can see the freshly roasted Peking ducks hanging. Kevin has elevated both Peking duck and homemade dim sum to culinary art, a reputation that is now widely recognized; even fellow chefs are more than happy to dine here. After a delicious broth with shrimp ravioli, we are served steamed dim sum featuring a variety of shrimp and/or pork fillings, such as har gow and siu mai. Among the fried options, the vegetarian pastry parcel filled with eggplant stands out for its wonderful flavor and delicate texture. Paired with a crisp Verdejo from Mundo de Yuntero, which complements the meal perfectly. Next, our friendly waitress presents crispy roasted duck skin and meat with leeks and hoisin sauce, elegantly draped over homemade pancakes on a natural stone platter. Simply the best in ages!

Asian Glories is located in a vibrant dining district in the heart of Rotterdam, just behind the Meent. The place is always bustling, with every table set with white linens filled with food lovers, comprising a large number of regular patrons and fellow chefs who hold Kevin Fan’s kitchen in high regard. Owner-chef Fan values balance: staying true to authenticity while keeping an open mind to new discoveries. Classical principles of Asian cuisine were instilled in him from childhood by his late parents, Popo Fan and Jenny Loh. These form the foundation of his current culinary approach. However, his guests are also open to innovation, and while Eastern cuisine unconditionally remains the foundation and Kevin will never tire of it, he enjoys occasionally introducing small experimental dishes to the menu. Every dish is richly flavored, and the dim sum remain exactly as they have been for years: absolutely delicious. The wine list, curated from a supplier familiar with Asian Glories’ kitchen, is organized by color and country and offers ample selection. Kudos to the service: attentive, swift, and precise. A truly welcoming establishment.

Chef-owner Kevin Fan has fought his way back to the top of Rotterdam's Chinese dining scene after a challenging period. Asian Glories is located in a bustling hospitality district in the heart of Rotterdam, just behind the Meent. From his open kitchen, he directs a brigade of Dutch-Asian women who effortlessly handle the constant flow of guests at this iconic spot near the Laurens Church. The restaurant is packed, every table set with white linen is occupied, and a warm, lively atmosphere prevails. The menu is clear and concise, featuring six cold and hot starters, seven main courses, and a selection of set menus. The wine list is brief and neatly organized by color and country. We sample a duck wrap that is savory, spicy, and juicy: a handheld iceberg lettuce cup stuffed with seared duck strips and duck liver. Absolutely delicious. The other starter requires no chopsticks either: thin pancakes to be topped yourself with warm shredded Peking duck, cucumber and spring onion matchsticks, and hoisin sauce. Just as delicious as ever. We pair it with a 2016 Viu Manent Viognier from Chile's Colchagua Valley, which fits the dishes like a glove. Stir-fried Iberico pork with fruit follows, delivering a delightful blend of savory, sweet-and-sour, and umami notes, much like the black pepper beef on the neighboring plate, made up of crispy roasted beef cubes in black pepper sauce with macadamia nuts. Great texture, rich flavor, and excellent value for money. To finish, fried banana with coconut ice cream. Outstanding!

Chef-owner Kevin Fan has revamped his restaurant. Only the large statues in the wall niches still remind you of China. After a thorough renovation, the interior of Asian Glories, with its wooden floor, comfortable chairs, warm earthy tones, and subdued lighting, has been transformed into a modern European style. Apart from the disappointing fried dim sum and desserts, there is nothing but praise. With Kevin's ambition and talent, Asian Glories can count itself among the better Chinese restaurants in the Netherlands. The wonton soup delivers a steaming, fragrant plate with a robust broth, juicy dumplings, and roughly chopped vegetables, touched with a hint of fresh ginger. The execution of the Peking duck pancakes is flawless: crispy duck, spring onion, and cucumber strips, accompanied by a solid hoisin sauce. In the glass, a Viognier from La Croix de la Résidence. The floral wine has a rich, oily body but remains fresh on the palate, making it a welcome companion to the Oriental delicacies. Next, incredibly tender braised chicken thighs swimming in an intensely flavorful sauce. The highlight of the evening. But the steamed shrimp with glass noodles and garlic are hardly a disappointment either. On the plate, heaps of fresh shrimp, and very conveniently, the shells have been removed in the kitchen. This may seem like a simple task technically, but the dish turns out to be a feast of flavors where the garlic is subtly present. Also available by the glass is a Tenuta Sant'Antonio Scaia Bianca Garganega-Chardonnay. It sounds just as beautiful as it tastes. An exquisite wine with a surprising touch of bitterness on the finish. Unfortunately, the dessert made slightly less of an impression. The matcha ice cream is delicious, but the accompanying whipped cream comes from a can. Nevertheless, a fine establishment.