If you have been following my blog for some time now, you’ll notice I am not a big fan of Chinese food.
For those who do not follow my blog at all (you losers): Hello, my name is Jin, and I’m a non-Chinesefoodaholic.
But Jesse…
Jesse is the exception.
Not one miss.
Not one flaw.
The food in Jesse is perfection.
Dates stuffed with glutinous rice 心太軟
What chewy rice balls can do to red dates… turn them from something I throw into the
trash whenever Mom is not looking, into something I can’t stop popping into my mouth. These ruby babies are simply delicious.
Jellyfish with vinegar 老醋蜇頭
The jellyfish, vinegar, minced garlic and fresh coriander all conspire to excite my gustatory cells with the boldest and most beautiful flavors and textures.
Mixed mushroom with bean curd sheet 腐竹熗蘑菇
Simple and light with the faintest hint of chili. Very nicely done.
Snail meat with hotbed chives 韭黃螺絲肉
Crisp, sweet, crunchy and chewy, all at the same time. Quite difficult not to like.
Quick fried river shrimps 清炒蝦仁
Attractive not only to the eyes, but also to the taste. Scrumptious and sweet.
Braised pork in brown sauce with cuttlefish 筍目魚燒肉
The lean part of the pork and the cuttlefish pieces are a bit tough to the bite, but the sweet brown sauce is alarmingly delicious I start fantasizing Eric Dane throwing a steaming bowl of rice in it, sexily stirring until every grain is covered in the glistening syrup and then feeding it seductively to my open mouth. Whew!
Crab fat with sheet jelly 蟹膏粉皮
This is so good it puts you in a state of temporary amnesia, making you forget how much cholesterol it actually contains, until such time you’ve had enough to guarantee your heart
a mild attack
Braised superior sea cucumber with shrimp roe 蝦籽大烏參
Delicate, velvety and lush. Braised until the flavors of the brown sauce transfer into the
sea cucumber, giving the slippery thing a rich, sweet and salty taste.
Complimentary dessert – why oh why can’t they just give me cake?
Jesse is easily my favorite in Shanghai.
The place is small and casual, and always buzzing with activity. A restaurant that strives not to dazzle, but simply to reassure, Jesse’s dishes are well thought out and prepared with the utmost care, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures to amaze every diner.
Mom and me. Truly amazed.
Jesse Restaurant 吉士酒家: 41 Tianping Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China. 徐汇区天平路41号(近淮海中路). Tel: +8621-6282 9260
Please do not confuse with New Jesse Restaurant 新吉士酒楼 in Xintiandi.
