Until 2 April, Roman Catholics and Christians are observing Lent, while tomorrow will be the culmination of Ramadan for the Islamic faith.

For those looking for vegetarian options for Lent, Ramadan or year-round, or merely looking for new flavors to try in Manila, Red Jade, the fine dining Chinese restaurant of 114-year-old luxury accommodations Manila Hotel, is the only place in the Philippines to offer a vegetarian version of the famous Chinese specialty roasted Peking duck.

Red Jade’s Vegetarian Peking Duck is the original recipe of the restaurant’s executive chef, Sun Bing.

Chef Sun, in an exclusive interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, shared that Vegetarian Peking Duck, alongside another restaurant specialty, Deep-Fried Suahe, are influenced by the cooking styles of his hometown, Beijing, China.

According to data, roasted Peking duck is generally considered a high-cholesterol food, particularly since the dish is prized for its crispy skin, which contains significant amounts of fat and cholesterol.

Thus, according to Chef Sun, vegetarian dishes like Vegetarian Peking Duck are no longer just for those into special diets like vegans and vegetarians, but are already necessary for overall good health and well-being.

Instead of fat, the Vegetarian Peking Duck is made of “fat choi” ingredients: taro, mushrooms and carrots — wrapped in spring roll wrapper and served topped with Hoisin sauce. “Fat choi,” in Chinese, means “to prosper,” “get rich,” or “make a fortune,” so dishes with “fat choi” ingredients are usually popular during Lunar New Year, said Chef Sun.

The Vegetarian Peking Duck, however, is a healthy option all-year-round: the fiber-rich taro improves digestive health, aids weight management by promoting fullness and helps stabilize blood sugar levels; mushrooms are potent antioxidants that improve heart health, immunity and brain function; and carrots promote eye health, immunity, good digestion and help manage blood sugar and cholesterol levels. What’s more — these ingredients are not just more nutritious, but are also easier to prepare and to source than Peking duck, said Chef Sun.

As for the taste — Vegetarian Peking Duck amazingly has the same textures and flavor profile as real Peking duck! Of course, for those who are still after the real thing, the restaurant still offers Imperial Peking Duck. After all, Peking duck is a lower-fat, leaner meat offering healthier monounsaturated fats compared to beef or pork.

To complete the experience for an Easter lunch or for anytime at all, complementing the Vegetarian Peking Duck and Imperial Peking Duck are other Red Jade new dishes.

For vegetarian diners, there is the Vegetarian Set Menu, with highlights including Vegetarian Peking Duck, Dong Pao Tofu, Vegetarian Hot and Sour Soup, Mushroom Fortune Bao and Chilled Coconut Jelly with Avocado, ensuring a refined and inclusive dining experience for all.

The star of Braised Sea Bass and Turnip Cake with Morel Mushroom in Black Truffle Sauce, sea bass, has been considered an auspicious Chinese meal since fish in Chinese means “yu,” which sounds like the Chinese word for “surplus” and “abundance.”

Another dish containing the auspicious seabass is Seabass Dumpling. Together with Snow Birdsnest Seafood Dumpling, they look like koi, which according to Chinese belief, symbolizes success and overcoming obstacles, said Chef Sun.

Dim sum lovers can savor beloved classics such as Har Gao, Ham Sui Kok, Xiao Long Bao and Pork and Shrimp Sio Mai.

Also containing seafood, which for the Chinese means “abundance, joy and prosperity,” are Lapu Lapu in Truffle Sauce; Shrimps with Almond Flakes; Crispy Fried Shredded Eel with Homemade Sesame Seed Sauce and Scallop and Duck Liver with Foie Gras Sauce, a healthier alternative to burger sliders. Cap off the feast with Chilled Glutinous Rice Roll with Red Bean Paste for dessert.

For intimate gatherings, Red Jade offers private dining rooms designed to provide an elegant yet welcoming ambiance. Accommodating groups of up to 30 guests, each room is ideal for festive get-togethers, business gatherings and family milestones.