With red-letter days lining up on the calendar—Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year, and all the family celebrations in between—the search for a dining spot that feels special is officially on.
While Makati and BGC often hog the spotlight, a quietly confident contender has emerged farther east, offering classic Chinese cuisine done with polish and purpose.
Tucked inside World Kitchens on the fourth level of Gateway Mall 2, 18 Jade delivers a dining experience that feels at once refined and relaxed. World Kitchens itself elevates the idea of a food hall — think multiple global cuisines under one roof, ordered à la carte, enjoyed in a setting that hints at fine dining without the formality.
At 18 Jade, the spotlight belongs to classic Chinese dishes, anchored by a showstopper that’s hard to miss: the Dried-Aged Peking Duck, served two ways. The kitchen is helmed by Chef Peng, who trained and worked in Singapore, including at the well-regarded Kai Garden in Marina Square. His pedigree shows in both technique and restraint.
The duck here is no ordinary bird. Imported from China, it is marinated and dry-aged for a full week before roasting — an uncommon step that yields exceptionally tender meat beneath crisp, golden skin. A final glaze of sugar, wine, and water gives it that unmistakable lacquered finish. Custom-built roasting and drying equipment ensure consistency, but Chef Peng is quick to note that the recipe itself is rooted in centuries-old tradition.
One of the dining highlights is the tableside carving, performed using a custom cart that rolls up to your table. It’s a small ceremony — precise cuts, practiced movements — that recalls the best Chinese fine-dining rooms of Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Singapore. Here, the experience unfolds right in front of you.
The first course is the classic presentation: delicately sliced duck skin and meat tucked into thin Mandarin pancakes with cucumber and spring onion, finished with hoisin or a simple pinch of sugar for purists. The second way is equally satisfying — the remaining duck is chopped and stir-fried in a light sweet bean sauce, meant to be wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves for a refreshing contrast.
Beyond the duck, 18 Jade’s menu leans confidently into tradition, with well-executed Chinese favorites that reward repeat visits. The name itself reflects the restaurant’s philosophy: 18 for prosperity, jade for purity and enduring value — qualities echoed in both the food and the experience.
For diners looking to mark an occasion — or simply indulge in a classic done right — 18 Jade makes a compelling case that some of the best Chinese dining moments in the metro are now happening in Araneta City.
18 Jade is open daily at World Kitchens, Level 4, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City.
For inquiries and reservations: +63 918 939 4537 or wk.reservations.aranetagrp@gmail.com