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Review of DAO Contemporary Chinese Cuisine

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When you think of Chinese food, dishes like sweet and sour chicken balls, beef and broccoli, and General Tso’s chicken may come to mind. After having spent considerable time in Asia, I discovered that while those dishes are delicious, they are not real Chinese food instead they are an invention referred to as Chinese-American cuisine. For a while, I had been craving authentic Chinese food and on a recent visit to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I discovered the most authentic Chinese restaurant in the city! My review of DAO Contemporary Chinese Cuisine gives you a taste of what you can expect from this fabulous new restaurant.  

Where is DAO Located? 

DAO location
DAO Contemporary Chinese Cuisine.

DAO is TAFER Hotels and Resorts’ newest restaurant concept specializing in Chinese cuisine. TAFER is a luxury hotel group in Mexico with resorts in Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta. DAO’s premier restaurant is located at Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta and the second DAO restaurant will be opening at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Cancun in Q2 of 2022.

Culinary Experiences at Hotel Mousai 

As a dedicated foodie, I always search for resorts with a contemporary design that offer astounding culinary experiences and an array of resort amenities and services, and Hotel Mousai ticked all of those boxes. I recently booked a stay in the Ultra Mousai Corner Suite in the new South Tower. During my visit, the thing that I was most looking forward to was trying the food at DAO and I can tell you that my experience there did not disappoint. In fact, I was so impressed with the restaurant that I went back the next night. I would have eaten there every night were it not for the fact that Hotel Mousai has four other gourmet restaurants to choose from!

Suites at Hotel Mousai
Ultra Mousai Corner Suite at Hotel Mousai’s south tower.

I opted for the Gourmet Culinary All-Inclusive Plan which is one of the best in the industry, and I know because I travel a lot. This plan gives you unlimited access to Mexican and world cuisine. I also tried Blanca Blue, which serves traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern twist; BocaDos Steak House, which specializes in dry-aged steaks; NOI Italian restaurant; and Hiroshi, a contemporary Japanese fusion restaurant. Out of all these incredible restaurants, DAO Contemporary Chinese Cuisine was absolutely my favorite.

Best Chinese Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta 

If you are looking to try the best Chinese restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, look no further than DAO. This high-end restaurant not only serves the best traditional Chinese dishes, but it is also visually striking. DAO is the transition point between Hotel Mousai’s North & South towers and is situated on the bridge which connects the two towers. The restaurant design is impressive in itself with a red and black color scheme, reverse curves, straight lines, and a Mondrian glass wall that overlooks the surrounding jungle landscape. DAO’s double height interior adds depth to the space and the marble, tapestry, and ceramic finishes, add character.

DAO ambience
DAO Restaurant ambience.

DAO’s Hong Kong born Chef, the mastermind behind the menu, promises to take diners on an exciting culinary journey through China. And while you are in Mexico, your taste buds will be transported to a faraway land while your feet stay firmly planted on the ground. All your senses will be seduced by fragrant flavors and taste sensations that embody China, its cuisine, and its culture.

DAO restaurant
DAO’s bar.

At DAO, you can expect gourmet specialties such as crispy Peking duck, wok-fried noodles such as Chow Mein and Pad Thai, and Dim Sum.

I hope my review of DAO and its sumptuous dishes will prepare you for the incredible gastronomic experience that awaits!

Traditional Chinese Dishes 

So, what exactly is traditional Chinese cuisine? This is not a simple question to answer since China is a vast country and the cuisine in different parts of China varies just as it does in many other countries. The incredible thing about DAO is that the menu encompasses special dishes from different provinces and parts of China.

Traditional Chinese dishes found all over China include crispy Peking duck, Dim Sum (dumplings – boiled or steamed), and noodles.

DAO's Imperial Peking Duck
Imperial Peking Duck.

In the northern parts of China where the climate is colder, the food tends to be heavier and traditional dishes contain a lot of red meat. Boiled dumplings are a staple dish in this region with meat fillings such as pork and lamb.

In South China, where the climate is warmer, the South China Sea and Yangtze River are abundant with fish, and Southerners eat a lot of seafood with preparations that are not overly spicy.

Traditional dishes in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangdong (Canton Province) include Chinese barbecued meats, Dim Sum (steamed), and Chow Mein noodles

Traditional Hong Kong dishes.

And in Sichuan, the southwestern part of the country, the dishes tend to be spicier using a combination of red chile oil, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chiles. However not all food from this region is spicy. Kung Pao Chicken comes from Sichuan, and is relatively mild.

Chinese Dishes You Must Try at DAO

DAO’s menu blends traditional Chinese elements with modern touches and local ingredients resulting in contemporary Chinese fusion cuisine with a Mexican twist.

For starters, you must try the Malaysian Chicken Satay grilled to perfection and served with a side of flavorful peanut sauce and the Spicy Beef Gyoza, a Sichuan dumpling dish made with Angus beef and Toban sauce, a spicy sauce made with chili peppers and broad beans.

Malaysian Chicken Satay
Malaysian Chicken Satay.

DAO’s signature dish is Imperial Peking Duck, a must-try on your visit to DAO. This famous dish comes from Beijing and since then has become a national symbol of China. This was my #1 favorite dish on the menu. The roasted duck is so succulent and flavorful and the skin is crispy to perfection. The duck is served with thin Mandarin crepes, cucumber, scallions, and sweet bean sauce. My waiter brought out the duck on a trolley and after telling me a story about the duck, he carved it right at the table. Then he demonstrated how to make a duck roll the proper way by placing the duck on a paper-thin crepe and adding the cucumber, scallions, and sauce before wrapping it in the traditional way.

Imperial Peking Duck
Imperial Peking Duck at DAO.

Other standouts include the Dim Sum steamed Siu Mai, a traditional dumpling in Hong Kong, made with ground pork, shrimp, shallots, and garlic seasoned with sesame oil; Fried Rice DAO Combination, wok-fried rice with beef, chicken, shrimp, and seasonal vegetables infused with soy sauce; and my favorite vegetable dish was Chinese Greens with Yu Choy Sum, Gailan, snow pea shoots, and water spinach all stir-fried with a garlic wine sauce.

Dim Sum
Dim Sum steamed Siu Mai.

The range of appetizers and entrees available are truly staggering. Whether you opt for Dim Sum, mountains of rice, wok-fried veggies or anything else on the menu, you can be assured that each bite is memorable.

dishes at DAO
DAO’s dish.

The dessert menu is equally impressive with a range of ice creams and sorbets made with exotic fruits to cleanse your palate. Try the Green Tea Creme Bruleé with strawberry sorbet or the Banana & Lychee Spring Roll with coconut sorbet.

Final Thoughts

DAO at Hotel Mousai South Tower
DAO Restaurant.

All of the restaurants at Hotel Mousai are truly exceptional, but for an unparalleled culinary experience, you must make a reservation at DAO. There is no better Chinese restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. I hope my review of DAO has inspired you to try the sensational cuisine that is sure to wow your palate and you!

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