Iftar review: Ping Pong's Chinese iftar is unusual but well worth it

Though Chinese food isn't a usual choice for an iftar, it appears to be quite popular, as this Dubai Mall restaurant was more than half full when we visited last Friday. There are two options for Ping Pong's Ramadan set menu: meat or vegetarian. We decided on one of each to get a taste of everything that was on offer.

We started off with baked spinach puffs, which were surprisingly delicious dipped into the sauces set out on our table — soya, spicy shrimp paste and chilli sauce. An order of pickled red cabbage and turnip was delivered at the same time, which was sweet, cool and crispy.

In quick succession baskets of steamed dumplings, fried spring rolls and edamame (steamed soya beans) were left for us, each with a sauce on the side. Both the meat and the vegetable dumplings were perfectly steamed and seasoned. We liked the fried chicken and black pepper roll the best.

There is a choice of two desserts, so we took one of each. The steamed spiced berry pudding was just the right consistency and the chocolate and pineapple puff was hot and crispy.

I'd highly recommend this iftar. It was just the right amount of food to end the fast and is a light, healthy meal that will satisfy your hunger, while not stuffing you to the point of bursting.

Ping Pong, Dubai Mall