China Sea Milton

We are here for lunch and I am surprised I’ve never noticed this place before. I ask my parents if it is new, and they tell me it’s been here at least a decade. I am perplexed as to why this is the first time I’ve ever dined here considering its proximity to my parents’ home. China Sea Milton is located within a hotel (serviced apartments really) and not quite visible from the road. As we enter, the owner, Mr Cheung, greets my parents and shows us to our table.

The purpose of our visit is to indulge in Peking Duck, and to enjoy it two ways. The first is a pancake using crispy duck skin as a filling; the second takes advantage of the remaining flesh on the carcass diced and sauteed with onions and eaten in lettuce cups.

Vegetarian Rolls are the first to arrive. Carrots, mushrooms, bamboo shoots etc are wrapped in a tofu sheet, then deep fried. The result is a crispy exterior enveloping different vegetables giving you a wondrous contrast in textures and flavors. It is usually accompanied by a sweet sauce, but Mr Cheung brings us “kip tsup” (Worcestershire sauce) usually provided for spring rolls in Hong Kong – “kip tsup” is Worcestershire sauce, a throwback from British colonial days.

I had expected the Peking duck to be carved table-side, as I see it being brought and placed on a trolley. A few seconds later, I see the gal carving into it and I jumped up to take a photo.

Unlike Hong Kong where the duck and condiments are placed in the middle of the table for you to assemble, here, it arrives on a platter already topped with hoisin sauce, scallion and cucumber strip. It is very good, nicely seasoned albeit a little too much meat on the skin, but not a complaint really. There is enough for us to have two pieces each.

My son wants Xiao Long Bao and it is decent. There is a pocket of soup, although the skin is a tad too thick, flavor-wise it is on point.

The second part of the duck two ways arrives. The lettuce cups filled with the diced duck mixture is tasty. Add a little chile for additional ooompf.

We finish with a Vegetarian E-Fu Noodles, a simple, but popular dish generally to add a little bulk to a meal such as dim sum, so you’re not hungry an hour after.

Mr Cheung decide to bring us some dessert. The panna cotta is absolutely perfect. From its texture and consistency, the panna cotta is better than the majority I’ve experienced. It is even better without the condense milk as it makes it way too sweet.

There are many Chinese restaurants in Brisbane – which we keep returning to on each and every trip – but this by far has been the best on this particular trip.

China Sea Milton
Ground, 4 star Cosmo Hotel Apartment
60 Park Rd
Milton QLD 4064
Australia
Tel: (+61 7) 3367 0198