Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ming Garden (名居), a Chinese restaurant that’s quickly built a loyal customer base in Frankfurt, despite being relatively new. Conveniently located just a five-minute walk from the Dom Römer subway station, Ming Garden offers thoughtfully curated menu. While their selection isn’t extensive, it includes unique dishes rarely found in other Chinese restaurants, making it well worth a try for Asian food fans.
Restaurant Profile
- Name of the Restaurant: Ming Garden 名居 (see menu)
- Adress: Neue Kräme 12, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
- Style: Chinese Cuisine – stir-fries, stews, rich dishes, noodles, vegetarian dishes, salad, cold appetizers, BBQ skewers etc.
- Price: around 15 – 25 EUR per Person (incl. drinks and tips)
Spread over two floors, the restaurant offers a comfortable dining experience with seating for couples, small groups and larger gatherings of up to 10 people around spacious round tables. With soft chairs and sofas, the ambiance is warm and cozy. Service is attentive and friendly, with dishes arriving promptly to the table.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the dishes!
The 41 charcoal-grilled beef ribs (碳烤牛仔骨) promise an unforgettable experience. Wrapped in foil during grilling, the beef ribs lock in all their richness, allowing the meat to baste and ferment in its own natural juices.
The meat is tender with a light chew on the lean parts— like a cross between a hearty steak and a slow-cooked brisket. The charcoal grill imparts a subtle smokiness and a hint of charred sweetness.
The sections near the bone and tendon (牛筋) are slightly chewy, enriched with the natural fat and bursting with flavor. The crispy, caramelized tendon skin is a highlight, cracking like chips at every chew and delivering an irresistible, bold, smoky crunch.
Spicy powder, fresh cilantro, and green onions elevate the savoriness and bring a touch of freshness to balance the richness. This dish is perfect for anyone who craves the interplay of smoke, spice, and natural beefy flavors.
This 51 Chinese Shepherd’s Purse Soup with Tofu and Sesame Oil (荠菜豆腐羹) is a comforting and nourishing dish that pairs perfectly with spicier meals or when you want something soothing. The soup features tofu that glides smoothly in your mouth, combining with the fresh, peppery shepherd’s purse (荠菜), a wild herb known for its high nutritional value.
The soup tastes peppery and aromatic, with the herb contributing a subtle earthiness. The tofu has a comforting creaminess that adds to the silkiness of the soup. Slightly thickened for a luxurious mouthfeel, the soup is clear, gentle yet mildly spiced, with a fragrant, nutty warmth from the sesame oil.
If you’re looking for bold, spicy flavors, try the 47 Sichuan-Style Grilled Duck (冒烤鸭). This dish combines the grilled duck with the depth and complexity of Sichuan spices, creating a fiery, numbing, and aromatic sensory experience.
The duck is expertly grilled to achieve a crispy skin that retains a hint of fragrant fat. The first bite of the skin is a revelation—lightly crackling, savory, and very aromatic. Beneath the skin, the duck meat, cut into hearty chunks, is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. This is thanks to a unique two-step cooking process: grilling first to seal in the juices and then braising in a Sichuan spiced broth to infuse the meat with layers herbal and umami goodness.
The broth itself is a mala (spicy and numbing) sensation. Inside the dish, you’ll also find a mix of seaweed, enoki mushrooms (金针菇), pak choi, cilantro, potato noodles, and chilies, contributing freshness and contrasting textures that balance the richness of the duck.
The 50 Salted Egg Yolk Tiger Prawns (咸蛋黄焗黑虎虾) is a luxurious seafood dish that combines the succulent, sweet black tiger prawns with the indulgent richness of salted egg yolk sauce. Each prawn is generously coated in the golden, creamy sauce, and fried to a delicious crisp.
The batter infuses the prawns with a buttery, umami-packed savoriness, while the chili seasoning adds just the right kick. These prawns are served whole, unpeeled. The crispy shell can be eaten for an extra crunch.
The dish is bold, savory, and on the heavier side, best enjoyed with lighter vegetable dishes to balance the intensity.
The 42 Sichuan-Style Sour Soup Fish with Silken Tofu (酸汤豆花鱼) masterfully balances sour, spicy, and savory flavors. It features tender, boneless fillets of sea bass, accompanied by enoki mushrooms (金针菇), potato noodles, and silken tofu, all immersed in a flavorful golden broth.
The soup is infused with the fiery heat of dried chilies and the tangy sharpness of Chinese pickled mustard greens (酸菜). Its addictive sour-spicy flavor with a touch of umami richness makes it incredibly appetizing.
The sea bass fillets boast a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and a fresh, clean flavor. Melting together with the silky tofu pieces, they provide a mild and creamy contrast to the spiced broth. This dish is both comforting and invigorating.
49 Sichuan-Style Crispy Chili Chicken with Rice Crust (锅巴辣子鸡) combines crispy chicken with an explosion of dry chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, and crunchy rice crusts.
The chicken pieces are fried until golden and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Seasoned with a tantalizing blend of warm, earthy spices like cumin and chili powder, they have a flavor similar to barbecue skewers, with a hint of smokiness and umami depth.
The fragrance of fried spring onions and sesame seeds enhance the aroma. With crackling 锅巴 (or crispy rice crusts), every bite bursts with layers of flavor and texture – spicy, numbing, savory, and aromatic, all packed into a delightful crunch!
46 Dongpo Pork (特色东坡肉) is a iconic dish from Hangzhou, known for its vibrant red color, deep flavors, and melt-in-your-mouth texture. This dish features a generous piece of pork belly that’s slowly braised in a rich sauce made from soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and various seasonings, resulting in a stunningly glossy, red-brown appearance.
The lean meat is incredibly tender, with a smooth texture that effortlessly dissolves upon contact, offering a depth of savory flavor. The fatty layers are rich yet surprisingly not greasy, giving a luxurious mouthfeel.
The sauce is both flavorful and aromatic, with a sweetness from the soy sauce and a subtle umami. The overall experience is rich and savory without being too heavy or oily.
In this post, we’ve put together a selection of unique dishes that are not easy to find elsewhere in Frankfurt. Along with these offerings, Ming Garden also serves up classic favorites like the mouthwatering 口水鸡 (mouth-watering chicken), refreshing 拍黄瓜 (cucumber salad), crispy spring rolls, delicious barbecue skewers and the savory 肉夹馍 (Chinese hamburger with tender shredded pork in a soft bun).
The menu also includes a variety of stir-fries, including vegetarian options like Mapo Tofu, hearty stews, and comforting noodle soups, making it a suitable spot for many occasions – whether you’re looking for a quick, affordable meal on your own, or gathering with friends for a feast – there’s no shortage of flavors to explore!
