You need to head to The Chairman & Yip if you appreciate high-quality food and exceptional service. If you haven’t been, now is the time and if you’re overdue for a return visit, the time is now. They’re currently open for two dinner sittings from Tuesday to Sunday and have just opened again for Friday lunch.
The Chairman & Yip is an iconic Canberra institution that has been dishing up modern Pan-Asian cuisine in Canberra for more than 25 years. Previously located in the city, you can now find them in the Hotel Realm precinct in Barton. The food is always exceptional and the restaurant is spacious and elegant. They even have private dining rooms and a fully-enclosed balcony garden.
We recently visited to check out their Friday 4-course set lunch menu. In my opinion, every good meal should start with a glass of bubbles. In this case, a glass of Bruno Paillard Champagne.
You have two options for your 1st and 3rd course and you have three options for your 4th course.
We started with the Kaisen Maki (seafood sushi roll). The sushi roll was perfectly seasoned and took me straight back to the Tsukiji Market in Japan. They add just enough wasabi and other seasonings to the roll when they make it, so you don’t have to worry about a dipping sauce or adding extra wasabi. You can then enjoy all the layers of flavour in one bite without one flavour overpowering another. It was filled with fresh snapper and each roll was a burst of freshness and flavour. We enjoyed the pickles (give me pickled anything) after the sushi and it was the perfect way to start the meal.
Course two is their famous twice-cooked duck pancake with spice-infused hoisin sauce. They’re a little different to what I remember. Who else remembers the duck pancake being filled, rolled and placed on your plate at the table? On this occasion, the crispy duck was shredded for us and then we made our own pancakes. Cucumber and shallots are usually served with duck pancakes but a beautiful fresh medley of crisp ingredients was the perfect accompaniment to the perfectly cooked and spiced duck and sauce. I could eat 10 of them…..
The chilli jam prawns with pumpkin and kaffir lime leaf was our choice for the 3rd course and we weren’t disappointed. Again, another flavourful and balanced dish. If you like chilli I would ask them to turn up the heat a little with this one, otherwise you might not get the kick you expect.
Steamed jasmine rice and vegetables are served with the 3rd and 4th course. We were starting to get full when the amazing shantung lamb was placed in front of us. This is a classic Chairman & Yip dish and it’s just as good as it was when I first tried it. The lamb is crispy on the outside and the meat melts in your mouth. The sauce is full of flavour and it makes you want to go back for more again, and again.
Our friendly and knowledgeable waiter suggested a red wine (I love it when that happens) to enjoy with the main dishes and I happily accepted. The Lino Ramble ‘Blind Man’s Bluff’ Bastardo from McLaren Vale is a light and spicy red that has similarities to a Pinot Noir.
Dessert isn’t usually served as part of the set lunch menu but we were treated to the purple sticky rice with coconut ice cream, usually on their dinner menu. I love rice pudding and this one was impressive. It wasn’t heavy like I expected it to be and the coconut ice cream and toasted coconut added creaminess and texture.
Having dined at The Chairman & Yip many times over the years, I’ve always experienced amazing service and incredible food. This experience was no exception.
A reader recently contacted me asking for dining recommendations to celebrate her Father’s retirement. She was looking for a private dining area and The Chairman & Yip was one of my first recommendations. There’s a $68.50pp and a $88pp option for 2-20 people. It’s a small price to pay for such a high level of service and quality of food. The restaurant is ideal for a special celebration (but I would be there every day if I could) and they have private dining spaces if you want to dine in an area away from other diners.
The set lunch menu is available from 12-3pm on Fridays. They’re currently offering 2 sitting for dinner from Tuesday – Saturday but it’s best to visit their website as trading hours and days may change.
DETAILS:
Address: Burbury Hotel – 1 Burbury Cl, Barton ACT
Website: https://chairmangroup.com.au/chairmanyip-2020/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechairmanandyip/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chairmanandyip/
Eat Canberra dined as a guest of The Chairman & Yip but all opinions are the author’s own. Photos by Amelia Bidgood.
Amelia Bidgood
Amelia is the Founder and Editor of Eat Canberra and the Founder and Managing Director of Eat Canberra Food Tours. She's a qualified journalist, presenter, freelance writer and also runs a boutique communications agency working with small business owners on all things social media, content creation and marketing. She's taught cheesemaking classes, judged hospitality and tourism awards, completed the WSET Level 1 Award In Wines, loves to cook and has travelled to 23 countries. She's also passionate about mental health and has recently started studying to become a Counsellor.