At Wu Xing inside Clark Marriott Hotel, the dining room carries a quiet and felt confidence. The restaurant has long been regarded by many diners and travel platforms as one of the top Chinese restaurant in Pampanga, known for its polished service and well-executed classics.
Now the experience moves forward with a refreshed menu curated by Executive Chinese Chef Lucas Zhou, whose culinary approach pulls inspiration from multiple regions of China. Chef Lucas brings years of experience in Chinese kitchens across Asia. His philosophy is simple. Present regional Chinese flavors with clarity while adapting them to the refined expectations of Wu Xing diners. The new menu shows this approach through carefully balanced sauces, thoughtful textures, and premium ingredients.
For diners visiting Clark or locals searching for refined Chinese cuisine, this refreshed lineup gives another reason to #ExperienceItFirst in Wu Xing.
A Strong Opening: Vegetables, Seafood, and Signature Flavors
The Lo Hai Zhai Vegetable Stir Fry surprised me the most. At first glance it looks simple, but one spoonful reveals layers of mushroom richness. The umami from different mushrooms carries the entire dish. Each bite feels deep, earthy, and satisfying. For someone who appreciates vegetables done right, this easily became my personal favorite.
The US Beef Tenderloin with Black Pepper Sauce and Broccoli shows why premium ingredients matter. The beef is tender enough that a steak knife feels unnecessary. Each slice is moist, properly seasoned, and coated with a balanced black pepper sauce that gives heat without overwhelming the meat. The broccoli stays crisp and fresh, never soggy. It adds clean contrast to the richness of the beef.
The Homemade Spinach Tofu in Abalone Sauce highlights texture. The tofu is velvety and smooth, almost custard like. A deep soy character flows through the abalone sauce, creating a savory layer that sits comfortably on the palate.
Then comes the Sweet and Sour Prawn, which arrives with impressive size. Each prawn is large and generously coated in crisp breading. The sauce carries bold sweet and sour notes that cling to the crust. The breading absorbs the sauce well, delivering a rich savory bite each time.
The Crispy Tofu works like a palate reset for me in the middle of the meal. The exterior gives a satisfying crunch while the inside remains soft and delicate. That contrast helps prepare the palate for the next dishes.
Presentation also shines in the Steamed Scallops with Garlic and Rice Vermicelli. Large scallops rest on vermicelli noodles, arranged almost like ornamental pearls across the plate. The garlic aroma rises immediately, while the natural sweetness of the scallops stays front and center.
The Chong Qing Chilli Chicken with Shrimp Chips brings Sichuan personality to your table. The spice level wakes up the appetite without overpowering the dish. I often returned to spoonfuls of this between other plates to keep the palate active. A light nutty note adds another dimension that contrasts nicely with the sauce. Another note, Chong Qing as a tourism spot is trending in social media, thanks to its unique topography.
Wu Xing Dishes Worth Exploring
Several dishes on the menu also caught attention for their strong traditional foundations.
The Braised Oxtail with Bean Curd Sticks could have deep comfort flavors. Careful braising allows the oxtail to release rich gelatin and beef notes into the sauce. I poked a fork with it and felt the tenderness. Bean curd sticks absorb the broth well, giving the dish a hearty character.
The Mushroom Dumpling with Black Truffle leans toward refined flavors. Earthy mushrooms paired with aromatic truffle create a dumpling that highlights fragrance and texture. The wrapper holds the filling delicately with gold finishes, making each bite premium, aromatic and smooth.
The Iberian Black Pork in Chinese Vinegar and Rice Cake could offer a balance between richness and acidity.
The Minced Duck in Wraps provides an interactive element. We witnessed F&B staff preparing the wraps with duck filling and fresh garnishes.
The Egg Dumplings with Shrimp Balls may showcase seafood sweetness and eggy flavor punches. The shrimp can provide a springy and bitey texture that complements the soft dumpling balls.
The Roasted Pork Belly stands as a Chinese classic. Crisp crackling sits over tender layers of meat and fat, offering that familiar contrast loved in Cantonese cuisine as I visually describe.
The Aubergine Minced Pork rounds out the group with comfort driven flavor. Soft eggplant absorbs the savory juices from the minced pork, creating a dish that pairs well with steamed rice. (Photo Credit: Janrey Dayrit)
Dish with Tradition: Lo Hei Salmon
One of the most memorable moments of the tasting involved the Lo Hei Salmon. Chef Lucas explained that this dish carries a Chinese New Year tradition. Diners gather around the table and toss the salad together using chopsticks while expressing wishes for prosperity and good fortune.
During the tasting, Chef Lucas invited us to participate. Everyone reached in with chopsticks and lifted the colorful salad high before letting it fall back onto the plate. The act feels playful and symbolic at the same time. It turns the dish into a shared moment rather than a simple appetizer.
Timeless Wu Xing Favorites Still Shine
Some classics remain on the menu, and they continue to hold their ground.
The Xiao Long Bao, Ha Kaw, and Siu Mai deliver the familiar comfort of well made dim sum. The Xiao Long Bao carries warm broth inside its delicate wrapper. Ha Kaw highlights fresh shrimp with a semi-translucent skin, while Siu Mai offers that signature pork and shrimp bite that dim sum lovers expect. My all-time favorite!!!
The Hot Sour Seafood Soup balances acidity and heat in a satisfying way. Each spoonful carries subtle seafood flavor supported by the sharp edge of sour and pepper. It warms the palate and prepares it for the rest of the meal. The tangy aftertaste also serves as a palate cleanser for me, hence, I left spoonful of it up to my last tasting.
The meal often ends with Mango Cream Sago with Pomelo. The dessert combines creamy mango sweetness with the light citrus burst from pomelo. The sago pearls add gentle texture that completes the refreshing finish. This is also offered with Wu Xing’s Degustation Menu.
Playful Desserts That Catch the Eye
The Goldfish Pudding with Coconut Milk arrives looking almost too charming to eat. The small goldfish shapes appear strikingly realistic as they float in coconut milk pudding. It becomes a moment of hesitation. Do you admire them or finally break the surface and take a bite? Once tasted, the dessert reveals light sweetness and a creamy coconut profile. I let the other content creators do the “painful devouring”-kidding aside.
Then comes the Chilled Mango Jelly, structed as tiny rubber duck shapes. It is playful and bright on the plate. The mango flavor is clean and refreshing, giving diners a cool finish after a rich meal. If you bring a kid, this is the first dish they would play would, you can imagine.
The Philosophy Behind Wu Xing
During the Content Creator Meet with Sir Paolo Torres, Clark Marriott’s Communications and Strategic Alliance Manager, he mentioned about the meaning of Wu Xing. This led me to read more online sources.
Here’s a brief explanation sourced from Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. The name Wu Xing comes from a traditional Chinese concept that describes five phases that shape the universe: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These elements interact and influence one another, forming a dynamic system that guides many aspects of Chinese philosophy.
At Wu Xing in Clark Marriott, that concept translates into cuisine. Each dish carries balance in flavor, texture, and presentation. From my experience, I can say that the result is a dining experience that feels grounded in tradition while remaining contemporary. For anyone searching for the top Chinese restaurant in Clark, this refreshed menu makes a strong case. Chef Lucas Zhou’s thoughtful approach allows diners to taste multiple regional influences without leaving the table.
And the best way to understand it is simple. #ExperienceItFirst at Wu Xing.
Reserve Your Table
Taste the new menu at Wu Xing by Clark Marriott and experience the exquisite Oriental flavors crafted by Executive Chinese Chef Lucas Zhou.
Reserve now: +63 45 598 5000 or email clarkmarriotthotel@marriott.com
Seats fill quickly during peak dining hours. Book ahead and #ExperienceItFirst.
READ MORE: Wu Xing Degustation Menu