—Shanghai, March 2009

Following the overwhelming success of the “Dream of Red Mansions,” “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and “The 8 Immortals” culinary extravaganzas, The Westin Bund Center Shanghai once again pays homage to the literary greats in March 2009 with its interpretation of the madcap classic, “Journey to the West,” only at EEST, Crystal Garden.

Undoubtedly one of the most widely read work of Chinese literary genius, the central character Sun Wu Kong aka the Monkey King is perhaps one of the most renowned of East Asian legends. In the timeless tale, Sun and his companions Zhu Ba Jie (Piggy) and Sha Wu Jing (Sandy) must escort the pious monk Tang San Zang on a pilgrimage to India. Along the way, the motley crew must fend off evil demons intent on seeking immortality by feasting on Monk Tang’s flesh.

The rich and vivid descriptions in the classic lend themselves to the magic in the kitchen. Our critically-acclaimed chefs have conjured a gastronomical journey that will capture your imagination as well as your taste buds.

Tang Seng Steamed winter melon stuffed with pan fried beef tenderloin and assorted mushroom sauce Tan San Zang means "Tang-dynasty monk" referring to the Tripitaka who is a traditional honorific for a Buddhist monk who set out to the West to retrieve the Buddhist Scriptures for China. The monsters and demons are trying to obtain immortality by eating Tang San Zhang’s flesh, which lends itself to the beef tenderloin alluding to Tang San Zang’s flesh.