A Journey through Chef Alan Sun’s Creations at Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen

Zhuo Yue Xuan’s newly unveiled à la carte menu at Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen is a symphony where culinary artistry, fresh ingredients, and inventive flair harmonize under the expertise of esteemed Chinese Executive Chef Alan Sun. Guided by Chef Alan’s profound culinary philosophy “入神，入魂,” which translates to “dedication to the soul,” each dish takes form as a intricate mosaic of flavors, seamlessly weaving evocative memories and timeless elegance of authentic Chinese cuisine with contemporary twists and vibrant seasonal elements. The outcome is an immersive gastronomic journey that transcends the tangible, leaving an enduring imprint on both the palate and the spirit.

Within each dish, Chef Alan’s reverence for ingredients’ innate flavors is evident. A standout embodiment of this philosophy is the Steamed Lobster with Egg White and Seafood Sauce, a cornerstone of Cantonese cuisine. This dish encapsulates his philosophy of allowing ingredients to shine, honoring their natural essence. The lobsters, sweet and tender, embody the season’s finest, with their shells infused in the sauce base to enrich the taste, culminating with a touch of caviar for opulence. This devotion to purity is reiterated in the Wok-fried M9 Wagyu Beef Cubes with Shallots and Crispy Rice. Stir-fried shallots enhance the beef’s richness, selected with care and sliced thickly, while an artisanal beef broth, slow-cooked over two days, contrasts with the rice’s lively, crispy texture. Each bite speaks to his deep respect for nature’s bounty.

Chef Alan’s dedication to his craft shines through new signature dishes such as the Zhuo Yue Xuan Steamed Crab Roe Dumpling, a heartfelt culinary gesture. These delicate dumplings, born from relentless experimentation, juxtapose the skin’s light, springy texture with the dense, indulgent crabmeat within. Similarly, the succulent Barbecued Pork Glazed with Honey is an unassuming yet celestial indulgence that mirrors his ardor for harmonizing contrasting flavors.

In each creation, Chef Alan masterfully weaves authenticity and ingenuity, crafting a canvas of tradition and modernity. The Braised Fish Maw with Crab Roe exemplifies this fusion – an authentic Chinese delicacy with a contemporary infusion. Local crab shells simmer in the soup base before crab paste joins the mix, gracefully enhancing the fish maw’s tender texture.

The sentiment of forging emotional connections through culinary excellence radiates from each dish. Chef Alan’s menu artfully conjures nostalgia while stoking the allure of novel gastronomic explorations. From the evocative Barbecued Pork with Honey to the innovative Wok-fried M9 Wagyu Beef Cubes with Shallots and Crispy Rice, each creation etches an emotional resonance, a hallmark of a culinary voyage well-traveled.

Chef Alan transports diners on a spiritual expedition through the new à la carte menu. The traditional Double-boiled Sea Whelk with Conpoy transcends being a mere meal – it metamorphoses into a soul-nurturing encounter. Simmered for eight hours, it emerges as a refreshingly light masterpiece, a product of Chef Alan’s meticulous timing, with each raw ingredient added for maximal flavor, resulting in a comforting, soothing broth in every sip. This soul-enriching journey persists with Fried Rice with Candied Abalone and Black Truffle. The convergence of abalone and chicken broth, simmered over three days, coupled with the introduction of black truffles, mushrooms, and rice, engenders a tantalizing interplay between sea and land ingredients, sating both hunger and the soul’s yearning for fulfillment.

Through Chef Alan Sun’s painstakingly curated à la carte menu, patrons of Zhuo Yue Xuan are invited to connect with Chinese cuisine in a novel manner. Balancing contemporary influences with age-old traditions, diners embark on a culinary sojourn infused with nostalgia-invoking and emotion-evoking elements, creating an immersive dining experience that satiates the body and enriches the soul.

For further insights into the extraordinary fine-dining offerings at Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen, inquiries may be directed to +86 (755) 8826 8888.