Dragon-i Set Lunch From RM22.80++ Review

It wasn’t our first time dining on a Dragon-i Set Lunch. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed many meals at this popular Chinese restaurant chain.

The food has always been reliably good, though a little pricey.

Despite the slightly higher prices, the attentive and friendly service, along with the pleasant ambiance, make it a restaurant worth revisiting.

The restaurant is modern yet warm.

It has a welcoming atmosphere perfect for casual meals and business lunches.

Dragon-i has become a well-known name across Malaysia, offering a wide range of authentic Chinese cuisine.

Its sister brand, Canton-i, has some overlap on the menu.

Still, Dragon-i remains a go-to for their signature dishes, especially the Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) and handmade noodles.

These are crowd favorites, and for good reason.

The dumplings are delicate and filled with savory broth.

While the noodles have that perfect chewy texture that’s hard to resist.

For our Wednesday lunch, we found ourselves at Dragon-i’s Gurney Plaza outlet.

It is located conveniently on the second floor of the shopping mall new wing.

I’ve been to this branch many times and appreciate the consistently friendly service.

While waiting for my friends, I had time to take in the view from our table, which overlooked G Hotel’s Tree Bar.

As I observed the bustling lunch crowd, I noticed many diners were ordering from the set lunch menu.

I could see particularly the Pork Chop Rice, which seemed to be a hot favorite that day.

Dragon-i Set Lunch Menu

Feeling inspired, Pepe and I decided to try the Dragon-i’s set lunch Pork Chop Rice.

The set lunch is always well-curated, offering a balanced meal with starters and a main dish at a reasonable price.

Our meal began with the typical braised peanuts, a staple in many Chinese restaurants.

However, Dragon-i added a small twist by serving them alongside cubed Japanese cucumber.

This simple addition elevated the dish, providing a refreshing contrast to the richness of the peanuts.

Then came the star of the meal: the Pork Chop Rice.

A large, crispy pork cutlet was served on a generous mound of fragrant fried rice.

The pork was perfectly cooked—crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.

But what impressed me was the fried rice itself.

Each grain of rice was evenly coated with that signature wok hei flavor, a smoky aroma that only comes from properly stir-frying the rice in a hot wok.

It reminded me of the many business lunches I’d had here when my clients frequently ordered this dish.

Even after all these years, the fried rice remained outstanding!

The pork chop was a delight, with its crisp coating and flavorful seasoning.

I especially loved the crunchy side bits, which added extra texture and satisfaction with every bite.

The balance of flavors was just right.

The saltiness of the pork paired beautifully with the savory, slightly smoky rice.

It’s a dish I’d happily order again.

As we dug into our meal, I couldn’t help but reflect on how Dragon-i’s offerings compare to my meals in Hong Kong and China.

The food here is consistently good, but I’ll admit that my recent trip to those regions has spoiled me a little, taste wise.

Still, Dragon-i holds its own, delivering solid Chinese cuisine that keeps its customers returning,

Midway through our meal, Miss Lisa arrived.

She opted for the Shanghainese Fried La Mian with Shredded Meat & Cabbage.

We sampled once it arrived.

The noodles were tasty, but by then, we were too full to appreciate them fully.

She ended up packing the rest to go.

All in all, it was another satisfying meal at Dragon-i.

While the food might not reach the heights of Hong Kong or China’s culinary scene, it’s still a reliable and enjoyable option in Penang.

Whether for a casual lunch or a special occasion, Dragon-i continues to impress with its well-executed dishes and attentive service.

Dragon-i Gurney Plaza
170-G-66 & 170-G-K1, Plaza Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang
Tel: +604 227 1686
Website: Dragon-i