Xouk Opens in Pudong, "Azul International" All-Day Dining

The Azul Group is running full steam ahead with their expansion of Xouk, their all-inclusive international concept. They've just opened a new location in Pudong, joining a slew of popular venues on the new eating and drinking Weifang Lu strip.

The Azul Group

Xouk & Expansion

Chef-founder Eduardo Vargas has been operating The Azul Group in China for nearly 20 years. The group has five brands under its belt, Colca, Azul, Bhacus, Azul Italiano, and Xouk by Azul. This latest location is the Shanghai-homegrown group’s seventh restaurant, and their first in Pudong. 

As for expansion, The Azul Group are considering expanding outside of Shanghai, and maybe even outside of China. Still, as one of the partners mentioned, they're still a privately owned company with three main partners, and are therefore cautious of their next step. Locale and customer base will be the key drivers in planning their next step.

The interiors are similar to the other locations of Xouk, in that its inspired by "souks" or market places in the Arab world. Arches, mosaic, fronds, with more of a garden/oasis look and feel. There’s also a terrace.

It’s casual, easy-going, and also dog-friendly in the front section of the restaurant. 

The Food

Xouk @ Pudong

On the menu is a melting pot of cuisines, borrowing bits from the group’s Latin roots and backgrounds of Asian and Western. Xouk is “Azul international,” serving all day brunch, lunch, dinner. About 15 new dishes have been added to the restaurant's repertoire since I last visited.

Brunch is served daily from 11am to 3pm on weekdays and 10 am to 3pm on weekends, featuring brunch standards of avocado toast to pancakes, and loaded breakfast plates with eggs.

Xouk Big Breakfast (¥98) – Scrambled eggs, sausage, crispy bacon, potato hash, sautéed mushrooms, sourdough toast, black beans on the side. The full breakfast plate for the hungry bruncher.

Wagyu Steak Breakfast (¥148) – Wagyu beef flank steak, poached eggs, avocado salsa, Dijon hollandaise, pumpkin-tomato salad, crispy hash browns, and sourdough toast. The heartier alternative to the Big Breakfast.

Then, there’s an all-day menu from 12pm to 10pm that runs the gamut from healthy salads  to sandwiches. Addictive snacks like the poke nachos, large plates of zesty-spicy salads with Southeast Asian flair, and excellent burgers make an appearance.

Garlic Prawns (¥98) – It’s gambas al pil pil! Plump prawns in a heady garlic-chili oil with parsley and paprika.

‍Poke “Nachos” (¥88) – Tortilla chips with guacamole, spicy tuna poke, flying fish roe, and seaweed salad. A smart twist that combines nachos and the healthy poke salad. It has a nice level of heat, and is pretty addictive.   

Spicy Tuna Salad (¥98) – A healthy salad of mixed greens, a sizable portion of shredded tuna, chilies, cucumber, tomatoes, radish, and spicy Thai-style dressing. Complete with Southeast Asian herbs and pomelo, this salad is all about freshness.

Amazing Burger (¥88) – Double patty burger with Swiss cheese, caramelized onion, crispy bacon, and a spicy sauce on brioche bun, served with fries. There’s a hint of chorizo in the patty, too, adding smokiness to the bite.

Poached Egg with Truffled Mushrooms (¥88) – A vegetarian dish of sorts, one that’s interchangeable as a brunch item. Sautéed Yunnan mushrooms with potato foam, a runny egg in the center, heady truffle oil, and shaved black truffle.

Tuna Katsu (¥118) – Tuna lightly pan-seared wrapped with seaweed and rolled in furikake seasoning, served with delicious barley rice with shimeiji mushrooms and wakame. Healthy without having to forgo taste.

Seafood Linguini (¥88) – Mixed seafood of squid, prawns, scallops, and bits of lotus root for crunh tossed with a creamy herb sauce and a ton of parmesan cheese. The would-be seafood version of a carbonara.

The dinner selection features heftier dishes that are more suited for sharing like grill platters and seafood rice, as well as drink-suitable accompaniments like the Spanish-inclined cold cuts board.

Spanish Board (¥168) – Chorizo, Salchichon, manchego cheese, Spanish olives, ham croquettas, tomato bread. If you just want to pop in for a snack and a drink or as an appetizer to share.

I do have to say, the cheesy, creamy croquettas are great. 

Xouk Grilled Chicken (¥98) - Pan-roasted oregano seasoned chicken with vegetables and quail eggs in a yellow chili sauce (aji amarillo) over mashed potatoes. It's a riff on an Azul staple, one that I'm a fan of. The sauce isn't spicy, and is more flavorful and creamy.

Mixed Grill Platter (¥328) – An all-grill platter of chicken thighs, flank steak, king prawns, sausages, and vegetables. High quality cuts of meat charred to perfection. Comes with garlic fries and sauces of Dijon mayo and chimichurri.Great value for money.

Latin Lobster Rice (¥398/half, ¥628/whole) – The showstopper dish, one that’s made to impress and is oh-so tasty. The rice itself is delicious on its own, and is closer to the Spanish-style juicy rice, cooked with a sofrito base of tomatoes, spices, peppers, and peas. It comes laden with prawns, squid, and mussels, and depending, a whole or half-roasted lobster on top.

Azul’s Signature Flan (¥48) - After much pestering from guests and fans of this irresistible dessert, Xouk succumbed to pressure and put their group’s signature crème caramel flan on the menu. How many years has it been? 20? Who’s counting…

Chocolate-Peanut Lava Cake (¥68) – A classic lava cake filled with salted caramel and chocolate, served with salted caramel ice cream and berries. Ice cream is also available a la carte, ¥28 a scoop.

As for drinks, it’s an A-to-Z selection from house signature cocktails to classics, beer (and even Guinness on draft), and wines from ¥38 by the glass. Soft drinks, mocktails, smoothies, and fresh juices aplenty, too. 

Cocktails start from ¥68, beers from ¥30.

Le Passion (¥58) - The mocktail I’d go for. A tea-based drink with passion fruit, passion fruit jam, and tons of calamansi.

Recommended dishes: Garlic prawns, poke "nachos", tuna katsu, Xouk grilled chicken, Latin lobster rice, and of course, the flan.

Xouk also has weekday lunch sets from ¥76, one main plus a soup or salad, add ¥15 for a selected drink.

If there was one in my neighborhood, I’d probably be a regular, especially since it’s dog-friendly. I don’t claim to be an expert in Pudong’s offerings, but I imagine Xouk is a great addition to the neighborhood, what with its wide selection of dishes for all palates and its pocket-friendly prices. Average check is about ¥200, including a drink.

Deals

Nomfluence Readers Deals

The deal below is valid from now until March 31, 2023 for Nomfluence Readers when you book via the QR Code below!

• 22% off your food bill. All day from Monday to Friday.
  
  

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Sponsored by The Azul Group

Xouk (Pudong)
📍82 Weifang Xi Lu, near Pucheng Lu 潍坊西路82号, 近蒲城路
📞 58661888
🕒 Mon-Fri, 11am-10pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-10pm

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