Postpartum Care: Ge Lai Dishes from Ahma Shirley

I was so excited for the day I get to meet Sam. I was looking forward to our first hug, kiss, and snuggle. But one thing I wasn't looking forward to was the pain of giving birth and the postpartum care I had to undergo for a month. Yes, I am talking about the Chinese postpartum practice called ge lai. I simply do not like the idea of not taking a bath for a month. But after a few days of indulging in ge lai dishes, I realized that it wasn't bad at all. I even like it. And it was a treat when Ahma Shirley PH offered to send some of their bestselling dishes my way.

Hello, Ahma Shirley.

Ahma Shirley specializes in traditional Chinese postpartum recovery dishes and conveniently deliver it straight to your doorstep. Its menu has been well received, not just by moms who recently gave birth, but also by those who enjoy feasting on the health benefits ge lai dishes offer.

Food Delivery: The Pastry Puff's Portuguese Egg Tarts

I still remember my first bite of egg tart. It was when I was strolling along the busy streets of Binondo and spotted one of the famous egg tart brands in Manila. All it took was one bite for me to be addicted to this delectable Portuguese-style egg tarts. I tried several other brands after. But nothing came close to the one I had in Chinatown. That was until I got to try The Pastry Puff.

Hello, The Pastry Puff. 

I have never heard of The Pastry Puff till Jen of Hungry Apron PH introduced it to me.

Quarantine Favorite: The Ordinary Sip's White Fungus Dessert

One of the best things we can do for ourselves during this global pandemic is to strengthen our immune system. We could do so by exercising or eating the right food. The first option is becoming too difficult for me when I enter my 9th month of pregnancy, so I try my best to eat nutritious food for me and my baby, Sam. And I'm so happy to discover a delectable treat that not only tastes so good but packed with health benefits perfect for expectant moms like me. 

Hello, The Ordinary Sip.

The Ordinary Sip is the newest brainchild of the talented girls behind Nacho Macho MNL. This time around, they came up with a not so usual dessert that R and I love. 

Minnan-Minnan Kitchen: A Hidden Gem in Banawe

Quezon City is one massive foodie destination. We have Tomas Morato which is a great place for nightcaps, Maginhawa for comfy lunch or dinner with family and friends and Banawe for Asian finds. Home to many great Chinese restaurants, I was happy to come across Minnan-Minnan Kitchen. 

Hello, Minnan-Minnan Kitchen. 

Walking along Banawe is like going on a treasure hunt. You get to see a bunch of unfamiliar names and dining inside is like betting on the lottery... uncertain if you'll hit the jackpot or end up losing money. One name I've never seen before was Minnan-Minnan Kitchen. 

Restaurant Love: Summer Palace

Summer Palace is our go-to place whenever there’s a special occasion or if there’s a guest in town. I never really bother to visit this place before as I used to be not fond of Chinese food. R though was raving about this place and shared how much he loves some dishes served here. And one bite was all it took for me to fall in love with it too.

Hello, Summer Palace.

Summer Palace has been around for several years. As one of the successful dining establishments of Shangri-La Hotel, Summer Palace has garnered a lot of recognition under its belt all thanks to its top notch food and service.

Paradise Dynasty Celebrates its 3rd Year Anniversary

Paradise Dynasty is more than just a place where I get my xiao long bao fix. With its superb and mouthwatering dishes, each visit has been a sweet escapade. And just like any fun vacation, I always yearn for more. Fast forward to three years later, I still can't stop smiling from ear to ear every time I get a piece of its bestsellers. 

Hello, Paradise Dynasty. 

Paradise Dynasty's extensive menu gives its guests a glimpse of China's rich cuisine and a taste of its various flavors. From the sweet and salty flavors of the South and mala-filled spices of the North, Paradise Dynasty offers it all. And perfectly too!

China in Manila: Golden Fortune

Binondo is a haven for those who want to grab a bite of authentic Chinese dishes. With a bunch of old time favorites still busy as ever in the bustling Chinatown, many opened branches just a few miles away from where it all started. Such was the case for Golden Fortune which opened back in the 70's. And throughout the years, this place has not lost its touch as it continues to delight every guest's taste buds with its delectable dishes. 

Hello, Golden Fortune. 

Golden Fortune has been one of the household names when it comes to great Chinese restaurants. It being around for three decades is enough proof that it stood the test of time and remains relevant to the discerning market today. 

Now Open: The Empress Dining Palace

I used to dislike Chinese food. I had no appreciation for it till I was in middle school. But it turned out that it wasn't the cuisine that I did not like, I was just eating at the wrong places. And when I got to have a taste of the real deal, a space in my heart (and tummy) opened up for this cuisine with rich history. Now hooked with dumplings, bird's nest soup and so much more, I was excited to visit The Empress Dining Palace.

Hello, The Empress Dining Palace. 

Celebrating Mooncake Festival the Traditional Way with Eng Bee Tin

Mooncake season is here! With beautifully designed Chinese baked treats in countless shelves in the market, the only other thing that excites me is the annual dice game. Known in Manila as Mooncake Festival and more aptly called Mid-Autumn Festival in China, this tradition can be traced all the way back during the Qing Dynasty in 1600. It has been said that this celebration is to give good luck to scholars for their exams hence the game being known as zhuang yuan bo bing. It eventually evolved throughout the years and we now veer away from mooncakes as prizes and give out snacks or money instead. But Eng Bee Tin had the wonderful idea to bring back tradition. 

Hello, Eng Bee Tin and The Great Buddha Cafe. 

Eng Bee Tin has been around for over a decade now having started in 1912. Its name has been closely related to hopia and tikoy that others actually use the brand name when referring to these Chinese favorites.

First Bite: Eatogether Food Hall's Hawker Lane

Eatogether is the newest food hall in the metro. Its innovative cashless system makes ordering and paying hassle-free. It is not surprising that this hip place is getting a lot of attention, not just from millennials but foodies of all ages. And one of the busiest stalls here is the one that offers Asian favorites.

Hello, Hawker Lane.

Hawker Lane is tucked inside Eatogether and you have to go past all the tempting stalls by the entrance to get here. But you'll surely see it if you plan to grab some drinks as this right beside the bar.

A Taste of China: Fantaste

Clay pot rice has been one of my favorite Chinese dishes. Fluffy rice topped with blanched greens and your meat of choice, each bowl is guaranteed to be filling. Healthy too! And I'm so glad that there's a restaurant in town that specializes in clay pot rice. 

Hello, Fantaste.

Positioned as a pioneer authentic clay pot restaurant in Manila, Fantaste has a wide selection of options to choose from, fifteen to be exact. 

Love at First Bite: Ya Chou

I love manthou. I often order some when I see it on the menu or grab a plateful at Chinese buffet. Just thin‌king about these freshly steamed buns smothered with butter makes me drool for hours. And I'm so thankful to discover a shop that allows me to have my favorite snack anytime I want. 

Hello, Ya Chou. 

Ya Chou is a small shop in Quezon City that specializes in Taiwanese delicacies like dumplings, peanut balls, radish cake, sausages and machang. Being in the food business for over two decades, Ya Chou has gained loyal patrons who would drop by its store to grab hold of its sweet and savory products. 

First Bite: Wok with Mom

I feel absolutely bad for not being able to properly celebrate my mom's birthday. I was swamped with work on her birthday that we only got to briefly meet on her special day. To make up for it, I decided to host a small lunch party for her with my sister. And Wok with Mom definitely came in at the most perfect time.

Hello, Wok with Mom.

Wok with Mom is a humble home-based party tray business that was started in 2018 by Oi's 77 year old mom. Specializing in authentic Filipino-Chinese dishes like Eight Treasure Chicken, Citrus Baked Pork Spareribs and Potato Shrimp Chinese Salad, Wok with Mom became a popular choice for celebrations and all kinds of festivities. 

PizzaExpress Launches International Flavors

PizzaExpress spices things up on its second year by bringing the famous Pizza Express flavors from Indonesia, Singapore and China. Expect a burst of bold flavors in every bite! 

Hello, PizzaExpress.

We dropped by PizzaExpress' SM North EDSA last week to try the favorites from its international counterparts. A total of five pizza flavors are up for grabs from May 6 to June 30, 2019 and we got to try them all. 

First Bite: Shi Lin

I'm a big fan of Xiao Long Bao. I simply cannot resist these adorable steamed soup dumplings especially when doused with black vinegar. And though Paradise Dynasty and Lugang stole my heart and a part (or whole compartment) of my tummy, I'm always open to trying other places offering my favorite. This time around, I visited Shi Lin. 

Hello, Shi Lin. 

I love how R lets me choose where to eat (except on Mondays when it should be Fish & Co.) for dinner. I'd always pick either our favorite joints or a place I've never been to. Since I've never tried Shi Lin's xiao long bao, I suggested that we have dinner there one night. 

Restaurant Love: Paradise Dynasty and its 4 New Dishes

Paradise Dynasty has been one of my favorite places to dine in ever since I had my first bite of its delectable xiao long bao in 2017. The picturesque restaurant paired with scrumptious and pocket friendly feast is so easy to love that I continue to brave the distance just to get hold of more. Needless to say, my heart skipped a beat (and a flip too) when it opened its second store at Podium Mall. And its newest dishes sure kept me wanting more!

Hello, Paradise Dynasty. 

Known for its Specialty Dynasty Xiao Long Bao, Paradise Dynasty launched four new dishes that would tickle your taste buds with glee.

First Bite: AG New World Manila Bay's Market Cafe

I rarely visit the side of Manila Bay. I think I could still count with one hand how many times I've been in the area in the past decade. But I think I found a good reason to drop by more often. 

Hello, Market Cafe.

Market Cafe has been around back when AG New World Manila Bay was still Hyatt Hotel. Its mouthwatering buffet spread has pleased countless foodies and travelers that have made the restaurant a popular destination. 

First Bite: Fantaste

I've been frequenting China for the past few years and each starts as a business trip and ends as a gastronomic adventure. We'd visit several provinces and key cities, each having unique dishes and flavors I've never had before. And I have to admit, all these trips made me appreciate Chinese cuisine in a whole different level. Needless to say, when I found out that a new Chinese restaurant was opening in Makati, I was giddy and couldn't wait to check it out. 

Hello, Fantaste. 

Located at the ground floor of Easton Place, corner Valero and V.A. Rufino, one could easily spot Fantaste with its bold red signage with a panda which would remind one of Po from Kung Fu Panda. 

Where to find 'Legit' Taho in BGC

I have one insatiable craving... taho. It might have gotten worse when I realized that hot or warm taho is actually rarer than I thought. I used to grab a tub or two at Soy Yummy but the one near my office closed down a few years back making Rockwell the next nearest place to get my cup of happiness. Thankfully, I discovered this legit taho vendor during the recent McCormick Mother's Day event and found out that it is actually one of the regular vendors of Mercato Centrale BGC. 

I present... Sorbelato. 

Okay, the name of the stall might confuse you. This stall offers two of Pinoy classic favorites, sorbetes (tweaked and improved to have the texture of gelato hence the name) and taho. 

First Bite: Bai Nian Tang Bao

Xiao Long Bao is one of the most popular Chinese dishes in the world. Though it gained popularity in Manila just a few years back, it is undeniable that this dish is here to stay with more and more restaurants offering this delicate soup dumpling. But it turned out that most of the xiao long bao we see in Manila are not exactly the ones you'd get in China as these are based on Taiwanese recipes. And one new restaurant claims to be the first in Manila to offer authentic Chinese xiao long bao.

Hello, Bai Nian Tang Bao.

I had a hard time finding this restaurant as one address directs me to the 38th corner 9th while another says it should be 36th. Technically, both are correct and incorrect. Bai Nian Tang Bao is located along the strip of restaurants behind Denny's so it doesn't really have a street name of its own and it is in between 36th and 38th.