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. 

Tim Ho Wan Supper Specials for Night Owls

I still remember the crazy long lines of Tim Ho Wan when it opened its first branch in Manila way back 2014.  Fast forward to 2016 with 5 branches, this pork bun heaven has not lost its charm. How could they if they keep on cooking up reasons to make us salivate for more?

Hello, Tim Ho Wan! 

This well-loved one-star Michelin restaurant opened its newest branch in Uptown Mall Bonifacio and it has some new offerings exclusive for its supper menu available from 10 pm to 3 am. Yes, you read that right, until 3 am. This place is an answered prayer for those with sudden odd hour cravings! 

Tim Ho Wan BGC is still exploring the possibility of doing 24/7 run; but for now, here are some dishes you could sample during your midnight run: Sliced Imported Abalone Congee with Chicken and Mushroom (PHP350, 1 pc abalone | PHP500, 2 pcs abalone), Beef Brisket and Tendon Noodles (PHP200), Pork and Vegetable Wonton Noodles (PHP220) and Garlic Fried Fish Skin (PHP190). We also ordered the staples Baked BBQ Pork Buns (PHP145, 3 pcs),  Prawn Dumplings (PHP160, 4 pcs), Dumpling with Spicy Sauce (PHP150, 4 pcs), Steamed Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp (PHP120) and Mango Pomelo Sago (PHP120). We also got Iced Tea and Cold Barley Tea (PHP50 each) as drinks. 

First served were the delectable baked BBQ pork buns. The flakey bun with the sweet and tender pork filling sure brought out those pearly whites as it tickled our taste buds. 

The dumplings were served right after. 

The piping hot spinach dumpling made me feel so healthy given the fact that I was munching on veggies. The slight bite of the spinach and shrimps created a nice contrast from the wonton wrapper. It was delicious. If healthy tastes like this, I wouldn't mind having my greens all day long!

Same was true with the prawn dumplings. It was also bang for the buck as Tim Ho Wan does not scrimp on prawns! Each dumpling was packed! Definitely no wonton-wrapper-with meager-filling dumplings here! 

I found a new favorite in dumpling with spicy sauce. (Side story: I usually lose interest when I read the word spicy but R insisted we order one. And I was so glad we did!)