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.

Take 2: Вà Nôi’s

I just love living near Kapitolyo, one of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants hotspots. Admittedly, it has been a while since the last time I went there and I was surprised to see that there are a lot of new restaurants since my last visit. One of which is a Vietnamese restaurant named Вà Nôi’s. Okay, perhaps not all are new establishments but new to Kapitolyo. 

Welcome to the neighborhood, Вà Nôi’s.

I still remember the first time I dined in Вà Nôi’s. It was way back in 2011 when it was still in Makati. I was with my Couchsurfingfriends and we ordered a handful of dishes for sharing. One of the dishes I loved was the Bo Luc Lac, an oh-so-tender stir-fried beef. It was a bit pricey though for the serving. 

 

This time around, I went with two of my college friends and we ordered Pho Bo (PHP260), Pho Ga (PHP230), Cha Gio (PHP195), Cha Thia Xao Dao Hao (PHP115), Ca Kho To (PHP250), and a glass of iced Vietnamese coffee (PHP110).

 

Service was very quick. First served was my coffee on a dripper. It reminded me of Highland’s coffee.