More foods in Cebu and Lapu-Lapu Cities

Exploring Cebu City

One of the must-visit spots in Cebu City is the Temple of Leah. It’s a bit far from the city center, so renting a car or motorcycle is a smart move to make the most of your time. We made the mistake of commuting and walking on our first days, which ate up a lot of time. If your budget allows, I highly recommend renting a vehicle upon arrival for convenience.

For the best experience, visit the Temple of Leah around sunset—the view is stunning, and it stays open later than other attractions nearby. When we arrived around 4 PM on a weekday, it was already bustling with tourists.

Dining at Ristorante Teodorico

After exploring the temple, we grabbed a meal at Ristorante Teodorico, located in the semi-basement of the temple. While there’s no view from the restaurant, it’s a cozy spot with elegant chandeliers, plenty of plants, and an open-air setting.

Ristorante Teodorico Menu at Temple of Leah
Ristorante Teodorico Menu

Here’s what we ordered:

Our Orders at Ristorante Teodorico, Temple of Leah
Our Orders at Ristorante Teodorico

• Lumpiang Shanghai (P250) – 16 crispy spring rolls, perfect for sharing.

• Carbonara (P350) with two slices of toasted garlic bread– Good flavor but a bit too saucy, making it mushy over time.

• Pancit (P220) – Lightly sauced, well-balanced flavors with generous vegetables.

• Honey Lemon Tea (P220) – Similar to the ones sold at S&R, a bit too sweet for my taste.

The food is reasonably priced for the location, and the servings (except for the pasta) are great for sharing.

Cebu Lechon at The Barracks

Cebu Lechon at The Barack's​
Cebu Lechon at The Barack’s

Cebu is famous for its lechon, so we had to stop by The Barracks for another round. We ordered 1kg of Cebu Lechon (P320), and while the free taste came with crispy skin, the actual order wasn’t as crispy. Still, the vinegar dip made up for it.

While waiting for our Cebu de Lechon Order​ at The Barack's
While waiting for our Lechon de Cebu Order

Lapu-Lapu City Eats

We stayed at Pacific Cebu Resort, located on the quieter side of Lapu-Lapu City. Of course, we had to try their in-house Bloom’s Bar and Café. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but the food quality and ambiance made it worth it.

Plated Breakfast meal at Bloom’s Bar and Café
Plated Breakfast meal at Bloom’s Bar and Café

Here’s what we tried:

• Margarita Pizza (P450) – Thin and crispy, simple but flavorful

Margarita Pizza at Bloom’s Bar and Café
Margarita Pizza at Bloom’s Bar and Café

• Gnocchi Formagie Pasta (P520) – Soft potato dumplings in white sauce, surprisingly filling

Gnocchi Formagie Pasta at Bloom’s Bar and Café
Gnocchi Formagie Pasta at Bloom’s Bar and Café

• Squid Calamari (P540) – Crunchy on the outside, soft and fresh inside, served with Marinara Sauce and Roasted Garlic Aioli

Squid Calamari at Bloom’s Bar and Café
Squid Calamar

Their service was excellent, and the peaceful ambiance made us want to come back. I’m not sure if they offer buffet breakfast on all Sundays since we experienced it during our stay.

Local Food Stop: Mica’s Turo-Turo

Mica’s Food Trip dishes
Mica’s Food Trip dishes

For an affordable local food experience, we stopped by Mica’s Turo-Turo along the highway. It’s easy to spot with the number of motorcycles parked outside. The food was budget-friendly and flavorful. My favorite? Their grilled chorizo—juicy and smoky, a must-try! They often serve freshly cooked dishes on batches so we’re lucky to have hot- served viands.

Mica’s Food Trip Signage
Mica’s Food Trip Signage
Inside Mica’s Food Trip Eatery
Inside Mica’s Food Trip Eatery

Final Thoughts

Our Cebu trip was a great mix of sightseeing and food adventures. Next time, we hope to bring family along to explore more beaches and hidden gems. If you have any questions about car rentals or food spots, feel free to comment below. Happy travels!

P.S. some photos of Bloom’s Bar and Café Menu and our view at Pacific Cebu Resort 😘.

Bloom’s Bar and Café Menu 1
Bloom’s Bar and Café Menu 1
Bloom’s Bar and Café Menu 2
Bloom’s Bar and Café Menu 2
Bloom’s Bar and Café Menu 3
Bloom’s Bar and Café Menu 3
Bloom’s Bar and Café Drinks Menu 1
Bloom’s Bar and Café Drinks Menu 1
Bloom’s Bar and Café Drinks Menu 2
Bloom’s Bar and Café Drinks Menu 2
Bloom’s Bar and Café Drinks Menu 3
Bloom’s Bar and Café Drinks Menu 3
Bloom’s Bar and Café Drinks Menu 4
Bloom’s Bar and Café Drinks Menu 4

This is the 3rd pool since there’s a main pool and diving pool. No photos taken, sorry.

Pacific Cebu Resort 3rd Pool
Pool No.3
Bloom’s Bar and Café buffet breakfast table on a Sunday
Bloom’s Bar and Café buffet breakfast on a Sunday
Clear Sky at Pacific Cebu Resort
Clear sky at Pacific Cebu Resort

Entoy’s Bakasihan in Lapu-Lapu City

Eel or Bakasi in Cebuano, is a local delicacy found in some parts of Cebu. Since eel dishes are quite expensive in Japanese restaurants, especially in Metro Manila, we made sure to include it in our food trip when we visited Cebu. The best place to try it? Entoy’s Bakasihan—the most talked-about eatery serving Bakasi.

Entoy's Bakasihan at Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
Entoy’s Bakasihan at Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu

Getting there wasn’t easy. If you’re driving a car, the narrow streets and parked vehicles on both sides make it difficult to pass through. Fortunately, we rented a motorcycle, which made the trip more convenient.

Entoy’s Bakasihan is a simple carinderia with a variety of seafood dishes. It’s located by the sea, offering a nice view but also a very hot atmosphere. As expected, we ordered two bottles of soda right away to cool down before our meal.

Entoy's Bakasihan food varieties
Entoy’s Bakasihan offered dishes

For our main dishes, we ordered deep-fried eel and kilawin (raw eel in vinegar). We also added gusô (sea moss) with tomatoes and onions, plus adobong octopus.

Fried Eel, Kilawing Eel, corn and regular rice, sea moss​
Fried Eel, Kilawin, sea moss, corn and regular rice

When the food arrived, we excitedly dug in. The adobong octopus and kilawin were both rubbery and tough to chew—not exactly impressive. The vinegar used in Kilawin didn’t have enough acidity or saltiness, so it didn’t taste right to me. The adobo, on the other hand, had a slightly burnt flavor, which made it a bit bitter for my taste.

Adobong Octopus
Adobong Octopus
Leftover Adobong Octopus​
Leftover Adobong Octopus
Leftover Kilawin​
Leftover Kilawin

The gusô, on the other hand, was light, fresh, and enjoyable. Maybe more onions will add more sweetness and tanginess.

Kilawin and gusô
Kilawin and Gusô

And the star of the meal? The deep-fried EEL. It was crispy, well-seasoned with just salt, and so good that we finished every single piece even without dipping sauce.

Deep Fried Eel
Deep Fried Eel

All the drinks available were Pepsi products, and while the prices weren’t cheap for a carinderia, they were much more affordable compared to eel dishes in Manila. Our total bill came to a little over ₱500, including drinks.

To end the meal, we grabbed a cone of mango ice cream from Manong Sorbetero, who was waiting outside with his cart. It was a simple yet satisfying way to wrap up our Bakasi experience.

Dirty Ice Cream Mango Flavor
Dirty Ice Cream (Mango Flavor)

Overall, Entoy’s Bakasihan offered a unique taste of Cebu’s local cuisine. While not every dish stood out, the deep-fried eel was definitely worth trying. It was a fun food adventure that I’m glad we didn’t miss!

More Tables and Chairs at Entoy's Bakasihan with customers
Entoy’s Bakasihan Eatery Space

Cebu’s Esmen Carinderia: A Must-Try for Fish Soup Lovers

Our first day in Cebu had been a series of near misses when it came to food, so we made it our mission to redeem our taste buds on Day 2.

After a morning visit to a museum, we set out on a quest for Esmen Carinderia, a humble eatery tucked away on Rallos Street, known for its famed fish tinola. I had read about it in multiple blogs, and knew it wouldn’t be for everyone—especially those who aren’t keen on dining in an open-air, no-frills setup.

Esmen Carinderia Tarpauline​
Esmen Carinderia Tarpauline

Finding the carinderia proved to be a challenge. We had unknowingly walked past it, only realizing our mistake when we doubled back and spotted groups of people dining outside. A tarpaulin sign finally confirmed that we were in the right place. The eatery was bustling before lunch time, with only a few seats available. It was clear this place was a local favorite.

Front of Esmens Carenderia​
Front of Esmens Carinderia

Hubby ordered two bowls of fish soup. At first glance, they looked identical—both featuring medium servings of fish heads submerged in steaming broth. But as soon as I took a sip, I understood the difference. One was made with porcupine fish, its broth rich and flavorful, the meat unbelievably tender. The other had a unique taste, distinct but just as satisfying. Three large kawa (woks) stood at the front, each brimming with a different variety of broth, ladled out according to the customer’s order.

Two orders of different linarang (fish stew)​
Two orders of different linarang (fish stew)
Big chunk of fish meat​
Big chunk of fish meat
Corn Rice​
Corn Rice

One thing that stood out was their attentiveness. The staff quickly offers a refill of the hot, comforting broth whenever a bowl was nearing empty—a heartwarming gesture that added to the experience.

Noticing that many customers were ordering a small plate of kilawin, I decided to try one myself. It was unlike the kilawin I had in Davao back in 2023. This version had chopped white onions and tomatoes, but no trace of the usual calamansi or vinegar. Instead, it had a distinct fermented taste—almost like tuba (palm wine). The fish used in the dish was porcupine fish as well, which added to its unique flavor profile.

Porcupine Fish Kinilaw​
Porcupine Fish Kinilaw

For two bowls of fish head soup, a small plate of kilawin, one order each of corn rice and regular rice, plus two bottles of soda, our total bill came to just around ₱467—a great deal for such a satisfying meal. More than the price, though, it was the warm service and the honest, comforting flavors that made this dining experience memorable.

Our Table​ at Esmen Carinderia
Our Table at Esmen Carinderia
Porcupine Fish displayed near our table​
Porcupine Fish displayed near our table

Exploring Coffee, Local Eats, and Hidden Food Gems in Taiwan

Starting your day with a freshly brewed cup of coffee is a delight, and Taiwan’s convenience stores make it surprisingly affordable. At Family Mart and 7-Eleven, the coffee is brewed from real coffee beans, made fresh upon order, and comes at a very reasonable price. These stores also offer a wide variety of teas, perfect for anyone seeking a quick and tasty drink. Below, you’ll find snapshots of their coffee and tea selections.

Translated FamilyMart Cafe Menu in Taipei​ (English)
FamilyMart Cafe Menu in Taipei
Preparing my ordered coffee​ from fresh coffee beans
Preparing my ordered coffee from fresh coffee beans
Coffee Menu with KCal info per cup​
Coffee Menu with KCal info per cup
Quick coffee fix from City Cafe (Taipei, Taiwan)​
Quick coffee fix from City Cafe (Taipei, Taiwan)

Sihai Soy Milk

While exploring, we stumbled upon a local eatery bustling with patrons. Little did we know, there were separate queues for dine-in and takeaway. Thankfully, a kind student directed us to the correct line. The service was quick despite the crowd, and we tried several dishes: salted soybean soup topped with donuts, a bread with donut filling, Steamed Bun with Green onions and egg, and a dish we picked from the menu based on a picture. To our surprise, the “steamed bun” we ordered turned out to be a large bun with a thin pork filling—not what we expected, and a bit disappointing. However, the salted soybean soup was savory and unique, and the clay oven rolls with spring onion and egg filling were satisfying.

Our oders at Sihai Soy Milk​ (Taipei, Taiwan)
Our oders at Sihai Soy Milk
Salted Soybean Soup topped with Donuts
Salted Soybean Soup topped with Donuts
Shaobing with fried dough sticks
Shaobing with fried dough sticks
Shaobing with Green onions and egg​
Shaobing with Green onions and egg
We order the no.1 on the menu (expectation)
Reality (what was served)

Frog Kitchen at Taipei Zoo

Later at the Taipei Zoo, we grabbed a quick lunch from a food stall (Frog Kitchen – just translated the receipt). We ordered curry chicken rice and pork “honey barbecue” rice (though the latter tasted more like pork in gravy than barbecue). While the meals were a bit pricey and average in taste, they kept us energized for the rest of the day. Fun fact: there’s a McDonald’s near the zoo’s entrance if you’re looking for something familiar.

Curry Chicken Rice
Curry Chicken Rice
Honey Barbecue Rice
Honey Barbecue Rice
Frog Kitchen Receipt at Taipei Zoo​
Frog Kitchen Receipt at Taipei Zoo

Soup Hong Kong Style Barbecue Stall

Soup Hong Kong Style Barbecue Menu
Soup Hong Kong Style Barbecue Menu

Another highlight was a crispy pork meal near our hotel. The pork came with tofu cubes, sprouts, chives, bok choy, and rice, all topped with a flavorful sauce. Even after 20 minutes, the pork skin stayed crispy—an impressive touch!

Roasted Pork Rice​ at Taipei Taiwan
Roasted Pork Rice @ NTD 120
Translated take away box of Soup Hong Kong Style Barbecue ​Stall (English)
Translated take away box of Soup Hong Kong Style Barbecue Stall (English)

Beitou Lao You Xin Beef Noodle House

One accidental find was Beitou Lao You Xin Beef Noodle House near Beitou Train Station. Their braised beef noodle soup, beef jerky noodles, vegetable xiao long bao, and pig scalp were all fantastic. The soup, in particular, stood out and was even better than a more popular spot we tried earlier. Despite our late lunch (past 3 PM), the kind owner still accepted our orders ‘coz he was already closed for the late afternoon.

Beitou Lao You Xin Beef Noodle House​
Translated menu of Beitou Lao You Xin Beef Noodle House
Braised Beef Noodle Soup​
Braised Beef Noodle Soup
Beef Jerky Noodles (dry noodles)​
Beef Jerky Noodles (dry noodles)
Vegetable Xiao Long Bao​
Vegetable Xiao Long Bao
Pig scalp (translated from the menu)​
Pig scalp (translated from the menu)

Hómee Kitchen

Before heading home, we wrapped up our food journey at Hómee Kitchen, where we enjoyed hearty set meals: stewed beef with tomato sauce and meatball vermicelli soup. Each set came with sides like vegetables and mango gelatin, making it a filling and satisfying end to our culinary adventure in Taiwan.

Stewed Beef with Tomato Sauce Set
Stewed Beef with Tomato Sauce Set
Meatball and Vemicelli Soup Set
Meatball and Vemicelli Soup Set

If you’re ever in Taiwan, don’t miss these spots for affordable coffee, unique local eats, and warm hospitality.

And please do correct me if the food establishment names are incorrect as I relied on Google Translation of my photos. TIA

Cebu Food Adventure: From Lechon to Pater ni Aki

Our flight from Clark, Pampanga, departed at 11:30 AM, so by the time we arrived in Cebu, it was almost lunchtime. Instead of eating at the airport, we decided to save our appetites for Cebu’s iconic lechon. Luckily, as we exited Cebu Mactan International Airport, we spotted a small queue at a stall selling Ayers Cebu Lechon. We couldn’t resist and ordered 1/4 kg of lechon (₱335) with two servings of rice. While the lechon skin wasn’t crunchy anymore, it was still tender and easy to chew, even for those with dentures. The real star was their flavorful vinegar, which elevated the taste of the lechon.

Cebu's Ayers Lechon​
Cebu’s Ayers Lechon
Cebu's Ayers 1/4 kg Lechon​
Cebu’s Ayers 1/4 kg Lechon

3A’s Makabusog Grill Original Larsian BBQ

3A’s Makabusog Grill Original Larsian BBQ
3A’s Makabusog Grill Original Larsian BBQ

After checking into our hotel, we decided to explore Larsian BBQ at Fuente Osmeña, about a 23-minute walk away. Arriving at 4:30 PM, the place seemed uninviting, with only a few open stalls and no diners in sight. Based on online recommendations, we tried 3A’s Makabusog Grill Original Larsian BBQ. Our order included grilled tuna panga, a squid skewer, two chorizo de Cebu sticks, and rice (₱475 total). Unfortunately, the panga and squid tasted stale, lacked seasoning, and had a raw, unpleasant flavor. The rice was cold and hard, and only the chorizo de Cebu met our expectations. It was a disappointing experience that left us regretting the long walk.

Raw Tuna Panga​
Raw Tuna Panga
Raw Squid Skewer
Raw Squid Skewer
Our Orders at 3A’s Makabusog Grill Original Larsian BBQ
Our Orders at 3A’s Makabusog Grill Original Larsian BBQ

Shamrock Pasalubong Center

We then headed to the Shamrock Pasalubong Center at Fuente Osmeña Circle to buy local delicacies as pasalubong. Although their items came highly recommended, we were surprised by the steep prices—more than ₱3,000 for just a few treats.

Pungko-Pungko at Fuente

Still unsatisfied, we searched for pungko-pungko, a popular Cebuano street food experience near the circle. The first thing we noticed was the energetic staff in matching orange shirts, enthusiastically welcoming customers. The setup was simple, humid, and lacked basic amenities like tissues. We ordered an assortment of fried foods, including 4 pieces Ginanot (chicharong bulaklak), 1 piece liempo, half shell of rellenong crab, 1 piece sausage, 2 lumpia, and a soda (₱249 total). The dipping vinegar is too sour on my palate and a bit salty. Unfortunately, none of the items were crispy or flavorful, leaving me puzzled about how vloggers rave about this experience.

Pungko-pungko selection​
Pungko-pungko selection
Pungko-pungko orders​
Pungko-pungko orders

Pater ni Aki Stall

Pater ni Aki at Cebu Coty Circle​
Pater ni Aki at Cebu Coty Circle

As the day wound down, we stumbled upon a lively program near the circle with several food stalls. Here, we found two dishes that redeemed our culinary adventure: grilled scallops and Chicken Pater, a Maranao dish. The scallops, priced at just ₱99 for 18 pieces, were small but perfectly grilled with butter and garlic. Meanwhile, the Chicken Pater (₱80) featured fragrant rice cooked with coconut milk (I assume), tender shredded chicken, and a spicy sambal-like side dish. It was a satisfying end to an otherwise mixed food journey. They also sells spider snail with vinegar as the dipping sauce but haven’t tried it. It’s only PhP 25 per piece.

Grilled Small Scallops​
Grilled Small Scallops
Chicken Pater (take out)​
Chicken Pater (take out)
Spider Snail at PhP 25 per piece​
Spider Snail at PhP 25 per piece

While our Cebu trip had its ups and downs, the grilled scallops and manok pater made the long walks worth it. As they say, food is an adventure, and sometimes it’s the surprises that make it memorable.

Exploring Taiwan’s Night Markets: Raohe Night Market Adventure

When you search for the best night markets in Asia, Taiwan’s Shilin Market consistently ranks high. Naturally, during our trip to Taipei from September 25-29, 2024, we made it a goal to visit at least one night market each day. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate, and we missed out on the Shilin Night Market.

On our second night, we headed to Raohe Night Market, which is conveniently accessible via the Songshan MTR Station (Green Line). Exiting the station, the market is hard to miss—just exit to the right, and you’ll spot the Songshan Ciyou Temple. Raohe Market sits just to the left of the temple, welcoming you with its lively atmosphere and irresistible food stalls.

Songshan Ciyou Temple​
Songshan Ciyou Temple

Famous Pork Pepper Bread

Pork Pepper Bun Line
Pork Pepper Bun Line

Our food adventure began at 4:30 in the afternoon, right when the market was in full swing. A line had already formed for the famous pork pepper buns – Fuzhou Pepper Buns (pork pepper buns), and the staff were hard at work—kneading dough, chopping ingredients, and filling buns for cooking. At NTD 60 per piece, hubby couldn’t resist and got four.

Fuzhou Pepper Buns (Pork Pepper Buns): Worth the Hype

Preparing Pork Pepper Bun
Preparing Pork Pepper Bun
Pork Pepper Bun Filling
Pork Pepper Bun Filling at first bite
Yummy Pork Pepper Bun
Yummy Pork Pepper Bun

These buns were packed with flavor! Despite the name, the pepper wasn’t overwhelming; instead, it beautifully complemented the juicy pork. From the first bite, the filling burst with rich taste, and we noticed there was no empty space between the bun and the meat—it was generously stuffed. The pork had a mix of ground meat and small slices, giving a nice texture. The bun wasn’t your typical bread; it had a slightly crisp exterior. Though I saved one bun for the next day, it still tasted good, but of course, freshly cooked is always better. If I had to rate this? Definitely more than 10/10.

Michelin-Worthy Bone Soup: A Simple Delight

Next, we stumbled upon a Michelin-awarded eatery nestled among the market’s stalls. It was packed with people—students, office workers, and seniors alike. We ordered the crowd favorite: bone soup (NTD 100) with rice (NTD 20).

Bone Soup and Rice with ground pork toppings
Bone Soup and Rice with ground pork toppings

The soup was light yet comforting, with a slightly medicinal quality, making it surprisingly enjoyable even in warm weather (hubby’s words!). The meat was so tender it fell off the bone with just chopsticks. While the plain rice was meant to pair with the soup, we accidentally got a sweet ground pork rice, which didn’t complement the soup well. A small mix-up, but the soup alone made the stop worth it.

Fried Squid: Not as Exciting as Expected

Fried Squid Stall
Fried Squid Stall

Hubby had been eyeing the big squid on a stick since we arrived. For NTD 160, we got one, expecting something grilled. However, the vendor rolled it in breading, fried it, and topped it with sweet chili sauce. While it looked appetizing, the taste was underwhelming—it was nothing unique, and I’ve had similar squid in Manila. Not quite worth the price.

Fried Squid with Sweet Chili Sauce
1 order of Fried Squid with Sweet Chili Sauce

Taro Balls: A Pleasant Surprise

We couldn’t resist a small stall cooking taro balls non-stop. They intrigued me with their egg yolk-like appearance and pork floss toppings. We bought two pieces (NTD 30 and 35 each) to try. Surprisingly, the yellow portion wasn’t egg yolk—it was glutinous rice with taro. Both pieces were sweet and satisfying.

Taro Balls Menu
Taro Balls Menu
Closer look on the taro ball​
Closer look on the taro ball

Grilled King Mushroom: A Regretful Choice

One of the foods we’d seen in countless travel videos was the grilled king mushroom, so when hubby spotted it, he grabbed one for NTD 100. We were encouraged to try the recommended sauce, but sadly, this dish didn’t hit the mark for me. The mushroom became watery, diluting the flavor of the sauce, and the texture was a bit rubbery. I couldn’t finish it, regretting not trying the fried mushrooms from a nearby stall that seemed popular with locals.

Grilled King Mushroom with special sauce​
1 order of Grilled King Mushroom with special sauce

Grilled Cajun Corn: Aromatic and Satisfying

When hubby returned with a stick of grilled corn coated in a spicy-looking seasoning, I initially thought it was meat. The aroma was mouthwatering, and the flavor didn’t disappoint! The Cajun seasoning added just the right kick without being too spicy. Eating it fresh off the grill, with steam still rising from the cob, made every bite delightful. This treat cost NTD 75.

Grilled Cajun Corn
Grilled Cajun Corn

Cranberry Juice with Lemon: A Refreshing Finish

Right beside the mushroom stall was a juice vendor offering cranberry juice with lemon for NTD 65. After days of milk tea indulgence, we opted for this healthier alternative. It was refreshing, not too sour, and perfectly balanced—not as tart as the cranberry juices I’m used to. The addition of lemon did not overpower the flavor.

Cranberry with Lemon Juice Stall
Freshly squeezed Cranberry with Lemon Juice Stall

Final Thoughts on Raohe Night Market

Although the pork pepper buns filled us up early on, Raohe Night Market offered a wonderful variety of street food. While some dishes didn’t meet our expectations, the experience of trying new things made it worthwhile. One tip: look for stalls with lots of customers—it’s often a sign of great food.

Our night at Raohe was a delightful mix of hits and misses, but it was an adventure I’d gladly do again. With so many choices and flavors to explore, it’s a must-visit for food lovers!

Ximen or Ximending Day and Night Market

Who wouldn’t enjoy a day/night market full of food choices—some familiar and others completely new, right?

Not many restaurants are opened as early as 6-9am where we stayed at (Datong District) so we headed to Ximending which is 1 station away from Taipei Main Station. We also wanted to check the Walking District since we read that it gets crowded from early afternoon ’til late night.

Beef Noodles Soup at Lao Shan Dong

We visited the green Wan Nian Building on Xining Road, where many stalls were still closed past 9am. While exploring, we stumbled upon Lao Shan Dong, a Michelin Star Awardee. Based on the videos we had seen, their beef noodles were highly recommended, so we made sure to order that, along with the Beef, Tendon, and Tripe Soup (though we didn’t get a photo of it).

Taiwan Lao Shan Dong Restaurant​
Lao Shan Dong Restaurant
Lao Shan Dong TW Menu
Lao Shan Dong TW Menu
Lao Shan Dong English Menu
Lao Shan Dong English Menu
Lao Shan Dong Beef Noodles
Lao Shan Dong Beef Noodles

Their Beef Noodle Soup features large chunks of beef and wide, firm handmade noodles (just the right texture for my taste) – topped with a sprinkle of onion chives. The broth, while decent, isn’t overly beefy. The soup is served at a comfortable temperature (not too hot) so you can enjoy it right away. That’s a big plus for me.

We also ordered the Beef, Tendon, and Tripe Soup, though it’s not pictured here because they initially brought the wrong soup. I assumed it would taste similar to mine, just with rice instead of noodles, so I asked if the rice would be coming later. When the waitress checked our order, she quickly took my husband’s soup and replaced it with the correct one. By then, he had already eaten 3-4 big chunks of beef 😅. Their customer service was great – handling the mix-up promptly.

As for the condiments, I wasn’t a fan of their chili oil/paste -it had a slight sourness with a hint of peanut and wasn’t very spicy. However, I did love their pickled radish with mustard leaves. You’ll need to grab your own condiments from a table in the corner.

Overall, it’s a good experience to try this Michelin Star restaurant.

Pan-fried Dorayaki (Pancake)

Red bean flavored pancake
Pancake with Redbean filling
Closer look on Redbean Pancake
Closer look on Redbean Pancake

As we left Lao Shan Dong, we were drawn to a well-lit stall selling pancakes with various fillings. It was Simon’s Pan-fried Dorayaki, and according to the menu, their best seller is the red bean flavor. Even though we were still full from the noodles, we decided to try one. My verdict? It was lightly sweetened – hubby wasn’t a fan, but I thought it was okay. I imagine the chocolate or other fillings, along with a slightly toasted pancake would make it a more satisfying snack.

Popcorn Chicken King

Popcorn Chicken King Store
Popcorn Chicken King Stall at Ximending
Chicken Popcorn
Fried Chicken Popcorn

Looking for a place to sit, we decided to try a relatively large stall on the corner which is called Popcorn Chicken King. To our surprise, the chicken pops tasted even better than those we’ve had at places like KFC. They were incredibly flavorful for just NTD 65 (~PhP113.75). No sauce or ketchup was needed—though an extra cup of rice might have been nice! 😅

Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles 

When you walk past the popular Boba Xin Fu Tang Store, you’ll be greeted by another long line for Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles. The queueing is faster than you would imagine as there’s a separate line for ordering/paying and another for order pickup.

Small order of Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles
Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles

We got the small bowl (NTD 65 or ~PhP 113.75) which hubby and I shared. To be a bit more descriptive, this is a humble-looking soup with just a few ingredients from the naked eye. Aside from the thin noodles – misua-like noodles but firmer and I think pork intestine pictured above. I fell inlove with this noodle soup at the very first sip.

Totoo ang chismis! (The rumor is true!) It’s not overrated because the taste is so good. It’s evident based from the number of bowls in the trash bins and people eating this here and there.

Tian Tian Li (Oyester Omelet and Carrot Cake)

Past the Uniqlo building, we were invited by a long line of locals and tourists at Tian Tian Li -left side of the street. We just observed the queue but since this guy cooking the oyster omelet and carrot cake is non-stop, we decided to try it.

Tian Tian Li @Ximending
Tian Tian Li @Ximending

The oyster omelet shown below has a soft texture and is topped with a creamy, tomato-like sauce. I’m not sure exactly what the sauce is, but it definitely enhances the flavor of the dish. If you look closely, you’ll see large oysters along with green chives, and there’s a bit of sticky liquid from the oysters in some parts of the omelet. Rather than adding chili sauce, I suggest using pepper powder for seasoning. I wonder if there’s a version of this omelet that’s crispy on the outside but still soft inside—it would make a great difference.

Oyster Pancake
Oyster Omelet Order
Closer look on Oyster Omelet/Pancake
Closer look on Oyster Omelet/Pancake

The next dish is their version of carrot cake. At first, I thought it was a radish cake because of its white color, but the menu translated it as carrot cake. In the Philippines, carrot cake is typically a dessert, but here it’s savory, and I didn’t taste any hint of carrot from the first bite to the last. Again, I found the pepper powder to be a better seasoning than their chili sauce.

Taiwan's Carrot Cake​
Taiwan’s Carrot Cake

Between the two dishes, I like carrot cake better but both tasted good.

Fried Stinky Tofu

Next, we tried the famous fried stinky tofu, priced at NTD 80 (~PhP 140). Since I eat tofu regularly at home, I couldn’t really distinguish it from regular fried tofu, so it didn’t feel like anything new to me. Given the higher price, I was expecting a more distinct smell and flavor, but it didn’t stand out. For someone who doesn’t usually eat tofu, this might be an interesting experience. Oh by the way, the side dish of cabbage was a nice touch.

Fried Stinky Tofu
Fried Stinky Tofu

White Bitter Melon Shake?

White bitter melon shake at Taiwan
White Bitter Melon Shake Stall

This (Fruit) Drinks Stall at Ximen is really interesting especially that huge bitter melon display hanging from the ceiling. Anyone dared to try this white bitter melon shake? I haven’t since I don’t have the courage to order one. It looked like a white bitter melon to me but still not sure. Maybe the next time we visit Taiwan, we’ll definitely get one.

Taiwan’s Food Souvenirs (Pasalubong)

Are you looking for food souvenirs or what we usually call “pasalubong” (in the Philippines) from Taiwan? Here is a short list of what we bought from our most recent Taiwan Trip (Sept. 25-29, 2024) aside from Pineapple Cake (or bread).

Boba Chocolate

Bobba Chocolate
Boba Chocolate

When I was researching for best pasalubong or food souvenir prior to our trip, I didn’t come across a Boba Chocolate mentioned on any blog or video. It’s individually packed when opened which is priced around PhP320 at Shopee.

The taste is like eating a milk tea instead of drinking it. I’m not sure if it’s white chocolate but when you take a half bite, there’s a pearl or tapioca inside. It’s unique, sweet and very new to me. Will I recommend this, Oh Yes specially to those with sweet tooth and loves milk tea. This is a good find…ofcourse by hubby. 🙂

Mixed Mochi

Mixed Mochi
Mixed Mochi

Since there are Michelin Star Awardees of Mochi sellers in Taiwan, we decided to bring home and try this mixed mochi (not a Michelin Star though). There are five flavors to choose from and my top choice in order from most to least favorite – Sesame, Taro, Green Tea, Peanut and Red Bean are tie.

Taiwan's Mixed Mochi
Taiwan’s Mixed Mochi
Taiwan's Mixed Mochi: Sesame, Taro, Green Tea, Peanut and Red Bean
Taiwan’s Mixed Mochi: Sesame, Taro, Green Tea, Peanut and Red Bean

Nougat Crackers

Original Flavor Nougat Cracker​
Nougat Cracker (onion-chive flavored)
Original Flavor Nougat Cracker (individually packed)
Individually Packed Nougat Cracker

I always thought that nougats are sweet and sticky that will always leave your mouth tired of chewing. Fear not! This nougat cracker is nowhere near that assumption. The saltiness of the green chive-flavored cracker goes well with the not so sweet nougat. It’s a good replacement for late night snack.

Egg Roll

Egg Roll Biscuit with Black Sesame Seeds
Egg Roll Biscuit with Black Sesame Seeds
Black Sesame Egg Roll
Egg Roll Biscuit Original Flavor
Egg Roll Biscuit Original Flavor

This food souvenir is similar to barquillos we have in the Philippines except that this is softer and less sweet. If you hold this a little bit firm, you’ll easily crash it into pieces. We bought two variants- one with black sesame seeds while the other is original.

Pineapple Bread

Pineapple Cake/Bread
Pineapple Cake
Bite size Pineapple Cake

Pineapple cake is well known in Taiwan and almost every “pasalubong” stall sells this. We’re initially looking for a “ChiaTe” Brand but can’t find it at Ximending/Ximen so we just tried this. Ofcourse the taste is not as good as those popular pineapple bread brands but this is not bad either. The price is cheaper, although I can’t remember but I’m pretty sure it’s not expensive. There are only 8 pieces per box in bite sizes. The crust is soft and crunchy and the pineapple jam filling is a balance of sweet and sour taste.

Boba Grain Snacks

Boba Grain Snack​
Boba Grain Snack

‘Will update my take on Boba Grain Snack once I open it for tasting (stay tuned) 😍.

Coffee Flavor Nougat Cracker

Nougat Biscuit (Coffee Flavor)​
Nougat Biscuit (Coffee Flavor)
Coffee Nougat Biscuit​
Coffee Nougat Biscuit

Similar to the nougat cracker mentioned earlier, this coffee-flavored nougat biscuit is not on the sweet side. The coffee filling is not too strong with a hint of bitter taste. The biscuit is a bit firm and crunchy which is far from our “Hansel” biscuits (can’t find a good comparison). I can munch this instead of drinking coffee if I need to cut down my coffee intake.

Overall, I’m happy with these food souvenirs we brought home from Taiwan. These were all bought from 2 stores at Ximending.

If you have other recommendations, feel free to comment since we still consider going back in the near future. 🙂

Food Trip at Ho Chi Min (Saigon) Vietnam

Vietnamese food is one of my most favorite dishes because it always have a variety of herbs plus not salty and oily. They have numerous noodle dishes, and if I’m to compare it with my food experience in Hong Kong, this one is better- in my opinion. Aside from the taste, the price and servings are really good.

Our first day was spent in Ben Thanh Market looking for pasalubongs when we saw this stall with long line of tourists/customers. They don’t sell noodles but a soup with different shapes of sticky rice texture. At first I’m not sure of the dish’s ingredients but when we tried it, it’s all sticky rice in different sizes, shapes and texture. The soup is cold topped with soft fried pork cubes/crispy pork cubes, coriander, green onions and some garlic seasoning which was only VND 25,000 or almost 58 pesos. They call it Banh Beo Hue- a savory dish.

BÁNH BÈO HUÉ
BÁNH BÈO HUÉ
BÁNH BÈO HUÉ Stall
BÁNH BÈO HUÉ Stall

Another Benh Thanh Market finds is their Ban Cuon which is made from steamed rolled rice flour stuffed with minced pork and I think black mushroom with some sprinkled fried shallots and fish sauce on the side. If you experienced Vietnam already, you’ll agree that their fish sauce is on the sweeter side and not as salty as what we have in the Philippines. I can’t remember the price range but I think it’s less than VND 50,000 (~PhP 113).

Banh Cuon
Banh Cuon

This mixed Phoa is a unique one because it has combination of different meats with seafood and I’m not sure what it’s called. There’s shrimp, chicken meat, pork liver and tongue (I think), and siomai. There’s lettuce, onion chives with chili and fish sauce on the side. This is served on a small alley near Jovia Hotel in HCM. Price is below VND 50,000. This was our first Pho on our trip.

Mixed Phoa
Mixed Pho

We also tried the Cơm Tấm (Vietnamese Broken Rice) with grilled pork chop across Ben Thanh Market. They only serve this in the evening as a stand-up stall. And as common in Vietnam, you only get seated at the sidewalk with small chair and table. We just saw this stall when we strolled as hubby is craving for a rice meal. This is a complete meal as it has slices of tomatoes, cucumbers some greens, fried egg, bamboo shoots ( I think) and not really sure with the other one but it looked like a scrambled egg with mushroom. The grilled pork chop is juicy and like what we have in Manila – sweet, savory, peppery and soft to the bite.

Cơm Tấm (Vietnamese Broken Rice)
Cơm Tấm (Vietnamese Broken Rice)
Cơm Tấm (Vietnamese Broken Rice) 2
Cơm Tấm (Vietnamese Broken Rice) 2

Another new dish we had was a blood soup with just a few ingredients – garlic, onion chives, big cubed pork blood, dried shrimp, fried pork rinds (chicharon) and pepper. The broth is clear which is not what I initially expected – blood is equal to dark soup like “dinuguan” in the Philippines. As per hubby, the taste is soothing and nice since it’s our first time having this noodle-less soup.

Vietnamese Pork Blood Soup
Vietnamese Pork Blood Soup

Who wouldn’t want an Indian Food every now and then? This Indian Restaurant across Ben Thanh Market caught our attention -the Haveli Indian Restaurant located at the second floor. The price is a bit cheaper than in Manila because the serving size is bigger. The place is almost full but luckily, a table was just emptied when we got there. We had the Chicken Biryani, Chicken Tikka Masala and local beer. The taste is authentic and all orders come with a small plate of white onion, lime and cucumber on the side.

Ben Thanh Market - the Haveli Indian Restaurant: Haveli Indian Restaurant: Chicken Biryani and Chicken Tikka Masala
Ben Thanh Market – the Haveli Indian Restaurant: Chicken Biryani and Chicken Tikka Masala

Another food we accidentally discovered (not on my list) but actually a Michelin Star Al Fresco Restaurant called Bếp Mẹ Ỉn in Lê Thánh Tôn. It was raining then saw a group of people, followed them and ended up here. We had Bánh Xèo or Crispy & Savory Vietnamese Pancakes (with shrimp and pork). The serving plate or bilao is medium in size so imagine how big this crispy pancake is. The half is for the leafy veggies that you can munch on with a dipping sauce that so savory and delicious. This costs VND 139000 (around PhP 315).

Bếp Mẹ Ỉn - Lê Thánh Tôn: Bánh Xèo (Crispy & Savory Vietnamese Pancakes)
Bếp Mẹ Ỉn – Lê Thánh Tôn: Bánh Xèo (Crispy & Savory Vietnamese Pancakes)

We also tried their Bò Lụi or Beef Skewer with side greens, pickled carrot and radish, dipping sauce and rolled glass noodles with dashes of green onions and crispy shallots. This is VND 239,000 or almost PhP 541. Nothing special here except that the sweet savory taste of the skewer or beef barbecue complements the noodles. It’s like eating a complete rice meal but not rice.

Bò Lụi (Beef Skewer)
Bò Lụi (Beef Skewer)

The last on the list of our Bếp Mẹ Ỉn in Lê Thánh Tôn experience was their Chả Giò Tôm Thịt or what we call Fried Spring Rolls which is around VND 139,000 (~315). Very few cuts of spring rolls and taste is very common but I do love the salad that went with it.

Chả Giò Tôm Thịt or Fried Sprint Rolls
Chả Giò Tôm Thịt or Fried Sprint Rolls

Vietnam experience won’t be complete without trying their Bahn Mi. And yes, we somehow regretted not trying this on our first few days. We were on our way to buy shoes and additional “pasalubongs” when we saw a long line of grab people (they’re wearing their green long sleeve uniform) but hesitated to check. That afternoon I browsed my notes which Banh Mi Stall to try then we realized that it was that long line we saw earlier so we went back to try. I went to the queue and the funny thing is, I’m the only person with non-green top until someone tap me and pointed me to the other side where customers are buying their Banh Mi. Here are the photos of the two stalls with just a few steps inbetween:

HUYNH HOA's Banh Mi Grab Queue
HUYNH HOA’s Banh Mi Grab Queue
HUYNH HOA's Banh Mi Cutomers' Queue
HUYNH HOA’s Banh Mi Customers’ Queue

Your Bahn Mi is prepared right infront of you (the customer’s queue) through the transparent window so you can see how generous the ingredients are. Hubby and I shared on 1 order and we almost didn’t finish it. The bread is big and crispy outside but soft when you bite. It’s a feast in your mouth because there’s too many flavours and it’s a good thing. You can never really guess what’s making your mouth enjoy it. It’s very tasteful for the price of VND 60,000 (around PhP 138-140), which is already a full meal because you have the meat, vegetables and bread. If only this size and price is offered back home, I’ll definitely have this everyday.

The vegetables are separated as shown below and you get a free wet wipes with your order which is not common in Vietnam takeaways. As you can see, the size of the banh mi is almost as big as my two hands. Overall, we were very satisfied with this Banh Mi, big serving, affordable price and very tasty and fulfilling.

Banh Mi Veggies
Banh Mi Veggies
HUYNH HOA's Banh Mi
HUYNH HOA’s Banh Mi

Another good noodle experience we had was in 236 Noodles Shop although its price ranges from VND 65,000 to 120,000 – a bit pricy compared to Benh Thanh Market and other noodle shops we tried. There maybe pricier noodle houses but we don’t really consider fancy restaurants on our travels so the price comparison here is with other side street food stalls. Their Mixed Noodle Soup has thin noodles, Char Siu, Shrimps, Ribs with fried shallots and green onions and the broth is so tasty which was VND 80,000 (~PhP181). The same price with the Rib Noodle Soup except that this only has pork ribs. Overall taste is also good (2 thumb up).

Mixed Noodle Soup
Mixed Noodle Soup
Rib Noodle Soup
Rib Noodle Soup
236 Noodle Shop Menu
236 Noodle Shop Menu (May 2024)

Some random street foods we had:

We saw a stall where an egg coffee is offered at Benh Thanh Market which was priced at VND 55K – I’m not sure if this is authentic though because the top tasted like condensed milk. We ordered the cold version because when we asked the baristas, they advised first timers to try the cold one then the hot version once we get accustomed with the taste. The overall taste was nice, although nothing special. Just like how coffee with condensed milk tasted.

Egg Coffee in Benh Thanh Market priced at 55K VND
Egg Coffee at Benh Thanh Market priced at 55K VND

Next was the mixed rice paper street food. We saw this multiple times in every corner of HCM and just had this as takeaway after our hop-on hop-off bus activity. It tasted unique because of the combination of sweet, spicy, sour and salty. The main ingredient is the rice paper cut into bite size (this is the spicy version) with green mango, dried shrimps, boiled quail eggs, green inions, coriander, other sauces and ingredients I can’t really identify. The overall taste is pretty amazing. I enjoyed it and it costs around VND 25-30K only.

Vietnam Street Food: Mixed Rice Paper
Vietnam Street Food: Mixed Rice Paper

The Banh Trang Rong Bien Chay Toi or Rice Paper Mix Seaweed is a good find in Mini Stop just beside our hotel. It was weird on my first taste but unable to stop because there’s a mixture of everything. The saltiness of the seaweed complements the blandness of the rice paper with bits of chili powder and the garlic taste is overpowering but on a good side. It’s VND 18,200 or around PhP 42 ( I kept my receipts by the way).

Banh trang rong bien or Rice Paper Mix Seaweed
Banh trang rong bien or Rice Paper Mix Seaweed

Another street food we had was the grilled sweet plantain (Saba) with coconut milk. From different food videos in Vietnam I watched before our trip, I always see this street food so when we saw a cart near the Takashimaya Mall, we ordered two. I was able to eat a few bites and the other 1 got spoiled the next day. And I think you guessed the reason. The taste is not to my liking – if the banana is bit ripe, then maybe it will taste better but I’m still not sure because the coconut has a different texture and flavor. It may look like our ginataang saba but the taste is far from it. It costed us VND 50,000 (per order).

Grilled Banana Sweet soup with coconut milk Cart
Grilled Banana Sweet soup with coconut milk Cart
Grilled Saba with coconut milk
Grilled Saba with coconut milk

Next was the the colorful Xôi Ngọt or Sweet Sticky Rice which is only VND 10,000 (PhP 22.59). This is another food that was not on our list from an old lady with a cart playing a pre-recorded voice over selling Xôi Ngọt in Vietnamese Language. We had 1 order and started munching when we got back to our hotel. I already consumed half of the cup – a combination of different colored sticky rice but each has a unique flavor – some are a bit salty, sweet, some with a hint of fruit/citrus springkled with sesame seeds and coconut and maybe milk (not sure). The overall taste is good. It’s like kakanin but on a different level.

Xôi Ngọt or Sweet Sticky Rice
Xôi Ngọt or Sweet Sticky Rice

Hubby and I always visit a Catholic Church on our trips – be it local or international. We’re unlucky to go inside the Notre Dame Cathedral in HCM because it’s under construction and the mass is non-english during our visit. So we just stroll around and found uncle selling this sweet and spicy squid. There’s like two couples waiting in line for this so we decided to try. The cooking process is a bit tedious for a price of VND 100,000 (~PhP226 ) – 1st, uncle grilled the squid then flattened it using a machine. Then he cut it into bite size, fried, and prepared the sauce (margarine, garlic, spices) on an open fire. Lastly, he mixed the grilled and fried squid with the sauce. The finished product is well seasoned squid – not crispy but not hard to bite. I’m not sure about the green leaves but it somehow added texture to every bite. Overall taste is good.

Sweet and Spicy Squid
Sweet and Spicy Squid

Another street food we had near the Notre Dame Cathedral was the crispy rice paper wrap – I’m not sure what it’s called. You can comment below if you have any idea. The cooking process is – a spoonful of margarine was spread evenly on the rice paper while placed on the small charcoaled griller. Then the lady added 2-3 quail eggs, dried baby shrimps, fried shallots, onion chives, ground pork and some seasoning. The price was VND100,000.

Crispy rice paper ingredients
Crispy rice paper ingredients

Here’s the finished product – crispy rice paper wrap. It’s surprisingly good for me but hubby didn’t like it because it’s a bit spicy.

Crispy Rice Paper Street Food
Crispy Rice Paper Street Food

My most favorite street food is the smoothie that’s freshly made from whole fruits. Below picture is a pineapple smoothie/shake. No milk is added, just a whole pineapple with some ice and liquid sweetener. Imagine a fruit shake from not a slice of fruit but a whole fruit is served per order with just a minimum price of around VND 25,000 (~PhP56).

Fruit Smoothie
Pineapple Fruit Smoothie

The Blueberry Ice Cream Cone from Mini Stop is also a good street food find because it’s always available and only costed around ~VND 10,000-12,000 – can’t remember the exact price though.

Mini Stop Blueberry Ice Cream Cone
Mini Stop Blueberry Ice Cream Cone

The last one but definitely not the least was the Bún Thịt Nướng from a cart near Takashimaya (beside the grilled banana with coconut milk soup) which was around VND 60,000 (~PhP147) if i’m not mistaken. One order is good for 2 persons because of the generous amount of glass noodles and grilled pork chop. This dish had carrots, lettuce, nuts and I think radish and a pack of sweet and spicy vinegar with a big chunk of garlic. This is definitely a steal!

Bún Thịt Nướng Takeaway
Bún Thịt Nướng Takeaway

Staying in Vietnam for 5 days and 4 nights is still short to try more dishes. I can still find myself missing my daily routine in this country – very laidback. I miss the small tables and chairs on the side street where food and drinks are served and you get to see different people eating and just hanging out without rushing even on early weekday mornings. Hopeful to try other dishes from the other side of Vietnam next time. Oh by the way, I just learned that Ho Chi Min is the same as Saigon from this trip (May 15-18, 2024). Since the conversion rate that time was VND 1 = PhP 0.0023 we booked our hotel (Jovia Hotel) for 5 days and 4 nights which is a short walk to the famous Ben Thanh Market for food trip.

Table and chairs of a fruit drink stall in Vietnam
Table and chairs of a fruit drink stall in Vietnam

Hong Kong (HK) Food Trip (2023)

Hong Kong is known as a food haven in Asia and if you Google it, it has the highest density of restaurants in the world and once labeled as “Food Paradise” of the world. It’s listed in our countries to visit bucketlist and was able to tick the box last December 2023. I know… I know, it’s a bit late for my post but HK is the recent country we visited that I feel exhausted (in a good way) because there’s so much activities we had. And even if Macau is just a ferry away, we didn’t have time to visit it. We spent 4 days and 3 nights in HK trying different dishes as much as we can. Most of our meals are within reach from Tsim Sha Tsui where we stayed and it’s a good location for first timers in Hong Kong, by the way.

Our first meal (lunch) was memorable because it’s not part of my checklist. We just navigated nearby Tsim Sha Tsui and found a less crowded place which isn’t normal when it’s almost lunch time. Their roasted pork belly and duck is worth trying. The crispiness of the skin and softness of the meat are always the best. Even without the sauce, it’s really tasty. Usually, crispy skin of the pork belly are hard to chew but this one is on the softer side so you can forget about breaking your dentures. It costed around HKD 55 and HKD 45, respectively. The Tea is also a good pair to push down big servings of rice.

Hong Kong Roasted Pork Belly
Hong Kong Roasted Pork Belly
Hong Kong Roasted Duck
Hong Kong Roasted Duck
Hong Kong Restaurant selling roasted meats
HK Restaurant selling roasted meats

The picture above is where we had our roasted pork belly and duck. A tourist giving two thumbs up for the food and experience. I don’t understand the restaurant’s name so please do comment below when you happened to know it. Hubby remembered it’s within Temple Street, #89 stall.

For dinner we were able to scout the place and found the barrel-shaped building which is along the Woosung Street -Temporary Cooked Food Hawker Bazaar. I think the tables are color coded for each stall because after sitting, an auntie approached us with the menu list. The table is outside the roofed building so we’re not actually sure which stall is it.

Big groups of people are dined per table and we’re the only couple during our visit. Hubby ordered three dishes – 1 rice and 2 viands. We were surprised by how big the the serving sizes were. I can’t remember the price range for these but it’s not that expensive for big groups considering its serving portion.

We had the sweet and sour pork fillet – the sauce has a hint of spiciness which added a kick and the meat is not coated with too much flour.

Hong Kong Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet
HK Sweet and Sour Pork Fillet

You can never go wrong with fried rice. And you’ll know that it’s cooked on big open fire because it has this distinct taste, aroma and texture that’s really tasty. The ingredients were generously added like shrimps, pork cubes and egg which made this dish “ulam+kanina na”. The photo may not say it all but this is a huge serving and we’re not able to consume everything on the plate.

HK Fried Rice
Hong Kong Fried Rice

Last but not the least is the seafood dish – it’s an elongated seashell but can’t remember its name. We just pointed out the photo on the menu – I think it’s stir-fried. Hubby enjoyed this with a can of local beer. It’s fresh-tasting seafood and alot of meat is already removed from the shell, that whitish texture on the photo below.

Hong Kong Seafood Dish
Hong Kong Seafood Dish

Our second day was spent in Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL) and we availed the Klook Vouchers both for our entrance pass and food. We chose the Royal Banquet Hall for lunch as they have positive reviews from other posts we read. Since it’s already past 11:30am, the hall is already crowded so we end up at the Korean Stall. We chose the Samgyetang because it looked like a Chicken Tinola Dish. The soup has Korean jujube, ginseng, garlic, and other spices with a clean taste. Even if you use a chopstick, the meat was so tender that it literally fell off the bone. The spices are inside the chicken but it’s not showed on the photo below. We appreciate that they served the whole medium-sized chicken that’s already good for two. This meal comes with a cup of rice, a glass of iced tea and a dessert. I was only able to save this photo but we also tried the rice bowl which is also surprisingly good. It came with a drink and a dessert if I remember it correctly.

Hong Kong Disneyland Royal Banquet Hall: Samgyetang
HKDL Royal Banquet Hall: Samgyetang

For dinner, we tried the Beef Rendang at the Tahitian Terrace, unfortunately, I didn’t liked it so no photo was taken.

On our 3rd day, we visited the Haiphong Road Temporary Market Cooked Food Hawker Bazaar but the stall we wanted to check was closed. I ended up ordering a veggie-less stir fried noodles (looked like a regular pansit bihon in the Philippines). I thought it would taste somehow authentic but it’s not. The noodles and the meat were a bit dry.

Stir-fried HK Bihon Noodles
HK Stir-fried Noodles

I’m not sure if I mentioned it on my earlier posts but hubby has this luck on picking good-tasting food from the menu. So as expected, I exchanged my order with his – it’s an egg noodle soup with beef and pork balls. This tasted more Hong Kong-like noodles. If I’m to compare it with my beef and pork balls noodle soup with my previous post (Indonesia), I like the Indonesian version better. Aside from the price and taste, the serving size is way better. But since I’m in HK, I’d pick this over the stir-fried noodles.

Hong Kong egg noodle soup with pork balls and beef balls
Hong Kong egg noodle soup

The rest of our 4th day in Hong Kong was more on food tripping so below photos are randomly picked while just strolling around the hotel’s neighbourhood. It’s always good to try foods that you seldom read or being featured on other blogs as they sometimes miss the good stuffs or you just accidentally discover a hidden gem.

One of this is near the Jordan Station – it was the only stall opened as early as 7am. Another good-tasting noodle which looked like a “pinapaitan” in the Philippines because the main star is the beef’s innards. It’s beefy taste noodle with generous beef innards meat. Add a little bit of chilli oil and that sealed the deal.

HK Beef Innards Soup
HK Beef Innards Soup

This Pork Dumpling Soup is a surprise because we were expecting it with noodles but this one is pure dumplings. I’m really not sure what’s inside because the taste is more like a combination of pork, shrimp and vegetable. The size of each dumpling is twice/thrice as big as what we usually have in Manila. You can eat this bare or order an extra rice.

HK Dumpling Soup
HK Dumpling Soup

This is how it looked like after taking a bite of the dumpling:

Dumpling Soup
Dumpling Soup

Next is the pork/beef-knuckle noodle soup. This is always on my husband’s order whenever he sees it on the menu. He said the strong taste of the the pork knuckles make the soup tastier – the fat and tendon when combined. Here are two orders of pork knuckle noodle soup from different eateries in HK:

HK pork Knuckle Noodle Soup 1
HK Pork Knuckle Noodle Soup 1
HK pork Knuckle Noodle Soup 2
HK pork Knuckle Noodle Soup 2

We also tried the Tim Ho Wan in West Kowloon Station – it’s like a grand terminal with bus and train trips to nearby islands. This is difficult to find using Google Maps because it’s a multi-level transportation terminal complex adjacent to Kowloon train station. We were actually looking for the old Tim Ho Wan branch but we were directed by Google Maps here. We’re so tired of walking that we almost gave up. The map displayed we already reached our destination but in reality, we’re surrounded with construction buildings, equipments and workers. When we almost lose our hope, that’s when we realized there’s a complex below us.

Anyway, the food tasted similar to what is served in Tim Ho Wan SM Megamall so no notable difference at all, atleast for me.

Time Ho Wan HK Bean curd roll filled in Oyster Sauce
Time Ho Wan HK Bean curd roll filled in Oyster Sauce
Tim Ho Wan Hong Kong Baked BBQ Pork Buns
Tim Ho Wan Hong Kong Baked BBQ Pork Buns
TTim Ho Wan Hong Kong Pork and Shrimp Dumplings
Tim Ho Wan Hong Kong Pork and Shrimp Dumplings

The pork & Shrimp Dumplings’ shot is not clear because the steam just came out when I took it. One thing I observed is it’s bigger and tastier than in Manila.

Another discovery was the glazed fish belly – please do correct me because most of the food name/captions I used here is how it tasted or looked like. I don’t understand Chinese characters and most of the menu are only pictures with numbers. The fish meat is so soft and melts in your mouth. The saltiness and spiciness makes you want more rice.

Hong Kong Glazed Fish Belly
Hong Kong Glazed Fish Belly

On the same restaurant, I ordered what is picture-perfect on the menu but the taste is more like the “Laing” with pork meat. It’s a bit salty on my palate. The upper part of my plate is like soy pork then the lower part is like taro leaves although I’m not sure. I actually didn’t finish my order.

HK Pork Dish
HK Pork Dish

A dessert will always have a place in my stomach even if I’m too full to eat. I finally overcame my curiosity about this small ice cream shop that we always pass by, going to our hotel. It’s just a take out counter and can only serve two to three customers at a time. Also, the staffs cannot speak English well even if there’s English translation on the menu so you just point the pictures to order. We often see students and teens frequenting this shop even if the weather is really cold. I ordered one of their best sellers yogurt ice cream which is HKD 55 – priced like one meal already. It tasted simple but it ticks the right spots in your mouth. And that’s when I understood why alot of customers visit this place. It’s a matcha-flavored yogurt ice cream with generous serving of blue berry bits, cashew nuts and cubes of pudding-like jellies. The heart-shape bread topping has the texture and saltiness of a croissant that added flavor to every scoop of this ice cream.

Again, most of the dishes you read on this post are named based from the taste and appearance since we don’t understand Chinese characters from the menu. I’d appreciate any corrections. 🙂

Notes from our Hong Kong Trip: (1) If you’re not in a rush from the airport going to your hotel or vice versa, try to ride the bus so you can save a little and see so much of the city on your first day instead of train. (2) When going to Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL) and other activities (e.g.Madame Tussauds), avail the passes and food vouchers via Klook, it’s cheaper than buying inside the park. (3) If you can take long walks, choose this over commuting especially if you’re visiting during cool months. It’s free exercise to burn your calories from the food trips you have. (4) Try to visit the tourist spots on weekdays (except Fridays) like HKDL to avoid too much crowd and long lines. Btw, HKDL is open all days of December since it’s expected to accommodate more tourists than any other months of the year. Make sure to check their website’s calendar. (5) Bring your most comfortable footwear. (6) Always check your octopus card’s balance via 7-11, the most convenient way if not online. (7)Check the conversion rate – we found it more practical to withdraw money from our Debit Card (Philippine-issued card) using ATMs in Hong Kong because the conversion rate is better than in money changers.