We’ve been seeing Hong Kong Noodles & Dimsum House in Sta. Cruz, Manila for quite some time now. The ReigningTatay has been bugging me to try it out, so one fine afternoon, we did!

And here’s what we had.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Beef and Wanton Noodles

Blue Lemonade

Funny because it was the blue lemonade that made an impact on us. I love love LOVE it. As in, it’s a perfect lemonade. Not too sweet nor too sour. It tastes like a true lemonade. Not that tangy ones most restaurants offer nowadays. :)

The noodles are also delicious. Though not over the top yummy, it was delicious. Plus it only costs around Php 100+ if I’m not mistaken. Super cheap. Actually, most of the meals here are affordable. Swak sa bulsa talaga.

I noticed also that there are loads of customers dining in. It’s probably sikat on the area. So if you happen to be on the vicinity of Sta. Cruz and wants something to warm up your tummy at an affordable price, do visit Hong Kong Noodles & Dimsum House.

We’ve been itching to try Kanzhu in SM City Manila ever since they opened months ago but we only got a chance one weekend after my therapy sesh for the DQT.

Once seated, we were served with these sweetened peanuts with sesame seeds – which is uber yummy. I am a sucker for nuts and this one is the best. I hope they sell this peanuts in packs. Promise I’ll buy!

Braised Beef Noodle Soup (Php 165)

Since the major reason why we’ve been itching to try Kanzhu is becasue they promised to serve hand-pulled noodles, we gave Braised Beef Noodle Soup a try. The soup itself is yummy. The braised beef is perfect. But we didn’t really like the noodle itself. Pang instant noodle lang ata kami. Weird because that Chinese couple seated next to us is gushing over the noodles, so mukhang kami nga may problema. Balik Lucky Me nalang siguro ako. Hihi!

Chinese Olive Fried Rice (Php 200)

Sissy got the Chinese Olive Fried Rice simply because it’s a house specialty. Which is a perfect choice because it’s super yummy. :) I was a bit skeptical at first because I can’t imagine olives on my fried rice but it turned out perfect.

Delicious Chicken with Chinese Pepper Gravy (half order, around Php 200)

Okay, we opted for the Delicious Chicken with Chinese Pepper Gravy simply because it says it’s delicious. Ang kyot no? Actually, the chicken is just okay. Yummy, yes. But not over the top yummy. But the gravy is just perfect. It simply made the dish stand out.

Shrimp Hakaw (Php 125)

And because we just have to have Hakaw if it’s on the menu, we gave Kanzhu’s hakaw a try. It’s delicious actually but Wai Ying’s Hakaw is still my our fave. Wala! Ang taas na masyado ng expectation namin sa dimsum ever since we tried Wai Ying.

Classic Milk Tea (Php 85) with Pearls

I also gave their milk tea a try even if Chatime is just one kembot away. Well, their milk tea is just okay. Nothing super extra ordinary pero hindi naman nakakapanghinayang.

What I love most about this resto is the nice ambiance and the nice staff. The tables are clean and orderly. there are enough space to walk around. And the staff are attentive and very nice.

I went out with my bestfriends one weekend and decided to dine at Pho Hoa. Actually, I miss going out with friends coz the ReigningTatay is not adventurous when it comes to food. He'll opt for the usual fast-food – fried chicken and burger all the freakin’ time! Sabi ko nga we should dine out more often so he could at least get an idea on what to cook next time. Daba?! Kesyo mahal daw ng mga restaurants. Hindi daw sya nabubusog! Bonggang kaloka.

Anyway, one of my friends suggested Pho Hoa and I immediately said YES. Anything for a non-fast-food dinner.

I’ve actually tried Pho Hoa several times already. First time as when we had a team lunch some 4 years ago. And I loved the place ever since.

Joie said we should give this salad a try. I don’t know what it’s called but this is probably the best salad I’ve ever had. This beats Coffee Beans’ salad on my list. The pomelo is just perfect for adding zest to the dish and the crab meat and shrimp made it more yummy (I love love LOVE seafoods!).

We also had this bowl of noodles. The ReigningTatay wanted something spicy, so we ordered this. Although surprisingly, it’s not too spicy that I was able to enjoy this dish. Perfect for this lactating mum.

And finally, the ReigningTatay ordered this platter. The pork is just perfect. But my fave is probably the rice. I remember eating loads of the rice.

I really love Pho Hoa. Just looking at these pics made me crave for the salad. I really should visit them again soon.

xoxo,

Celerhina Aubrey

P.S. So sorry I totally forgot the deets of the delish dishes we had. I don’t have the receipt with me and this is a super late post.

Dining out and trying fancy restos are kinda difficult these days. First, we don’t have the luxury of moving outside our comfort zone with a baby always in tow. So ang malling namin ay either Robinson’s Ermita or SM Manila. Second, would have to be budget. So yeah! I am really a mummy now. Coz I am very keen on checking out price tags. Third, the ReigningTatay is a good chef (alright, not really chef but he knows how to cook really well). So most of the time, if I am craving for something, I’d just request that he cooks for me. Mas mura na, mas masarap pa!

So on one of the rare moments we got to dine out, we pay Mr. Choi Kitchen a visit.

We’re all craving for some Chinese but Binondo is out of bounds. We have the baby with us and the stroller with no car, so yeah! Cannot be ang Binondo.

Crab and Corn Soup

A bowl of hot soup is a must for this breastfeeding mum. So I opted for the never fail Crab & Corn Soup. Aminin nyo! Madalas masarap yan. :) I like the rich thick soup with crab meat and egg and corn. It is perfect to warm up the tummies.

Hakaw

Siomai

Another Chinese food staple is Siomai. Halata bang pamilya kami ng adik sa dumplings? Again, Wai Ying’s siomai is to die for kaya medyo okay lang for us ang version ni Mr. Choi. But definitely this one is tasty enough.

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Mr. Choi’s Yang Chow is actually very good. I super hate it when Yang Chows are very oily. Bigat sa tyan eh. Nakakaumay. But Mr. Choi’s version is just right. It is perfectly cook with buhaghag na rice. I love it.

I totally forgot what this one is. Sorry! But I remember that this one is another hit on the table. We all loved it. Perfect with the Yang Chow fried rice. It is a bit sweet which makes it perfect. And not too oily as well.

Shrimp in Oats

I’m not sure if that’s what you call it okay but that one is another hit. I remember ordering that on that Chinese restaurant just in front of Robinson’s Ermita (which is now closed) and I loved it. But when I tried ordering it on other restaurants, laging fail. Hindi masarap. The batter is just too bland and the oats are bleh! But when I tasted Mr. Choi’s version, naku! Napa-smile ako. In my head I was like…

Eto yun eh! Eto yung lasang hinahanap ko!

Mr. Choi nailed it! There’s a hint of sweetness and the oats are perfect. Hindi yung lasang hilaw na hilaw. And the shrimps are perfectly cooked and the batter not too oily. Ang sarap!

Over all, we loved our experience and I am sure that we’ll go back. :)

ABCAZ Girls aka Joey’s Angels: Me, Tere, Roxs and Desi

The Companion and I, Desi and her hubby Josef, Tere, Roxs and her bf Snap

• Pork Sinigang
• Sisig
• Bangus Belly Bistek
• Sizzling Chicken
• Laing
• Krispy Pata
• 6 serving of rice
• 6 iced tea

 
Grilled Sisig sa Kalye

 
Sizzling Chicken

 
Bangus Belly Bistek

 
Laing

Pork Sinigang

 
Crispy Pata