buchi – Jellybeans in the City

Dimsum discovery at King Chef Dimsum Kitchen, SM Cherry

Hidden within the bustling confines of SM Cherry Shaw Boulevard lies a haven for dimsum aficionados – King Chef Dimsum Kitchen. Amidst the array of dining options in the mall, King Chef stands out not only for its authentic Cantonese cuisine but also for its commitment to providing an affordable yet delectable dining experience.

After a morning of errands, I treated Hubby and my son to lunch at this branch of King Chef Dimsum Kitchen, given that it’s the branch nearest our home.

After spending hours in our car, we were glad to be greeted by the restaurants warm and inviting ambiance. Thanks to its tastefully decorated interiors, with modern touches complementing traditional Chinese elements and the heartwarming house tea, we were made to feel quite at home. It’s definitely a space where families gather, friends reunite, and for foodies to embark on culinary adventures.

Discovering new and embracing old dimsum faves

Being dimsum lovers, we went all out with our orders, opting for both olf favorites as well as venturing towards new flavors and textures. These include:

Filling up on the Mains

But the dimsum extravaganza is just the beginning. King Chef Dimsum Kitchen also boasts an enticing selection of hearty and filling main courses, all at prices that won’t break the bank, such as:

The King Chef Experience

Beyond the tantalizing dishes, what truly sets King Chef apart is the dining experience it offers. Every staff member, from the server to restaurant manager, is quick to anticipate our request and answer our questions about dishes and promo offers.

With a commitment to personalized service and attention to detail, the staff at King Chef ensure that every visit is a memorable one.

Behind the scenes, the story of King Chef is one of passion and dedication. Founded in 2010 by owners Michael Chan Ang and Marites Apiado-Ang, the restaurant was born out of a desire to share authentic Cantonese cuisine with the Filipino community. With a team of Filipino chefs trained in the art of Cantonese cooking, King Chef has become a beacon of excellence in the culinary landscape.

This delicious lunch with my boys clearly shows that King Chef Dimsum Kitchen offers more than just affordable dimsum – it offers a culinary journey filled with flavor, warmth, and hospitality. Whether you’re a dimsum enthusiast or simply seeking a satisfying meal, King Chef invites you to discover the delights of Cantonese cuisine without breaking the bank.

So, why not treat yourself to an affordable dimsum adventure at King Chef Dimsum Kitchen? Your taste buds will thank you.

This King Chef Dimsum Kitchen branch is located Lower Ground Floor, SM Cherry – Shaw Boulevard, Brgy. Pleasant Hills, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +639322378464, +639190791667, +639190791668 or +63287262433.

Other branches are located at:

King Chef Dimsum Kitchen:

3rd Floor, 238 Banawe Centre, Panalturan & Pagataan, Brgy. Manresa, Quezon City

King Chef Seafood Restaurant:

West Avenue Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Quezon City
Phase 2 Level 3, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Parañaque City
2nd Floor, Lucky Chinatown Mall Binondo, City of Manila

Know more about King Chef by visiting its website or following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about King Chef:

King Chef brings exclusive treats for smart diners

Jodi Sta. Maria and son join Chowking as ambassadors for the new and improved Chicken Lauriat

Got appetite to spare? A lauriat may just be the thing.

A lauriat typically consists of several Chinese dishes served together in a large, communal table, often enjoyed in large groups. The term originated from the Chinese word “lao diat,” which means “celebration of life.” This Chinese banquet-style meal is a favorite among Filipinos because it is often associated with special occasions and celebrations, such as birthdays and weddings. It is a shared dining experience that brings families and friends together over a delicious and satisfying meal.

But for people with monster-sized cravings fit for a lauriat, Chowking has something for you.

An elevated Chinese Sarap Chicken meal

Chowking, the number 1 Chinese fast-food chain in the country, recently introduced its Mas Pinasarap na Chowking Chinese-Style Chicken Lauriat. While this menu item still features six of the chain’s bestsellers, namely the Chinese-style Fried Chicken, Egg Fried Rice, Buchi, Siomai, Chicharap, and Pancit Canton, significant improvements have been done to the Chinese Style Fried Chicken, now with a more sarap-saya flavor thanks to a special blend of spices and seasonings, and the Pancit Canton which is now made with fresh egg noodles.

“The Chowking Lauriat is a true fan favorite, loved by Filipinos across the country. As delicious as it is, we believe that there’s always room for improvement,” said Fran Leveriza-Maralit, Chowking Brand Director. “Whether you’re dining in or eating at home, on your own or sharing with loved ones, our mas Pinasarap na Chinese-Style Fried Chicken Lauriat is part of our commitment to creating Chinese-sarap experiences with each meal we serve.”

New mother-and-son endorsers join the fold

Adding to the excitement is Chowking’s new celebrity ambassadors, Jodi Sta. Maria, and her son, Thirdy Lacson. The award-winning actress shares her love for Chowking and her favorite dishes, which include the Chinese-Style Chicken Lauriat. Jodi, who is known for her work in the entertainment industry including well-loved movies and teleseryes that shaped Pinoy pop culture, is a perfect fit for Chowking’s brand as they continue to elevate their offerings.

“Ako po ay napakasaya at sobrang nae-excite na maging parte ng Chowking family,” the actress said. “I’m just so proud today to unveil my first campaign with Chowking, syempre po sa paborito kong mas pinasarap na Chowking Lauriat.”

About Chowking

The Chowking Food Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jollibee Foods Corporation. It combines two distinct restaurant personalities – the traditional Chinese restaurant and the western-style fastfood restaurant – to become a strong and recognizable leader in the Philippines’ highly competitive fastfood industry.

To know more about its menu and offers, follow Chowking on Facebook and Instagram.

Tsinoy food feast at Lido Cocina Tsina, New Manila

More often than not, a dish with Chinese origins would make its way into a Filipino’s hapag-kainan.

This is hardly surprising as the Pinoys and the Chinese have been trading since even before the Spanish colonization.

Through the centuries, various waves of Chinese migration occurred, each bringing their own cultures, especially their culinary traditions, into the country.

In the 1930s, a Cantonese chef known as Mr, Lido established a modest eatery in Binondo called Panciteria Lido. In the next eighty years, this eatery has grown into a chain of restaurants – now under the Lido Cocina Tsina brand – that are renowned for serving tasty Chinese dishes that also appeal to the Filipino palate.

Before the pandemic hit the metro last year, I was able to sample some of Lido’s signature dishes. These left quite an impression on me that when restrictions on dining out were recently loosened in the metro, I quickly grabbed the opportunity to bring my fellow foodie unnis – Jen of SandUnderMyFeet.com and Nix of IEatAndIWander.com – to the resto so they can taste for themselves what I had beem raving about for the past year.

That day, the unnis feasted on delectable Tsinoy food which included:

Yang Chow Fried Rice (Php132). I couldn’t fathom a Chinese meal without this egg fried rice made heartier and more flavorful with shrimp, pork, carrots and spring onions.

Pugon Roasted Asado (Php436). Mr. Lido’s claim to fame from his eighty-year-old recipe of pork loin basted in precise proportions of Chinese herbs and spices, and then cooked in the a wood-fired brick oven which infuses the meat with a rich and smokey flavor. It’s great as a viand for the Yang Chow Fried Rice but it’s wonderful when used as a filling for hot pan de sal.

Sweet and Sour Pork (Php374). A dish that appeals to the Pinoy penchant for the sweet and sour combination. It’s made with fried pork pieces sauteed with pineapple chunks, bell peppers and onions and served in a sweet and sour sauce.

Shrimp Foo Yong (Php468). Ever since I had my first taste of this egg omelette with shrimp, mushroom and veggies served in light oyster sauce, I’ve been obsessed with it. Taste it for yourself and you’ll see what I mean.

Buchi (Php138). Deep-fried sesame balls with lotus cream filling make for a satisfying cap for a hearty Chinese meal.

This visit to Lido Cocina Tsina has sated my year-long cravings and made believers out of my fellow unnis.

We sure are looking forward to our next Lido Cocina Tsina adventure!

This Lido Cocina Tsina branch is located at 1014-1020 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Barangay Mariana, Quezon City, open daily from 8.30am to 6.30pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 8885436, +63 2 84145436 or +63 947 4925752.

Other branches are located at:

16 Visayas Avenue, Barangay Vasra, Quezon City
Unit 6 and 7, La Fuerza Bldg., 2241 Don Chino Roces Avenue Corner Sabio Street, Barangay Bangkal, Makati City
Block 8, Lot 9 Commonwealth Avenue, Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City
43 Mindanao Avenue (beside Phoenix Gasoline Station), Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City
Upper Ground Floor, Z Square Mall, Banawe Street Corner Del Monte Avenue, Barangay Manresa, Quezon City
532 United Nations Avenue cor. Jorge Bocobo St., Barangay Malate, Manila
35 Dona Soledad Avenue, Barangay Don Bosco, Paranaque City
Ground Floor, Puregold Building, Dr. A. Santos Avenue, Barangay San Isidro, Paranaque City
262 Alabang-Zapote Road, Talon Dos, Las Pinas City

To have your Chinoy food feast delivered right where you are, order online.

Check out my reviews of other Asian restaurants:

Fun feasting at Lido Cocina Tsina, New Manila

Chinese cuisine has left an indelible mark on the Filipino palate.

Step into any Pinoy celebration and you will be hard-pressed to avoid dishes such as the pancit, lumpia, asado and lechon Macao or the use soy sauce and soybean products as well as produce such as pechay (Chinese cabbage) and mustasa (mustard greens).

This strong influence is rooted in the trading relationships between the Chinese and Filipinos before the Spanish era, and the waves migration among the ethnic Chinese to the Philippines.

This mingling of culinary influences is celebrated in Lido Cocina Tsina, established in 1936 by Mr. Lido, a Cantonese chef. Aside from classic Chinese favorites like noodles, dimsum and siopao, Mr. Lido would also roast porkloin in his wood-fired brick oven every morning. It has since then become Lido’s signature dish that customers kept coming back for.

Together with fellow foodies from #WeLoveToEatPH, I visited. Lido Cocina Tsina’s E. Rodriguez Avenue branch where sampled some of Lido’s much-loved dishes which include:

Chunky Pork Siomai (Php121). The traditional Chinese steamed pork dumpling is best enjoyed dipped in soy sauce with calamansi juice and a bit of chili-garlic paste. This is always a winner with me, more so here at Lido because the siomai pieces are packed with meat without extenders.

Shrimp Foo-Yong (Php446). This saucy egg dish with a healthy serving of plump shrimp folded in is one of Lido’s best-sellers.

Lumpiang Shanghai (Php255). This Filipinized version of the spring roll is always a hit with the kiddies. Ground pork mixed with finely chopped carrots, onions and shallots is wrapped in lumpia wrapper to form cylinders which are then fried to golden brown. It is great as an appetizer or as a viand paired with rice.

Yang Chow Fried Rice (Php121 for solo | Php297 good for two to three persons | Php605 good for eight to ten persons). This fried rice is arguably the most famous Chinese rice dish in the Philippines. Char siu (barbecued pork) is chopped and sauteed along with shrimp, peas, onions and eggs in a wok together with cooked rice. The reason for its enduring appeal seems to be in the way it complements the other viands.

Spareribs in Salt and Pepper (Php285). Simply seasoned with salt and pepper and lightly coated with an egg and flour mixture then deep-fried until the pork attains a slight crispy exterior surrounding tender meat. This dish is usually served tossed with sauteed peppers, garlic and green onions.

Manchurian Wings (Php374). Tender fried chicken wings doused in savory-sweet soy ginger sauce. This is one of those dishes that are so good they make you reach for another serving of rice again and again.

Chami Special (Php176 solo | Php292 good for two to three persons | Php726 good for eight to ten persons). Asian wheat (miki) noodles sauteed in a flavorful sauce with pork bits, shrimp and crisp vegetables, this is a welcome break from the usual pancit guisado.

Pugon-Roasted Asado (Php391 for one-fourth kilo). This cured pork loin freshly roasted every morning in the restaurant’s pugon or wood-fired brick oven which adds smoky flavors to the already flavorful meat. Its flavor meshes well with the Yang Chow Fried Rice but is also a good filling for Lido’s hot pan de sal.

Buchi (Php110). These deep-fried sesame balls with lotus cream filling are staple desserts in many Chinese restaurants and are a fitting end to this Chinese feast.

Want something to perk you up after a heavy meal? Check out Lido’s Siphon Brewed Coffee, available hot and iced.

So if you want a taste of Chinese food that captured the hearts and tummies of Pinoys, drop by your nearest Lido Cocina Tsina branch!

Many thanks to Elaine and John of Lido Cocina Tsina for the warm welcome and the fabulous feast and to EJ of #WeLoveToEatPH for extending the invitation!

This Lido Cocina Tsina branch is located at 1014-1020 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City, open daily from 7am to 10pm. For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 34145436 or +63 2 84776878.

Other branches are located at:

Shaw Plaza One Building, 561 Shaw Boulevard, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City
Quezon Avenue corner Examiner Road, West Triangle, Quezon City
16 Visayas Avenue, Vasra, Project 6, Quezon City
Block 8 Lot 9 Commonwealth Avenue, Batasan Hills, Quezon City
43 Mindanao Avenue (beside Phoenix Gas Station, Project 8, Quezon City
Upper Ground Floor, Z Square Mall, Banawe, Quezon City
Unit 6-7, La Fuerza Plaza, Chino Roces Avenue corner Sabio Street, San Lorenzo, Makati City
Ground Floor, Radiance Manila Bay, Roxas Boulevard, Buendia, Pasay City
Avenue Garden Building, 532 UN Avenue corner Bocobo Street, Ermita, Manila
35 Dona Soledad Avenue, Betterliving Subdivision, Don Bosco, Paranaque City
Ground Floor, Puregold Sucat, Dr. A. Santos Avenue, San Isidro, Paranque
South Park High Commercial Complex, 262 Alabang-Zapote Road, Talon, Las Pinas City

No time to drop by a Lido branch? Have your favorite Chinese dishes delivered to you by calling +63 2 8888-LIDO (5436) or visit lidodelivery.com.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a food tasting held in this restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my reviews of other Chinese restaurants: