manchurian chicken – Jellybeans in the City

Celebrations call for good food enjoyed with loved ones and my recent birthday was no exception.

My family and I sat down for a sumptuous birthday lunch of delicious Tsinoy comfort food in hearty servings delivered right to our doorstep from Lido Cocina Tsina.

This homegrown Chinese food chain came about in the 1930s when Cantonese chef Mr. Lido started a modest eatery in Binondo called Panciteria Lido. Rebranded as Lido Cocina Tsina, it has become a byword for Chinese dishes that appeal to Pinoy taste buds.

During my recent birthday, I was able to introduce the fam to some of my favorites from Lido Cocina Tsina as well as tried some new dishes:

Yang Chow Fried Rice (Php132). For me, a Chinese meal wouldn’t be one without this egg fried rice mixed with shrimp, pork, carrots and spring onions.

Sweet and Sour Fish (Php374). Lightly battered and fried fish fillets served in a sweet and sour sauce with carrots, bell peppers and onions.

Manchurian Wings (Php392). Crispy chicken wings coated with a gingery, sweet and spicy oriental sauce, another showcase for the Pinoy’s penchant for flavor combinations.

Spareribs Salt and Pepper (Php380). Crispy pork spareribs sauteed in Chinese five-spice mix, and then served with house-made vinegar, another mainstay in my Chinese food spread.

Shrimp Foo Yong (Php468). Ever since I had my first taste of this Lido-style egg omellete with shrimps, mushrooms and vegetables, and served in a nice and light oyster sauce a year ago, I haven’t been able to resist it.

One thing I’ve noted about Chinese food, especially the ones here at Lido that have been adapted to the Pinoy palate, is that varied combinations tend to mesh well together. The dynamics of sweet, sour, salty and spicy, as well as the different textures from various ingredients complement and play off one another, making it easy to select a new dish to add to your go-to orders when you’re feeling adventurous or looking for a change.

My sumptuous birthday lunch was a delicious revisit of my Tsinoy food favorites. Why don’t you give these a try and tell me how your Chinese food adventure went?

This Lido Cocina Tsina branch is located at GA 1-GA 2, 8003, C. Raymundo Ave, Barangay, Rosario, Pasig City, open daily from 10am to 9pm for dine-in, take-out and delivery. For delivery, call +63 2 88885436 (LIDO) or visit lidodelivery.com.

Other Metro Manila branches are located at:

Quezon City: New Manila, Project 6, Batasan Hills, Project 8, Z Square Mall Banawe,
Makati: San Lorenzo
Manila: Ermita
Paranaque: Don Bosco, San Isidro
La Pinas: Talon