where to eat in SM Megamall – Jellybeans in the City

Weekend lunch at Mexicali SM Megamall: Why this Mexican restaurant is a must-try

Mexican cuisine has gained immense popularity in the Philippines. This is hardly surprising, given the many cultural links between Mexico and the Philippines (both being end ports of the Spanish Galleon Trade) and the appeal of the bold and spicy flavors of Mexican food to Pinoy taste buds.

For the past thirty years, Mexicali has been the go-to Mexican food place for Filipinos. I used to enjoy Happy Lunches with my officemates at its SM Megamall branch back when our office was located in Tektite. Later on, during the quarantine lockdowns, Hubby would order his favorite burrito from the same branch for delivery.

Now that quarantine restrictions have considerably eased and the family can move around more freely, the fam can now have our family lunch here during weekends.

Let me give you five reasons why lunch at Mexicali in SM Megamall is a great choice for the fam.

Casual and Relaxed Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Mexicali is casual and relaxed, making it the perfect place to unwind during our family lunch hour. The colorful decor and lively music add to the festive vibe.

Wide Variety of Mexican Food Options

Mexicali offers a wide variety of menu options to choose from, so you’re sure to find something that suits your taste buds. They have burritos, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, and more, all made with fresh and authentic ingredients and in portions great for sharing.

Carne Asada Burrito (₱369). A monster sized roll made with a large soft taco filled with grilled steak, beans, Mexican rice, fresh tomatoes, onions, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. Hubby’s favorite that my son #ExhibitB has been developing a liking for, too!

El Chupacabra Pollo Asado (₱173) and Carnitas (₱193) Street Tacos. Authentic Mexican street tacos filled with grilled chicken and roast pork popularized by the Poblacion establishment El Chupacabra.

Grilled Chicken (₱323) and Arroz Ala Cubana (₱293) Dinner Plates. Grilled chicken and salsa, and seasoned ground beef and grilled plantains, served with hefty servings of Mexican rice.

Chili con Carne (₱409). A tasty stew made with beef, beans, tomatoes and aromatics generously seasoned with chili. This goes so well as an appetizer with nacho chips or as a side dish to the dinner plate or burrito.

They also have vegetarian options, so diners can opt for healthier meal alternatives (but it just so happens that this family consists of omnivores!).

While fresh fruit shakes and beers were available, we instead opted for Sodas in Cans (₱105) for our drinks.

Generous Portions

Mexicali is known for its generous portions, so you can be sure the fam won’t leave feeling hungry. The burritos and dinner plates were particularly filling, while the tacos are perfect for a lighter lunch and the nacho chips and chili con carne are perfect for sharing.

Affordable Prices

Despite the generous portions and quality ingredients, Mexicali’s prices are affordable, making it a great option for our lunch on a budget. We were able to enjoy a delicious and filling meal without breaking the bank.

Convenient Location

Mexicali is conveniently located in SM Megamall, making it easily accessible for after Sunday Mass or during our weekend errands.

If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or a leisurely weekend lunch for the fam, Mexicali is a great choice.

This Mexicali branch is located at Upper Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building A, 1550 Doña Julia Vargas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 9pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries, call +63 977 0313054 or +63 2 82566074.

Other branches are located at:

Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati City (Tel: +63 905 3652309 or +63 2 88945354)
Recess Food Alley, 19-B General Vicente Lim, San Juan City (Tel: +63 995 8237493)

Mexicali also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Stay updated on its promos and offers by following Mexicali Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.

From Hong Kong to SM Megamall: Tim Ho Wan’s Delicious Dim Sum Experience

Tim Ho Wan is a renowned dim sum restaurant that originated in Hong Kong and has since expanded to several countries, including the Philippines. The restuarant’s humble beginnings can be traced all the way back to a small, nondescript restaurant in Hong Kong.

In 2009, Chef Mak Kwai Pui, who had previously worked at the Michelin-starred Lung King Heen, opened a small dim sum restaurant in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. The restaurant was named Tim Ho Wan, which means “add good luck” in Cantonese. The small eatery quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality food, with many customers willing to wait in long lines just to taste its delicious dim sum. (I’ve seen this for myself when the family failed our attempt to dine at this restaurant during our Hong Kong trip a few years ago due to the long line.)

In 2010, Tim Ho Wan was awarded a coveted Michelin star, becoming the cheapest restaurant in the world to receive the prestigious honor which soon catapulted Tim Ho Wan to fame, and the restaurant soon expanded to other locations in Hong Kong and other countries.

In 2014, it opened its first Philippine branch in SM Megamall, one of the largest shopping centers in the country, which proved to be quite a hit, generating the same long waiting lines as its Hong Kong counterpart during its early days.

Now, a few years down the line, my family was lucky enough to skip the wait when we dropped by SM Megamall and decided to have our late lunch at Tim Ho Wan.

The restaurant’s interior is elegantly designed with a modern touch, offering a cozy and comfortable dining experience. The staff are friendly and accommodating, making you feel welcome and at home. You are promptly given the menu and an order slip where your will make your selections.

As for the food, Tim Ho Wan is famous for its dim sum, which are small steamed or fried dishes that are perfect for sharing. The restaurant offers a wide variety of dim sum dishes, including siomai, barbecue pork buns, shrimp dumplings, and many more. Each dish is carefully crafted with fresh ingredients and perfectly cooked to retain their flavors and textures.

One of the most popular dishes at Tim Ho Wan is the baked barbecue pork buns (₱170/30pcs), which are definitely a must-try. The buns are soft and fluffy, with a savory and slightly sweet filling of tender pork that melts in your mouth; this dish more than lives up to being the signature offering of Tim Ho Wan.

Another favorite is the steamed prawn dumplings (₱190/4pcs), which are delicately steamed to perfection, with plump and juicy prawns and aromatics enveloped in a thin layer of translucent skin.

Of course, we can’t leave out the perennial favorite, the steamed pork and shrimp dumpling (₱170/4pcs). These plump bites of ground pork and shrimp bits encased in wonton wrappers are always a welcome addition to any dimsum meal.

Aside from the dim sum, Tim Ho Wan also serves other classic Chinese dishes like noodles, rice, and vegetable dishes.

Its jade wanton soup (₱195) is a standout, a comforting combination of pork and shrimp dumplings in a clear yet richly savory broth.

The beef brisket tendon noodle soup (₱298), on the other hand, consists of tender beef brisket and melt-in-your-mouth tendon, slow-cooked to perfection, then served together with chewy egg noodles in a rich and flavorful broth that has been simmered for hours with a variety of spices and aromatics.

Those who need to have rice with every meal shouldn’t fear because Tim Ho Wan’s spareribs rice (₱188) has them covered. This classic Cantonese dish features tender and juicy pork spareribs that are marinated in a savory sauce served on a bed of steamed white rice and garnished with a variety of fresh herbs and spices.

Prices at Tim Ho Wan are reasonable, making it an affordable dining option for groups or families. The servings are also quite generous, so you definitely get your money’s worth.

Dining at Tim Ho Wan in SM Megamall is a great experience for those looking for quality dim sum and Chinese dishes. The cozy ambiance, friendly staff, and delicious food make it a perfect place to enjoy a meal with your loved ones. So, the next time you’re in the area, be sure to stop by and give it a try.

This Tim Ho Wan branch is located at Ground Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 84708836 or +63 956 3442605.

Other branches are located at:

Level 1, Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Pedro Gil, Manila (Tel: +63 2 83543562 | +63 916 6689080)
Ground Floor, Glorietta 3, Parkway Drive, Ayala Center, Makati City (Tel: +63 2 77299367 | +63 917 8492111)
Upper Ground Level, City Center, SM North EDSA, Quezon City (Tel: +63 2 8 3742966 | +63 917 8492200)
Upper Ground Floor, Uptown Mall, 36th St. cor 9th Ave., BGC, Taguig City (Tel: +63 2 7764549 | +63 945 3303446)
Ground Level, North Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City (Tel: +63 2 88076021 | +63 915 8226560)
Upper Ground Level, Expansion, Alabang Town Center Ayala, Alabang, Muntinlupa (Tel: +63 2 88017261 | +63 917 1087461)
Upper Ground Level, SM Seaside Cebu, South Road Properties, Antuwanga, Cebu City (Tel: +63 32 3415770 | +63 917 1186453)

Stay updated on Tim Ho Wan’s promos and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Ramen gastronomy: Signature ramen variants at Ippudo SM Mega Fashion Hall

Whether we’re right smack in the heat of summer or battling the rains during the wet season, any weather is ramen weather. The iconic Japanese noodle dish has a unique charm that captivates food lovers all year round.

Even during these scorching hot summer days, the allure of a steaming bowl of ramen is hard to resist. When the colder rainy weather comes, a steaming bowl of rich, flavorful broth, tender noodles, and an array of toppings warms the soul and satisfies cravings for comfort food. No matter the weather, the comforting warmth and umami flavors of the ramen provide a sense of coziness and indulgence.

This is why Ippudo’s branch in Mega Fashion Hall is quite the hotspot for foodies anytime of the year.

Ippudo was founded by Shigemi Kawahara in 1985 in Fukuoka, a city known for its ramen culture. Kawahara’s dedication to perfecting the art of ramen led to the development of Ippudo’s signature tonkotsu broth, a creamy and flavorful pork bone broth simmered for fifteen hours that sets Ippudo apart.

With its unique flavors and innovative approach to ramen, Ippudo quickly gained popularity in Japan, leading to the opening of multiple branches across the country and soon moved towards global expansion, hence its presence at one of the country’s largest malls, among others.

Ippudo’s arrival in the Philippines has been met with great enthusiasm from Filipino food enthusiasts, who have embraced the authentic flavors and quality of Ippudo’s ramen as demonstrated by its signature variants available at its SM Mega Fashion Hall store:

Shiromaru (Php395 Classic | Php475 Special | Php550 Supreme). This is Ippudo’s claim to fame, featuring a creamy tonkotsu broth, thin and straight Hakata-style noodles, and tender slices of thick-cut and slow-cooked chashipork belly. It is topped with scallions, sesame seeds, and pickled ginger, and can be customized with additional toppings like mushrooms and bamboo shoots.

Akamaru Shinaji (Php400 Classic | Php485 Special | Php555 Supreme). This ramen variant builds on the Shiromaru with the addition of spicy and umami-rich miso paste and a special garlic oil. The result is a bolder, more complex flavor profile that has become a favorite of many Ippudo regulars.

Karaka-Men (Php400 Classic | Php485 Special | Php555 Torched). For those who love a bit of heat, the Karaka-Men is an excellent choice. It features a rich tonkotsu broth that is infused with spicy miso paste and garlic oil and topped with a variety of ingredients like spiced minced pork, sesame seeds, and scallions. It way be served topped with torched slow-cooked jumbo rolled chashu pork belly slice for added smokiness.

As any true-blue ramen lover knows, the proper way to eat Ippudo’s ramen consist of these steps:

Sip the soup and enjoy the richness of the broth which is brought about by the use of the choicest ingredients and many hours of preparation.
Pick up some of the noodles and slurp them to savor the flavor.
Delight your palate with the ramen toppings and the harmony they create with the broth and noodles.

These ramen are great on their own but you won’t want to miss Ippudo’s Hakata-style Gyoza (Php235) which consist of five pieces of classic pan-fried dumplings served with gyoza vinegar.

Ippudo is an excellent destination for anyone who loves ramen, anytime rain or shine. With so many different options to choose from, there is something for everyone. No matter what you order, you are sure to enjoy the delicious flavors and expertly crafted dishes that Ippudo is known for.

This Ippudo branch is located at Level 3, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall Building D, EDSA corner Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 919 0744557.

Other branches are located at:

Robinson’s Place, Magnolia
Robinson’s Place Manila
Eastwood City, Libis
Uptown Mall, Bonifacio Global City
Ayala Malls Vertis North
Powerplant Mall, Rockwell Center
Greenbelt 5, Makati
Ayala 30th, Pasig

Stay updated on Ippudo’s menu and offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Ippudo:

Cozy and comfortable dining at Ippudo, Robinsons Magnolia

Relaxing teatime at Serenitea, Mega Fashion Hall

Christmas shopping is quite frenetic and stressful, isn’t it?

The holiday season brings in throngs of people to the malls, and the mad rush for gifts and other essentials for the season can make one feel oppressed or irritable.

When this happens, do you know what can help?

A cup of sweet tea, that’s what!

After a bout of shopping and a quick lunch at SM Megamall, the kids and I were craving for something sweet, as well as wishing for a place to sit.

Fortunately, Serenitea has a branch at Mega Fashion Hall where we can rest and recharge ourselves while sipping our refreshing tea drinks that included:

Did you know that Serenitea introduced the use of an espresso machine to brew tea in the country? Back then, they already offered the options to customers to personalize their drinks by adjusting the sweetness level and the addition of sinkers.

During the quarantine, Serenitea also launched its DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Home Kits, allowing house-bound milk tea lovers to enjoy their favorite drink even when stuck at home.

Today, however, we can all just drop by any of its branches to enjoy its concoctions!

So go ahead and enjoy some sweet and refreshing serenity at Serenitea!

This Serenitea branch is located at the Fifth Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10am to 8pm.

Other branches are located at:

Caloocan: Veacon Hope
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Makati: Glorietta 3, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Greenbelt Chancellor
Mandaluyong: Caltex Boni, Greenfield District, SM Light Residences, The Corner Market Podium
Manila: Bacobo Street Ermita, Robinsons Place Ermita
Muntinlupa: ATC Cinema, Festival Mall, Metro Gaisano Supermarket ATC
Paranaque: Aseana Square, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, BF Homes, Butterfly Garden Newport City, SM Bicutan
Pasay: MOA Two E-Com Tower A and Tower B, The Shore Strip Residences
Pasig: Estancia Capitol Commons, Ortigas Exchange Regency
Quezon City: Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Bgy Siena Banawe, Congressional Town Center, Eastwood Cyber & Fashion Mall, Belfast Greater Lagro, SM North EDSA, Rallos Street Tomas Morato, UST Lacson, Vertis North
Rizal: Robinsons Antipolo
San Juan: Greenhills Shopping Center, GNL Building Little Baguio
Taguig: Active Fun BGC, Fort Burgos Circle, Fort Technology Center, Venice Grand Canal Mall, Burgos Circle

Serenitea also delivers via GrabFood, FoodPanda, Pick-A-Roo and Booky.

Stay updated on Serenitea’s promos and offers by following it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Check out my previous posts about Serenitea:

Tea’s the season: Salamat, Shopee and Serenitea

Your moment of Serenitea can be so sweet

Meat these blends at 8 Cuts Burger Blends, Mega Fashion Hall

Are you certified carnivores like me and my family?

We just can’t seem to resist the sight, sound, feel and flavor of juicy, freshly grilled meat, especially if it comes in the form of hefty burgers.

There’s little wonder then that 8 Cuts Burger Blends remains as one of our go-to burger places.

The store got its name from the eight types of beef cuts which are blended to produce varied but perfectly flavorful and juicy burger patties that make up the different burger options that the store carries.

Each beef burger patty is at least a quarter pound, topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato and onions, then drizzled with the corresponding sauces and sandwiched between fluffy buns.

Aside from burgers, the restaurant also offers appetizers, sides, desserts and drinks to complete a burger meal.

Before a family movie date as SM Cinema, the fam stopped over for dinner at 8 Cuts Burger Blends in Mega Fashion Hall where we enjoyed:

Golden Cheddar Mozza Nuggets (Php220 solo | Php395 sharing). Large pieces of gooey mozzarella and cheddar encased in crunchy breading. Really, how could anyone go wrong with this much cheese?

Bucket of Onion Rings (Php235). Onion rings battered, deep-fried and seasoned until crispy and flavorful. Being such big fans of onion rings, we consider this bucket quite a steal!

Cheeseburger (Php250 for 1/4lb | Php320 for 1/3lb). Grilled quarter-pounder beef patty on lettuce, tomato and onions and topped with house cheddar and Sauce No. 3. This upgrade to the regular fastfood cheeseburger is a sure hit with my son..

Bleu 2.0 (Php325 for 1/4lb | Php390 for 1/3lb). House-blend patty drizzled with Bleu Cheese Sauce and topped with Bleu Cheese crumble, caramelized onions, peppered onion tanglers and crisp green lettuce. This continental twist to the burger is the one that appealed to my daughter.

Four Cheese 2.0 (Php325 for 1/4lb | Php390 for 1/3lb). Burger patty topped with parmesan-crusted mozzarella, sharp yellow cheddar, Monterey Jack, Garlic Aioli, Fried Basil, and Sauce No. 3. Again, I say: how could anyone go wrong with this much cheese?

Q-Daddy (Php345 for 1/4lb | Php415 for 1/3lb). Grilled quarter-pounder patty on lettuce, tomato and onions, topped with peppered onion tanglers, sharp yellow cheddar, smoked bacon, jalapeno ranch, sweet BBQ sauce and Sauce No. 3. This dad-sized burger really suits my Hubby.

With these hearty burgers and sides, the fam is sure that a filling and flavorful meal always awaits us at 8 Cuts Burger Blends.

This 8 Cuts Burger Blends branch is located at Third Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10am to 8pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 919 0785223 or +63 919 0785224.

Other branches are located at:

Corte de Las Palmas Extension, Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City
Ground Floor, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Level 1, Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center, Makati City
Concourse Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City

Check out my previous posts about 8 Cuts Burger Blends:

Got my beef at 8 Cuts Burger Blends, Greenhills Promenade

Tasty burgers for lunch at 8cuts Burger Blends, Salcedo Village

3 reasons to go on a family food trip at DADS World Buffet, SM Megamall

It’s so nice to finally be able to eat out, right?

During the height of the pandemic, community quarantine restrictions specifically prohibit buffet-type setups due to the difficulty in maintaining physical distancing, especially as diners tend to congregate in various food stations to fill their plates.

Nowadays, however, all-you-can-eat buffets are making their comeback. One of these eateries is DADS World Buffet.

Having been around for over thirty years, DADS was among the first dining establishments to make buffet dining popular and accessible to more Filipinos.

Growing up in the 90s, I recall that most of my family’s celebrations such as birthdays, reunions and more were held at DADS. Its a great way to ensure that everyone can eat their fill of their preferred menu items, while keeping to a budget. DADS’ group and birthday promos also came in handy to this end.

Fast forward to today, I can say the DADS has not lost its appeal. In fact, I can cite three reasons why the family’s food trip should be held at DADS World Buffet.

1. It’s easily accessible.

Located in SM Megamall, DADS World Buffet is a short ride from most parts of the metro (not counting traffic, that is!). Also, anyone who’s organized a family party know that half the battle is getting the people to the venue. Since this restaurant is situated in one of the city’s most popular malls, getting lost along the way won’t be a problem.

2. It offers a world of culinary choices.

DADS World Buffet brings together celebrated dishes from all over the world, including local favorites. These include:

Philippines. A delectable curation of Kamayan’s roster of heritage dishes.
Asia. Includes dishes from Chine, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand
The Mediterranean. An epicure’s dream which includes dishes from Spain, Italy and Greece
The Americas. From hearty all-American viands from the United States to South American favorites from Mexico and Brazil.

Personally, the sheer magnitude of food choices available at DADS World Buffet have the added benefit of eliminating food envy. That’s the feeling of looking over to what other people are eating and wishing that you ordered the same. At DADS, you can easily load your plate with whatever catches your fancy.

3. Its promos will give you more bang for your buffet buck.

Walk-ins are charged P958/person but you can enjoy savings when you dine at DADS World Buffet by taking advantage of these offers:

Fully Vaxxed Reservation Promo: Php758/person Mondays to Thursdays | Php858 Fridays to Sundays and Holidays
Birthday Promo: birthday celebrants eats for free if accompanied by two adults at Php958/person
Group of 10 Promo: for every group of ten, one eats for free while the other nine are charged at Php958/person

Kids also enjoy discounted buffet rates at DADS:

0 to 3 feet: FREE
3 feet to 4 feetL Php330
4 feet to 4’6″: Php380

Senior citizens are also charged the discounted price of Php684.29/person.

Note: These promo prices require no leftovers. Leftovers are charged Php200.

So go ahead and take a journey of culinary discovery at DADS World Buffet!

This DADS World Buffet branch is located in the Fourth Floor Bridgeway, SM Megamall, Epifanio de los Santos Ave, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 3pm and 4pm to 8pm and Fridays to Sunday from 11am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 86363785, +63 2 86331758 or +63 917 8961757.

Another branch is located at 523 Merchant Building Padre Faura Street corner Adriatico Street, Ermita, Maynila. (Tel: 63 2 85281724 or +63 917 8971722).

DADS also collaborates with Saisaki, Sambo Kojin at Kamayan, featuring over eighty dishes at 15 West Avenue, Quezon City (Tel: +63 2 89212873 or +63 917 8988844).

To know more about its promos and offers, follow DADS World Buffet on Facebook and Instagram.

Chinese family meal at Luk Yuen, SM Megamall

For many of us Filipinos, Chinese food has become one of our go-to cuisines when dining out.

Not only has Chinese culinary influences permeated our own cuisine, its sheer variety and rich traditions have made fans of all sorts of food lovers.

The same is true with my family. Most of the time, when craving for a break from our usual lutong-bahay, we would hie ourselves to our local Chinese restaurant.

Since my childhood, Luk Yuen has been a family favorite. After attending Mass at SM Megamall, my parents usually took my brothers and me to dinner at the Luk Yuen outlet at the basement.

Now that I have a family of my own, with each of us having our own individual preferences when it comes to food. I’m happy to rediscover my faves at the same Luk Yuen outlet that my parents used to take me to, and that, despite our widely disparate gastronomic preferences, my husbands, kids and I can all happily enjoy a meal at this restaurant.

We started our meal with complimentary Hot Chinese Tea, traditionally used by Chinese diners to help ease digestion, boost metabolism and prevent overeating, among other health benefits.

We can’t have a meal at a Chinese restaurant without ordering a platter of Yang Chow Fried Rice (Php265). This dish consists of cooked rice sauteed in a wok together with bits or char siu pork, cooked shrimp, scrambled egg yolks, along with chopped scallions, carrots and peas. While flavorful as it is, it goes so well with other Chinese dishes.

Another staple of Chinese cuisine is dim sum, and my family members are all fans of the Steamed Shrimp Dumpling (Php210). Also known as hakaw, it is made of plump shrimp and cooked pork wrapped together with aromatics in a transparent wrapper with its signature pleats. Its Cantonese name

Deep-fried Bean Curd (Php175). A tasty appetizer also known as Crispy Tofu, it is made with cubes of soybean curd, deep fried and tossed in salt, pepper and chilis.

Birthday Noodles (Php465). Also known as Long-Life Noodles, this dish is the forebear of our own pancit and is traditionally served during one’s birthday with noodles consumed without breaking to signify a wish for a long life.

Boneless Chicken in Lemon Sauce (Php345). Marinated chicken thigh fillets, breaded and deep-fried, then drizzled with a tangy lemon sauce.

Peppercorn Spareribs (Php395). Bite-sized pork spare-ribs deep-fried to crispy juiciness and topped with garlic and served with chilled vinegar.

With these dishes, the fam’s combined appetites were sated and we were able to revisit some of my favorite dishes from my childhood visits at Luk Yuen.

All the dishes were flavorful, satisfying and affordable, certainly a great choice for a family meal during a bout of shopping.

This Luk Yuen branch is located at the Lower Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building B, EDSA corner Doña Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 86334396 or +63 956 7366816.

Other branches are located at Cash & Carry, Alabang, Greenhills, Glorietta and Capitol Commons.

Chinese American fast-food at Panda Express

Chinese food spans a gamut of cuisines, with various regional, religious and ethnic influences into this kind of cooking found within China and abroad.

The development of Chinese cuisine in the United States was driven by small-town restaurants that catered to Chinese immigrant miners and railroad workers as well as the local population which are largely unfamiliar with Chinese food. At the same time, these incorporated local ingredients and adapted the dishes to a more American taste, thereby giving rise to Chinese-American cuisine.

A famous example of eateries that serve Chinese-American cuisine is Panda Express. Founded in Glendale, California in the 1980s as the quick-serve, mall-based version of the sit-down restaurant Panda Inn, this line of business grew to 2000 locations as of December 2017.

Panda Express made its way to Philippine shores in December 2019 when, through a partnership with fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corporation, it opened the first Panda Express branch in SM Megamall, generating long-lines of customers who want to be among the first in the country to sample the restaurant’s signature dishes.

Today, Panda Express has nine outlets, situated in both malls and free-standing locations.

Because of our busy lives, the long lines outside its branches, and then the lockdowns due to the pandemic, it took some time for my family to check out Panda Express’ branches in Metro Manila. (We did dine at Panda Express’ branches in Seattle, Washington during our US trip in early 2019).

After the loosening of lockdown restrictions (as well as the waning of the long lines of people waiting to dine in), we were finally able to treat ourselves to the filling and fulsome offerings of Panda Express.

Diners at Panda Express have several choices when it comes to serving size:

Bowl (starts at Php225) – consists of one entree and one side dish (with 394 to 1105 calories)
Plate (starts at Php310) – consists of two entrees and 1 side dish (with 544 to 1595 calories)
Bigger Plate (starts at Php395) – consists of 3 entrees and 1 side dish (with 694 to 2085 calories)
Kid’s Meal (starts at Php190) – consist of a junior-sized entree, a junior-sized side dish, a 12oz drink and dessert (with 330 to 1000 calories)
Family Feast (starts at Php1,290) – serves a group of four to five persons and consists of 3 large entrees and two large side dishes (with 590 to 2233 calories)

Given our appetites and our own strong preferences among Panda Express’ menu items, is there any wonder why the fam members opted to each get a Plate serving?

Our orders included:

Sides:

Fried Rice. Steamed white rice wok-fried with soy sauce, eggs, peas, carrots and green onions.
Chow Mein. Stir-fried wheat noodles with onions, celery and cabbage.

Entrees:

Orange Chicken. Panda Express’ signature dish inspired by General Tso’s Chicken made with crispy chicken pieces wok-tossed in a sweet and spicy orange sauce.
Kung Pao Chicken. A Szechwan-inspired dish with chicken, peanuts and vegetables, finished with chili peppers.
Shanghai Steak. Wok-seared steak with fresh string beans, onions and mushrooms in a savory sauce.
Savory Shrimp. Juicy shrimp, stir-fried with green onion and bell pepper in a savory sauce.
Honey Walnut Shrimp. (included in one of our delivery orders after our store visit) Large tempura-battered shrimp, wok-tossed in a honey sauce and topped with glazed walnuts.

We found these Plat servings very filling indeed, with the varying textures and flavors of the dishes complementing each other.

Given that all the dishes have been pre-cooked, serving the food was quick and efficient.

This Panda Express branch is located at Upper Ground Floor, SM Megamall Building A, Ortigas Center, Madaluyong City.

Other branches are located at:

Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Muntinlupa: Shell SLT Southbound SLEX, Mojito Lifestyle Center
Panaranaque: Soledad Place Betterliving
Pasay: DoubleDragon Center East
Quezon City: Holy Spirit Drive Don Antonio, Greenmeadows Bagumbayan, SM City North EDSA

Panda Express also delivers via its website, as well as through GrabFood and FoodPanda.

To stay updated about its menu and offers, follow Panda Express on Facebook and Instagram.