Lan Zhou La Mien

Steamed Dumpling Beef Lamien

Sze-Chuan House, Aloha Hotel

Dining at Sze-Chuan House, Aloha Hotel has been part of our childhood memories. I remember, every year we would eat here during the Holidays all because the owner of this establishment is my brother's Ninong.  This year we decided to dine here again to relive the memories plus my sister is here visiting from the US, and today is my birthday.  This time, as a paying customer - though they still gave us discount :-) 

It is from this restaurant where I discovered  about Sze Chuan shrimps and the Fried String Beans.  Which became my all-time-favorite. I even have this notion that they are the only one who can best cook these 2 viands. Well I think they are not the best, after being exposed to other Sze Chuan type of cooking, but I still use them as my benchmark. :-)

We also LOVE the silver roll  fried bread. Well its supposed to match with pork knuckles but we aren't fond of it, so we didn't order it anymore.

They are the chinese restaurant who have Small, Medium, Large servings in their menu. This is good for small or big diners. Our orders were all SMALL and it was just enough.

The photos shown are: Spinach Cream with Seafood Soup Php330, Stir Fried Beef Tenderloin (chinese style) Php250, Fried String Beans Php160, Stuffed Tofu with Brown Sauce Php180, Stir Fried Shrimp with Hot Pepper 240, Silver Roll - Fried Bread 75

Sze-Chuan House, Aloha Hotel is located along 2150 Roxas Boulevard cor Quirino Avenue, Malate, Manila.  Tel Nos +632.526.80.88.  http://www.alohahotel.net.ph

Ang Tunay Beef House

We always hear "Ang Tunay" from my Papa. Ang Tunay is actually his favorite eatery/tambayan in Binondo at which I have never been to. During his last few months alive, and up to the point he can't barely walk, he would still want to go and eat at Ang Tunay. So in memory of my Papa, one Sunday, we all went down to Binondo and had our lunch there.   

Per my experience, I couldn't see what he loves in that place. I guess its because its a typical chinese fast food in Binondo. Plus the good service being given to him (He has his own spot/table). Though I noticed they have a wide-range of menu. There are ready to eat meals which is displayed at the counter, then there are the "for order" meals posted on the menu board wall.

The waitress who always assists my Papa said my Papa always order the Pork Knuckles and the Pork Adobo.  The pork adobo really looks good. Was tempted to try it but we ordered a lot already.

After being exposed to "Ba Chang" all my life. I learned that day that there are different types of it. In Ang Tunay they have 2 types. Which is TAO CHANG (red string), recommended for non-pork eaters. The sticky rice is mixed either with beans or mushroom or chicken. And MA CHANG (yellow string) is sticky rice mixed with mushroom or pork.

With all our orders, the fish (Lapu-Lapu) is what I really like.  Though per my standards, I find the meals too oily which is common in chinese eateries, that's why drinking hot tea is a must.

This place is recommendable for people who wants to explore chinese day-to-day food.  Some of them, I can't even imagine trying.  

Shown in the photos are: Lapu-Lapu Php250, Kimachay Php55, Pork Ears Php80, Oyster Soup Php130, Pansit Misua Php130, Tofu (Mapu) Php55, Rice Php20, Ma Chang/Tao Chang Php65

Ang Tunay Beef House is open daily. Mon to Sat: 7:30 am to 9:00 pm. Sunday: 7:30 am to 2:00 pm. It is located at 825 Gandara Street, Sta Cruz, Manila. Tel No. +632.733.11.06

6404 Camia Street: You Jie Xiao Chao 游姐小炒

I can say this is an AUTHENTIC chinese resto in Makati City. 

But don't expect too much. The ambiance is very very simple.  Its like the dimsum places/chinese fast food you'd see in Binondo. But I think the interiors are pretty clean compared to some outlets in Binondo. Well plus the fact you don't need to travel down town in order to taste a good chinese cooking.

If you love chinese food then this is the place to go. Its owned by a married couple who came from China (well you can really see that they are from China). They don't talk to customers unless you are one of them--- or can speak their language). Good thing they have 2 types of menu.  One in all chinese, and another menu that have pictures and english titles.  Don't worry because they also have filipina waitress who will take your orders, but the billing / payment will be done by the Chinese owners.

Food:  I liked all our orders. The string beans, the beef was good too but too spicy for my taste, and I really liked the shrimps! PLUS eat-all-you-can RICE. But this wasn't informed to us, they'll  just tell you to go and get your rice directly to the rice cooker.

The way I see it, its like a typical home cooking for a chinese household. Its the sauces that they put that's why it tastes very chinese :-)  

Hmmm am not sure if its just coincidental, but out of our 3 orders, 2 of them are spicy.  I think their cooking style is really spicy. So warning for the non-spicy eaters.

Try not leave tips for the waiters/waitress...

How to spot the resto:  There is really NO SIGNAGE in front NOR A HOUSE NUMBER.  When we went there, we passed it so we have to turn around and go back. So when going there try to allocate extra time to locate the place :-)

When you are along Camia Street, just focus on your right.  When you see a row of 2-story white houses slow down. Its beside "Coznuts Salon". That can be your landmark.  The house that has a white gate and Koppel air condition is the restaurant.

You Jie Xiao Chao 游姐小炒 is located at #6404 Camia Street, Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City.  Tel Nos. 0915.4252972,  0927.7876999

very chinese... spare"rips" :-)

Chinese Menu :-)

LAU CHAN SHABU-SHABU

 sliced fat beef 110, polonchay 75, watercrest 50, fresh squid ball with shredded crabstick 150, fresh wanton 100, dumpling 100, Tao Pao 65. Plain soup 20, Sate soup 35. 4 sauces: chili, garlic, soy sauce (seasoning), sate.

July 2009, Alvin suggested that we try Shabu-shabu. From the outside, the place looks like the typical chinese restaurant - just like in Binondo. I wasnt expecting that I'll enjoy our Shab-shabu meal.  I felt like all shabu-shabu tastes the same. Well I guess since its been awhile for me.. this Shabu-shabu restaurant took me by surprise.

We ordered the half-half soup since we couldnt decide which is the best. In the end my personal taste fell on the plain soup. Its more of I am not fond of Sate.  The Tao Pao tastes better eaten deep fried as shown above, rather than soaked in the soup ;-)

The price is reasonable and it does satisfy one's hunger. Hmmm.. I can go back to this place anytime. The only hassle is their area is crowded - they have very limited parking space. And per my friend Alvin, he said the place is usually packed.

Shabu-Shabu and Fastfood, Mabini, Manila. Its very near Hyatt Hotel and Casino