Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao now in the Philippines

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, famous in Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asian countries for its La Mian and Xiao Long Bao among others, opened last September 13, 2010 in the Philippines. It is located at the ground floor of Virra Mall in Greenhills, San Juan, near Häagen-Dazs.

My family decided to try out Crystal Jade a few weeks back, when we were in the area. We almost didn't make it because the restaurant closes at 9pm, and we arrived around 30 minutes before closing time. There were people still lined up since 6pm and have not been seated yet. Luckily, we didn't wait for too long to get our table.

While waiting I took photos from the outside. You'll notice that you can see the kitchen from the outside, because it's just separated by transparent glass. I guess it's part of the whole set-up, where passers-by can see how the food, especially their specialty, are made. Frankly, all I can think of while waiting was how good the Xiao Long Bao and the La Mian will be; after all, that's what they are famous for, right?


For the La Mian, we got the Noodle with Dried Shrimp & Peanut in Spicy Sauce (Php 288). I love the mix of the peanut with the noodle dish. The spiciness was just great as well. I enjoyed eating this. You have to eat it quickly, because it becomes cold fast.


Of course, we also got the Steamed Soupy Pork Dumpling "Xiao Long Bao" (Php 158 for 5 pcs.) I didn't get blown-off at first bite, but I would still say that it is good. I guess I would still go for Suzhou's Xiao Long Bao just because it's also of quality and it's more affordable.


All the other dishes that follows are also good. If you ask me though, I would stick to the La Mian and the Xiao Long Bao :) We also got the Sauteed Chicken with Cashew Nuts in Spicy Sauce, served with pancakes (Php 288), Fried Rice with Diced Chinese Sausage, Shrimp & Egg in "Yang Chow" Style (Php 248), and the Radish Pastry (Php 98 for 3 pcs.). I would definitely be back for the La Mian and the Xiao Long Bao :)

Subic Bay's Hong Kong Dimsum Treat

While you're in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), you should try out Subic Bay Venezia Hotel's New Feng Huang Restaurant which offers one of the best Hakaw I've ever tasted in the Philippines. From a certain time-frame after lunch and before dinner, the restaurant offers dimsum at a discounted rate, more of less 50% off the original price.

The Steamed Pork Siomai, Deep Fried Wanton, and the Pan Fried Radish Cake are priced at Php 49 each. The Mixed Bola-bola Congee, Beef Congee, and the Steamed Shrimp Dumplings are priced at Php 79 each. Good food at affordable prices. Try it when you're visiting the place, I'm sure you'll love it! :)

Century Seafood Restaurant in Manila

Reese Blesilda Chua, the daughter of son of the friend of my dad, Tito Juancho, from way back during their dog/dog show group, Sunhawk, days had her first birthday at the Century Seafood Restaurant in Century Park Hotel in Malate, Manila. It's been a long time, and it's nice seeing people grow up and have their own stable lives. :) Anyway, being a food blogger that I am, I took shots of the lauriat that was served.



The birthday girl with her grandmother. :)

Cantonese Soup Kitchen's Healthy Soup Selection

A “Soup Kitchen” is usually identified to charitable activity that provides food for the homeless and those who are hungry during wintertime; since then, the term has been used everywhere to mean a feeding program for the poor or the malnourished.

This restaurant is far from being a feeding program, but nonetheless, it provides a variety of good food and nourishing soup and tea selections.


More than its food which you, more or less, can find in other Chinese restaurants (some of which you may find in pictures here below), I would like to highlight its selection of “Chinese Herbal Soups.” True to its name, “Cantonese Soup Kitchen,” this restaurant offers a wide variety of traditional soups which have medicinal properties good for one’s health.


The “Chinese Herbal Soup Menu is a most natural dietary way to good health. Adding Chinese herbs to soups is a long tradition and is a distinctive feature of Cantonese cuisine. Chinese herbs have very well known curative functions for the human body. And one of the most common way to use Chinese herbs is to brew them together with meats over slow fire for 2 to 3 hours, releasing all the essences and nutrients of the ingredients into the soup – which the body can absorb and assimilate quickly without having to digest and breakdown the meats and herbs.”

This is the most ideal and natural way to obtain loads of nutrients minus the calories.


Sibot w/ duck soup (Php 195) Sibot duck is one of the oldest and most popular Chinese herbal Soup recipes. This soup is famous for restoring energy and strengthening of the immune system, and is very good for men and women of all ages.


Black Chicken w/ 3 kinds of Ginseng soup (Php 220) This herbal soup is most beneficial to restore chi or energy. It is good for lungs, and invigorates blood to counter fatigue and stress, and effectively strengthens liver functions.


(L-R, T-B: Garlic Burst Spareribs, Seafood with Broccoli, Honey Glazed Pork, Beef Broccoli with Oyster Sauce, Steamed Fish Fillet with Japanese Tofu, and Cold Tofu w/ Pork Floss in Special Sauce)