I don't
normally like to eat breakfast. At home, it's such a chore to prepare
something so early. I end up with coffee and toast. It's the easiest.
But when out of town, I always look forward to breakfast. For some
reason, I associate vacations with a hearty breakfast. maybe it is all
those breakfast buffets when you check in a hotel.
This
trip we didn't have breakfast with the hotel. But we had some
interesting meals. My brother in law (BIL) brought us to this congee
place a street or two away from the hotel. I didn't really catch the
name of the place but on the door was printed "Black and White". It was
full of people (definitely a good sign) and smelled good.
I've
never eaten congee. I don't know why I have this feeling its like
eating rice in too much water (maybe because it is?) Strangely I love
arroz caldo. I always say it is different because congee is tasteless
without the meat (tastes like rice), whereas arroz caldo is tasty even
without the chicken.
In any case, BIL said the
seafood abalone congee was great in this place. I was a skeptic so i
asked hubby to share with me. And being allergic to seafood, we ordered
the beef congee.
beef congee
This
is fried bread. It's like bicho-bicho but lighter, airier and
chewy-er. On its own it is awful, tastes like oil. But when added to
the congee, it gives the congee an interesting taste and texture. I was
able to finish my bowl because of the bread. Without it, the congee
was boring. But that's me. Hubby says it was really good congee.
Especially the seafood with abalone.
The most
awaited meal was the dimsum breakfast. I couldn't wait to use my "Ni yo
may yo yum cha ma?" line. Hehe. Didnt get to use it but still had
dimsum anyway.
My dad was in the mood for hotpot on the last night of the trip. We had dinner in this Taoheung seafood hot-pot restaurant
on the 6th floor of the Windsor House Bldg across from Park Lane
Hotel. I sat at the non-hotpot table. Being hungry, we wiped out the
meal in seconds but it was a good dinner. I like what we ordered -
suckling pig, soy chicken, and my favorite beef hofan among others.
Beef Hofan
Soy Chicken
Anyway,
the meal was highly satisfactory despite the chaotic ambience (the
place was full with a 30 minute waiting line). We found out that this
place served good breakfast dimsum as well and decided to try it. So
the following morning, we had dimsum.
This
is the BBQ pork puff (asado puff). It was great! Soft pastry bread
with a sweet, crusty topping servied piping hot. I think of this often
and wish I brought home some.
Hubby's raddish cake - didn't try this though
Top
- shao long pao - juicy and tasty. Best eaten by putting the whole
thing in your mouth to get all the soup. Not very glamourous though.
Left - Hakaw - shrimp dumplings - didnt have these. Right - Char shiu
pao - BBQ pork buns - asado sio pao in other words. Wasn't too happy
with this one. It was bland. Maybe I was expecting too much but I've
tasted better sio pao here in Manila.
In
the back - spare ribs (pay kut) and chicken feet combination - this was
ok but a bit salty. spare ribs was a bit tough but the feet was
falling of the bone. Had pieces of sweet taro that was a pleasant
contrast to the saltiness.
In front - beef balls -
Love this!! In Manila, this is to me what sio-mai is to most
people. Dimsum for me is beef balls because it is shrimp-less. I
always order it at President teahouse in Binondo and that is ok. But
this one was wonderful. It was tender and juicy, not rubbery at all.
There is chrunchy water chestnut bits and a tinge of wansoy flavor
(cilantro) that just tickles the taste buds.
Taoheung Restaurant - full house even for breakfast
Part 4 (Last) - Last few treats and a rant!
