I was recently invited by Lugang Cafe to try their newest additions to their menu.
Lugang Cafe is a Taiwanese restaurant with several locations in China. Manila is the first location outside China.
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| Kao Fu |
For starters, we had Kao Fu (Php 220), Steamed Angled Loofah with Shrimp Xiao Long Bao (Php 228 for 8 pcs), and Steamed Kimchi and Pork Xiao Long Bao (Php 268 for 8 pcs).
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| Steamed Kimchi and Pork Xiao Long Bao |
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| Steamed Angled Loofah with Shrimp Xiao Long Bao |
Kao Fu is braised wheat gluten, a popular Taiwanese vegetarian dish known to be used as an alternative to meat. I love the smooth texture and flavor of the gluten. I liked the subtle crunch of the angled loofah with the Shrimp Xiao Long Bao and I loved the aroma of the kimchi with the pork xiao long bao. Both new Xiao Long Baos are must-tries.
We also had their new soup dish, the Beef Belly in Sour Broth (Php 360), and seafood dishes: Steamed Shrimp with Garlic (Php 490) and Steamed Egg Custard with Clams (Php 260).
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| Beef Belly in Sour Broth |
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| Steamed Shrimp with Garlic |
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| Steamed Egg Custard with Clams |
Hands down to the Beef Belly in Sour Broth! The palate-tickling sourness of the soup blends well with the tender thinly-sliced beef belly. I couldn't stop helping myself with the Steamed Shrimp with Garlic and the Steamed Egg Custard with Clams. I love the generous amount of garlic with the shrimp and I love how the egg custard and the clams complement each other. I really loved these three dishes. So much.
More surprises are the Taiwanese Fried Chicken Drumstick (Php 190) and the seafood counterparts of the bestselling Three-Cup Chicken: the Three-Cup Shrimp and the Three-Cup Squid.
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| Taiwanese Fried Chicken Drumstick |
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| Three-Cup Shrimp |
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| Three-Cup Squid |
Not exactly drumstick, but the Taiwanese Fried Chicken Drumstick reminded me of the chicken chops I had in Taiwan. Kept simple with pickles and black pepper, I would love to have this over and over.
Like the Three-Cup Chicken, I also loved the Three-Cup Shrimp and the Three-Cup Squid, though I'm a bit biased over the Three-Cup Squid because of the crunchy squid.
For vegetable dishes, there the Napa Cabbage with Peppers and Pork (Php 280) and the Napa Cabbage with Garlic and Vermicelli (Php 280).
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| Napa Cabbage with Peppers and Pork |
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| Napa Cabbage with Garlic and Vermicelli |
A symphony of protein and vegetables, the Napa Cabbage with Peppers and Pork keeps a balance to strongly-flavored dishes. Another light option is the Napa Cabbage with Garlic and Vermicelli, with light soy sauce to blend the ingredients well.
To end the awesome dinner, I had the Mango Supreme (Php 220) along with Citron Iced Tea (Php 140) and the Traditional Arabian Coffee (Php 240).
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| Mango Supreme |
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| Citron Iced Tea |
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| Traditional Arabian Coffee |
The Mango Supreme is mango-flavored shaved ice with ripe mango cubes, topped with scoops of mango ice cream and coconut ice cream with mango syrup. Yes, I do love mango (I always have mangoes on my fruits basket at home) and I love that the mangoes used on this dessert are as sweet as the mangoes I usually buy.
A new drink is the Citron Iced Tea, served with the mixer to blend the citron and tea as you drink it. I will never miss on the Traditional Arabian Coffee at Lugang Cafe, a siphon-brewed coffee served tableside. Truly, any coffee drinker should try this.
I enjoyed the newest dishes by Lugang Cafe, especially the Three-Cup Squid, Beef Belly in Sour Broth, Taiwanese Fried Chicken Drumstick, and Steamed Egg Custard with Clams. I would love to return here soon and have my friends and family try these dishes with me.
Thanks to Lugang Cafe for having us.
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Lugang Cafe
Third Floor,
Mega Fashion Hall,
SM Megamall,
Mandaluyong City
Twitter: @LugangCafe
Other locations are SM Aura Premier, Glorietta 2, The Block and SM Mall of Asia
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