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.
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).
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).
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.
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).
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).
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.
------------
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
Comments
Post a Comment