Mandarin Tea Garden: Unpretentious Chinese Fastfood

I've been lucky to stay  at a place so accessible to food places. A street across the place I'm staying are two of the big"fast food" Chinese restaurants in Davao: Dimsum Diner and Mandarin Tea Garden. I prefer the latter for its home-made, no-nonsense approach to Chinese food. It felt like eating at one of Binondo's eateries. 

I've tried a few of their rice toppings and they don't taste like Chowking to me (don't get me wrong, I do love Chowking's halo-halo). I'd skip the Pork Asado and head off their Taosi Sparibs (seen below). Tender, tasty and flavorful- try it with the plain rice though. 

Fried Ravioli, while far from one of Friuli's special (and I do hate the banana ketsup/sweet&sour sauce); this one's filling and passable.

 Skip the pork asado, I find the meat a bit overcooked and the sauce unimpressive. You are better off with the other rice toppings on the menu :)

This one's a must-try. True to "fall of the bone" phrases, not at all gummy and hard to chew; just well-seasoned and steamed just enough to truly get the goof stuff there. Mind you, I've never been a fan of chicken feet (I find it hard to eat and the texture of the meat quite disgusting in most Chinese restos).

This one's a killer. I normally don't eat fruit salad, let alone adore watermelons. Oddly enough, it works (or heavy cream just goes perfectly with every dessert).

Get ready for Davao's sudden downpour though (and always bring a handy umbrella and never wear your favorite flats at night). Davao do have this sudden heavy rains that cause this part of the city to flood heavily. Don't ruin a good night's meal with getting your favorite outfit soaked.

Lachi's: Let me count the ways

I am not a dessert kind of girl. Personally, when I see cafe/pastry place I do not immediately associate them together. Yes, you are looking at a non-Banapple believer (but I do love their Banoffee, and thats just it). Before you start bashing, I do love Conti's. I just don't like how most dessert places in the Metro settle for serving mediocre food just to match their food line-up. Stick to what you do best, if its dessert serve the best, kick-ass cake/muffin/cupcakes that would ever come out of your kitchen. Leave the rest to the experts.

Larci's would have to be an exception. A bit pricey for most Davao cafes (meals usually are less than Php100), but you do get value out of your P150-200 meals.

 I ordered their unforgettable ribs and its tender, juicy and flavorful. 

Their breaded tofu is an alternative for people on a pseudo-diet. (Folks, its still breaded and for sure their teriyaki sauce must've sugar in it). Diet aside, this is a good meal to start off.

If it takes some difficult convincing on your part, you can have this spicy beef meal. (Ditch, the rice).

One trip ain't enough. If I can just sample all the cakes they have on their menu. Cheesecakes look good, chocolate cake selection are vast and promising plus, they have dulce de leche! Too bad, they don't have their brewed coffee that day.

If their sans rival is a sign of how awesome their desserts are, I'd definitely come back soon for more!

Yes, its Santa's list of goodies

REASONS NOT TO BE ON DIET

PUSH FOR MORE CARBS, Surprisingly, good meals.

Bulcachong: Dabawenyos Hangover Cure

I asked a few locals why most restos close early in Davao. Last night, we were looking for places to eat and noticed that most establishments close as early as 9-10 pm. So where do people eat after drinking? I notied that breakfast/brunch meals are not so common as cakes are to Dabawenyos. Most restaurants even cafes open at 11 am.

Few bloggers mention "TAPS" as one of the best places to get tapsilog. But a friend told me, kids these days prefer Bulca chong na. Partly menudo, partly balbacua, this beef concoction is your ticket to sobriety. It has all the requirements of your anti- hangover fix: warm, hearty, beefy goodness. Your comfort to the impending doom of migraine the next day. 

Situated at Ilustre Street, this is your go-to place when you find yourself for those cheap, after drinking session. Situated in an antique building, the place has two sections. You will have to pay P15 more on your food for aircon and the privilege to be dining here. Or you can go all the way cowboy and eat in the humble carinderia outside (beware of the greasy smell, probably from the beef)  

To start of, NEVER order this weird kinilaw. A cross between sashimi and your DIY kinilaw (kuya just placed the vinegar in front of me, optional po ba ang suka kuya?). Anyway, while they've chosen one of the more expensive fish (malasugi); I still can't wrap my head around my usual kinilaw (coconut milk, suka and loads of sili).

Presenting: Bulcachong. My friend explained that it was more of a mix between bulalo, balbacua and ...chong? Don't get me wrong, but I already love Bohol's version of the balbacua dish (soup there is a transparent concoction of spices and slow-cooked beef). This one will do. It has all the good parts, fatty and filling :)

For more of their menu, take your pick:

Oh, it might be one of the few places that I've been to that actually serve Emperador and Tanduay in bottles and long necks. Talk about subtlety. Curing hangover with more alcohol indeed! :)

Raffy finishing his meal, this is as low-key and cowboy as it gets

If you do have the decency, please do not bring food from outside here. 

Cecil's: Davao Veteran

One has to admire a restaurant's longevity. With multiple branches all over the metro, singularly run. Consistent, with loyal followers throughout- I admire this restaurant's staying power. With new competitors coming in, its amazing how they've maintained their quality and prices. For P60 you can indulge yourself with a slice of their moist chocolate cake or at P88 you can satisfy your merienda cravings (Batchoy+brownie+glass of Coke). 

My favorites are their moist chocolate cake and egg pie. Egg pie reminds me so much of eating leche fan with a crust. The choco moist is true to its name; would've preferred if it had the cream in the middle.

Surprisingly, good egg pie.

Fried Lumpia (an upgraded version of the cafeteria lumpiang ubod I usually eat for merienda before).  Would've love to try their fresh lumpia.

Moist Chocolate Cake

I usually have my batchoy with the egg included (Batchoy special). I don't know if its just me but I prefer the food prepared in their original branch. I keep on imagining that the serving's a bit bigger. Anyway, both are equally good.

 

Downtown branch (Batchoy Special):

I have mixed feelings towards palabok. My only memory of it growing up was Jollibee's version of it. Chicharon bits and shrimp- I find it a bit nakakaumay for a time. Cecil's version of the dish is better. Minus the shrimp part, I loved how the sauce goes perfectly well with their noodles and chicharon (no pretentious gourmet treats here..just your neighborhood palabok done good consistently).

Downtown branch (Luglug):

The brazo de mercedez was a bit of a letdown. Plus you can't order yours in slices, either you have to get the whole thing or half of it. We divided the half into three for us to share. While it had crisp edges, I find it a bit bland. Don't get me wrong. I do hate those overpoweringly sweet desserts, but this one was like eating egg whites...just soft, fluffy egg whites. :)

Now, I have yet try their carrot cake. Heard so many great things about it. Leaving you off with a photo taken from last year's visit to Davao. Here's an almost complete photo of my officemates for food service :)

Davao Tripping: Hodge-Podge of Food Memories

I will be spending a week here in Davao for work. In between free times, I am sampling as many dishes as  can here. Being in Davao never fails to astonish me, it has this urban yet laid-back feel. People are nicer, pace is slower even traffic is not that bad compared to Cebu. But the thing the reason why I love about Davao is the sheer abundance of restaurant per area. I've never been in a place where small, start-up businesses are encouraged and thriving. People are supporting local cafes and restos over franchises. I love how each area in the city reminds me of Maginhawa. Food is affordable. You can get a decent meal for P100. Plus, people here speak a mix of Tagalog/Bisaya so for non-Bisaya speakers its so easy to navigate your way around here. 

..Plus I'll never understand why there's this abundance of coffeeshops and neighborhood pastry everywhere (not that I mind). Lunch was Penong's chicken. (I failed to take a photo just because I was too hungry that time). The chicken is their specialty. Unlike Mang Inasal's version, Penong's was a cross between grilled and lechon manok. Not dry, tasty with the right amount of spice; one serving ain't enough for those who skipped their breakfast. Don't expect anything fancy though, the place does look like your neighborhood kainan. Penong has a lot of branches in Davao so its easy for you to find one here.

Your neighborhood artsy cafe: Yellow Hauz

I have a soft spot for neighborhood cafes. This one has cute art projects everywhere. Just don't get the mango shake because you are going to be bound for some disappointment. Their selection of white coffee is comparable to Starbucks. They also serve meals (pastas, pizza, cakes, etc). So while you sip your favorite coffee drink, you can buy arts and crafts materials inside as well. 

Sarum banggi:  Skin Burns

I might have to be the clumsiest person you'll ever share a meal of sizzling food or anywhere near to cooking paraphernalia  My attempt at cooking has lead to tremendous burnt marks, I usually end up hurting myself or other people in the process. So tonight, my left arm wasn't spared. Anyway, I got a bit confused with the place's interior. They ought to replace those table cloth and tiles immediately. 

Anyway, Chiara recommended this place as Raffy was craving for some steak. 

I got Steak Ala Pobre (..supposedly at medium well). But it did ended up well-done anyway. Nothing special really but for P250, you get a hefty serving of  meat. (see photo below). Think of it as an upgraded version of your Sizzling Plate, with loads of gravy to accompany it.

Raffy got something from the Surf and Turf menu (calamares and steak). Rice and loads of gravy, I am not that hard to please.

A Piece of Seoul in Malate: Moiza

One Sunday night, Rex and I decided to head to "eat out". Usually, we spend hours deciding where our "happy compromise is". I prefer eating isaw while he'd usually love to stay at home and just order pizza. We were so sick of our tambayan: Central Malugay 2 (the one near Cash and Carry) and El Chupacabra, so we finally settled for Malate.

Malate will always have a special place in my heart. Nothing screams "backpacker in Manila vibe!" than this place. It has side street inumans and hole-in-the-wall eateries. Nevermind the girly bars nearby (reminds me of Pat Pong and HCM). My friends and I back then would gravitate towards our usual tambayan: Silya and Cafe Adriatico. 

Like any place in the metro, the Malate today has its own "Korean section". Korean groceries and restaurants, we sampled a few but Rex and I weren't that impressed until...

E: look there's this cute cafe that has Koreans.

R: Ayoko nga

E: kasi pagkakamalan ka na namang Korean? Let's go check it out. If the beer's too expensive, we can always walk our way to Silya. Plus, the logo has a chicken holding a beer. For sure it has chicken.

R: (Sighs), fine.

Inside was like a trip back to Seoul. The place's interiors resembled Hyewa's quirky cafes. Wooden interiors with cute adornments on the walls, to add to the place's authenticity the place is full of Koreans (except for that Chinese guy in the back)

On to their food (and alcoholic beverages):

 

Draft beer or soju? At P80, you can get this "large" pint of San Mig beer. They also offer beer towers at P1200. Rex and I agreed, the soju's a better choice (and a cheaper way to get a buzz). Chum Churum can be mixed with cider or beer. We had it in shots. You can find this at your neighborhood Korean grocery store with your Melona.

 

We got the first one on the right. For P350, you can get sweet-spicy chicken that has a good batter and a sauce that ain't your usual gochujang or Sunshine. You can also get the fillet version for P400.

Only in Korea where veggies are acceptable pulutan food :) They even have an entire menu for those wanting to be pahealthy (and gulping a tower of San Mig beer at the same time).

The P150 rolls on your leftmost side goes perfectly with the beer (and the free soup!) Will definitely come back to try their bibimbap. Cheapest I've seen so far in a Korean Restaurant (had those cheaper ones in fast food chains and it pisses me off if they're charging extra to have it placed in a stone bowl). Like ordering your sizzling sisig and having it placed on styrofoam.

 

Normally, Korean restaurants would give it those P250 Korean pancakes as part of their free banchan. Must be the reason why I never bothered to order them in establishments. And I've never ordered edamame, just because I've never had a penchant for munching on them while waiting for my non-veggie orders.

Here's their alak and pulutan section: They sell their cheese sticks for P220 and fries for P150. The 50 (L)/ (F) is your beer in the bottle fare.

I have to hand it to Korean establishments, even bars serve veggies for pulutan. Or I might be missing something here. The last time I was here, someone ordered chopsuey to go with their Red Horse. I wouldn't might eating those free coleslaw salad, roasted peanuts and soup. Back in Seoul, I find this idea appalling. When drinking, I usually pair beer with pizza and the fattest/greasiest/deep fried item you have on the menu. I love those heart-attack inducing Filipino favorites: sisig with egg and extra rice, chicharon bulaklak at Silya and BSM"s flavored fries. And you can never go wrong with grilled food. This restaurant/bar is a refreshing alternative. A good excuse to wake up the next day not feeling EXTREMELY GUILTY for having too much of the sisig and fries. :)