In several more days, social media in the Philippines will explode with warm auspicious greetings in Chinese as the Lunar New Year arrives. One of the biggest celebrations for the Filipino-Chinese community, the Lunar New Year bursts in bright festive colors, fireworks, and a lot dragon and lion dances to commemorate the occasion. But above all, it’s the food that Chinoys and non-Chinoys alike most look forward to.
Many excellent Chinese restaurants dot the country where you can get a taste of traditional Chinese snacks and cuisines. Here are some of our favorites for you to try out:
Ma Mon Luk
A Chinoy classic, Ma Mon Luk is regarded as the standard of Chinese dining in the Philippines. The restaurant’s mami and siopao have withstood the test of time, but these are only a few of the best it has to offer.
Causeway Seafood Restaurant
Featuring authentic Cantonese cuisine at a stellar price, Causeway has won legions of fans in its 16 years of service. The dim sum fare is also considered one of the best in Metro Manila.
King Chef Dimsum Kitchen
Serving well over a hundred different types of dim sum both steamed and fried, King Chef offers a gustatory adventure you’ll find nowhere else. Aside from dim sum, you can also choose from a range of congee, noodles, soups, rice toppings, rice rolls, and more to satiate your palate.
Century Seafood Restaurant
Looking for something that can cater to a big, hungry group? Century Seafood offers mouthwatering dishes in large serving sizes, perfect for a Lunar New Year’s dinner with family and friends.
Jasmine
With a menu featuring specialties across China, Jasmine offers chic fine dining with a wide fare of Chinese delicacies, from dim sum and live seafood to barbecue and Peking duck. Nestled in New World Hotel Makati, the restaurant provides a refreshing and tasty refuge from busy Ayala.
Lugang Cafe
Lugang Cafe offers contemporary Taiwanese cuisines as well as selections that feature a fusion of Szechuan and Shanghainese flavors. To complement its upscale, cozy interiors, the restaurant offers many gourmet-level dishes that will surely sate your appetite. The dumplings are also definitely something you should give a try.
Hap Chan Tea House
From its humble beginnings as a small tea house in 1997, Hap Chan eventually sprouted all over the Metro as it converted taste bud after taste bud. Filipinos love the authentic and affordable Hong Kong cuisines, particularly the favorites: mami, congee, and dim sum.
Peking Garden
Peking Garden lays out a splendid banquet of classic and imperial Northern Chinese delicacies, crowned by the restaurant’s famous Peking duck—a treat often reserved for special occasions. The duck is a must-try this Lunar New Year.
Tao Yuan
The Singaporean embassy lauds Tao Yuan as the best Singaporean restaurant in Manila. Guests can select from a variety of sumptuous Cantonese and Hainanese dishes, but the Hainanese Chicken definitely deserves special mention.
UNO Seafood Wharf Palace
Despite the look of a typical Chinese restaurant, sumptuous delights await you at UNO and will have you wanting for more. Of note is the lauriat set menu that’s perfect for a hungry group.
Where are you planning to dine this Lunar New Year? Share it with us in the comments!
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