Over The Moon with Moonleaf

Milk tea. This might be the most popular word nowadays (Anne Curtis being the second one). If you don’t know what it is and the craze it’s been causing Metro Manila, then it’s safe to assume you’ve been living inside a cave. With the plethora of choices where one can have their milk tea fix (see our Happy Lemon and Serenitea review here), differentiation can be very difficult for milk tea entrepreneurs.

Not for Moonleaf Tea Shop.

Starting in Maginhawa Street, UP Village, this once humble tea shop gained fame from college students who frequented the place and has become one of, if not, the fastest growing milk tea place in the country. It is also the first one to have ventured outside Manila (they have stores in Pampanga and Naga). Moonleaf also diversified its offerings; aside from teas, they now have their own planner which sold like hotcakes last Christmas season.

Siopao, Mami, and the Giant Siomai

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI! GONG XI FA CAI! XIN NIAN KUAI LE!

 

No matter how you want to say it, we at The Glutton Guide would like to greet you HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! :) And because we like following themes, why not a review of a Chinese restaurant, yes? I'm sure the water dragon will approve.

Masuki can be considered a hole-in-a-wall restaurant. More popular to the Chinese residents of Greenhills, Masuki has now grown to be known by Filipinos outside Greenhills, mainly through blogs like this. But, even before they established their branch at San Juan, they started at a place where Chinese food would be best - Binondo, Manila. Yes, they are one of the food places you can find along the busy streets of Chinatown. Not everyone knows this, but Masuki is the younger (and hipper) son of Ma Mon Luk. Yes, that really old restaurant in Quezon Avenue. Before it was named Masuki, we believed the food place was called Ma Kong Mami. If you're in the Binondo branch, try looking for the somewhat hidden engraved 'Ma Kong Mami' signage inside.

Having the Best of 'Both Worlds'

It's rare that you find history in food places around Metro Manila. Well, we still have food places such as the Aristocrat and Savory, not to mention food places around the Walled City. Most of the time, however, it's the fast-food chains that are being given attention because of their affordable price, accessible location, and speedy service. As a result, we seldom get the chance to eat food that's well prepared and has a touch of history in it. The world is becoming fast-paced, and the city is not an exception. It's not too late to try and discover what the Metro can REALLY offer, though. So, if you have the time, head on over to Manila, specifically to Recto.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of Recto is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant named Ambos Mundos. If you're unfamiliar with it, Ambos Mundos is a food place located at Florentino Torres Street in Manila that serves Spanish and Filipino delicacies worthy to feed your hungry appetite. It's quite difficult to find, and honestly, it took us a while before we found the place. Despite the location, Ambos Mundos offers delicious dishes that would make you fall in love with Spanish-Filipino food. In fact, the delicious food is not the only thing Ambos Mundos can boast about. This food place has actually served hungry Filipino tummies since 1888! Now that's a feat to beat! Ambos Mundos is a Spanish term that translates to "Both Worlds" in English. According to our research, it was named as such because the owners wanted to show the fusion of Filipino and Spanish culture through the dishes they offered. This is apparent, as the place was established during the Spanish occupation. From then until now, Ambos Mundos continues to affirm in this standard in every dish they serve to their customers.

Chinese Dining...Hawker-Style

Chinese food has been embedded in the Pinoy's dining culture. Whether we like it or not, a lot of the dishes we cook and taste are Chinese inspired. In fact, some of our cooking techniques we even get from them. Chinese dishes are best known for the variety in flavors (and also the insurmountable use of MSG...well, it's a bit exaggerated, but you get the point). The Chinese are very good in integrating flavors, whether it's sweet, sour, salty, or spicy. Here in the Metro, there really is no difficulty in looking for outstanding Chinese food. Metro Manila has a lot of Chinese restaurants that you could choose from. But, when you want the real authentic Chinese food, there's only one place to go - Binondo.

Binondo, Manila, also known to many as the Philippines' "Chinatown", is the place to be when it comes to everything Chinese. Every nook and cranny of Binondo depicts it rich history and Chinese culture. It also is the haven of delectable and authentic Chinese cuisine. If you're asking where to get the best siomai, the most delicious siopao, the most succulent mami or congee, or even the freshest baked hopia, Binondo is the place you're looking for. The busy streets of Binonso are home to the many food places, from the high-end Chinese restaurants to typical carinderias or food stalls. Regardless of where you decide to dine, every restaurant serves the most delicious Chinese goodies. But, if you're more of the budget type, and you want affordable Chinese food, don't fret. We know a food place at Binondo that could be just right for you.

Jus & Jerry's: Yummy Chinese Food Need Not Be Expensive

Chinese food is a very common cuisine in the Metro. If you haven't tried a bite at the yummy and flavorful Chinese dimsum, a plate of the delectable Yang Chow fried rice, or even a bowl of the delicious and hot congee, then believe us, you're missing a lot in life. The Pinoy culture has actually embraced the presence of Chinese cuisine. What's great about it is that every dish is always packed with flavors. Chinese people really know how to maximize the use of every ingredient, and they mix these ingredients with excellent cooking techniques. Nowadays, Chinese food can be bought almost anywhere. You can always find a Chinese food chain or a Chinese food cart or stall near your location. The only problem with these stalls and carts is that they're not authentic Chinese food. They might be the same siomai or chicken noodles, but they're not exactly the same as the Chinese would prepare them. If you decide to go to an authentic Chinese restaurant, you'll probably be charged by the hundreds. This dilemma gave us the urge to find a unique Chinese food place that offers dishes that are close to the authentic Chinese food and are affordable at the same time.

Of course, when you talk of Chinese food, or anything Chinese for that matter, Binondo would instantly pop-up in your mind. Chinatown is without a doubt THE place for authentic Chinese products. The food place we found, however, was not at Binondo, but near it. It's just actually within the UST area. The name of the food place is Jus & Jerry's Gourmet Chinese Food. It's named after the owners, Jus and Jerry (It's pronunced Jus, as in Justin...at least that's what we realized hahaha At first we thought it was Jus, as in juice hahaha How should we know, right? hahaha). They've been serving delicious food to hungry customers within the UST area for quite some time now. The place is just small, and from afar it doesn't resemble a Chinese food place. But, the food they have is pretty much the one you should keep coming back for. It may not be the authentic Chinese food, but it's close enough. Jus & Jerry's also offers variety, serving not just Chinese food but other dishes as well, such as all-time Filipino favorites and sandwiches.

Tapsilogan Galore!

Manila is a very busy place, especially the U-Belt area. Everyday you can see hundreds of students from different colleges and universities walking around the area. This area is where you can find schools such as FEU, UE, San Beda, and UST. Plus, there are a lot of commercial establishments surrounding the area. With Isetann and Ever in the area, not to mention the very busy Recto street and the Quiapo church nearby, it's not a wonder why it's always a busy spot. So, if you're a person who's up for peace and quiet, you'd want to resist going to this place as much as possible. But, if you're a food-loving person, then this spot is where you'd want to go next because our Glutton instincts bring us to this busy place.

If you're familiar around the University of the East area, or if you know someone who studies or who studied there, they would say that one of the best food places around the area would be Tapsilogan ni Mama Leng, or more commonly known as Mama Leng's. Don't underestimate this food place, because Mama Leng's is famous around the area. It was already featured at TV Patrol (Talk about PR hahaha). It's also a food place where some of the UE basketball players eat (Yep, even James Yap ate here often). In other words, Mama Leng's is already a veteran in the food business.

The place is just like a normal carinderia with a normal carinderia setting. The place has lots of tables to accommodate the students who are the usual customers of the place. Nevertheless, there were times that there still weren't any available tables. The place is never free of noise, because the students who eat there are really noisy (Yep, we understand. It's a been there, done that kind of thing hahahaha). Nevertheless, in a food place such as this, it's the food that matters above all else. So, we tried some 'Silog' specialties to see if Mama Leng's is really a must-try food place. We tried the dishes with Pepsi Litro (just like what people drink at a carinderia hahahaha).

Here's what we got:

Tapsilog, 39 php


Glutton Guy: Mama Leng's Tapsilog is delicious. The beef is soft and easy to chew. It was marinated perfectly, not too sweet and not too salty. The sinangag is also delicious. I really don't know what's in the sinangag (aside from rice, of course hahaha) but it's really good. It's perfect with the chili sauce that they serve together with the dish. The only thing I don't like is the egg. Somehow the egg is too small, like a quail egg. Plus, the tapa is not enough. It probably would be better if the servings of tapa would be more.  Other than that, no more objections. : )


Glutton Girl: The tapa was cooked perfectly. It's sweet and it had that special taste uniquely different from the other tapsilog's that I've tasted. I didn't try it with the chili sauce since I'm not a huge fan of spicy stuff. I somehow agree with Glutton guy on the egg and servings issue. They could at least try to make the egg and the tapa servings bigger.

Longsilog, 38 php


Glutton Guy: Nothing special about their Longsilog. It was just like normal Longganisa, minus the skin. It's like a longganisa tocino, since it looks like tocino but tastes like longganisa. Again, the servings were kind of small for me. : )


Glutton Girl: It was an okay dish for me. There wasn't anything special about the dish, aside from it being affordable. It was like the normal longsilog I could find anywhere else. For me, the servings were not enough for a hungry student. It would be better if they added a bit more on servings, especially the longganisa.

Chicksilog, 48 php


Glutton Guy: As compared to the tapa and the longganisa, the chicken had a bigger serving. The chicken was kind of dry. Nevertheless, it was soft and tasted good. It tastes like leftover chicken from last night's dinner, marinated and fried, and served with sinangag and egg. Dipping it in the chili sauce would do the trick. It's perfect with the sinangag and the egg. : )


Glutton Girl: The chicken was delicious. It was a big part that we got, which was better for me. There was a crunch from the fried skin of the chicken which was very delicious. It was cooked perfectly. It wasn't too difficult to chew. I have to agree with the chicken being dry. Since I didn't dip mine in the chili sauce, it was kind of dry for me. It probably would be better with ketchup. For me, however, this dish worked. I liked it, overall.

Porksilog, 48 php


Glutton Guy: It was like the normal porkchop. When you look at it, you'll see that there's nothing special about the dish. Nevertheless, Mama Leng's Porksilog tasted good. The pork was crunchy, which I really liked. It wasn't difficult to eat although it's crunchy. Out of all the silog's that we tried, this was probably my favorite. It's really delicious, especially if you dip it in the chili sauce. You'll definitely like the crunchiness of the pork together with the spiciness of the sauce. You just gotta try this when you visit Mama Leng's. : )


Glutton Girl: I also liked this dish. When we were choosing our order, I really wasn't rooting for this dish. I'd rather have tapa or chicken. Good thing we tried this. It looks like a homemade porkchop meal, but better in taste. The crunchiness of the pork is an added plus for me. Also, the dish is bigger when it comes to serving size. So, this dish really is a hit for me. It's definitely a must-try for you guys!

When it comes to delicious and affordable silog meals, Mama Leng's would probably on the top of the list. Their servings aren't that big, but that doesn't mean that their dishes aren't worth a try. The students around the area who flock the place are a testament to the yummy-ness of Mama Leng's food. It's enough reason for you to go to Manila and experience the hustle and bustle of the place. Mama Leng's is truly a food star of the U-Belt area.


















Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Mama Leng's has 5 branches: 1. Unit 7, University of the East Building, S.H. Loyola Street, Sampaloc, Manila (Just beside UE), 2. Gastambide Street, Sampaloc, Manila, 3. Caimito Road, Caloocan City (Near UE Caloocan and PNR Hospital), 4. M.H. Del Pilar Street, Caloocan City (Between 9th and 10th Avenue), and 5. Mc Arthur Highway, Valenzuela City (Near Our Lady of Fatima University).)

Binondo's Authentic Dimsum Place

Having a strong influence on us Filipinos, Chinese food simply cannot be denied. And once you are in a place called Binondo, there is no other way but to give in and enjoy the delicious food. That's what exactly what we did when we found a delicious food place along Benavidez street.

It's a small place, but it's not much of a hindrance to make people come and taste the delicious food of Wai Ying Fastfood in Binondo. You'll know that this place is kind of famous here, because people just keep flocking the place and there's no table that's left vacant. In fact, they have a stall nearby to cater to people who order take-outs, probably to reduce the people entering the dining area.

Upon entering you'll notice the roasted ducks hanging on the window. You'll also see stacks upon stacks of dimsum steamer baskets. The place itself is not at all neatly designed. It's just a simple food place, just like those food stalls you see at Quiapo. But when it comes to the food, we simply were just blown away. The food was good and very cheap. Plus, it's authentic Chinese cuisine. Tasting their food might just make you say the word 'delicious' in Chinese.

Anyways, here's what we ordered:

HK Lemon Tea, 50 php (cold), 45 php (hot)

Glutton Guy: This was my drink since I wanted something really cold because of the heat. I tried one of these when I was in Hongkong. You really have to crush the lemon with your spoon at the bottom of the glass to add some citrus and make it more delicious. It really tasted authentic, like the one I had at Hongkong. It was really good. Plus, it's cheap. I just wondered at first why it's more expensive than the hot version (probably because of the ice hahaha). It's really a good drink that's worth ordering at Wai Ying. : )

HK Milk Tea, 50 php (cold), 45 php (hot)

Glutton Girl: Before we even looked for a place to eat, I already told Glutton Guy that I was really craving for authentic Chinese milk tea. And I wasn't disappointed with Wai Ying's milk tea. It was very refreshing and very very delicious. There was a balanced taste of bitter and sweet. I really liked it. I'm sure you will, too. 

Siomai, 55 php

Glutton Guy: Yummy authentic Chinese siomai really did the trick for me. Dip it in soy sauce with chili sauce, and you have a delicious and mouthwatering siomai. It's very different from the siomai we usually buy at food stalls at malls. It's really authentic, and it's very delicious. What more can I say? hahahaha : )


Glutton Girl: I liked their siomai. It wasn't the same old siomai that I usually eat. There's something different about it that you simply just want to have more. And for 55 pesos, it's very cheap for me. It might not be as cheap as those versions we find at LRT/MRT stations or at stalls at food courts (probably because this is AUTHENTIC siomai), but it's way, way yummier than the siomai we find elsewhere. 

Steamed Spareribs, 50 php


Glutton Guy: Another delicious dimsum. It's perfectly cooked. The spareribs are soft. The flavor is unique and delicious. Dipping it in soy sauce will make it more delicious. Try it out and see what I mean. : )


Glutton Girl: Steamed Spareribs are just one of the best. They're good and I just can't get enough of them. The sauce is very good, plus the spareribs are not difficult to eat and chew. It's another Wai Ying best-seller for me.

Chicken Feet, 50 php


Glutton Guy: There's nothing not worth eating when it comes to Chinese food. And that includes chicken feet. Of course, our dimsum experience wouldn't be complete without the authentic chicken feet. And I have to say, the chicken feet was really good. It was soft, and the sauce is as delicious as the chicken feet. I know you're dimsum experience wouldn't be complete without it as well. So, you really have to try this one. : )


Glutton Girl: For me, their chicken feet was not the best. But, what I liked about it is, just what I have said earlier, is that it's authentic. I liked the way it was cooked. It's not too hard, so it's not difficult to eat. The sauce, like Glutton Guy said, is also delicious. But, like I said, I've tasted better versions of this. 

Hakaw, 60 php


Glutton Guy: One of the best dimsums I've tasted. I've never tasted hakaw this good. It's smaller than the ones I've tasted before. But, it's way, way tastier. It's very soft. Plus, it's served hot. Probably the best dimsum I've tasted at Wai Ying. : )

Glutton Girl: I agree with Glutton Guy on this. It is the best dimsum I've tasted at Wai Ying. The hakaw tasted the way I imagined it to taste like, plus more. I liked it more when I dipped it on soy sauce. It's really, really good. You guys just gotta try this yourselves to see what I mean.

Wai Ying Fastfood serves authentic Chinese dimsum at its best. You'll definitely not want to miss this in your Binondo experience. So, if by chance you stumble upon a place that is Binondo, try Wai Ying Fastfood. Their dimsum are simply to die for. Plus, they also have other Chinese dishes such as congee and noodles (mami). It's affordable, and it's authentic. You'll definitely want to put this in your itinerary on your first (or your next) Binondo trip.

Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Wai Ying Fastfood is located at 927 Benavidez street, Binondo, Manila. They have another branch in front of Hope Christian School. It's near Metropolitan Hospital.)

French Desserts...The Chinese Way

True, common Chinese desserts would include buchi, tikoy, moon cakes, and the lot. I do have to admit, they're really good, which is why a lot of Filipinos crave for these kinds of food. But, that doesn't mean the Chinese are limited to such desserts. Recently, we found an interesting food place that brings western desserts to a place where you would least expect it to be.

We were at Binondo, Manila when we found a little dessert place called Crepe de Chine. Although it's kind of hidden (the place is like at the lower ground level), you can't miss it because of their sign. Peering on their window we found the place intriguing, so we gave it a shot. True enough, the place is inetersting. It's kind of cozy and the people there gave comforting smiles. The place had regular wooden tables (nothing special about those). But, what really caught our attention were the place's tables with swings for chairs. It was really cute and we asked the waiter if we could sit there. We were actually fortunate to be given permission by the owner (we think she was the owner because the waiters took orders from her) to sit there because the area where the tables with swings are was decorated (There were balloons all over the floor and chairs with the words "I Love You" written on the balloons). The owner said that there was a proposal that's gonna happen, but it won't happen for about 2 hours after we arrived. So, we decided to eat and savor our food as fast as possible so as to give them enough time to clean our plates and prepare for the event.

Crepe de Chine's food were not expensive at all. You would think that they are, given the 'classy' name of the place. But, they actually are the opposite. The servings are also big, enough for a person to be full in no time. They also offer other dishes like pastas and salads.

Here's what we got:

Chocolate Milkshake, 90 php


Glutton Guy: What better way to mix chocolate and milk together than to make it into a wonderful and delicious shake! There were ice lumps on my shake, but it actually didn't matter because the milkshake is really good. In fact, I even think that the lumps were a plus for me. It was not too sweet (probably because of the ice) so it really worked. I actually wanted to have more. And I think you will too, after having one of these lovely shakes. : )

Lemonade Slurpe, 50 php


Glutton Girl: This is actually a great summer drink. It reminds me of having fun at the beach and drinking lots of this delicious Lemonade Slurpe. The lemonade had that sweet taste, yet it still had that citrus and tangy taste. The flavors were well-balanced, making it really good and also making it a good thirst quencher. I suggest you have a try on this one, Glutton fans.

CDC Party! Platter, 270 php


Glutton Guy: It wasn't joking when it said 'Party'. It's a lot, considering we were only two people. There were lots of fruits (peaches, mangoes, bananas), three scoops of ice cream (strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate), and lots of nuts and chocolate syrup. Every dessert that they have on the menu, it's all here in one big plate. You'll definitely feel satisfied after this, I'm sure. : )


Glutton Girl: What I'm after here are the 3 scoops of ice cream. I'm a big fan of ice cream, so this dessert really worked for me. I really think that it would work more without the crepe, though. Plus, It was too big for us, because I really had a full stomach before we even finished it. Good thing Glutton Guy had a big appetite (Sorry Glutton Guy hahaha).

Choc-o-Nuts, 165 php


Glutton Guy: Once again, I loved the chocolate syrup and the ice cream. I'm really not sure if the crepe worked for me. However, the crepe had that chocolate flavor, which kind of worked for me. I just felt that the crepe was a bit dry despite the ice cream and the syrup. The nuts was also an added plus. However, I think that there shouldn't be too much because it could be overpowering. : )


Glutton Girl: Like Glutton Guy, I also loved the ice cream. I'm just not sure about the nuts. I think it gives the dessert that crunch. But, I also agree with Glutton Guy that it shouldn't be too much. Overall, I think it's an okay dish for me.

It's not all the time that Binondo surprises you with something different, especially when it comes to food. True enough, Binondo is a mix of different cultures, where one can embrace the diversity of both the Chinese and the Filipino culture. Crepe de Chine is one of those testaments that Chinese aren't just limited to their culture, rather, they can also do more and explore to become competitive, not just in the culinary world, but in life in general.

Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Crepe de Chine is located at LG-2 World Trade Exchange Building, 215 Juan Luna street, Binondo, Manila. Facing Binondo church, just take the right side of Juan Luna street.)

Tao Yuan: Where Singapore meets the hungry Pinoy

When you think of Singapore, one of the things that come into mind is the good and comforting food. Well, you don't have to go all the way to Singapore just to taste delicious Singaporean cuisine. If it's good Singaporean and Chinese food you're looking for, why not try Tao Yuan Restaurant at Manila.

The place is kind of hard to find, because it's almost at the end of the road. It took us loads of walking before we reached the place, and by the time we reached the place, we really were hungry. We think you can get to the place though by riding a "padyak" or a taxi if you prefer a more comfortable vehicle. We just don't know how much it'll cost you since we just walked to get there (and boy were we tired).

When you get inside, you'll feel the formal-like ambiance since it really looks like a high-end Chinese restaurant.  And believe us when we say that you'll really feel out of place because everybody seems to know each and everyone inside. Some would stand from their tables and go to other tables to talk. There were some expensive food on the menu, but there also some dishes which are light on the wallet and big in servings. They offer free tea and peanuts, by the way. Wanna know what we tried? Well, here goes:

 (By the way, you might want to reconsider on ordering drinks since theirs cost 100php each. And that's just softdrinks hahahaha)
 
 

 Lak Sa, 328 php

Glutton Guy: I really liked Tao Yuan's version of the Lak Sa. It's taste is very authentic. You can taste the nice blend of the coconut milk and the spicy seafood flavoring which I really love. It was the exact taste as the original Singaporean Lak Sa. The thing that it lacked though was the seafoods. The one I ate before was full of seafood like cuttle fish, shrimp, and oyster. The Tao Yuan version lacked seafoods because there were only shrimp and squid balls. It was still good nevertheless. : )


Glutton Girl: At first I was afraid of this dish because I really had no idea what it was. When I tasted it though my thoughts about it completely changed. It was really really good. The spicy flavor of the soup was tolerable and the noodles were really firm. The shrimps and other ingredients that are in the soup were also good. It's one big bowl of comfort food for me. Overall, I think it's a Singaporean dish worth trying.

Hainanese Rice, 50 php

Glutton Guy: Personally, I don't think it's worth it. It was just like buttered rice. It doesn't have any distinct taste. So I think it would be better if you would just order regular/plain rice. : )

Glutton Girl: When I read other blogs about it saying that it's really good, I expected it to be a good one. However, there wasn't anything special about this rice. It was just like normal fried rice that I could make at our house. Add the fact that it costs 50 php, I'd say that I would go with Glutton Guy's suggestion of just ordering plain rice.

Hainanese Chicken, 445 php (Half)

Glutton Guy: I really liked this dish. What I really don't like about the usual Hainanese chicken is the gingery flavor. Tao Yuan's version was not too gingery, which is why I liked it. True enough, it's also another dish you've gotta try at Tao Yuan. : )

Glutton Girl: What I love about the dish is the tenderness of the chicken. The half chicken is actually good for 3-4 persons. The sauce was good and the just like what Glutton Guy said it wasn't too gingery. Plus, it was beautifully presented.

Beef Tenderloin with Special Sauce, 328 php

Glutton Guy: This was my favorite amongst all of the dishes we ordered. I really loved the sauce and the beef was very tender. Plus, the servings was big. I'd have to say, it's another must-try for you Glutton Guys out there. : )

Glutton Girl: I really loved this dish. It's also my favorite. No wonder that sauce is so special - it was really really good. The beef was very soft and perfectly cooked. It was like a better version of beef with broccoli, minus the broccoli. This is probably one of the dishes that I would order again upon my return at Tao Yuan.

Mango Dessert, FREE

Glutton Guy: I liked it very much. It's free, so I just appreciated the generous gesture. Anyways, the mango was really sweet. You can tell that it was juiced out from fresh mangoes. It was a really sweet end to a glorious feast. : )


Glutton Girl: Just when I thought that nothing is free anymore. And this is one delicious free dessert. The mangoes were sweet and were pureed evenly. There were no mango lumps, which was an added plus. The tapioca was soft and good as well, a perfect add-on to the dessert. One word to describe it? Lovely.

Don't forget that they also offer delicious Chinese food. They offer hot pots, dimsum, live seafood, and even shabu-shabu. There's a lot of dishes to choose from at Tao Yuan so you'll never run out of good things to try.  So next time, if you're up for some good Chinese or Singaporean food, why not give Tao Yuan a try? Bet you'll love it there. We did. : )




Rating: Buddhalicious!
(Tao Yuan Restaurant is located at General Malvar Street, corner A. Mabini Street, Malate, Manila. It's just near Pan Pacific Hotel and in front of a Korean store.)

Get MoMo-fied!!!

Sometimes, isn't it good to reward yourself with a nice, yummy, and comforting food? Wouldn't you want something delicious to make you feel at ease during your "stress times"? Wouldn't you want that food to have a great value for money, an affordable price that's heavy on the stomach at the same time?

When these thoughts come into your mind, why not give a food place like MoMo Cafe a shot. It's not your normal food place where you just eat and pay your bill. MoMo Cafe serves you sumptuous food that will make you feel good, keep you full, and make you come back and try their food again. And this is also not your "ordinary regular-serving platter" in an average Filipino restaurant, (We're talking American-sized servings here people!!!) which is why you'll really get your value for money here.

The place is very cozy with a nice atmosphere, the ambiance is close to that of a fine dining restaurant, and the staff is courteous and always ready to serve you with a smile. They offer a wide variety of dishes, from all-day big breakfast platters to scrumptious Italian pizzas and pastas. Whatever dish you choose, you'll never go wrong because every food they offer is delicious. Anyways, these are some of the "must-tries" at MoMo (These are also what we ordered hehehe):

MoMo's Own Frozen Iced Tea (Strawberry flavor), 85 php

Glutton Guy: This was the drink I ordered. I kind of admit, I usually don't order a strawberry-flavored drink. But when I asked the waiter, he said that this flavor is one of the best-seller drinks in their cafe. I ordered it and I really have to say, it does deserve the best-seller honor. It's not too sweet for an iced tea, which is good because it won't ruin your appetite with the food. Plus, it's served nicely, in a tall glass with a mint leaf on top. So, for 85php, I would totally recommend this one to you. : )

Lemon-Flavored Water, FREE

Glutton Guy: This is MoMo's version of  the other's "Service Water". It has a lemon flavor, probably because of the lemon slice they place in the big glass upon serving it to you. This is one-of-a-kind, as I have yet to see another resto that offers flavored service water. You probably won't notice that it's service water since the lemon flavor overpowered the "Chlorine" flavor of normal service water. : )
Glutton Girl:I didn't order any drink, but I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy my drink. The service water they served was actually good. It's very different, considering that the water has a lemon flavor. It was like lemonade, but it's free hahaha. It was also refreshing since it had that citrus taste, perfect for a warm day. I must say that even though it's free, you still have to try this  drink of theirs. You won't lose anything anyway.

The "Bestest" French Toast in Town, 195php

Glutton Guy: The dish speaks for itself; It really is the BESTEST. It's not just normal French toast. It has Nutella in it, which makes it better. (since I'm a choco-addict hahaha) In addition to the Nutella, half of the breads are wrapped in crispy bacon strips. To complete the dish, you'll also find banana slices, whipped cream on the side, Maple Syrup, and Fruit Compote (which is like a fruit cocktail-mango, watermelon, and pear slices). The bread is soft, and the fruit compote actually balances the dish. It's another must-try for you people out there. : )
Glutton Girl: It's like breakfast in America, or breakfast in a five-star hotel. This is the dish that satisfied my stomach. The bread is soft (I think that they used wheat bread, which is a plus for me since it's healthy) and delicious. The Nutella  and the bananas make the French Toast better, as it helps hype up the flavor of the toast. The added whipped cream and the syrup give the final touches the dish needs to upgrade its taste.

The Grand Slammer, 350php


Glutton Guy: Probably you wouldn't want to waste 350php on one dish alone. But believe me when I say that this is one dish that will surely satisfy you. It is relatively affordable because it's really jumbo in servings. I would recommend this dish for sharing since it really has a lot in one plate. The dish has crispy bacon, 2 sausages, 4 (yep, you got it right, 4 hahahaha) Pancakes, 2 eggs, Potato Smashers (mashed potatoes), and Fruit Compote. It comes with syrup and butter for the pancakes. After tasting the dish, I quickly understood why this usual breakfast dish is served all day. It is very very good. The bacon, the eggs, and the sausages are not greasy, and the potato smashers are simply to die for. Again, the fruit compote balances the whole dish. You'll definitely want to have a bite of this dish, whatever time of the day it may be. : )
Glutton Girl: Seriously, if you have this every breakfast, you'll gain weight in no time. This is because this dish is absolutely irresistible. What I love about this dish is that nothing in this plate overpowers the others. Everything is balanced with regards to flavor. The pancakes are fluffy and soft, and the susages, the eggs, and the bacon strips are cooked perfectly. It is also served perfectly (with a nice presentation and a nice big plate). It's another amazing dish from MoMo that you have to try.

After eating all of these, only one thing was left - a full and satisfied stomach. MoMo's food was simply one of the best. Surely, it will make us come back to try their delicious food one, two, three, or even 10 more times. Why not try it out for yourselves? I can tell you that you won't be disappointed with what they have to offer. Why? Because it definitely is MoMolicious!!!



Rating: Buddhalicious!
(MoMo's Cafe has 2 branches. One is located at Midtown-Robinsons Place Manila-near Italiannis and Friday's. The other is located at Eastwood Mall-you can't miss this since it's just at the entrance before you enter the mall.)