Weekend Food Trip: Why I Should Make Time to Dine in at ZHU Kitchen

First things first, this maybe a beauty blog but I still like to post about food!  You know why?  Because food plays a very important role in our family!  Growing up, we never go to restaurants as my mom (a superstar housewife) wants to save up every single centavo for our education, allowances, home-cooked meals, gas, etc...dining in a restaurant would only mean one thing, a MAJOR celebration!  So it was until my eldest brother graduated from college and started his first work were we able to eat Jollibee, McDonalds then as soon as all of us finished our studies, we graduated to fine dining restaurants.  

Until this very day, eating means spending quality time with the family, we celebrate life's triumph with a simple take-out meals or just a simple phone call to meet up in a particular favorite restaurant just to celebrate.  Mind you, it doesn't have to be an expensive fine-dining restaurant.

And I carried that "habit" until this very day!  After every makeup gig, after every makeup workshop, an event I attended, or whenever I'm outside, you'll see me bidding goodbye to my friends telling them: "May dadaanan lang akong restaurant, take out for the family!" (I need to stop someplace for food takeout.)  I do that even to my extended family!  I guess, I show my love really through food, because I love food so much I expect all my loved ones to be the same! *harharhar*

That's where blogging about food comes in (seriously, nobody asked pero feel ko lang magkwento!  lol).  Whenever I visit my parents during weekend, Keith and I would either invite them to dine out, or at times, when we just want to relax and stay at their place, we would go for take out meals!  For someone who does this every so often, you'll end up worrying which restaurant to go to every weekend!  

Since we live at Manila area, we frequent Banawe area and finally decided to visit the Z-Square Mall!  Of course, Lucky Rainbow restaurant will always be a top choice but I highly suggest to go their for dine in!  I took a peek at their ground floor and saw the restaurant Zhu Kitchen.  Why not?  We haven't tried anything from there! 

It is a habit for Mr. AMW, Baby AMW and I to have a bit of dimsum snack while waiting for our orders!  And what's the best way to know if a restaurant is good or not?  Order their Siomai!  

Pork Siomai

Php90.00 (approx $2.00)

Passed!  Definitely passed our pick taste with it comes to Siomai!  I used to dislike Siomai and there are only a few restaurants I enjoy Pork Siomai, and Zhu Restaurant is definitely included! 

Deep Fried Seafood X.O. Radish Cake

Php168.00 (approx $4.00)

Okay, the name of this radish cake is so "chic", I like calling Radish Cake just plain 'ol Radish Cake but there's actually a reason why they named it Deep Fried Seafood X.O., it comes with X.O sauce and it is definitely more flavorful than most radish cakes I've tried.  The only thing is, I didn't seem to feel the texture of any seafood!  The texture of their radish cake is smooth all the way!

BBQ Asado Baked Rice

Php220.00 (approx $5.20)

The Asado is soft and succulent (praise the Lord!)  and though it was a takeout, it was really flavorful and doesn't have a lot of fat on it! 

Beef Brisket Rice Topping

Php185.00 (approx $4.40)

Okay, I seldom order beef brisket as they are usually dry, difficult to chew and expensive!  As for Zhu's version, my brother actually loved this order so much he literally devoured this in less than 5 minutes!

Taosi Fish Fillet Rice Topping

Php185.00 (approx $4.40)

 Thankful with the good amount of fish fillet and sauce!  My mom and dad are both the ultimate Sweet n' Sour Fish Fillet and Taosi Fish Fillet masters so they know what's good and what's not!  I got their seal of approval when I saw them had their first bite!

 
Overall, the staffs at Zhu Kitchen are friendly and professional, the restaurant itself isn't that big so you have to make sure to visit early if you plan to dine in their with a big group!  As for parking, you get free parking in front of the Z-Square mall. 

The food, even after several hours tastes really good!  That's why we've decided to go back and this time, dine in the restaurant to better appreciate the food as they are freshly cooked!

Zhu Kitchen
G/F Z-Square Mall, Banawe Ave. 
cor. Del Monte Ave., Banawe, Quezon City, Metro Manila

What's your favorite Chinese restaurant and dish?
Any other restaurant recommendation for this food-lover?

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