Kenji Tei, Lucky Chinatown

Whenever I'm tired, I always request for Ramen Dish, Ramen is my comfort food, it hugs my soul and it gives me that soothing sensation.  

Yes, Ramen gives me that :P

So after a full day of work and down with cough and colds, I invited my family to join me at Kenji Tei, Lucky Chinatown Branch.  Mr. AMW and I were discussing on whether we tried this restaurant before or not.  Thank God for AMW posts, I was able to track back our first Kenji Tei experience which was at Greenbelt branch year 2012.

So obviously, I forgot how their food tastes like but I don't mind dining again because I was craving for Ramen and there are only a few Japanese Restaurants at Lucky Chinatown.

Chashu Miso Ramen

Php375.00

I still have my heart on another ramen brand but this one isn't bad!  The broth is extremely flavorful (not really thick but just right) and the noodles is al dente.  I love the Chashu because it has the perfect amount of lean meat and fat making it extremely tender.

Chun Yuen Restaurant LCM

So, most weekends, we spend time with both families (My family and Mr. AMW's family) and we always bond over food!  That's how we are!  Because people will always be in a better mood telling good stories while eating!  #ThatsWhyIDontLoseWeight

So one of the newly opened restaurant at Lucky Chinatown Mall that caught my attention was called Chun Yuen Restaurant, because we tried almost ALL the restaurants there, we welcome new restaurants anytime of the day!

Xiao Long Bao

Php188.00

Not bad for the price.  It is "soupy" inside and the Xiao Long Bao skin is just right you don't break it while handling with chopsticks.

Meat Wonton with Special Sauce

Just like regular Wonton bathed in soy sauce and sesame seeds!  Not bad, I actually like it!

Weekend Food Trip at: Pho Hoa Lucky Chinatown

We usually spend family time at Lucky Chinatown because aside from it being the nearest mall to us, it is a place where my son can actually have fun!

There's Kidzoona, Kyle's Barber Shop is also there, there's also a Toy Kingdom and an open area where he can walk around as he enjoys the view of colorful lanterns.

That said, we've tried almost ALL the restaurants in the mall and we actually have a favorite!

Pho Hoa is right across Toy Kingdom and we actually saw how crowded the restaurant is every weekend!  We've tried Pho Hoa restaurants in other branches so many times but this particular one is our ultimate favorite.

2 Reasons ---

• The food really tastes better in this branch.
• The servers are very attentive and helpful!  We have a favorite guy server who is super smiling all the time whenever he assists us, will have to get his name and update it here!

And we may order different dishes but we have our staples.

Vermicelli Bowl

Grilled Chicken, Veggies and Fried Rolls 

Large Bowl for php350.00

It comes with a good serving of their super yummy vinegar sauce!  We also love Pho Hoa's version of Fried Rolls we always order extra servings separately.

Pho Nam Bo Vien

Large Php315.00

Meatballs Pho

Very flavorful soup base and yummy noodles!

Nadai Fujisoba Lucky Chinatown

We have been to LCM for so many times we almost worry about where to eat!  I mean, yes, there are so many restaurants out there but not EVERY restaurant has HIGH CHAIR!

Once we were craving for Japanese food and we passed by a restaurant called Nadai Fujisoba, the restaurant isn't big but it has our requirements --- high chair and cute interiors!

Now let's talk about the food, it was a super busy and ngarag day so we weren't able to take photos of "Each" dish!  But here's the overview!

What we ordered ---

Katsudon, Ebi Tendon and Aja Fuji Soba

Weekend Food Trip at: Tao Yuan Lucky Chinatown Mall

We go to Lucky Chinatown Mall ALMOST every weekend so it is a challenge for us to pick a restaurant for dinner!  "Where to eat again?"  is the multi-million peso question.

After having to carry my Toddler who is too lazy to walk for hours, I've decided to go to the nearest restaurant which was Tao Yuan Restaurant.  The restaurant is always packed!  So I assume the food must be great!

Well, assumption was right!  Food indeed was WONDERFUL but the service isn't :( (unfortunately)  Nothing too big of a fuss but definitely, the service is slow and we good thing we checked our bill because they billed us wrongly!   

Again, nothing alarming, you just have to make sure you are not extremely hungry when you see the "packed" restaurant and always check your bill (no matter what restaurant you go to!)

Now on to the more positive side, the food!  The food was indeed AMAZING!  One of the best Chinese Restaurants in the Metro!

Beef Tenderloin

Php498.00

One of the most tender beef tenderloin I've tried.  Very soft and almost melts into your mouth on every bite!  Even Kyle approves of this dish!

Happy Birthday Noodles

Php428.00

Okay, I wasn't expecting my Birthday Noodles to look like this!  The Tao Yuan version has more sauce and seafood than noodles itself!  The serving isn't as big as I expected but nevertheless, I am fulfilled with all the fresh ingredients used.

Weekend Food Trip at: King Chef LCM

I "blogged" about the Grand Launch of King Chef Fine Dining 5 years ago.  From then on, I can't count the times we returned the restaurant!  And since we're always "weekly" at LCM (Lucky Chinatown), I find myself bringing the whole family there!  Not only do they serve good food, the ambience is perfect for a family with toddler!  (Kyle can shout on top of his lungs and no one would mind!) :P

And because I've dined in this restaurant so many times (My parents' anniversary dinner was also held here), I've decided to create a post for First-Time King Chef customers on what to order on your first visit!  

Keep in mind that this is based on my personal opinion!  King Chef serves variety of dishes and these 4 are on my top list!

Seafood with Spinach Soup

Small Php280.00

Why spinach?  Well, I've tried a lot of spinach soup from various restaurants and this has got to be the best I've tried so far!  Even our Househelp who dislikes the color and dislikes Spinach went for second serving!  A good amount of chopped shrimps and spinach bits that doesn't have the "leafy" taste, this deserve 2 thumbs up!

Barbecued Asado

Approx Php200.00

Barbecued Asado are available in ALL Chinese restaurants.  One of the best I've tried is from TOHO (Ongpin) but this definitely deserves an "order" from you!  The pork isn't dry, though you don't see a lot of sauce there, each bite is very tender and juicy!  And let's not go into the taste, it definitely has this smoked barbecue taste!

Weekend Food Trip at: Mary Grace

Christmas Day may be over but that doesn't stop me to eat!  hehehe 

So my sister-in-law is in Japan, my in-laws are both in Baguio, so we spent the short holiday delivery gifts to our family and friends at the same time, spend quality time in malls and restaurants!  Well, not really MALL in general but mostly toy stores, supermarket and restaurants (and say REPEAT!)  

I had a quick get-together with good friend Andrea, instead of going home, the family went to Lucky Chinatown to have dinner together at the same time, shop for stables because we need to replenish our kitchen!  We were so scared to go out during the Christmas Rush so we were left with canned goods back home.

The Beauty Rush with Etude House, Tony Moly and Leaders Insolution

How does it feel like to attend a Beauty Rush event (a.k.a. Amazing Race minus the running?)

Well, count me in!  And what makes me even happier?  To attend an event at Lucky Chinatown Mall!

Firstly, the mall is one of my favorite because you get everything there -- food, toys, clothes, tech products etc...

And secondly, the mall is 20 minutes away (with Moderate traffic)!

That's why I had a huge grin there with my partners #TeamTiara

I was invited by the good folks from AGC and the hosts Marj Sia and Nicole Romero.  The fun Beauty Rush started at Yoree Korean  BBQ Dining for lunch but as much as I LOVE Korean Food and wouldn't want to miss this!  I declined because Lucky Chinatown is so near to me and I had to look after my son in the morning so yeah, tummy aside --- son first!  Heard from the girls how yummy the food were!  Ugh...next time!

Weekend Food Trip at: Shilin, Lucky Chinatown

Hi AMW Friends!
How are you?  I had a busy weekend and today will be a bit more relaxed!  I will stay home today to bond with Kyle before my week starts again!  And next week will be crazy!

So anyway, I recently did take away for Shilin restaurant from Podium when I had a haircut at Hairshaft!  And that was last year!  When we talked to our friends about how we feel about Shilin (yes we do talk about food! lol!)  They told us we weren't ordering the right "Shilin food" to experience the Shilin way of eating! 

So off we went to Lucky Chinatown's branch to try Shilin, this time, dine in! 

And as always, there should always be Shilin Xiao Long Bao, because I have to admit, they are really good!

Shilin Xiao Long Bao

Original 6pcs

Php165.00 

You may try the black truffle version, but I'm happy with this original!