We have no celebrations aside from the fact that it is Sunday, typically our designated family day for dining out. We prioritize quality time together at least once a week as the other days are mainly dedicated to work. We chose to have dinner at our favorite restaurant, Lugang Cafe Megamall. One benefit is that all family members have similar tastes and favorite dishes, making it easier for us to agree on our orders. A Sunday family day out provides an excellent opportunity for fun and good food.
Lugang Cafe is a restaurant that specializes in Taiwanese and Chinese cuisine welcomes you to savor the rich flavors and vibrant dishes that truly embody the essence of Taiwanese dining. Compared to traditional Chinese restaurants, the interiors are impressive. It’s well-lit, stylish, and modern. It is also designed to cater to various dining preferences. In addition to these delightful dishes, extensive menu filled with a range of culinary delights. I particularly value their commitment to avoiding the use of chemical additives. We have dined here multiple times and each time we’ve come, it has been consistently crowded. There was never a time that we went here that it wasn’t full and we always waited until they called our names from the front desk. A little patience is required but it’s definitely worth it because nearly all of our favorites hit the spot and satisfy our cravings.
I captured this beautiful image of the first five dishes we ordered. Some items have been previously enjoyed, which is why we often reorder them. However, we are also keen to try new dishes that we have not yet sampled, prompting us to order the new offerings.
Seafood Spinach Soup
We started our dining experience with the Spinach Seafood soup, however, I found it to be somewhat too strong for my taste. The taste of the spinach was rather intense, and its color appeared as a very deep green. The flavor did not appeal to me, as I could distinctly detect the scent of spinach. Nevertheless, I chose to attempt it because it was the initial dish presented at the table. We are trying this soup for the first time; usually, we choose hot and sour soup, which is certainly very enjoyable, we have chosen to attempt this on this occasion!
Wasabi Mayo Prawns
The prawns with wasabi mayo are incredibly tasty, the broccoli and shrimp were prepared just right. The prawns were crunchy on the outside but still soft and tender within. I truly enjoy this way of presenting the dish, it is lovely and enhances the flavor wonderfully. It offers a nice balance to the richness.
Roasted Meat Combination
A classic Chinese cold dish that brings together meat and seafood in one serving. These cold dishes are crafted to be both delicious and refreshing, just like this one. While cold dishes are prevalent in Chinese cuisine, especially as part of a multi-course meal, they typically include Century egg slices, roast pork slices, seaweed, and pork asado. This is a fantastic combination that creates a complete meal on a single plate.
Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao
Xiao Long Bao is the family’s favorite and the star of the table. We’re all obsessed with this dish. It is truly exceptional. I can’t remember a single occasion when we didn’t get it while dining here, it’s always present on the table and one basket never satisfies us.
Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao
The Xiao Long Bao flavors are available in 3-piece, 5-piece baskets and 8-piece baskets exclusively for dine-in.
How to Properly Eat Xiao Long Bao
To enjoy Xiao Long Bao take a dumpling, create a small hole to release the steaming broth, and take a sip. I enjoyed the next bite of the dumpling, enhancing its taste by dipping it into a ginger and vinegar sauce which is essential for dipping. I really appreciate the finely chopped ginger, it offsets the richness of the aromatic flavor making it so delicious. I love it!
Beijing Shredded Pork with Chinese Pancake
A classic dish that is featured in nearly every upscale restaurant. It consists of tender strips of pork tenderloin sautéed in a savory sauce, set atop a bed of steamed leafy greens. This dish is served with a delicate Chinese pancake, reminiscent of a Mexican tortilla.
How to Wrap Shredded Pork with Chinese Pancake
On a Chinese pancake, place a thin strip of shredded pork and then the spring onion stalk. Hold one end of the tortilla and fold it halfway. To ensure adequate enclosing, fold both borders and roll it again.
Chicken Topped with Scallion and Ginger Oil
A tempting selection of Taiwanese dishes includes a delicious white chicken topped with ginger oil and scallions give a zesty kick, boosting the dish’s tastiness, and they add a classy and tasty finishing touch. This meal regularly features in our orders, I was thrilled with the taste and the reasonable cost, although the portion size is inadequate for us. Thankfully, we have other dishes to enhance our dining experience.
Beef Tenderloin with Crispy Garlic
This is also my family’s favorite. They love the tender, succulent beef tenderloin paired with crispy garlic, which is sure to melt in your mouth and awaken your taste buds.
Oyster Omelette with Sweet and spicy Sauce
I thoroughly appreciated the distinct flavor and delightful taste, the presence of bean sprouts elevates the overall experience even though the oyster included is relatively small. You can easily identify it when you cut into the oyster cake. Regardless, it’s still quite enjoyable.
Lugang Birthday Noodles
Birthday noodles are merely acceptable to me. This dish is typically included in our orders, particularly when a family member is celebrating a birthday, and it is essential for everyone to partake due to the belief in long life.
Honey Garlic Squid
The Honey Garlic Squid is just average but other family members claim it is somewhat tart and has small portions. Because the amount wasn’t enough for my family, I hope they add more.
Golden Fried Rice with Egg and Shreaded Pork
It is tasty and aroma is very good. I’m satisfied with this kind of fried rice. I don’t eat much fried rice, I was trying to limit intakes especially at night but sometimes. I really can’t control my cravings to satisfy my senses..
I added this item; it was meticulously and elegantly crafted. What a lovely floral design created with carrots, a stunning addition to embellish a prepared dish.
Cranberry Juice with Mango
The juice is incredibly refreshing, making it a perfect drink for various occasions. It was so delightful that I will definitely order it repeatedly.
Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie
I personally think it’s a healthy option; it has a sweet flavor and is a frozen delight made with strawberry and yogurt. It’s large enough to serve the whole family. This cold dessert is perfect for sharing with everyone and makes a great ending to a meal. Desserts can provide unexpected advantages that go beyond simply being a delicious treat.
Taro Dessert
A perfect Dessert for the evening.
Thanks to excellent food preparation, Lugang Cafe remains the top Taiwanese restaurant in Manila. When there are numerous patrons, you may experience a wait however, it is advisable to make a reservation in advance. The items on the menu are what truly define a successful business.
The main issue arises when the restaurant is at full capacity and operates on a first come, first served basis. Occasionally, you may find yourself waiting for your turn, resulting in a bit of a delay. Additionally, they serve the dishes sequentially; while it’s acceptable for appetizers and soup to be served first, we prefer other orders to arrive simultaneously. The experience of enjoying the meal is enhanced when everything is served together. A delay often occurs due to a high volume of customers, making it challenging for the servers to handle.
While it’s not a significant problem that any restaurant might face, Lugang Cafe. it remains one of the best!
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog! Goodnight Fellas!