Tim Ho Wan Opens in Cebu
Today is March 25, 2017, and if you are a Cebuano foodie then the most important event today would be the opening of Tim Ho Wan at the Upper Ground Level, Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City Cebu. It is the restaurant's 7th branch in the Philippines and the first ever outside Metro Manila. Cebuanos can now enjoy the famous Baked Bun with BBQ Pork that helped Tim Ho Wan (Mongkok, Hong Kong) earn the coveted star in the 2010 HK and Macau Michelin Guide.
What to expect at Tim Ho Wan Cebu
They call it an affordable luxury because Tim Ho Wan is considered to be "the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant in the world". Tim Ho Wan means "additional good luck" in Cantonese. The restaurant's brand philosophy is anchored on dim sum perfection in every detail. So, you can expect dim sum dishes at its best in terms of taste, quality, and value.
The mother company is so strict with their recipes that this branch has 2 Hong Kong chefs leading the kitchen. Most of their carefully selected ingredients are imported. They make sure that every order must pass Tim Ho Wan's high standards.
Must-Try Dishes at Tim Ho Wan Cebu
If you look at their menu, there are some many items that you will probably want to eat. You can never go wrong with any one of them but let us start with their specialties that they call the Four Heavenly Kings:
Baked Bun with BBQ Pork
For Cebuanos, we might associate this famous dish with meat roll. It is a baked bread bun with a succulent sweet-salty BBQ Pork filling. Their filling is very yummy and moist. The baked bun can beat any siopao or meat roll out there. It is sold at 145 pesos for an order of 3 pieces. The Baked Bun with BBQ Pork is one phenomenal dish. This is definitely the type of dish that can build a restaurant empire.
Beancurd Skin with Pork and Shrimp
This one looks like a soggy version of spring roll or lumpia shanghai but once you taste it, you will realize this is a more flavorful version of lumpia. I really enjoyed eating this and I think I finished at least 3 pieces during the press launch. This is an instant favorite for me aside from the baked buns.
Pan Fried Radish Cake
This one is a popular dish in dim sum restaurants and Tim Ho Wan Cebu has one solid version of this.
Steamed Egg Cake
This is like a brown colored mamon that is easy and enjoyable to eat.
The restaurant has around 30 other dishes and they have no dish that is priced above 200 pesos which make Tim Ho Wan very competitive with local Chinese and dim sum establishments. Here are some of the other dishes that I tried.
The restaurant has around 30 other dishes and they have no dish that is priced above 200 pesos which make Tim Ho Wan very competitive with local Chinese and dim sum establishments. Here are some of the other dishes that I tried.
Pork Dumpling with Shrimp
Their siomai is packed and meaty. It will probably do a #siomaiwar involving this against the siomai of local dim sum places.
Prawn Dumpling
The hakao is well-made. The skin does not break off easily when using a chopstick and it does stick to the bottom of the serving dish which normally happens in other dim sum places. Probably the best prawn dumplings that I have ever encountered.
Wasabi Salad and Prawn Dumpling
Interesting flavors and I loved it. I could munch on these any time of the day.
Vermicelli Roll with Shrimp
It is like a bigger version of the hakao. You can also have a vermicelli roll with BBQ Pork and with Sweet and Sesame Sauce.
Braised Soup HK Style with Shredded Chicken and Mushroom
I would say this is a feel good soup. This is the soup that I would sip if I feel under the weather. Pretty refreshing and if you add enough black vinegar it will surely wake up your palate. This is a good soup to start a meal here.
Rice with Chicken, Sausage, and Mushroom
This is a good rice topping dish. It would not beat the steamed rice that Cebuanos are used to but the rice topping line-up at Tim Ho Wan will surely give you filling a lunch option especially when you order a dim sum specialty with it.
Glutinous Rice with Lotus Leaves
This is locally known as Machang and this is the heaviest among their items. I normally cannot finish one serving of this and this is good to share. I think they use their signature BBQ Pork as filling with some mushrooms. The lotus leaf gives this dish a unique aroma. I like it but I do not usually order this one because it makes me full very easily.
Kalami Cebu Verdict
Definitely, the meal was a two thumbs up for me. I will be back to taste their other dishes. I will also try to go back this week (March 25-31, 2017) because I want to avail of their opening promo where you get free Baked Buns with BBQ Pork with a minimum purchase of 500 pesos. This reward is only for the first 100 guests daily. See yah at the lines!!!!
Have you tried Tim Ho Wan Cebu? If yes, hit me up with a comment and tell us what you think about this newly opened Chinese restaurant in Cebu.
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