Botan Bubble Tea and Cafe, one of the newest, most original milk tea stores in town opened their doors recently to foodies like us. Botan coming from the Chinese name "Mu-Tan" which is a flower name, came into business with one thing in mind, to serve the best and most authentic Taiwan Milk tea and snacks!
Opening their first ever branch in Makati City, Botan Bubble Tea and Cafe promises only the best, and perfection is not just a word for them, it's a pledge.
My cousin heard from a friend that there was a place in Retiro, Quezon City, serving "Taiwan's famous stinky tofu臭豆腐" And so we finally got a chance to visit the place, and without second thoughts, we hop on to ride through that rainy night, and finally we're here, Kao-Chi Restaurant.
From the outside, it looks like any ordinary Chinese restaurant, with Chinese neon signs, brightly lit to lure customers in, but when you take your first steps in.. you're like transported to another place.
The interiors are adorned nicely with antiques from the Chinese dynasties, but of course with a little twist of modern pieces such as the picture on the right, where the ring of the supposed wall lion head design is lighted to a bright gold.
The seats and tables are all patterned to a bright red setting, making it feel majestic and yes royalty. And so let's end the small talk and get to business.
I always pass by Banawe Street in Quezon City, since I work near the place but never really had the chance to visit this place til now. The reason? When I get there during lunch time, it is always jam packed, and when I come at night for some snacking, I never get to the place on time, as they close quite early at 9 PM, such a waste though cause they really have something good in-store.
Our first dish of the evening, Stewed Tofu dipped in special soy sauce P60, it looks fresh with all the leeks and "yen suy" that my FIL totally loves. I cannot comment on the tofu since I don't eat Tofu (surprise!!) but it was gone in a flash, its either they are really hungry or the dish is really good.
Next dish on the list, Beef kenchi noodles P120, the soup base was very good as it reminded me a lot of the ones I had in Taiwan on my last visit, very strong beefy taste, surely the soup was simmered for quite some time as you can sip the lean beef taste that I really love. Match it with the thick udon-like noodles and the soft and tender beef kenchi, definitely a winner.
The most anticipated part of the meal, the famous Fu Chi Steam Dumplings 15 pcs. for P90. This has got to be one of the best deals in town, well for me at least, you don't get that much dumplings in other places, trust me I have been through a lot of them. So I guess this is the main selling point for Fu Chi. Every table seems to have an order of this. And I would agree definitely, one of the best dumpling places in town, and one on my top ten list. They are available in pork with vegetable, and shrimp with vegetable. Don't ask how it tastes, the number of their loyal customers speaks for them.
Don't forget to dip the dumplings in their special soy sauce, heavenly indeed
Lastly, I had to order this, Fried chicken set for P120, a complete meal with rice, chicken, side dish and other veggies specially made by the owner Taiwan-style. The chicken was fried with their secret breading, I guess ingredients would be from Taiwan, smells good and very tasty, crispy and hot. That's how I love my chicken to be.
Take time to visit and take a bite here at Fu Chi Dumpling, you would certainly come back for more. Guaranteed!!
Ersao (二嫂) has been in the country for a couple of years, they started as a small food shop nestled along Banawe St. in Quezon City, serving a variety of fresh fruit shakes and the ever so crispy and yummy Spicy Chicken and Spicy Pork which I totally love.
Through the years they have since expanded to the new and improved Ersao food chain, opening branches in different parts of the metro and invading our local malls one by one. They are sure making waves to the general public. They have recently opened a new branch along E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave. near corner Banawe St., Quezon City.
Once I saw this I could not resist myself not to dine in at that moment, and so there I was tempted by my hunger and cravings.
My appetizer - 10 pcs. yummy steamed dumplings (P75)
coupled with dumpling sauce perfect pre-meal indulgence
my friend ordered the pork steak rice, crispy fried to the taste
P75 ala carte
P120 with a fruit shake
my fancy - Meat ball noodles
P 85 ala carte
P 130 with a fruit shake
my favorite Ersao fresh fruit shake - Watermelon (P45.00)
It was a very fulfilling meal indeed. Their menu lineup just keeps getting better and better, giving us more of the taste of Taiwan, with prices easy on the budget.
Before I left, I did take out and what you may wonder, of course the classic Spicy Chicken (P45.00)
Can't wait to try the other combos on offer. Definitely a treat for all ages. See you here sometime soon.
