Chung Kee Dessert is to Hong Kong, Caveman and Yeti is to Philippines

When it comes to Hong Kong dessert places, I used to know of only 許留山 Hui Lau Shan and 滿記甜品 Honeymoon Dessert.

But during my 3-months stint, we discovered and frequented the Causeway Bay branch of Chung Kee Dessert.

image taken from the official site

Although they offer different hot and cold desserts, my favorite will have to be their mango pudding, their shaved ice offering comes in second.  Here, you have a choice of which flavor of shaved ice you want plus 2 kinds of toppings plus your flavor of choice for the syrup for around 28HKD (good for sharing).  [I prefer their mango shaved ice over the chocolate with magic pearls (similar to tapioca except that it pops inside one's mouth) as one of the toppings. *yum*]

photo courtesy of emma n.

Apparently, Caveman and Yeti has brought the shaved flavored ice concept here in Manila, too.

image taken from here

Comparatively, Caveman and Yeti has more toppings to offer mainly because the store, unlike Chung Kee Dessert, is all about shaved ice although they also offer sesame mochi buns which are fried mochi.

Earlier today I ordered their strawberry heart (vanilla shaved ice with strawberry syrup) and a mochi bun. And boy, am I glad to have a place that can fill that void whenever I miss Chung Kee.

Where to find them:
Chung Kee Dessert 松記糖水 
G/F, G4-G5 Wing Tak Building, 15 Canal Road West, 
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
 銅鑼灣堅拿道西15號永德大廈地下G4-G5號地下
(+852)3480 7222

Caveman and Yeti 
3rd Level Main Mall, SM City North EDSA 
North Avenue corner EDSA 
Quezon City, Philippines

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Ferrero Rondoir

My sister didn't do much shopping for apparel last time she went to Taiwan. She brought home lots of food though... including this.

For someone who doesn't like nuts in their chocolates, I favor this one 100 times more than the original Ferrero Rocher.

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Food in Singapore

Since Rai has been writing our day-to-day entries for our Singapore trip last July. I will make this small contribution of showing the few food shots we had.

1. McDo Double Wasabi Fillet-o-Fish Meal, includes Seaweed Shaker Fries and Jasmine Green Tea - I know that one would not normally check first what McDonald's has to offer when you get to go to another country. But we do. *LOL* We were particular to this meal because it offered what we liked: wasabi, seaweed and green tea. :)




2. Flavored Yakult - We were surprised to see Green Mango, Orange, and Grape flavored Yakults in Singapore. We were able to take a picture of this in the supermarket but wasn't able to grab even a pack to taste :p


3. Movenpick Crepe - We were treated of this yummy dessert when we met up with Rai's former colleagues at Marche in Vivo City.


4. Hainanese Chicken Rice - Rai's mother, brother and sister ordered this award-winning dish from Chatterbox at Meritus Mandarin Hotel where we had dinner on our 3rd day.


5. Seafood Laksa - a seafood spicy noodle dish that Rai ordered in Chatterbox (and a good choice at that).


6. Bak Kut Teh - My cough was really acting up that time we were in Chatterbox that's why I decided to order this soup that has meaty pork ribs and a few spices. It kinda reminded me of what my mom sometimes prepares for us: native chicken in four-herb soup. :)


7. Sushi Platter - Mon and Che, being the most gracious host I know brought us and treated us to this Japanese Resto in Vivo City, named Akashi.


8. Chicken Terriyaki - We liked that the Akashi meals came with generous helping of side dishes (i.e. there was miso soup and a couple of slices of watermelon as you can see).


9. Tempura and Rice with Salmon Toppings (I'm not so sure if this is the right name of the dish and I can't recall what the greens here were) - If they look deliciously good, it's because they are deliciously good.



Wondering if these are all? Yes, these are all we have. We weren't really able to experience authentic Singaporean food at that time much to our dismay. Maybe next time... :)

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Food in Hong Kong: Desserts

One thing I absolutely miss in Hong Kong is the food. Here are but a few of the sweet treats we've had and enjoyed over the last 2 years (in no particular order).

1. Double Chocolate Cake


Where we had it:
Ruby Tuesday
Taikoo Shing
Shop 505, 5/F, City Plaza
Website: http://www.rubytuesday.com.hk/

2. Assorted Mini Cakes


Where we had it:
Maxim's Cakes
Shop 8, G/F
Siu Sai Wan Shopping Centre
Chai Wan

3. Mango Pudding and Fruit Drinks


Mango pudding with Glutinous Balls, Mango with Fruits, Mango Drink with Aloe Jelly, Mango Drink with Tapioca and Rice Balls
Where we had it:
Hui Lau Shan
(numerous locations throughout Hong Kong)
Website (in Chinese): http://www.hkhls.com/

4. Strawberry Sundae


Where we had it:
McDonald's

5. Chocolate Mochi Ice Cream


Where we bought it:
7-11 and Circle K

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Tomas Morato Food Trip

I've heard about Tomas Morato as one place in Quezon City teeming with restaurants but haven't had the chance to explore this part of the city. Such a shame considering I've been living in Q.C. for some time now.

I thought that I have to try at least one good restaurant from that area. I decided I'd make it happen last March when I post-celebrated my birthday with my closest friends at work. :)

First Stop: Banapple

What we ordered:

Banoffee Pie and Apple Caramel Crumble Pie (not pictured). These two happen to be their most recommended and from which the name of the place was derived. Their banoffee pie has slices of sweet bananas with rich caramel that holds them together, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, and has graham cracker base. Their apple caramel crumble has streusel crumb toppings and a hint of cinnamon flavor. I'm not a fan of both bananas and apples on cakes (just because I will always prefer chocolate cakes over any other) but if I were to choose between these two, I'd say I liked the banoffee pie better for overall taste.

Where to find it:
Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes
2nd Level, Il Terrazzo Mall
35 Tomas Morato cor. Scout Madriñan
Quezon, Metro Manila
(02) 413 2675
Website: http://www.banapplekitchen.com/Banapple.html

Second Stop: Omakase

What we ordered:

Uni Sashimi (as seen on the picture with the menu) - or sea urchin sashimi, which is me and Rai's favorite although I know some people is turned off because of it's slimy texture and creamy consistency. Jurassic Maki - has kani (crab meat), ebiko (fish roe), salmon skin, inside out unagi(eel) and is served with their own special dip/sauce. Dynamite Roll (no photo) - made with delicious unagi (eel) and spicy scallops also served with sauce. Aspara Beef Roll (no photo) - thin slices of beef wrap strips of asparagus in teriyaki sauce. Seafood Dumpling - deep fried assorted seafoods wrapped in nori, a complimentary dish because Ken happen to know someone from the resto. As a Japanese food lover, I am not being biased when I recommend everything we ate because I tell you, any diner will get his or her penny's worth.

Where to find it:
Omakase
Upper Ground Level, Il Terrazzo Mall,
35 Tomas Morato cor. Scout Madriñan
Quezon City, Metro Manila
(02) 332-4115

Last Stop: Kozui

What we ordered:

Green Tea Cheesecake, Takoyaki (tako or octopus balls stuffed with chunks of ika or squid, ebi or shrimp and negi or Asian leek, topped with Japanese mayonnaise and sprinkled with fine strips of nori wrapper and paper-like bonito flakes) and Anmitsu (with mango and green tea ice cream). Anmitsu is their version of our halo-halo. This one has shaved ice, ice cream, taro jam, green tea jelly, fruits, sweet azuki or red beans, and mochi balls (bilo-bilo counterpart). I'm not sure if how many people are into green tea like me, but I think their anmitsu is unique and a must-try, too.

Where to find it:

Kozui Green Tea
258 B Tomas Morato cor. Sct. Fernandez
Quezon City, Metro Manila
(02) 413-2705
Website: http://kozui.com/

***All photos courtesy of ken

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