Hong Kong (1 of 3 parts)

This year's international destination is Hong Kong. Many people may think of Hong Kong as a not so foreign country since its only an hour (plane) ride away, but to me, any travel out of the country is a vacation and a cultural adventure. The last time I traveled to Hong Kong was more than 10 years when I was a kid, so technically this was like my first time since I did not remember anything back then. I make it a point to travel internationally once a year because I think a vacation is healthy (plus this is all that I can afford), and I am starting with Asian countries. This was also my first time traveling with my cousins alone and in a group of 10. I was so eager about this trip that I made an itinerary with all the best places to eat as shared by locals on www.openrice.com.

We were starving as soon as we arrived, so we headed to the nearest restaurant on the list, DELICIOUS KITCHEN.

We ordered Fried Wantons. This was so crunchy and fresh! The meat is really made of "real meat" and not just extenders, and the shrimp inside was fresh.

This was my order, Porkchop Rice, since everyone was raving about it. For me though, I did not find it extremely good and would prefer Tasty porkchop :D

My brother ordered Nanking Beef and I wished I ordered this instead. I believe that this is the dish that everyone must try! The beef is flavorful and tender, quite oily but that's what you call Chinese food :) Prices of each dish ranges from HKD 40-60.

After lunch, we strolled around Mongkok and visited the biggest Jusco (Daiso) but I was not able to take a photo of the store. 

We had an early dinner at Tim Ho Wan, Central. Tim Ho Wan is rated by locals as the best dimsum in Hong Kong which is why we had to try it. The restaurant still had a line even when we were there early. Each dish cost about HKD20 and below.

Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaves, the only rice offered in the menu.

Barbecued Pork Bun Pasty. THESE ARE THE BEST BUNS EVER! I could easily eat all 3 :D The bun is soft, crunchy and piping hot with barbecue filling mmmm...

Steamed Rice Roll (pork), the rice wrap was soft and chewy.

Steamed Vegetable Dumplings, this was so-so for me.

We ended the first day early since we barely had any sleep the night before. Come back for day 2 and 3 posts :)

Delicious Kitchen   美味廚

Shop B, G/F, 9-11 Cleveland Street, Causeway Bay

Tim Ho Wan, the Dim-Sum Specialists     添好運點心專門店 

Shop 12A, Hong Kong Station (Podium Level 1 , IFC Mall)

Read more

Munching at Mad Mark's

It was a holiday last Monday so me and my friends decided to try Mad Mark's, a MAN sandwich place offering homemade ice cream as well. It is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant along Kapitolyo, right beside Thai Dara. I am a big fan of cheese steak type of sandwiches and there are not a lot of places offering this, plus they have homemade ice cream in flavors such as Dark Roast Sumatra and Javan Hot Chocolate!

The interiors are simple in a red, black and white color palette. Menu comprises of MAN sandwiches, fries, pastas and main entrees such as chicken wings and fillets fillets. Photos below are considered as bestsellers and what filled our bellies. 

Lumberjack MAN sandwich (P290):

Succulent Angus Beef grilled with Fresh Mushrooms served with Bell Pepper, Caramelized Onion and Mozarella 

This is also available in a smaller serving, you can order the just sandwich version you prefer.

I love how generous the fillings were, the beef, onions and cheese fall out after each bite. The Angus beef was tender, tasty and slightly peppery. I would have preferred for the bread to be more toasty though so you get a "crunchy" bite.  

Basket of Herb Parmesian Fries (P160):
Fries served Tuscan Style with selected herbs and parmesan.

Cajun fries served with a pesto herb sauce topped with lots of REAL Parmesan cheese! The Parmesan cheese was generously served but the herb was much less. Nonetheless, its still fries! 

 Now onto my favorite meal, dessert!

It was difficult to decide which flavors to choose but ended up ordering Half-baked Magadascar, Magadascar Vanilla Bean with half-baked cookie dough and Javan Hot Chocolate, Deep, rounded chocolate flavor attributed to the Cocoa grown in Java. Two scoops of ice cream cost P98. The Half-baked Magadascar was so-so and I would have preferred for the cookie dough to be chewy since it tasted more like cookie pieces but I love the Javan Hot Chocolate! Its rich and bittersweet with an aftertaste that makes you crave for more. Other interesting flavors available are Banana Foster, Cavendish Chip, Apple and Saigon Cinnamon and Salted Sumatra. Definitely a must try for ice cream lovers! <3

If you are starving for something big and meaty, head over to Mad Mark's for reasonably priced MAN sandwiches and ice creams.

Mad Mark's Man Sandwich and Frozen Desserts
23 East Capitolyo Drive, Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City 

Read more

The Last Week of August

I think I will make this Instagram compilation post a month-end sort of thing, just to keep posts coming in and to remember how I spent the month. I can't believe its the end of August already and the BER months are nearing! I will try to post one more DIY before the month ends. I am SO not meeting my monthly post quotas..

Just a quick run through the photos, from upper left to right. 

1. Treated my friends to macaroons from a bakery (raspberry, mocha and pistachio) / 2. Checked out the new mall, Robinsons Magnolia with my friend and we happened to be wearing the same color palettes / 3. Finally tried out the new ice cream parlor, Swensens. I had a macademia parfait. / 4. Testing my new camera with my favorite model, my dog Max. / 5. Photo of my 6-month old niece, wearing the DIY Hello Kitty hairbands we made for her shower / 6. Shopping hauls~bird printed chiffon top and mint green jeans. / 7. Double Taro Anmitsu from Kozui Green Tea / 8. Ice cream from Selecta / 9. Another photo of Max, since he was in a photoshoot mood.

If you haven't noticed yet, my favorite dessert is ice cream! <3

Instagram with me @ j_teng

Read more