Ever since I first opened the dramatic massive wood door of Lugang Café in Connecticut Street in Greenhills, I have been back quite a lot in the short span. And I think a lot of other people have returned too with an injection of first time goers since the line seems to never end.
READ MORE:
Lugang Café Love at First Bite
Thankfully, the two times that we walked in without a reservation amidst the bustling dining crowd, we were able to secure a table –thanks to Bubba’s hustling and luck of timing I guess.
–
The ambience of this contemporary Chinese restaurant creates the immediate affinity that also transcends to their warm and delicious dishes that give an excellent medley of flavors.
On the Table
Stir Fried Beef with Chili Peppers PHP 280
This has become a favorite of mine and I don’t fail to order this each time I’m dining at Lugang Café.
I still very much enjoyed the flavorful thin slices of beef with slivers of fat. Add marble potatoes to that equation and some dried out chilies whose spiciness is tapered a bit so no need to get intimidated. This sautéed dish is perfect with at least 2 bowls of steaming white rice.
Taiwanese Minced Pork PHP 160
Since the Taiwanese Stewed Pork didn’t impress much the first time, we deviated a bit and ordered the Taiwanese Minced Pork, which is a house specialty. It’s minced pork in a pleasant brown sauce with a surprise of stewed whole hard-boiled egg inside the bowl.
Taiwanese Minced Pork Bowl
–
Bubba ordered this again on our 3rd visit.
Three Cup Chicken PHP 290
As expected, my family loved the Three Cup Chicken that was cooked in a cup each of the three fundamental ingredients: sesame oil, rice wine and soy sauce.
The relatively small chunks of rough chicken chops, a little disconcerting to people who don’t like accidentally biting into tiny bones, has flavors of Asian barbecue that’s sweet and savory.
Stir Fried Spinach PHP 250
The Stir Fried Spinach retained its beautiful green color which leafy part was soft and stalk-part crunchy –just the way you’d want to eat it.
Kung Pao Chicken PHP 280
Kung Pao Chicken is a classic Sichuan Cuisine dish initially prepared with a special marinade. The cubed or diced chicken are typically flash fried in a wok with unroasted peanuts, stir fried diced vegetables and Sichuan peppercorns.
Winter Melon Clam Soup PHP 180
The medium bowl of clear soup with extremely thin slices of winter melon and numerous medium-sized clams can be described in three words: clean, simple, soothing.
Wintermelon Soup with Clams
–
Steamed Xiao Long Bao 6pcs PHP 158
This is also one of the things I continue to order at Lugang Café but I noticed that in the last 2 visits, quality has become only acceptable and not really overall satisfying. I can barely taste the soup inside anymore.
Folding
–
Right before the steaming room
I terribly miss Din Tai Fung’s version which had beautiful and stunning folds of the incredibly thin wrapper that can hold a good amount of soup and meat inside.
Steamed Xiao Long Bao with Loofah PHP 158
I debated whether to get the one with crab roe or loofah and the latter won. It didn’t win my heart though.
Xiao Long Bao with Loofah
Pineapple Fried Rice PHP 280
Fried rice with shards of pineapple and cashew nuts served inside a small pineapple and garnished with pork floss on top.
Taiwan Steamed Rice PHP 50
Countless bowls of steamed rice have passed the tables of Lugang Café
Peanut Smoothie PHP 160
The last visit was the first time we ever got around to ordering dessert since we are always full by the end of the main dishes. The peanut smoothie in size can be shared by 3-4 people. It’s rich yet not overwhelming and pleasingly smooth. You can taste the freshly grounded peanuts in it. Makes me think we should always order dessert in the future visits.
See you soon Lugang Café! I can’t seem to stay away. I have yet to try your Peking Duck and Hainanese Chicken Rice! *eager*
Lugang Café
116 Connecticut St.
Northeast Greenhills, San Juan, Philippines
(632) 721 9100/ (632) 570 9011
—
Recent Table Guest