A dramatic massive oriental door opens and leads to what one would initially thought as an entrance to a royal Chinese empire, except that, instead of entering the imperial era of a Chinese dynasty, where warring kingdoms battle for control of vast territories, it’s a mêlée of a hungry public bustling to eat at one of the best Chinese fares in town.

Three Cup Chicken

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Taiwanese Stewed Pork

To some, it still might be too early for that best of best forecast since Lugang Café opened only recently.  However, Lugang Café, fairly new, makes quite an impression to one who appreciates easily the value of delightfully good food at non-exorbitant price and great service with an ambience of clean-cut contemporary restaurant.  

Lugang Café has two dining rooms, the first floor is spacious, with plush interiors manifested in mix of velvet cushions and white leather seats and black and white tables.  The high ceilings are embellished with luminous droplights that echo the left side gleaming wall then poised with a honeycomb white wall on the right.  

A sizable staircase leads to the 2^nd floor dining section.  Partly mimics the sitting furnishings on the first level with the purple replaced with transparent seats while the left section has banquettes for comfortable seating.  A partially concealed area covered by shimmering translucent drapes with lavish chandeliers is available for a more private dining with family or a group of friends.    

Lugang Café is a Manila franchise of the one in Shanghai, China under the Bellagio Management Group.  This first branch outside China is found along Connecticut Street in Greenhills occupying a newly constructed 3-storey building. 

Parking was made more convenient by an exclusive Lugang Parking Area across the restaurant.  The lot gets easily filled up even during weekday with people visiting in droves to get a taste of Lugang Café’s cuisine.

On the Table

Tofu with Preserved Egg PHP 120

A simple dish of drained bean curd or chilled tofu accompanied with a whole preserved (or century) egg and generously topped with mahu (pork floss) and chopped nuts, sprinkled with green onion and drizzled with light soy sauce and sesame oil. 

It’s a wonderfully balanced and light opener or side dish from the usual strong tasting Chinese dishes.

Steamed Xiao Long Bao 6pcs PHP 158

To be honest, it still wasn’t perfectly like Din Tai Fung’s version but it’s much better than what local restaurants serve.  It had a good amount of soup and yummy filling that’s best paired with the  soy vinegar with ginger slices it’s dipped into.  I have my eye on the Crab Roe Xiao Long Bao next time.

Three-cup Chicken PHP 290

This is a classic Taiwanese dish garnished with fresh basil on top.  The three cups refer to a cup of each ingredient, sesame oil, rice wine and soy sauce. 

The roughly chopped chicken chunks, others with bones even, were savory with flavors of oriental barbecued sweetness (probably from the sesame oil that has a toasty taste) and sweet bell peppers that are richly flavored.  The chunks were well-coated with the sharp flavors which makes this dish an instant charm.

Taiwanese Stewed Pork PHP 190

Tender pork cutlets stewed in brown sauce.  Albeit averagely good, it wasn’t an exciting dish and I think we would have been better off ordering the Taiwanese Minced Pork.

Stir-Fried Beef with Chilli Peppers PHP 280

Served on a hot pot, don’t get intimidated with the amount of dried chilies that accompany the dish.  It has the heat spunk but totally tolerable unless you eat the actual chili or chili seeds. 

The very thin slices of beef, reminiscent of sukiyaki beef, with splinters of fat on the side were incredibly tender and flavorful.  Add marble potatoes to that equation.  Deliciously prepared and quickly sautéed dish that’s perfect with steaming white rice.  I’d order this again in a heartbeat next time I’m at Lugang Café.    

Pineapple Fried Rice PHP 280

The pineapple had the right sweetness without being too tart –great fried rice.  Amount might be lacking since it is only 4 small cups of fried rice for 4 people.  We got to order extra cups of white rice.

Richard, Irene, Abet and I had a wonderful scrumptious Wednesday lunch at Lugang Café.  

Happy Eating Abet

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iPad Talks

If the Yellow River was the Cradle of Chinese civilization, Lugang Café is the best watering hole for Chinese cuisine that’s beaming with international flair that other Chinese restaurants can try to be at par with.  

In addition to fast, efficient and adequate service, this modern Chinese restaurant serves a food experience that is a feast in as much for the eyes as for the palate.

Lugang Café

116 Connecticut St.

Northeast Greenhills, San Juan, Philippines

(632) 721 9100/ (632) 570 9011

Lugang Café Album Flickr

Lugang Café Album Multiply

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