CNY craving quick fix
By Patricia May P. Catan
Image: SunStar File
IT DOESN’T matter whether you’re Chinese or not, for as long as you live in Asia, the Chinese New Year is a special holiday we celebrate around here. Heck, even Western countries also join in on the festivities. Come February 16, multitudes around the world will be celebrating the Chinese New Year, and we all know what we look forward to the most: the Chinese feast! I mean, who doesn’t love Chinese cuisine, right? It’s basically comfort food, and during this time of year, we have all the excuses in the world to stuff our faces with some good ol’ dim sum, noodles and desserts!
And Cebu is lucky enough to have an abundance of Chinese restaurants around town that we’re sure most of your are familiar with. Taking you on a gastronomic trip around China, SunStar Weekend lists down some of your favorite dining spots to help you celebrate the Year of the Fire Dog.
Mingnan Chinese Cuisine
This one is on top of our list and it’s number one in the whole of Cebu, too. You may already have come across this unassuming little spot in downtown Cebu if you’re one who loves to go on food trips to less common places in the area. This humble restaurant isn’t recognized as SunStar’s Best Chinese Restaurant for nothing with their close to authentic Chinese food, if not, as some would say, the most authentic Chinese place you’d experience in Cebu. Their well-seasoned dishes is just the right recipe to make flavors burst, thus making each plate hit close to China. And what makes Mingnan even better and the best choice out there? Their dishes are at a reasonable price.
Ding How
The Chinese restaurant that brought dim sum cuisine to Cebu back in 1969 and the first that introduced original steamed fried rice reopened last year, and even after a hiatus of almost two decades, their heirloom dishes remain the same. A familiar taste especially to those who have grown up with the brand, nothing can quite explain the nostalgia it brings after every bite. Old favorites such as the Pork Trotter, Kuchay Dumpling, Crystal Scallop Dumpling, Ham Suy Kok and Pork BBQ Cake will bring back old memories and, of course, create new ones for old patrons and even for a new generation of diners. You can also indulge in other original dishes like their Baked Shaopao, Beef Steak, Cabbage Pouch, Egg Tart, and Custard with Salted Egg Buns.
Dimsum Break
Dimsum Break is probably the default place for when one wants something quick, delicious and affordable. Its efficient service and great, quality food is an obvious choice for people with a fast-paced lifestyle. Dimsum Break’s simplified menu offers the bestselling dim sum items where the Best Siomai, according to the People’s Choice Awards in SunStar’s Best of Cebu, is housed. The public have spoken and not only is it home to the best siomai in town, but Dimsum Break is also where you’ll experience value-for-money dim sum dining.
Majestic Restaurant
Bringing family and friends together and serving delicious Chinese food for decades, Majestic has proven that everything that comes out of their kitchen is created with passion and expertise. Their exciting six-dish lunch sets for four in variations of their signature classics and best sellers have been named as the SunStar Cebu’s Best Value Set Menu. These lunch sets are among the many offerings that will remain timeless as Majestic continues to serve their loyal customers in the years to come.
