The more we tried to explain, the more confused she became. My friend finally asked for pen and paper and drew balls with sesame seeds all around then showed it to her. The waitress’ face lighted up and she said “Oh, sesame balls. Yes.” Sink your teeth into one of my all-time Chinese delectable treats—those crunchy-on-the-outside but soft-in-the-inside dough balls called buchi, or sesame balls. Sesame rice balls are sticky rice dough molded…
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*Ahh those (siopao) buns
One of the tempting displays at any shelf in a fastfood or restaurant that always catches my attention are those white steamed, meat-filled buns which is a popular food item in the Philippine and Chinese culture. These are called siopao. Siopao literally means "steamed bun" and it the Philippine version of the Cantonese steamed bun called cha siu bao. Siopao is sold in the streets in the Philippines, as well as in restaurants.…
Read MoreFrisked in Beijing
WHEN the Asiana Airlines I was boarding taxied into the runway of the Beijing Capital International Airport at 2 p.m., I had no idea that I was going to experience the most thorough security body check I was ever going to experience. It was the one that produced shivers and goosebumps for the first time in my life. I followed the rest of the passengers up the first escalator at the arrival area…
Read MoreLF Restaurant: Your 24/7 food stopover in CK
WHEN hunger strikes at ungodly hours of the night or anytime during the day, finding a restaurant that’s open time can be quite a challenge on island. If you are in Chalan Kanoa, check out this little food outlet named LF Restaurant. Skipping breakfast and lunch on Saturday, I was already getting dizzy with hunger at about 8 p.m. when I picked up fellow reporter Junhan at his house and headed toward…
Read MoreGuangzhou Restaurant: An all-night diner in Garapan
TUCKED in between apartments and business establishments on one of the narrow streets in Garapan is a little Chinese diner. With very few restaurants open at night, Guangzhou Restaurant with its red and white brick-designed façade has become one of the favorite destinations of late diners. I’ve been to this place time and again in the past and hunger once again brought me there on Saturday evening. It was past 11 p.m. and…
Read MoreDining at Pretty Kitchen
FOR a hungry individual, the bright multicolored lights at this building’s façade is not an enticing welcome — it looks more like a club/bar. But push the doors and you’ll be surprised at what the newly opened Pretty Kitchen in Garapan offers.If I had not heard that Pretty Kitchen was serving lunch and dinner, I would not had ventured there last Saturday night.A jolly food staffer escorted us to a table and brought…
Read MoreDragon Garden Delicacies: Saipan's new destination for Chinese food
ShareTweet A FRIEND invited me to this newest Chinese restaurant at the back of DFS Galleria in Garapan during it opening night last Tuesday but I was only able to drop by on Saturday night. I was expecting Dragon Garden Delicacies to be like other Chinese restaurants on Saipan — rich gold and yellow or red table cloths and curtains with round tables dominating the dining area, and lanterns hanging from the ceilings.…
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