Lugang Café sits on nice three story building along the busy Connecticut street in Greenhills. There is ample parking spaces in front as well as across the street where there is a reserved lot for customers. When we got there before 12 noon, all spaces had been taken already so I was forced to look for a paid parking space along the street.
A set of wooden doors serves as the gatekeepers to a culinary and design adventure inside. Murals of dragon mixed with crystal chandeliers and crystal acrylic chairs give Lugang a neo Chinese feel. A water feature adorns the main wall introducing a serene atmosphere despite the hustle and bustle from the crowd of patrons.
We had previously wanted to eat here last Sunday, bearing no reservations, we disappointingly left vowing to come back again. This time, Jane called a day ahead and got us a table but we had to make it before 12 or else they were going to give the table away.
We were quickly ushered to our table on the 2nd floor, and given two sets of menu, one for food and the other for drinks and desserts. I was quite hungry so I set my sights on the food menu.
We started off with Tofu with Preserved Egg (P120, 1st photo), a delightful appetizer served cold. I love that the tofu is not too soft to give it a little body. The century egg was also of high quality, evidenced in the almost translucent outer layer and nice texture of the yolk. The pork floss and chopped peanuts added a different dimension to the flavor, when mixed together in a single scoop.
Next up is Steamed Pork Siao Long Bao (P158/6 pieces). I have to admit I am not a fan of siao long bao so I don’t know how really great ones taste like. From the looks of it, these look nice. I took one whole thing in my mouth, good thing the soup inside was not too hot anymore due to the time it sat there being photographed. Overall, it tasted good to me, the soup was flavorful the skin was soft and chewy.
Taiwanese Stewed Pork (P190). A not so exciting dish, we should have ordered something else. Irene’s version is much much better than this.
Stir Fried Beef with Chili Peppers (P280). Thinly sliced beef cooked in chili and topped with the smallest oblong shaped marble potatoes I have ever seen. You would guess that I can’t take the spiciness of this dish, and you would be right. Jane and Abet seemed to enjoy it a lot.
The star of the meal was the Three Cups Chicken (P290), chicken cooked in 1 cup each of soy sauce, sesame oil and rice wine. I would come back to Lugang just for this dish, its that good. Small cuts of chicken perfectly coated in the sweetish sauce make me want to eat more rice. I preferred the thigh and leg cuts more than the wing parts which were more bones than skin.
Pineapple Fried Rice (P280). Nicely presented with the rice inside the pineapple topped with pork floss (they seem to like to use pork floss). The rice was well done with lots of pineapple bits mixed throughout. I love pineapple in mt savory dishes and this one is no different.
Great food added to great service makes for a pleasant lunch. I was surprised at the nice service despite the multitude of customers. A must return to try out the other dishes as well as interesting drinks and desserts that we did not even bother to taste anymore since we decided to go to Happy Lemon already (coming up soon).
Lugang Café
116 Connecticut St., Northeast Greenhills
San Juan,Metro Manila
775.7599
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That was an awesome lunch. I enjoyed reading this too.
I WANT TO GO BACK! :-)
Janey
Between Bites
http://www.janedchua.com