A Saturday Well-Spent at Lucky ChinaTown

It’s always a welcome treat to be invited by RJ Ledesma himself of the Mercato Group to their uniquely-designed foodie tours. This time, we experienced a taste of the “Awesome Food & Culture Secrets of Lucky ChinaTown” in one of the world’s oldest Chinatowns, our beloved Binondo. So with my daughter in tow, off to Binondo we went!

Conveniently, there was a van service that picked us up at Starbucks 6750 and another pick-up point at Mcdonalds Intramuros. On the way there, it was refreshing to pass by historical landmarks which we rarely see on regular days. (ie. Intramuros, Rizal Park, Nationl Museum etc) It was a quick ride plus an interesting one too.

As we arrived the Lucky Chinatown mall, first stop was at the Botanical Herbal Hall found at the Annex A. I’ve been enjoying tea a lot these days and this was something I’m very much interested in.
There were 4 different Chinese Tea flavors served.

Five Flowers (for colds and cough), Snow Pear Chrysanthemum (improves eyesight), Maybloom (good for lowering cholesterol), Plum (aids in digestion-perfect for food lovers like us!)

(photo)

This can be served hot or cold. But for P50/bottle I think it’s a refreshing alternative to your Milk Teas!

Next, we paid a visit to the Miao De Temple where we learned more about Buddhist practices. They taught us the proper way of lighting incense and offering our prayers.

It was nearing lunch hour by this time and thankfully, the temple is just fronting the “ChinaTown Walk” which is filled with a variety of food stalls! We caught a whiff of delectable cooking and our hungry tummies  were instantly ready.

Mr. Fast Foo

The first on the table was the All Veggie Lumpia – made of tofu with crispy seaweed, sugared peanuts, cilantro and garlic  (perfect appetizer!)

Maki Mi – Pork Tenderloin with noodles
and sticky sauce (the taste was ok, but it’s stickiness wasn’t to my liking though)

Cua Pao  - Braised Pork Belly, Kiam Chay, Sugared Peanuts and cilantro  

(I was too hungry to take photos LOL)

Fu Dao Dumpling  served us Sate seafood Noodles with Shrimp (spicy!)

  

Please note this was for their display only.

Cha Cha Food House  

Their oh so yummy, sweet Pumpkin Cake (my daughter loved this because it was like a chinese version of Kutsinta, and although it was fried, it wasn’t too oily ) 

Wanton Noodle (which i found very delicious, simple and clean tasting)

….and that scrumptious Texas Chicken (which wasn’t really part of the food tour & isn't chinese – thanks RJ for that freebie! hehe)

So after that hefty stopover, we walked on neighboring  Reflexion’s Studio (Annex A) for a quick talk about traditional Chinese wedding practices. Plus they gave away a free picture of the group tour! (which I wasn’t part of because I went to the toilet, LOL)

Then we had a little Fengshui talk with the very entertaining owner of Phoenix Dragon (Annex A, Lucky ChinaTown), Mr. Samson Chua. He touched on the important facts about the five elements and how fengshui helps improve health, career, business and love! We got some practical tidbits we can apply at home.

In the scorching heat of the day, Rainbow Snow (4^th Floor, Lucky ChinaTown) came just in time! This dessert place offers flavored shaved ice treats inspired by the Taiwanese dessert. 

The strawberry-blueberry flavor was what I liked best!

Mr. Ricson Ngo, Owner
explaining the process of snow ice cream desser

Tao Yuan (2^nd floor, Lucky Chinatown) known for it's lavish lauriat consisting of at least 10 special dishes. For this tour, we tried out 3 of their Best-Selling dishes. 

Hainan Chicken with Hainan Rice

·       

Mango Lapu-Lapu

Pancit Canton AKA Birthday Noodles
   Tao Yuan's Melon Shake saved me from dehydration LOL kidding!

(PS. The photos for Tao Yuan  is not how it's served to you.
Each of us were given small portions from the main dish.)

Wellness Sanctuary (3^rd floor, Lucky ChinaTown)

Wellness Sanctuary offered us 15-minute relaxing treatments with which to choose from: fish spa therapy, Tui Na (foot massage) or an acupuncture treatment.

The nibbler fish Chin-Chin won me over. I was giggling as always :)
but eventually found it soothing and trance-like

Nina obviously found it amusing too

Definitely, a Saturday well-spent and to remember with fond memories. Thank you Mercato Group and Lucky China Town for the wonderful experience! This is a great way for tourists and locals alike to experience the Fil-Chinese Culture this summer.

With Awesome Host, RJ Ledesma

Interested? Join the "Awesome Food and Culture Secrets of Lucky Chinatown Tour" that will be open to the public starting May 10, 24 and 31 - please call the Lucky Chinatown Concierge at 576-8139 or drop by the Eastwood Mall Concierge for tickets. Visit www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com for more information.