Tim Ho Wan at the Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall

Tim Ho Wan, a famous chain of dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong, today opens it first branch in the Philippines located at SM Megamall's premier dining destination, the Mega Fashion Hall. It opened its first branch in 2009 in Hong Kong and within its first year of operations, is has been vested with the distinction as the world's cheapest Michelin-star restaurant. At present, Tim Ho Wan has branches in Hong Kong, Singapore, and now the Philippines.

We were among the first ones to dine at Tim Ho Wan's Megamall branch today that is after hours of waiting on a queue. It has been a great start of business for Tim Ho Wan in the Philippines. Here is how our Tim Ho Wan experience went.:

For our first batch of dim sum, we ordered Tim Ho Wan's so-called Big 4 Heavenly Kings which includes the famous Baked Bun with BBQ Pork, Steamed Egg Cake, Vermicelli Roll with Pig’s Liver and Pan Fried Carrot Cake.

The Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (P145.00/3 pcs.) is the dish from which Tim Ho Wan owes its Michelin star. Earlier today, Tim Ho Wan gave away free baked buns to the first 100 customers of the restaurant. Unfortunately, we were not one of those. Nonetheless, it was really worth the long wait.

baked bun with bbq pork

The baked buns are served fresh from the oven. The buns are very light and soft. It is coated with a thin crust that gives it a light sweet and salty taste.

a piece of baked bun

Inside the bun is a pocket of tender BBQ pork in its savory sauce. It tasted like nothing else we have eaten before. The BBQ Pork has a hint of pork asado flavor, but far more savory yet refined.

baked bun and its filling of bbq pork

Steamed Egg Cake (P85) is fluffy and ultra soft! It has the texture of a chiffon cake but the taste is cleaner and lighter since it is steamed and not baked.

steamed egg cake

Vermicelli Roll with Pig's Liver (P150) are flat rice noodles filled with tender pig's liver and herbs and are then served with a silky layer of special sauce. We like how the pork's liver were cooked very tender and chewy. The herbs also toned down the strong taste of the liver, making this dim sum dish a very well balance one. The secret sauce also enhances the overall flavor of the vermicelli rolls.

vermicelli roll with pig's liver

Pan Fried Carrot Cake (P145) is more familiar to me as chai tow kway. I would always order this dish whenever I eat in a Chinese restaurant. But what surprised me about Tim Ho Wan's chai tow kway are the bits of Chinese sausages mixed into the cake. It gave more flavor to the dish and I loved it!

pan fried carrot cake

Cold Barley Water (P50) is a refreshing drink that I enjoyed with my dim sum.

cold barley water

Here are some other dim sum dishes we randomly selected from the menu.

Pork Dumpling with Shrimp (P150) pork shumai has always been my favorite dumpling. Tim Ho Wan's pork dumpling has a different taste characteristic in it which I find very clean and refined. I don't eat seafood but this one is so good I didn't mind the shrimp inside this dumpling. Definitely one of the best pork shumai I ever tasted.

pork dumpling with shrimp

Beancurd Skin Roll with Pork and Shrimp (P120) is something that we just picked from the menu. The firm coating is a contrast to the tender pork and shrimp meat it envelops. The sauce is also excellent says Ramil. He loved it so much he had the three pieces all for himself. I have yet to try this on our next visit.

beancurd skin roll with pork and shrimp

For dessert we ordered the Mango Pomelo Sago (P90). It is an interesting mix of refreshing fruits in a dessert. A great way to finish a very rich meal.

mango pomelo sago

We were told that Tim Ho Wan chefs from Singapore and Malaysia were flown in to Manila to manage the kitchen. This is to ensure that the quality of the food is consistent with the original taste of Tim Ho Wan dim sums. Tim Ho Wan has definitely elevated the quality of Chinese cuisine dining experience in the Philippines.



With such high quality of authentic Hong Kong dim sum dishes, it is surprising that Tim Ho Wan was able to keep their prices very affordable, truly living up to their distinction as the cheapest Michelin-star restaurant in the world. Tim Ho Wan is a proof that you don't need to spend a fortune for high quality food.

Reminders:

1) Tim Ho Wan does not accept reservations.
2) At the moment, Tim Ho Wan only accepts dine-in customers. Take-out is only limited to unfinished food ordered by the dine-in customers. If you wish to take home baked buns, just order them and request for plastic containers and a paper bag.
3) Expect a queue at the restaurant. It is longer during lunchtime between 12:00nn and 2:00pm. By 3:00pm, the queue starts to get shorter.
4) Prices are VAT inclusive but are subject to 10% service charge.
5) While waiting at the queue, you might want to start checking their menu. Here is a copy for your reference:

Tim Ho Wan
Upper Ground Floor, Mega Fashion Hall
SM Megamall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City
Store Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00am to 10:00pm


Foodtrip Staycation in Ortigas Center

Why not combine your foodtrip with a relaxing staycation in Ortigas Center. SM Megamall's Mega Fashion Hall is located just a few minutes drive away from Tune Hotel Ortigas. Capitol Commons and Kapitolyo are also just a few hundred meters away from the hotel. Book your Tune Hotel Ortigas stay now at tunehotels.com/ph/en and experience a culinary adventure in Ortigas Center.