Vege Select (formerly Quan Yin Chay) — Restaurant in Manila

I recently decided to try out takeout from this location and was excited to dive into their dumplings. Upon opening the package, I could immediately tell that the dumplings were fresh and well-prepared. The flavors were rich, and the filling had a satisfying balance of savory spices that left a nice, lingering taste. However, while the taste was spot on, I did find the dumplings to be on the drier side for my personal preference. I enjoy dumplings that have a bit more moisture, with the filling having a juicier, almost broth-like quality to them. Unfortunately, these didn’t quite meet that expectation, and I felt the texture was a little too firm.

That said, the overall quality was still quite good, and I could tell they use quality ingredients. The dumplings were firm and not overly greasy, which is a nice touch if you're looking for something a little lighter. The portion size was generous, and they packed everything well, so there wasn’t any spillage or mess.

Would I return? Yes, definitely! I’d just personally prefer a bit more moisture in the filling, but I think others who prefer a more solid dumpling might really enjoy it. It’s a solid choice if you’re in the mood for tasty dumplings, though I’d recommend you try it for yourself to see if it meets your texture...

As our last stop for the day, we were craving something that would refresh us after walking for a while in the scorching heat of the sun, and we wanted to munch on a snack before heading home. We immediately found Vege Select, which is a few minutes away after Lord Stow's Bakery, and we fell in line instantly. 🧃

It was quite fast, and as our turn approached, we admired the way they made sugarcane juice with a machine, and we loved that they didn't add anything to it. My mother and I paid 100 pesos each for the sugarcane juice. It had a subtle sweetness, yet it didn't feel rich, and it was quite addictive as you drank more of it. Luckily, the ice-to-juice ratio was great, and you were able to enjoy your sugarcane juice for a long time.

As for the barbecue, it was underwhelming, and we didn't enjoy it that much. I loved the sausage, but it was incredibly hard to chew, and the sauce at times could taste a bit strange due to the unnecessary amount of charred aftertaste. The rice cake was bland, and the only taste you could get was from the sauce. I believed the star of the show would be the tofu since it tastes similar to fried chicken balls and the sauce complemented the barbecue well. However, three pieces for the price of 150 pesos is a bit high and certainly not...

Having been to many vegetarian restaurants in Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan, I gotta say that Vege Select is still one of the best vegetarian eateries I've been to! Everything was so good, from the xiao long bao, the beef noodle soup, and the Bicol express, plus they have all you can eat chili oi, which is an absolute spice lover's dream. Even though my uncle is not very exposed to vegetarian food and his favorite dish is beef noodle soup (so his standards are high), he absolutely loved the beef noodle soup and the other dishes here! Last time I was here it was still called Quan Yin Chay, and this newly renovated and rebranded restaurant really improved the interior and the layout of the food ordering. This is one of those restaurants that I will always visit every time I come to the...