(update Sept. 2022) My new favorite is the Chicken Asparagus Soup. It's basically a chicken broth with asparagus shoots and some mushrooms as the veggies. The only downside is that you might occasionally encounter an asparagus stalk that's too mature. I've had to spit out one or two after it started breaking up into fibers. But it's a small price to pay for their using fresh asparagus, rather than the mushy canned variety. And you can always just pick out the tip parts if that's an issue.
(original post 2018) A piece of Binondo in Muntinlupa. If you're the sort who's into high end restaurants in 5-star hotels, then the ambience isn't anything to write home about. Very utilitarian setting and fixtures typical of old style Chinese restaurants, and in fact it would be one of the cleaner ones if it was in a typical Chinatown strip.
But, of course, the most important thing with any restaurant is the food, and Ho Chai Lai has got it spot on. Nothing fancy, but good, solid quality. And unlike some other places, the quality is very consistent. If there's a particular dish that I like, then I can be fairly sure that it will still be the same the next time that I order it. In particular, their steamed dumplings are moist and juicy, never dry. One thing that I recommend is their in-house specialty, Ho Chai Lai siomai. It comes across as a Chinese-Japanese fusion, wrapped as it is in...
Read moreFirst time eating on a Chinese Restaurant. Ordered a familiar dish as I dont want to explore yet. Hototay Soup, Fried Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice. Here is my honest review. The Place: Not so fancy place, it has a school/work canteen vibe. Tables and chairs are a bit old but it is clean. Not to many people dining in due to pandemic and its about 2pm. Hototay Soup: Its flavor is very familiar with filipino soup dishes but there is a unique zing to it. It was good but i wish it was hotter upon serving. Ho Chai Lai Fried Chicken: Fried Chicken without the breading, love the crispy skin and even it has no breading it is still juicy i like the sweet and sour sauce paired with it. Shrimp Fried Rice: I love how you can really taste the flavor of the egg in every spoonful. The shrimp was good too but i think the egg was the star, the ingredients are really well balanced. Service: Fast service, i like that they served you the soup. They also had tea while you are waiting for your food. Small Servings are good for 2-3persons. Overall: It was a decent experience, price is a little expensive if you are on a budget. 600-700 pesos for 2 people. The place is cozy the food was good, best to eat...
Read moreWe came in for dinner after months of absence due to the Pandemic.
Ho Chai Lai still still serves one of the best and authentic Chinese food in the city of Muntinlupa. It has not lost its taste!
Our family is a regular customer and we enjoy their variants whether for lunch or dinner. the ambience has not changed though, still the simple and no non sense restaurant which you will visit for the good food, but not to meet and celebrate an event.
The acoustics may need improvement as the noise gets amplified and bounces around, thus making hard for the customers to meet and hear one another. the noise created by the ac and blowers likewise add to the sound waves bouncing around. The lighting likewise may need to improve to make it brighter for dinner.
again, the great tasting food, it generous serving sizes and fast turnaround more than compensates for the lighting and sound acoustics mentioned above. we will definitely continue...
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