I've been looking forward to trying TingTing's ever since I heard it was opening as a "relative" of Emei, one of the best restaurants in Chinatown and frankly in the whole city. After finally giving it a try today I am so pleased to say that it was a delightful meal and delivers on its unique (to me) concept and promise of Asian-inspired comfort food. To state the obvious right at the start: I will absolutely be back soon.
While I'm personally unfamiliar with the idea of Hong Kong style comfort food and its mix of Asian and American styles, I think there is something on the menu for everyone. The menu itself is unlike anything I've seen in Chinatown with a mix of classics like char siu, satay (skewers), and cucumber salad, but also with a number of bar food options like wings, calamari, burgers with unique twists, and then a whole slew of Asian-influenced pastas and snacks. Although I was able to only order a handful of items, everything else that I saw at tables around me looked just as delicious as what I had so I think there's something to please folks who want safe options and those who want to try something new or with a twist.
We started with both hot and iced Hong Kong milk tea, and I would strongly recommend this for every meal. While I can't honestly tell you how Hong Kong milk tea differs from Thai milk tea which I'm more familiar with, it might have been the highlight of the experience and I'll get it every time I go. Both hot and iced were good, but my wife and I both preferred hot in the end.
For food, I got the char siu rice bowl with fried egg and yu choy. It absolutely hit the spot of a comfort food with a rich brown sauce, perfectly cooked meat, and rice and egg that was just right. I would definitely recommend this dish as a safe choice! My wife ordered the chicken satay skewer and we were both very surprised with just how juicy and tender the meat was. I honestly didn't know chicken could be that tender, and had a nice char and sauce along with pickled daikon which helped to elevate things. We also got the cucumber salad which was maybe the most standard and "on par" dish, but it did have a twist of having some Sichuan tingly spice.
The interior was very clean and charming, and the green palate and jungle-nature decor was soothing and relaxing. Service was also great.
I think everyone should give TingTing's a chance! I will be back very soon to try the Hong Kong french toast with...
Read moreI recently had the pleasure of dining at More Sugar, and I can confidently say that it exceeded all my expectations. This restaurant is an absolute hidden gem, offering a delightful culinary experience that combines excellent service, delectable dishes, and unbelievably affordable prices.
First and foremost, the service at More Sugar is top-notch. I stepped through the door, I was greeted with warm smiles and attentive staff eager to make my dining experience exceptional. The waitstaff was knowledgeable about the menu, provided recommendations, and ensured that every detail of our dining experience was taken care of.
Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the food! More Sugar offers a diverse menu that caters to various tastes, but I have to highlight a few dishes that truly stood out:
Spicy Kimchi Bacon Spaghetti: If you're a fan of the perfect fusion of Korean and Italian flavors, this dish is a must-try! The spicy kimchi and savory bacon combine to create a harmonious explosion of flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing.
Creamy Cod Roe Seafood Udon: This dish is a creamy seafood dream come true. The udon noodles were perfectly cooked, and the creamy cod roe sauce was indulgent without being overly heavy. The generous serving of seafood made it even more satisfying.
Tuna Avocado Salad: If you're looking for something on the lighter side, the Tuna Avocado Salad is a refreshing choice. The fresh, high-quality tuna combined with creamy avocado and a well-balanced dressing created a delightful harmony of textures and tastes.
Fish Egg Salad: The Fish Egg Salad is an absolute revelation. The burst of flavor from the fish eggs paired with the crisp freshness of the salad greens makes this dish a unique and delightful appetizer.
What makes More Sugar even more extraordinary is that despite the exceptional quality of both food and service, the prices are incredibly affordable. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how reasonably priced the dishes are, especially considering the fantastic experience you'll have.
In conclusion, More Sugar is a restaurant that deserves all the praise it can get. From the moment you walk in until the last bite, you'll be treated to a dining experience that is unparalleled in terms of service, taste, and value for money. If you're in the area or looking for an exceptional meal that won't break the bank, don't miss out on More Sugar. It's a true...
Read moreMany people who wrote reviews for this may have wrote about More Sugar, the former restaurant. Ting Ting's Cafe is the current restaurant at this location (to reduce many confusion I have been hearing from the community using yelp and google)
Ting Ting's Cafe features a unique blend on Hong Kong cuisine into their Asian fusion mix. My parents grew up in Hong Kong and I would go frequently as a kid every other year to visit my grandparents there. My parents would share with me their experience when it still a British colony and how their influence blended into their food and cuisine. Anyone remember Ovaltine? :) Ting Ting's was nostalgic trying some of the dishes including the pineapple tomato cheese and porkchop dish that I also once had at a cafe in Hong Kong and my parents explained they had this because of the British influence. Since I didn't grow up in Hong Kong, I wouldn't know how all these dishes are connected but it's a neat learning experience and way to strike up convo with the chef if you're interested! The staff is wonderful here! Sometimes, it is very busy and may take time for getting seated/served, but definitely something that is being worked on.
I have yet to try all the dishes but it is my goal. I will have to give out a shout to how amazing their Hong Kong Milktea is! They go the extra mile and do the multiple steeping process giving the depth of the true milk tea taste that you can't get anywhere else in this chinatown. I crave and go back to ting tings just for this! It really hit home for me if you're looking for a traditional Hk milktea.
Another shout out to the wonderful and proactive leader in chinatown, Dan, who is the owner. He's friendly and easy to greet as a customer. He supports the local chinatown community and people, and was an activist against the 76ers arena being built in center city. Another reason to support local businesses in chinatown!
Ps. For those craving traditional hk cafe items, I heard him mentioning looking into the traditional Hong Kong cafe dishes too in the future like the...
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