TimHoWan: Home of the Best Pork Buns

Oh yay, it's the weekend!

Any plans? As for me, we'll be attending a kiddie party this afternoon and then I'd probably ask the hubby to bring me to the movies or to a nice dinner.  If you ask me, I prefer to stay at home and chill-ax after a crazy week in the office but I also know that I need a bit of social life.  So fine, mingle with the outside world I will!

^_^

When I got back from PH, my friends here in the UAE told me that I've been killing them with envy because I've been posting a lot of food photos when I was still in Manila. I honestly didn't take notice that I've indeed posted a whole lot of food porn. To me, it's nothing extraordinary. I need to eat, I want to eat...and so I eat A LOT. Hahaha!  And so today, I wanted to share with you probably one of the best food experience I had when I was in Manila.  It was so good that we ate there twice. It was with...

TIMHOWAN!

I first read about TIMHOWAN years ago when me and my friend Nimfa were planning our HK trip sometime in 2011.  I've read somewhere that this dimsum restaurant is one Hongkong's most famous hole-in-the-wall food joints.  It's so famous that people have to wait for their turn to dine for hours...yes, hours!  TimHoWan is particularly famous with their Pork Buns. Too bad we didn't get the chance to try it. Besides, I don't think my friend's that willing to wait that long to score dimsums. Hahaha. Fastforward to 2013, just when I left Pinas, they opened the first TimHoWan branch in Megamall.

#asar #badtrip #inggit

I've been back to PH twice but never got the chance to try TimHoWan (bakit nga ba?) But when I went home for the 3rd time and I knew that I'd be staying longer, I told myself this is it!  I'm gonna try TimHoWan by hook or by crook and whether they like it or not. 

So the first time was at the Megamall branch and I was with Mom and with Sol, who's a fan of TimHoWan's pork buns. I said that because that's the first thing she wanted us to order. Hahaha, and migawd, I don't blame her...it's is really good!

For our second time, it was again with Mom, Mama Wheng and Ate May. They saw the photos I've posted during our first time and they wanted to try it so I (happily and more than willingly) obliged! The second time around was at SM North and that time, I've been able to keep myself from eating the dimsums as soon as they were placed on the table kaya I was able to take photos. The first time kasi, bawat lapag sa table, kain ako agad. I was that excited, haha!

To order, you have to do it via this paper.  I think most Chinese Restaurant of this kind have this type of ordering system. Choose what you want to order and put the Quantity.  The price is there too!  For my 2nd time, I made sure I ordered those that I haven't tried during the first time.  And shempre, I included those which became my instant favorites.

Sauces at TimHoWan

 

While waiting for the food, I was looking around the restaurant and noticed their ceiling lights. Maybe I'm just hungry or I don't know but they look like wood steamer pots to me!

At TimHoWan, service is unbelievably fast, no matter how jam-packed the place is. I don't remember waiting for more than 10 minutes for the food to start being served on our table.

TimHoWan Pork Buns

Pork Buns, Php145 for a serving of 3pcs

These pork buns are like their version of Siopao, but I like these better. I don't really like the thick coating of dough in Siopao. With these pork buns, one bite is all you need and you'll get to taste the tender, flavorful pork meat filling.

Hangsaraaaap!

Congee with Lean Pork, Century Egg and Salted Egg, Php140

Poached Fresh Seasonal Vegetable, Php90

Since Mom's not really into Dimsums, she only eats these two: Congee and Poached Vegetables.  Yeah, that's Mom and her super picky eating habits.

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Stir Fried Chow Mein, Php130

My Mama Wheng never fails to ask for pansit whenever she dines out. Luckily, TimHoWan has it.  And with her cooking prowess, I was relieved that she liked the restaurant's version.

Pork Ribs Rice, Php170

Rice with Beef and Fried Egg, Php180

For those who loves eating rice, fret not as TimHoWan also serves rice dishes.  I'm just not sure if they serve rice only or as what we Pinoys call, extra rice.

^_^

Wasabi Salad Prawn Dumpling, Php140

Now this one's another instant favourite, their Wasabi Salad Prawn. It's so good I asked for another serving.  The tangy, spicy taste of the wasabi sauce really complements the fried coating of this dish. I usually don't go for fried dumplings as I hate the taste of the oil.

Vermicelli Roll with Pig's Liver, Php150

Now this Vermicelli Roll's a disappointment for me. I'm not saying it's not good ha, but I just didn't like it. I just ordered it because I wanted to try everything in their menu and I was thinking the liver will just taste like Reno, which happens to be one of my favourite sandwich spread.

Prawn Dumpling, Php160

I ordered two of this Hakao at once.

^_^

Beancurd Roll with Pork and Shrimp, Php120

If I remember it right, this Beancurd Roll is also one of Sol's favourite.

Braised Chicken Feet with Abalone Sauce, Php120

Woohoo, chicken feet!  One of my favorites that my Mama Wheng cooks.  Unfortunately, TimHoWan's version didn't quite meet my palate's approval. The meat is tender, the bones soft that you can actually chew on it but it lacks the taste that I like.  

Dumplings with Chili Sauce, Php150

This is one of the two new dish offerings of TimHoWan.  The sauce is sweet and spicy, sarap isabaw sa rice.

Pork Dumplings with Shrimp, Php150

Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce, Php120

This is another favourite of mine.  

Iced Tea, Php50

For drinks, TimHoWan has nothing special like shakes, juices or mocktails.  So we opted for their Iced Tea while Mom ordered Hot Tea.  They also have sodas and barley water.  

Mango Sago with Pomelo, Php90

For dessert, we ordered their Mango Sago. I wanted to get their other dessert, Tonic Medlar and Osmanthus Cake, but  we're just too full already.  

Mama Wheng, Ate May and Mom

Our TimHoWan Feast

Here are photos of some of the food we ordered when Mom and I had lunch at TimHoWan with Sol:

Spinach Dumpling with Shrimp, Php120 

Panfried Carrot Cake, Php145 

Signature Five Treasures, Php160

This yet another TimHoWan's latest offerings which again, I forgot how much it costs.  It tastes good, but nothing extraordinary. 

Me and Mom with Sol of DTCMakeup

Trust me, that food on our table isn't complete yet, LOL!  

Overall,  I am giving my two thumbs up for TimHoWan. I like their food, the ambience and the service of their staff.  I've tried a lot of Dimsums in Manila but theirs are the freshest.   Prices are reasonable too.  One comment though: When we were in the Megamall branch, Mom and I decided to fall in line already while waiting for Sol so we can get a table.  But the staff said that they don't allow that. If you are reserving a table for three, then all three should be there.  I wish they will change that.  

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