[2011 Throwback] Luk Yuen

[updated]

The Project 12x2-1 Page

All food tastes good to the starving man's mouth.
– Lin Yutang, 'My Country and My People'

It was a payday Friday and all of the grub spots around the area was full to the brim. Gutom na gutom na kami at pang lima pa sa waiting list ng isang resto at pang labing-isa naman sa isa pa. Lumalalim na ang gabi. Kahit sa foodcourt jampacked.

Without much choice, we chanced on a place we never even cared to consider stepping into before - Luk Yuen.

Unang Hirit:
Luk Yuen in Glorietta 5 is on the outside of the premise along the roundabout lane where North Park, Starbucks, Bo's Coffee, and Yellow Cab are.

Luk Yuen - Glo 5

Frankly, we see it as just another typical Chinese resto similar to David's Tea House or Hap Chan. Kaya ang iniisip namin, why bother to try it kung ilang hakbang lang may North Park na which offers better options. That night changed our opinion. In fact, at the time of writing this (which is a month late!), nakaka-tatlong balik na kami sa Luk Yuen.

my side of the table

We decided to stay despite the waiting list. Pang-apat na naman din kami at mabilis ang turn around ng customers. Hindi nag-tagal ng mahigit sampung minuto at naka-upo na kami. Kudos kay Manong Guard na malupit na binantayan yung listahan niya ng pila.

Update: Fast forward to 2015. Lumipat na ang Luk Yuen - Glorietta 5 into a bigger venue inside the main Glorietta building. It's right after the bridge way connecting Glorietta to Landmark. Hanggang ngayon suki pa din kami dito at isa sila sa mga go-to food places namin kapag dinner after work.

Ang Kinain:

• Beef Brisket
• Ravioli Noodles
• Dumplings in Hot Chili
• Fried Noodles with Shredded Pork
• Shanghai Buns
• Beef with Brocolli
• Yang Chow Fried Rice
• House Tea

beef brisket

Nothing special on their beef brisket kundi yung lalagyang bowl. Naka tilt ito diagonally sa isang side. Ang kulit. Yung beef brisket halos kalasa lang ng sa Chowking.

shrimp-stuffed ravioli

Yung ravioli noodles ay noodle soup na may limang ravioli dimsum. Hindi gaanong malasa yung sabaw nito pero sulit yung presyo para sa laki nung servings.

patok sa amin yung sauce neto

Dumpings in hot chili nila ang di namin inaasahan na patok. It's basically eight pork and kuchay dumplings dipped in chili soy sauce. Ang sarap ng timpla nung toyo. Sobrang malasa at bagay sa dumplings. And again, mura yung presyo neto para sa dami ng servings kaya good buy.

ubos na bago naalalang piktyuran

Parang crispy noodles ng North Park yung Fried Noodles with Shredded Pork. Dry noodles ito na tinimplahang pork broth at sahog na gulay. Unti-unting hinahalo yung noodles sa malagkit na sabaw hanggang sa lumambot yung mga strands para makain. Masarap naman yung timpla nung sabaw concoction nila.

shanghai buns with asado sauce

Typical na bola-bola siopao yung Shanghai Buns. Pinaganda lang yung pangalan. Pero yung lasa at itsura ganun din. Medyo mukang may chopped veggies lang yung loob nung meatball.

beef with broccoli

Beef with broccoli tastes good. Again, it's typically the same with most Chinese resto. Gusto namin yung butterfly-shaped carrot na garnish. Aliw.

Yung yang chow fried rice is a bit overcrowded with green peas pero patok pa din naman yung lasa and it looks and tastes as how it should be. Good for two ang isang serving.

Mga Chechebureche:

Andami ng pagkain sa menu. Most of them ay common nang offerings sa mga Chinese food places pero madami pa din namang never-heard pa namin before at mukang interesting.

menu

Ang angat sa kanila against the usual Chinese resto of their league is their dimsums. Hindi sila madamot sa servings. Malaki yung sizes ng dimsum at madami at masarap para sa price. Eto ang nakikita naming babalik-balikan dito.

Maasikaso yung mga staff at bihira na hindi kami mapansin kapag may kailangan kaming hingiin. Medyo mabagal lang sila magligpit ng mga pinagkainan ng mga umalis na patrons. Pero hindi na namin problema yun. Ang mahalaga mabilis kaming naka-upo.

nice place

Kaching!:

Price range is at P90 to P180.

As we mentioned, mura ito dahil madami ang servings nila at nothing to scoff at ang lasa ng most dishes we tried so far. Dahil dito, mas advisable kung may ka-share sa ulam... the cheaper it will get while being able to try more dishes. Most of it serves two.

Update: After the move to a bigger and more classy place inside Glorietta 2, nagmahal ang mga food items nila. It is now around P180 to P250 range. Madami pa din namang items na mura in relation to the amount of serving and the taste so this time, kailangan lang ma-identify kung ano ang mga ito and stick with those orders. Ganun kami ngayon ni K kada balik namin dito. Halos automatic na ang orders namin which is mostly one dimsum plate and one rice meal.

Ang Hatol:

It's a good place to load on good food and still pay cheaper than usual or compared to similar establishments.

Magiging balik-balik place na namin ito when we crave for dimsums for sure.

aftermath

Rating:
6 out of 7



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