I recently had the pleasure of visiting Chowking, a fast food chain specializing in Chinese cuisine that's been operating from 10 AM to 9 PM—or until the mall rings the closing bell. I'd heard quite a bit about the place, known for its flavorful dishes, and the buzz around this joint was too much to ignore.
One thing that piqued my interest about Chowking was their knack for keeping their menu has been quite stable for years, but occasionally switching things up by tossing in something new and exciting. It's like expecting a plot twist in your favorite TV show!
Weaving their story through delectable servings of noodle soups, rice toppings, and dim sum, it was no wonder this place came highly recommended. Their franchising journey struck me as quite the adventure, transcending beyond the busy streets of Manila and extending their reach to different provinces. No doubt, the affordability, and homely appeal of their menu was a winning combo. But the real showstopper for me was their Chao Fan—freshly stirred rice in the wok, grace the taste buds with a beautifully balanced flavor. If that's not foodie heaven, I don't know what is!
The uniqueness of this place shines right through their insistence on offering authentically Chinese dishes, even down to using condiments true to its roots. Their custom of serving chili oil to accompany every dish reminded me of a similarplace in Shanghai, and it's a delight to find that tradition being cherished here. It's not rare for customers to request seconds of the chili oil, especially when they can dip their meals into soy sauce, lime, and that addictive chili oil! It's a spectacle in itself, not only for individuals but also for families who cherish a good bonding experience over their succulent meals.
And if you happen to be curious, you can drop by their website for more details!
Where else can I find Chowking?
I was delighted to discover our stateside friends in locations like California, Nevada, and Washington, enjoying the scrumptious offerings from Chowking. It seems like the cross-continental leap was successful, and their culinary expertise is also sought after in Dubai, UAE, Indonesia, Qatar, Oman, and potentially even more locations globally!
Back in the Philippines, Chowking has ventured into food trucks that, while not as ubiquitously available as they are in Manila, still manage to bring their mouthwatering offerings to the masses.
What Makes Chowking Stand Out?
It's definitely their unabashed commitment to serving their diverse customers authentic Chinese cuisine. With their evolving menu and their tradition of delivering hot meals on time, there's always a delightful surprise waiting at Chowking. Their team of skilled chefs who understand Chinese cuisine and intricacies, ensure that food is always prepared with respect for the tradition.
Without a doubt, their undeniable fidelity to taste and variety is worth every mention. Their masterful rendition of hot noodles with pork, beef, or wanton, alongside Chinese fried chicken—a treat of crunch, flavor, and pure joy—is simply enchanting. With a special mention to their Lomi (thick noodles) dish, served hot with a symphony of pork, vegetables, chicken balls, and pork liver—it is a heartwarming medley.
The menu is a balanced blend of popular dishes and traditional favorites, ranging from pancit canton (noodle dish), pork Chao fan, beef Chao fan, yang Chao fan, along with the ever-popular siomai, dumplings, shanghai rolls. Plus, their Asado (sweet, roasted meat) and bola-bola siopao are simply irresistible. If you feel like combining the hearty with the healthy, you have options like steamed river spinach and tofu.
Impressions of Chowking's Ordering Process
The ordering process was streamlined for a delightful experience, and the customer service was top-notch. All it took was a few casual points at their clearly labeled menu and boom! My order was being prepared in no time. There was minor waiting, but definitely worth the wait!
Does Chowking Cater to Vegetarians?
Although the options are admittedly limited, they do have vegetarian-friendly dishes like chop suey (vegetable mix). However, some do come laced with meat. The tofu, though, is an all-vegetable item on the menu that could be a delightful part of a vegetarian spread.
Regrettably, no children-friendly portions on menu directly, but a happy byproduct is that families often end up sharing their meals with their kids. Evidently, their Chinese fried chicken and dessert, Halo-Halo with ice cream and sweet pudding, score high on kids’ popularity chart.
Is Chowking Punctual?
Without a doubt! The restaurant is up and running promptly at 10 AM once the mall opens up, serving customers eagerly waiting to savor their goodies.
Delivery Service of Chowking
Absolutely, Chowking offers delivery services for those hankering for Chinese cuisine in the comfort of their home. My own experience with their delivery was excellent, with all my food well-packed, appetizing, and hot!
Is Chowking Healthy?
What pleasantly surprised me about Chowking was their commitment to using top-notch food ingredients. Unlike many fast-food joints, they keenly avoid greasy food. It just shows how careful they are in making sure they serve only the very best to their loyal patrons. The addition of sides like vegetables and tofu further promises an option for those looking to cut down on meat.
Does Chowking Offer Halal Options?
Indeed, in countries like Indonesia where there are specific preferences for halal-certified foods, Chowking has jumped on the bandwagon, thus widening their customer base and gastronomical experience.
Chowking Takeaways
If you want to replicate the Chowking magic at home, you can take home a variety of marinated meats, fish fillets, shrimps or even packs of siopao. Frozen toppings for halo-halo are also available to craft your own flavorful icy dessert!
My Chowking Pros
- Authentic Chinese Cuisine
- Consistent flavor and quality
- Cheerful and prompt customer service
- Vegetable and tofu options for vegetarian diners
My Chowking Cons
- Limited vegetarian options
- No specially designated children's portions
- Limited number of food trucks