It was January 2, 2015 and Mom had an epiphany to eat at Din Tai Fung (the only Michelin starred Taiwanese restaurant in the world) because she sensed that he queue wouldn't be long since it was the start of the year, people would be lazy to dine out.  Thus, because of this baseless hunch we went all the way to SM Megamall.  


On the way, we were observing the streets and MRT feeling that people prefer to be at their homes.  To our surprise, SM Megamall had an End of Season Sale so the parking was so loonnnnnnggggg.  And since the family had a tight-leash when it comes to patience and I had a beach camping trip to Layag-Layag Island the next day, I volunteered to be dropped off and get us a queue number at Din Tai Fung while they line up for the parking.



I got to the counter and was issued a queue number 5107 with a time stamp of 19:12:42 (7:12 pm).  Along with the queue number is their order slip so while waiting you can already decide what to order.  The family arrived the Din Tai Fung at around 7:25 pm.  (We had to be complete before we could enter otherwise, we'd forfeit our slot)

While waiting, we watched how the xiao long baos were made and we also watched the video where the employees of Din Tai Fung are interview on how much of a good boss the owner Mr. Yang is.  We also read the menu on the legend of Din Tai Fung which is a great story on the factor of resilience to success.

It's pretty cool that they have a stool step for kids.  There's also a photo spot (which that guy used as a watching spot) so you can have a souvenir.  

We also ordered in advance.  There's a list of items not available on the counter.  We were partly sad that the Stir-fried Organic Kale and all items with Pork Chop was not available but there's so many options to order instead anyway.  Upon giving the order slip at the counter, the staff confirmed each item with us by encircling them as she read them out.

At around 7:45 pm, we saw our queue number on their LCD display.  As we approached the counter, we saw our order slip being passed on to the kitchen an we were ushered to our round table.

No wonder the queue moves fast.  Aside from the efficient queuing system (where there are 4 categories: 2 persons, 3-4 persons, 5-6 persons and 7 persons and above), they have a lot of staff, big kitchen and tons of seating.  Upon seeing the high chairs, I also understood why they ask if you have kids when you get a queue number.  Aside from high chairs, they also provide bag holders which they cover with brown cloth.  Just like in abroad, you can pay your bill on the payment counter on your way to the exit.  They also sell there their merchandise like their chopsticks, x.o. sauce and soy sauce.

Food

Appetizers

♥ Din Tai Fung House Special (155 php)

We ordered the Taiwanese Kao Fu because it looked really good from the menu.  We were looking forward to it when a staff came with a tray with the Din Tai Fung House Special and Spicy Pickled Cucumber and informed us that the Taiwanese Kao Fu was unavailable.  (Great gesture of sincerity right?)  We chose the Din Tai Fung House Special and we are quite pleased with our decision.  It was so good!

♥ Cold Chicken with Scallions (200 php)

 We loved the Din Tai Fung House Special but it didn't feel filling enough for an appetizer so we ordered the Cold Chicken with Scallions.  Again, we were impressed!

Xiao Long Bao
Prior to serving our Xiao Long Bao, our server assisted us with our dipping sauce.  My brother wanted to confirm if our way of eating Xiao Long Bao is correct so he asked and we were given their "Guide to enjoy the Xiao Long Bao or Gabay sa pagkain ng Xiao Long Bao" (yes, it has a Tagalog translation).  Step 1 which involves preparing the dipping sauce is as you can see voluntarily done by our helpful server.

♥ Pork Xiao Long Bao (315 php/10 pcs)

 We've never encountered a restaurant with a menu section of Xiao Long Bao before so we had a difficult time deciding.  We had the classic Pork Xiao Long Bao so we could compare it with the other xiao long baos we've tried.  These beauties are the best we've had!  Perfectly thin shell and the broth is heavenly!

♥ Green Squash and Shrimp Xiao Long Bao (160 php/5 pcs)

Between the Pork Xiao Long Bao and the Green Squash and Shrimp Xiao Long Bao, it's really difficult to decide which is better because they are equally good!

♥ Truffle and Pork Xiao Long Bao (135 php/piece)

We had to follow up the Truffle and Pork Xiao Long Bao because it wasn't serve even when all our orders came in.  Before it was served, we were given a new set of spoon and small dipping sauce plate.  We were advised that we should cleanse our palate and not to use the dipping sauce so we could savor the truffle taste.  We delicately placed it on our spoon, slurped slowly and indulged on the truffle essence broth which is so heavenly!  Gosh! I want to have this again asap!

Pot Stickers & Snacks

♥ Shrimp and Pork Pot Stickers (220 php/6 pcs.)

Pot stickers or more locally known as fried dumplings are so common here in the Philippines but never have I seen it presented like DTF's Shrimp and Pork Pot Stickers.

♥ Shrimp and Pork Pot Stickers (220 php/6 pcs.)

These Shrimp and Pork Pot Stickers are superb.  With the bottom part thin and crisp, the rest delicately soft and tender and filled with tasty shrimp and pork, I'd say this is the best one I've had yet!

Featured Dishes

Salted Egg Yolk Prawns (375 php)

The Salted Egg Yolk Prawns is good but compared to the other dishes, for me this is the least impressive.  On my next visit, I'll skip this to try the other dishes and just go after the Golden Lava Salted Egg Yolk Bun for dessert.


Fried Rice

♥ Chicken Cutlet Fried Rice (285 php)

I was never one to be crazy for chicken chops.  I didn't even understand the craze before for Hot Star.  But, Din Tai Fung's Chicken Cutlet with flimsy thin batter coating, moist and tender chicken and subtle pepper seasoning got me hooked.

Soups & Noodle Soups

♥ Braised Beef Noodle Soup (295 php)

With the Braised Beef Noodle Soup, you can choose between: All Tendon, All Meat or Half Tendon Half Meat.  We chose the latter.  This is a bowl of perfection!  From the broth to the meat and the noodles, everything is A+!

Sauteed & Fried Noodles

♥ Noodles with Minced Pork Sauce (145 php)

The Noodles with Minced Pork Sauce is one of the best (if not the best) dry noodles I've encountered.  The noodles are consistently springy even long after it was served, the portion of sauce to noodles is precisely right!  I'd say this is the most sulit or bang for the buck item we've gotten.

Hot & Cold Desserts

♥ Chocolate Lava Xiao Long Bao (115 php/3 pieces)

The saying "Always save room for dessert" great applies here at Din Tai Fung.  My mother is not a fan of chocolate desserts.  While we were outside, adding this to the order slip, she declared she will not have one.  When I let her taste mine, she quickly called a waiter to order another one!  The fine, smooth and bitter-sweet dark chocolate filling is to die for!

♥ Golden Lava Salted Egg Yolk Bun (85 php/2 pcs.)

We all thought we were full by the time that this Golden Lava Salted Egg Yolk Bun arrived.  But, upon tasting this, we had to order more so we could have one each because no one wanted to share.  Be careful in being excited to eat this, mom was so excited that she bit this while it was steaming and smoking hot and squirted the filling all over her plate!

Drinks

♥ Lemongrass Juice (45 php)

We were a bit disappointed that the Iced Rose Tea was unavailable so we were all forced to order the same drink for all of us which was the Lemongrass Juice.  To our surprise, it was refreshingly good!  We're so used to the sweetened drinks here that we were pleasantly surprised that this isn't. 
 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We will definitely come back for more of Din Tai Fung's dishes.  In fact, I'm now imploring you for suggestions on what to try next!  I strongly agree that it deserves a michellin star or maybe even more stars in the future.  The service and food quality is superb.  With Din Tai Fung here, we can now enjoy Taiwanese Cuisine at its finest whenever we want.

I can hardly recall the times when we kept insisting my mom to learn how to use the computer. After I gave her a Nook Color, she became hooked to playing games and Facebook.  It wasn't long until my siblings upgraded her tablet to an Ipad and Galaxy Tab.  Now, she's the one who updates us with the latest videos and food trends.  And, I am dragged along chasing one food hype to another.  This time the family's hype chase, as influenced by the various food blog posts and social feeds, has brought us to Hot Star Large Fried Chicken in Blue Bay Walk. 


Hot Star Large Fried Chicken is a famous international fast-food chain from Taiwan .  I've had Taiwanese chicken chops before but as authentic as they are, they did not originate from Taiwan so I'm epicurious!


You'll be assigned a number so you can claim your orders at the window located just right next to the counter.
 

Seating capacity is limited but adequate since some customers prefer to have their orders taken out as they eat it as a snack.


Food

Meals (+35 with rice and drink; +20 with drink)

Original Large Fried Chicken with Rice & Drink (110 php + 35 php)

Indeed the Original Large Fried Chicken is large as claimed to be.  The batter was crunchy and slightly seasoned with salt and pepper.  I'm glad that it was not oily.  The chicken meat was tender and juicy but tasteless.  It was boring for me to munch really especially with rice.

Crispy Large Fried Chicken with Rice & Drink (110 php + 35 php)

The Crispy Large Fried Chicken is just a change of the batter texture like those of a schnitzel.  I prefer the original one.

♥ BBQ Large Fried Chicken with Rice & Drink (125 php + 35 php)

The BBQ Large Fried Chicken would be my choice if you're eating it as a meal with rice.  This moves up by one notch the dull Original Large Fried Chicken with its sweet and salty sauce.

Large Crispy Fish with Rice & Drink (110 php + 35 php)

The  Large Crispy Fish is battered dory fish.  Unfortunately, I dislike dory. =(

♥ Chicken Poppers (95 php)

Perhaps, large is not for me.  I find the Chicken Poppers more fun to munch with.  It's not as tedious to bite and I can grab a piece at a time.

♥ Large Fish Sandwich (145 php)

The Large Fish Sandwich is a sandwich filled with dory fish fillet, lettuce and mustard.  The buns are soft.  And, the mustard sauce complements the fish fillet well.  I find this a more balance meal that the  Large Crispy Fish with Rice & Drink.

Large Chicken Sandwich (145 php)

The Large Chicken Sandwich is a sandwich filled with crispy chicken fillet, lettuce and mayonnaise.  I'd prefer the Crispy Large Fried Chicken with Rice & Drink.

Desserts

♥ Almond Ice Crush (45 php)

I had the Almond Ice Crush as a drink.  It was a bit sweet but it was refreshing as it cleanses my weary mouth from all the batter.  

♥ Combination: Almond and Black Gulaman  (15 php)

The Combination: Almond and Black Gulaman would probably the only reason I'd go back to Hot Star Large Fried Chicken.  It was really good!  We had to order one for each as no one wanted to share haha. =p


Drinks

Blue Lemonade Regular (Meal add-on)

The Blue Lemonade is a sweet carbonated lemon drink.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
For hefty eaters who hype for size, Hot Star Large Fried Chicken is a must try for you.  I've witnesses my friend eat two to three Large Fried Chicken for consecutive days and he's so happy with it.  I'm glad that I got to glance upon the largest piece of chicken I've ever encountered.  But, I found it to be more of a jaw exercise than an enjoyment.  I guess I'd prefer quality (tasty and enticing dishes) over size.