Tim Ho Wan's Quality Chinese Dishes in SM Megamall, Philippines

Tim Ho Wan is now in the Philippines - first Michelin starred restaurant to open up here!

Joining the bandwagon, I together with my college friends, decided to have a single-stop food trip in Tim Ho Wan. Being aware of the ongoing long lines, we decided to be there really early, and hence we arrived 10:40 am.

Tim Ho Wan opens up 12:00 nn, so we needed to wait for more than an hour. Luckily, the waiting time was all worth it, since we were included in the first 100 customers which entailed two things. First, we get a free Baked Bun with Pork BBQ each. Second, we get to be seated as soon as the store opened.

Bearing the Long Queue
Since Tim Ho Wan just recently opened, all the people are too eager to try it out making it hard for you to just dine in conveniently. In other words, you will need to line up in order to be seated, and the waiting time takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Also, you need to take note that management is strictly not allowing any reservations to be done.

The long queue of Tim Ho Wan Restaurant after 4 days of its first opening here in the Philippines

Here's our photo waiting to be seated in Tim Ho Wan:

Happy acting-kids waiting in line to get in the Tim Ho Wan Restaurant of SM Megamall

In order to make use of our time, we decided to plan out what to order for this mini food trip while waiting on the line. Hence, I suggest that if you'll be visiting the place, it will be nice to do the picking [of orders] there, so you will have something to do to burn off the time.

The uncomplicated menu of Tim Ho Wan

After more than an hour of lining up, we finally got to be seated, and ask one of the staff to take this mandatory group shot:

Lucky to be included in the first 100 customers of the day here in Tim Ho Wan

The Michelin-Star Quality Food
One of the good reasons why the opening of this restaurant was such a big craze was the Michelin star attached to Tim Ho Wan. This suggests that the quality of the food reached a high-standard criteria and scrutiny. Of course, this made us expect something surprising or new at the least.

Now, let's discover the dishes offered here in this all-hyped-up restaurant by starting with the appetizers!
Baked Buns with Pork BBQ (3 pcs) || P145 

Delicate Baked Buns with Pork BBQ - a Tim Ho Wan Bestseller!

Again, since we were included in the first 100 customers of the day (during the Opening Week), we were given a Baked Bun each! All the waiting became so worth it!

Anyway, this was immediately given a few minutes after we were seated, and it was really an incredible treat, perfect to jump start our food exploration!

A closer look of the famous Baked Buns with Pork BBQ of Tim Ho Wan

Served really warm and fresh, the Baked Buns were extremely soft and delicate. Once it touched my lips, it started to crumble and to unload all its sweetness and savory flavors! It was really one-of-a-kind treat I've ever tasted, and I think this is something Tim Ho Wan is truly known for and proud of.


Pan Fried Carrot Cake || P145

The not-so-incredible Pan Fried Carrot Cake but depends on the palate of the foodie

This Pan Fried Carrot Cake was one of my least favorites, perhaps due to the weird after taste that comes after a somewhat bland oily taste. My friend, Troy, on the other hand said it tasted good, and he was able to down 1 serving (i.e. 1 of the 2 squares).

Steamed Egg Cake || P85 

Moderately sweet Steamed Egg Cake perfect to stimulate the taste buds

Now, here's something I will consider as an underdog, since at first I didn't consider ordering this one up. Luckily, one of my friends insisted to have this one which we did. Golly, it surely did take us by surprise with its soft & light texture and right level of sweetness that definitely stimulated the palate. The common remark we had with this was "Simple lang naman siya pero nakakaadik" (The taste was just simple but addictive).

Also, there was something with the taste that reminded me of something, and it took me a few minutes to remember it. It was the Egg Roll of Hizon's, but the good thing is, the steamed egg cake is definitely cheaper!

The Steamed Collection
Prawn Dumpling (3 pcs) || P160

The relatively uncommon Prawn Dumpling or known as Hakaw of Tim Ho Wan

A closer look of the Prawn Dumplings

Prawn Dumpling or more commonly known as Hakaw is definitely one of my favorites among the Chinese dimsum series. I just love the way the delicate wrapper embraces the tasty prawns, and once you pop one into your mouth, happiness simply bursts out!

Fortunately, Tim Ho Wan's Prawn Dumpling offers the same goodness, but for me it tasted just like the great ones I've tried before. In other words, I didn't find anything special with it (well, except for the top-notch quality), but friends don't get me wrong because I really loved it! However, when I start comparing it along with its price, it makes me think twice before ordering this again in my next visit. (Yes, there's surely a next visit).

With almost the same happiness I derive, I can definitely settle for the Hakaw of Golden Fortune at only P80 for 4 pieces.

Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin (3 pcs) || P120

Beef Ball with Beancurd Skin - a dish of multiple flavors!

If you want to try something new for your palate, you can try having this one! The steamed Beef Ball tasted a bit similar to the usual siomai or any steamed meat (i.e. flavorful beef with a subtle zest of herbs), but what added magic to it was the bed of beancurd skin, marked with subtle sourness, nestling the Beef Balls.

Pork Dumpling with Shrimp (4 pcs) || P150

The tender Pork Dumpling with Shrimp (or commonly termed as Shrimp Siomai) of Tim Ho Wan

What differentiated this Pork Dumpling with Shrimps among those I've tried was the solid tender texture of the meat, signifying that there were no extenders or any of those sheez mixed with the pork. Every bite was momentous! I didn't know that I will find my new favorite siomai here in Tim Ho Wan!

Related Post: Lucky Rainbow's famous and tasty Siomai for only P78

Pork Rib with Black Bean Sauce || P120

The Pork Rib with Black Bean Sauce - a collection of taste with a subtle kick

Here's something you will enjoy because of the playful kick it can offer - Pork Rib with Black Bean Sauce! Basically, there are two flavors encapsulated in the meat, and those are mild spiciness and adequate soy-saltiness. Most of my friends picked this as one of their most loved dishes here in Tim Ho Wan!

Vermicelli Roll with Pig's Liver || P150

The slightly disappointing Vermicelli Roll with Pig's Liver

Although this is considered to be one of the top 4 best-sellers of Tim Ho Wan, I wasn't able to fully enjoy this one because of the lack of harmony of the flavors. Wrapped in a vermicelli and steamed, the meat together with some pig's liver resulted to a potent awkward taste (followed by an unfamiliar aftertaste). However, I know that for some, this roller-coaster type of taste is considerably delightful!

The Rice Dishes
One of the things I appreciated on the menu of Tim Ho Wan was the intriguing rice dishes!
Rice with Chicken, Sausage & Mushroom || P170 

Pouring the sauce that brought more life to the Rice with Chicken, Sausage & Mushroom

Zooming up: Rice with Chicken, Sausage & Mushroom of Tim Ho Wan

In case you only have to choose one among the three rice dishes you may order, I suggest that you go for this one! Most of us declared this to be the best among the three because of its remarkable sweetness and diversity of well-synchronized flavors! Plus, you'll have a generous serving of the sausage, chicken and mushroom!

Glutinous Rice with Lotus Leaf || P190

Glutinous Rice wrapped in a special Lotus Leaf - authentically Chinese!

Unwrapped Glutinous Rice of Tim Ho Wan

If what you are looking for is adventure instead of abundance of taste, I suggest that you try this Glutinous Rice of Tim Ho Wan! Unleash the Chinese-foodie within you with this authentic ma-chang (this is how it is usually called here by Fil-Chi people). You'll find some blandness in this rice, but you may enjoy the uniqueness of its stickiness. This is usually enjoyed the most when mixed with some ketchup.

Rice with Beef & Fried Egg || P180

The ordinarily tasting Rice with Beef & Fried Egg of Tim Ho Wan

A closer look look of the Rice with Beef & Fried Egg

Among the three, this is the least favorite of the group because of its utter plainness. Well, of course the way it was cooked and presented was fascinating, but the taste was really plain and overall bland, probably because the layer after the egg and the steamed beef was just pure rice with nothing to add some spice to it.

Wait, to share with you, how happy we were, let me share this photo:

One happy kid delighted by the Tim Ho Wan experience!

That's how carefree and happy we felt dining here in Tim Ho Wan! Alright, we are almost done exploring, since we are down to the last part - the dessert!

Mango Pomelo Soup || P80

A sweeter way to end the amazing foodie experience - Mango Pomelo Soup Dessert

The Mango Pomelo Soup was good, but considerably ordinary in my opinion. It featured the traditional mango puree and sago (but this time mixed with pomelo), and then served chilled. However, considering that other Chinese restaurants charge high for this kind of dessert, I believe this is a good bargain already!

Tim Ho Wan - Ratings 
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. Ratings pertain to this dining experience alone.
Place ★★★★
Taste ★★★★
Service ★★★★ (fast but excessively fast)
Price ★★★★ (affordable considering the Michelin star, relatively expensive as opposed to other Chinese restaurants)
Budget needed: at least P300 per person (of at least 4 people) for you to try ample number of dishes

Your rating:

Personally, I think that the hype Tim Ho Wan gets is well-deserved in a sense that there are a few dishes that can only be found here! However, as for the steamed dishes, I believe you can explore the food scene of Binondo, and have the same magnitude of satisfaction. Nevertheless, in an overall perspective, I am definitely suggesting that you try this restaurant! It will definitely be a note-worthy foodie experience!

Tim Ho Wan 
Location: SM Mega Trade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
Service Charge: 10% before VAT