We actually went back to Tuan Tuan last weekend. That’s two Saturdates in a row! I really do like this place.
Check out my first review of Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie – Not as Expensive as We Expected.
This time, I was eager to try the Crispy Barbecued Pork Snow Bun (P128.00). Of all the “not siopao” BBQ pork buns I’ve tried, this has to be 2nd best. My favorite is still Lili’s pork buns, but these from Tuan Tuan are also very, very good. I actually like them better than Tim Ho Wan’s!
These snow buns are a bit on the smaller side, but are less expensive at only P128.00 for 3 pcs. I also like the filling better because they are filled with meat, and I didn’t find little pieces of pork fat like I do in other bbq buns, which gives me a problem of having to “spit them out”. Just because of this, I am a fan for life.
Even J, who has an aversion to anything siopao ever since his mom cooked up a big batch and his family spent days trying to eat it all, was totally into this BBQ snow bun, insisting that this was “NOT SIOPAO”. Hahaha!
The skin/dough of this snow bun is very thin, the better to appreciate the BBQ filling! Don’t be misled by the word “crispy”. The dough topping is like a soft, lacey streusel topping that is slightly toasted, it’s not really “crispy” but it’s very good just the way it is – slightly sweet, easy to eat, not crumbly, not chewy, not doughy. The pork BBQ filling was mildly flavored but delicious.
This time, we ordered their Hong Kong Style Coffee (P98.00). Tuan Tuan doesn’t provide complimentary house tea. It uses the same cute Black & White cup & saucer set and also uses the premium Black & White brand of milk. We ordered our coffee with the milk and sugar already mixed in, you can opt to have your sugar and milk on the side.
Normally, the thick, untapered lip of the cup would bother me, but it was just too cute! And I figured it must have been by design. The coffee was not too hot when served (perfectly warm and drinkable), but was able to retain much of the heat even after our meal. The coffee flavor was robust but airy and tempered by milky goodness. I love this coffee and I’m putting it on my list of favorite coffees.
We ordered the House Special Trio (P398.00) – this is Baked Seafood, Wild Mushroom and Pork Chops on Rice. This is good for two. We didn’t make the mistake of ordering too much this time. We decided to order the House Trio first, and then we would just order something else if we were still hungry after the House Trio. We didn’t need to order anything else after the House Trio because we were already full, even if we were really hungry before we went to Tuan Tuan.
The seafood was some fish fillet, fresh shrimp, crabsticks and squid in a bechamel sauce, the pork chop was topped with a Macanese-style pesto sauce and a sweet & sour type tomato sauce.
I loved the rice! It has bits of egg mixed in.
I didn’t think we would be full with just one order, but surprisingly, we were full from the snow buns, the one order of House Special Trio (good for two) and a cup of Hong Kong Style Coffee each.
Our bill ended up just shy of P800 for two people.
The House Special Trio made such an impression on me that I ended up making Seafood Rice inspired by it at home. But be that as it may, the House Special Trio is good but nothing I’d go crazy over and insist on ordering again. I look forward to trying other dishes instead at Tuan Tuan next time.
To know more about the ambience, etc… please read my first review of Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie – Not as Expensive as We Expected.
I would definitely, definitely go back for the Crispy Barbecued Pork Snow Buns – it’s really one of my new favorites. One order or two of these snow buns + the HK style coffee beats donut/muffin + regular coffee for breakfast or merienda any day.
Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie is actually an offshoot of the Mui Garden / Deer Garden restaurants in Canada. The food is described as Hong Kong Cantonese comfort food, and I agree. I really love the food and it really brings me back to my childhood, whether the food memories are real or fantasies, hahaha. Memories always seem fonder when looked through the lens of love. My grandma was not the best cook, but eating at Tuan Tuan always reminds me of her.
Tuan Tuan Chinese Brasserie
3rd Level, SM Mega Fashion Hall
Contact Numbers: 6327483 or 0915-5008026
