Lugang Cafe is located on Connecticut Ave in Greenhills. It is a chain which started in Shanghai. The space itself is quite opulent, with a 30 foot stone waterfall in the foyer and a multitude of chandeliers.
This is what Mia and Rev came here for... Xia Long Bao. I don't know what that means in China talk but basically they are dumplings with soup inside them. Conceptually I can appreciate what is going on there, the delicate texture of a dumpling with a steaming hot soup wrapped inside. I can only imaging the technique involved. I tried one, it tasted like won ton soup. They ordered three kinds of these types of dumplings, Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao, Steamed Crab Roe And Pork Xiao Long Bao, and Steamed Angled Loofah With Shrimps Xiao Long Bao. I would still rather have them in soup form.
Mia also ordered the Steamed Vegetable And Pork Dumplings which I did not try but i'm assuming it is like any dumpling or gyoza. Still very pretty, still very unappetizing to my Panda Express hatin' a$$.
Rev ordered the Taiwanese Salt And Pepper Shrimp. Nicely breaded and fried so you could eat the shell, but it was more sweet than salt/peppery. Covered in a salsa of green pepper, red pepper, onion, and green onion which did nothing to add to the flavor of the dish but did make the plate more colorful, all I could taste was sweet.
Since I don't do dim sum I ordered the spicy beef and tendon noodle soup. I was actually happy with the depth and flavor of the broth, definitely not Magic Sarap or Knorr. However, soup temperature wasn't hot, and it wasn't spicy at all. I did like the flavor and noodles, but when I see the word "Soup" it should come out piping hot, and when I see the word "Spicy," well.....
Overall I did not hate this lunch. I always enjoy getting out and having a bite with friends. I did appreciate how every plate looked and the atmosphere the restaurant provided. That being said, it is still not a menu I can enjoy, and for that reason, I find it difficult to give it a positive review. However, if you do like this kind of food, check it out http://www.lugangcafe.com.ph
