Special Cold Cuts at the China Palace

DATE: 03 October 2010
LOCATION: China Palace, Tagaytay Highlands
FOOD ORDERED: Cold Cuts, Fish Lip soup, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Siomai, Stir Fried Greens, Steamed Lapu Lapu, Hot Chicken Salad, Buchi.






It's been quite awhile since I last ate at this popular Chinese restaurant. I remember when I was a kid how we'd eat here every weekend. They used to have buffets, catering more than 30+ selection of food, ranging from appetizers to dessert. Unfortunately, they no longer offer the buffet. Hence, we ordered a la carte for the entire table.

We started off with the cold cuts for appetizers. Their cold cuts contained octopus, chicken, century egg, seaweeds, roast, asado, and a couple of vegetables as well. It was quite delicious. Typical cold cuts selection you could find in any other Chinese restaurant. Except for the octopus. This I tried and was quite good. Although it didn't seem so appealing to me at first, it was quite tasty.

For our soup, we had the popular Fish Lip Soup. This soup is one of the signature dishes in a typical Cantonese Restaurant, not just local but international as well. It goes quite well when you add a few drops of Chinese vinegar. Not only does it add flavor, but it brings out the true taste of the soup as well. Although eating it as it is is quite good.

For our many courses, we had Yang Chow Fried Rice (the all-time favorite and popular Chinese rice), Stir Fried Greens (broccoli and pechay in special sauce), Steamed Lapu Lapu, and Hot Chicken Salad (compared to the Hot Prawn Salad). The Yang Chow rice was really good. It's quite flavorful, aromatic, and it will indeed fill you up. It paired well with the greens and fish. The greens, particularly the broccoli, was especially tasty. The Lapu Lapu, I can tell, was fresh and cooked well, as there was no flaking or signs of old age. In my opinion, the Hot Chicken Salad could not at all compare to the Hot Prawn Salad. I guess chicken is protein, and it may be quite heavy or too tasty already, to pass and treat it something like the Prawn Salad. Nonetheless, quite savory. Presentation of all dishes were all right. Nothing too fancy or unique. Simple yet elegant.

For dessert is the all-time favorite buchi. I had instances wherein the custard inside was yellowish. In my opinion, the black custard filling tastes way better than yellow one. I don't really know whether there is a difference when it comes to ingredients, but the black one is not only more flavorful, but is also more appealing to me as well.

To criticize, the restaurant servers were quite prompt and fast. However, we also ordered spareribs but decided to have it canceled, because the buchi arrived way ahead. I guess the waiters forgot about it or something. Not really sure.They were simultaneous and unison in terms of serving the food always on the right with the right hand. Same goes for bussing. After each course, as they would notice our plates were quite dirty already, they'd ask politely if they can replenish the Chinawares.

In terms of restaurant cleanliness, it's still quite clean. The china really goes well with the theme and setting of the restaurant, as it feels as if you were in an authentic Chinese setting. Even the view from the dining is all grass and greens. It was really refreshing.


My overall experience for today was something worthwhile. I was able to compare the restaurant's style and service from before to today. The food is still delicious and presentable. Yes. But in my opinion this restaurant has to come up with something new and striking to be able to earn back and gain more customers.

TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS CHINA PALACE, Tagaytay

Summer Garden - Cantonese buffet and dimsum 

available only for private functions this season; prior arrangements required 

seating capacity: 250 guests

Winter Garden - authentic Cantonese a la carte specialties 

open daily except Mondays, from 11am to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm 

seating capacity: 200 guests

CONTACT INFORMATION:
*Accepts only membership cards for payments (Or sponsored by a member of Tagaytay Highlands)
 * (046) 483-0818     

Photos Taken by: Yours truly :)