First Bite: Yo! Panda

It frustrates me whenever there are new restaurants quite far from me. It frustrates me even more when I see its mouthwatering dishes. But thanks to some errands, I managed to swing by SM Megamall and finally got to try Yo! Panda.

Hello, Yo! Panda. 

I saw a handful of posts about this place last weekend and it gave me an impression that it only offers egg waffle sundaes. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that what I thought to be a dessert store offers other modern Hong Kong dishes such as baos, noodles and rice bowls. Without much thought, I decided to have lunch here instead of going to another restaurant that I have been eying for months.  

Yo! Panda’s area is small and quite cramped especially for those sitting by the walk way. It was also quite hot inside. I guess it was because it was a bit crowded and the location of the restaurant, being near the exit, makes it harder for the A/C to do its magic. There were some flies too that remind me of Uptown Mall where the fly to human ratio is 1:1. The place is charming though.

I quickly ordered the recommended Cantonese Style Beef Brisket (PHP280) and a glass of Premium Hong Kong Milk Tea (PHP130) while my sister went with Scallion Chicken Chop (PHP230). My mom arrived a couple of minutes after and ordered Burger Steak & Rice (PHP280) and a glass of Yo! Panda’s Signature Iced Tea(PHP100). My mom and sister also ordered Mango Cheesecake Vanilla Soft Serve Waffle (PHP180) for dessert.

My rice bowl arrived first and after a few snapshots here and there, I took a mouthful.

The beef brisket was undeniably soft. It was almost the melts-in-your-mouth type of meat. And simply typing those words make me salivate. 

Foodie Alert: Happy Lemon's Bubble Waffles

I have been seeing the mouthwatering eggette or egg waffle of Happy Lemon for quite a while now. The first store I know selling it is Egg-It in Kapitolyo. But I hardly visit the area now so I never had the chance to visit it. So just imagine my excitement when I found out that I do not have to brave the traffic just to go to Kapitolyo or to Makati (to visit The Dessert Kitchen or Milk Trade). Can’t picture it? Just think of a cat person wearing everything with cat prints who never had a cat but wanted a cat and eventually got a cat. Yes, that type of crazy happiness.

But the lukewarm reviews on Happy Lemon’s eggette made me delay my visit to the nearest store. It took me nearly two weeks before I braved the sun and visited the Happy Lemon branch in High Street. 

I asked the server if they have eggette as I didn’t see any signage around. He gave me a puzzled look and I had to repeat what I said. Apparently, he just knows bubble waffle and eggette is unheard of. And so, after a confusing exchange and charades, he told me that they were out of batter. *ugly cry* My 7 minute walk ended up as a waste of time and energy. 

Instead of heading back, I opted to visit Central Square Mall to look for other desserts. I went up to the cinema floor and discovered another Happy Lemon branch! 

I slowly approached the store afraid to hear the words “out of stock”. I hesitantly asked if they have bubble waffle and upon checking the stock, he gave me a sweet yes. *twirls*