Tao Yuan : Singapore Favorites in Manila
Since last year, I have been hearing about Tao Yuan and it's famous Hainanese Chicken. Luckily, we got an invite from my cousin-in-law F to have dinner there tonight in celebration of her adorable little girl's first birthday.
Together with my in-laws, we headed to Newport City (Resorts World) at exactly 7PM as requested by F. I can't believe that at this time, the restaurant was already full and there was already a line waiting outside. Amazing!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStxo79uV2FwgMWU9sDs6Q_R4vcRO1FrpseCWCG8NKWoSDEZ97mq2Cf1hI2vwrlp1D4yR2v8quvwFcLljZtrff0jpbTQdXRpLP0S0R4XY2CKMzO322BKlR2uIhQ0y1oLNJn8iYS9wmC8p5/s400/tao+yuan+004.jpg)
Dinner began with Assorted Cold Cuts. This is probably one of my favorite meal in any lauriat as I love jelly fish, century egg and cold pig intestines. I'm glad that the serving was pretty generous enough for almost everyone to have a second round.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlfeLp5pAdrZEXgN5WpN_y_VrZ52zVtaoAKCtWftRE8WxuIZMjq51wfFzqOunJJ5CH4KGacTR5h05G2CvkI_Qf-yckrTylDXXfD0hUuD3VYJ7ATuQzko6F0cP-5352UHsSF5EMHoaFtSi/s400/tao+yuan+011.jpg)
We had something that resembles that of a Spinach with Scallops soup earlier tonight. Note that we got a lot of scallops per serving. The soup was very refreshing and I enjoyed the tender fresh scallops in every slurp.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuSBGwxrWFx1S8vNGa1JSlFPHBv-vqaqer3RxPxUbxcwC6f3QtoePXf8wyWjFN0JV3PL-COLv0b_oSKIHnW1ETgVVSdglXY15WHopVytOeaQJ9BOTpN1ejc9iMP2I91RBptNKU2hbW-iq/s400/tao+yuan+012.jpg)
Then the star of the show arrived -- the Hainanese Chicken with Rice. With high expectations, I took a bite of the cold chicken without even dipping it into the ginger oil. The meat was tender but I felt that we were mostly given wings which really just consists of skin and bones. To be honest, I think it fell short of my expectations as I have been told a dozen times how good it was and perhaps I had extremely high expectations for it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEY1qeSRDixetaGTZPqMDBO9aU4nl-HaqzEtTcO15YDrGUU7sq8Kyryt5rkQtegDFXf3X4TqmvOlTsklyT-lUSRJPvfcULtySCqkzDEESWvhI4J6WCmH8lOaqjniKyxF5MH8VtgfcdhLAR/s400/tao+yuan+018.jpg)
On the other hand though, the rice was very delicious. Flavorful and with just the right amount of oil, I could really finish off a bowl if I want to. It's one thing I would order again if I find myself in Tao Yuan next time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1a260NFge_xaVTr6aJWdhrYQRn6yGtf9qXY1ibIvx8a7CsY3kmh18S_r08xgKxoekYnHA_5mOxNpTx31rrLZybit5qBj5xt2Z1BKudS17mAz_CQI_xGOhONs_E0fSwR1ucwUtfIIY8Id/s400/tao+yuan+023.jpg)
Our next dish was pretty popular among tonight's crowd -- Lapu lapu with Mango Sauce. A very colorful dish consisting of fresh and green mangoes, red bell pepper and green onions. I've never had deep fried fish with tangy mangoes before. I love the contrast of the savory-sweet-sour flavors making this a very interesting dish.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ3Ku7AzpLLw8jlvg6Y_UjPQe2LmE1HDc9aztDx28nrWp4dreKWCsGv53mJXtG_gt5KhwYnHvPpemXaoiYCkeBx0riAtRWoP2xulniwpm6MOGE2hkeMPsG8VXsIu_D6dOmGPSAGr21h-5/s400/tao+yuan+043.jpg)
Aside from the Hainanese Chicken, Singapore is also proud of its Cereal Prawns. Unlike the ones that we had at Wee Nam Kee earlier this year, Tao Yuan's version had a thicker coating to the prawns and cereal flakes scattered on top. I had to remove the head as I am not fond of taking in all the cholesterol found in the prawn's head and settled for the plump juicy meat instead. While it may not be as authentic as expected, I enjoyed the delicious cereal flakes which goes well when sprinkled on top of your Hainanese rice.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikipzWJ0ln-VAaeA905-15tr2kvxUvffDOQ0l9FahXeAs3QJZ6bXrPnXTGx8BtTOS8edRPnb8N8qYx1xXeSMAECVWja_ONv_nJ5U0XXJnkXub63w5He-6yOCx66LYe_8RW_5fAB9v6jAxm/s400/tao+yuan+044.jpg)
Last but not the least, we had the Char Kuay Teow. Another Singaporean favorite, this is one noodle dish that you can expect to find in almost every Singaporean eatery -- big or small, in the hawker center or in classy restaurants. For me, I want my Char Kuay Teow not so oily, with a generous amount of crunchy spring beans and a mix of shrimps, egg and Chinese sausage. Tao Yuan's version wasn't so bad, it has all of the essential ingredients found in a Char Kuay Teow but I guess since we were all very full from such a hearty dinner, not everyone had space left for this one. It's worth trying, nonetheless.
My cousin-in-law F prepared a feast! In addition to the dishes mentioned above, we also had sweet Sesame Spareribs, spicy Laksa, deadly Singaporean Chili Crabs and Mango Sago for dessert. I guess more than the food, what made our evening great was the company of Paul's cousins who are all so fun to be with. :)
Tao Yuan is located at the 2nd level of the Resorts World Manila, Newport City in Pasay City. Call them at 659-3321 / 846-9998.
Together with my in-laws, we headed to Newport City (Resorts World) at exactly 7PM as requested by F. I can't believe that at this time, the restaurant was already full and there was already a line waiting outside. Amazing!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStxo79uV2FwgMWU9sDs6Q_R4vcRO1FrpseCWCG8NKWoSDEZ97mq2Cf1hI2vwrlp1D4yR2v8quvwFcLljZtrff0jpbTQdXRpLP0S0R4XY2CKMzO322BKlR2uIhQ0y1oLNJn8iYS9wmC8p5/s400/tao+yuan+004.jpg)
Dinner began with Assorted Cold Cuts. This is probably one of my favorite meal in any lauriat as I love jelly fish, century egg and cold pig intestines. I'm glad that the serving was pretty generous enough for almost everyone to have a second round.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlfeLp5pAdrZEXgN5WpN_y_VrZ52zVtaoAKCtWftRE8WxuIZMjq51wfFzqOunJJ5CH4KGacTR5h05G2CvkI_Qf-yckrTylDXXfD0hUuD3VYJ7ATuQzko6F0cP-5352UHsSF5EMHoaFtSi/s400/tao+yuan+011.jpg)
We had something that resembles that of a Spinach with Scallops soup earlier tonight. Note that we got a lot of scallops per serving. The soup was very refreshing and I enjoyed the tender fresh scallops in every slurp.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuSBGwxrWFx1S8vNGa1JSlFPHBv-vqaqer3RxPxUbxcwC6f3QtoePXf8wyWjFN0JV3PL-COLv0b_oSKIHnW1ETgVVSdglXY15WHopVytOeaQJ9BOTpN1ejc9iMP2I91RBptNKU2hbW-iq/s400/tao+yuan+012.jpg)
Then the star of the show arrived -- the Hainanese Chicken with Rice. With high expectations, I took a bite of the cold chicken without even dipping it into the ginger oil. The meat was tender but I felt that we were mostly given wings which really just consists of skin and bones. To be honest, I think it fell short of my expectations as I have been told a dozen times how good it was and perhaps I had extremely high expectations for it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEY1qeSRDixetaGTZPqMDBO9aU4nl-HaqzEtTcO15YDrGUU7sq8Kyryt5rkQtegDFXf3X4TqmvOlTsklyT-lUSRJPvfcULtySCqkzDEESWvhI4J6WCmH8lOaqjniKyxF5MH8VtgfcdhLAR/s400/tao+yuan+018.jpg)
On the other hand though, the rice was very delicious. Flavorful and with just the right amount of oil, I could really finish off a bowl if I want to. It's one thing I would order again if I find myself in Tao Yuan next time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1a260NFge_xaVTr6aJWdhrYQRn6yGtf9qXY1ibIvx8a7CsY3kmh18S_r08xgKxoekYnHA_5mOxNpTx31rrLZybit5qBj5xt2Z1BKudS17mAz_CQI_xGOhONs_E0fSwR1ucwUtfIIY8Id/s400/tao+yuan+023.jpg)
Our next dish was pretty popular among tonight's crowd -- Lapu lapu with Mango Sauce. A very colorful dish consisting of fresh and green mangoes, red bell pepper and green onions. I've never had deep fried fish with tangy mangoes before. I love the contrast of the savory-sweet-sour flavors making this a very interesting dish.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ3Ku7AzpLLw8jlvg6Y_UjPQe2LmE1HDc9aztDx28nrWp4dreKWCsGv53mJXtG_gt5KhwYnHvPpemXaoiYCkeBx0riAtRWoP2xulniwpm6MOGE2hkeMPsG8VXsIu_D6dOmGPSAGr21h-5/s400/tao+yuan+043.jpg)
Aside from the Hainanese Chicken, Singapore is also proud of its Cereal Prawns. Unlike the ones that we had at Wee Nam Kee earlier this year, Tao Yuan's version had a thicker coating to the prawns and cereal flakes scattered on top. I had to remove the head as I am not fond of taking in all the cholesterol found in the prawn's head and settled for the plump juicy meat instead. While it may not be as authentic as expected, I enjoyed the delicious cereal flakes which goes well when sprinkled on top of your Hainanese rice.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikipzWJ0ln-VAaeA905-15tr2kvxUvffDOQ0l9FahXeAs3QJZ6bXrPnXTGx8BtTOS8edRPnb8N8qYx1xXeSMAECVWja_ONv_nJ5U0XXJnkXub63w5He-6yOCx66LYe_8RW_5fAB9v6jAxm/s400/tao+yuan+044.jpg)
Last but not the least, we had the Char Kuay Teow. Another Singaporean favorite, this is one noodle dish that you can expect to find in almost every Singaporean eatery -- big or small, in the hawker center or in classy restaurants. For me, I want my Char Kuay Teow not so oily, with a generous amount of crunchy spring beans and a mix of shrimps, egg and Chinese sausage. Tao Yuan's version wasn't so bad, it has all of the essential ingredients found in a Char Kuay Teow but I guess since we were all very full from such a hearty dinner, not everyone had space left for this one. It's worth trying, nonetheless.
My cousin-in-law F prepared a feast! In addition to the dishes mentioned above, we also had sweet Sesame Spareribs, spicy Laksa, deadly Singaporean Chili Crabs and Mango Sago for dessert. I guess more than the food, what made our evening great was the company of Paul's cousins who are all so fun to be with. :)
Tao Yuan is located at the 2nd level of the Resorts World Manila, Newport City in Pasay City. Call them at 659-3321 / 846-9998.