Hap Chan with Bong

Last Wednesday after doing yoga I found myself craving for comfort food and good company (I spend most of my time alone because of bar review).

It was a good thing my friend Bong was available. I picked him up in UP and then we thought about where we wanted to go. We had a hard time because both of us were starving. We ended up driving to Tomas looking for a place where they serve soup. 

While driving, I remembered Hap Chan, a Chinese restaurant my family used to visit often. I liked their jumbo siopao so much that my Tita would order it for me for take out many a night during exams.

I knew they had a branch somewhere in Tomas but because of deficient brain functions due to starvation, Bong and I got lost. Foursquare however led us to their E. Rodriguez branch.

Hap Chan had been expanding recently and had re-fashioned their restaurant image. As compared to before, their restaurants are now more posh:

Fancy furniture and lanterns

This is just me, but I preferred the overall feel of the old Hap Chan, which was more down-to earth and busy (I miss 'em dimsum carts!).

Both Bong and I ended up ordering their beef brisket mami (P120 for solo serving). Serving size was good, and the soup was good with that comforting umami taste. I like that it was served hot enough. However, the beef was tough and wasn't as tendon-rich as I hoped. Considering that this dish was supposed to be a best seller, I was disappointed.

Bong putting pepper in his soup

We also both ordered their bola-bola siopao (P80) (We're two peas, I know!). I'd have to say, although the taste was still there (Hap Chan siopaos have that distinct taste that I love) It seems like Hap Chan is now scrimping on its ingredients. The meat was not as siksik  as it used to be. Same for the bun texture. The sauce is also more malabnaw now.

Bola-bola siopao

Me and my siopao 

Lastly, I ordered their hakaw (P85). Bong ordered siomai instead. I'm afraid that their hakaw also suffered from their scrimping. There were more extenders than shrimp in 'em. So sad. :( Still tasty though.

Hakaw

In spite of Hap Chan betraying my fond memories of it, Bong and i still had a good time. You can't beat good company :). Also, we were super starving and "Masarap kumain pag gutom". Haha.