Food trip on Chinese New Year? Try these Araneta City restaurants
No Chinese New Year celebration is complete without enjoying some delectable Chinese dishes. One has to indulge in the rich flavors that authentic Chinese cuisine offers to fully embrace and honor this special occasion.
For food adventures, most people would traditionally visit Binondo or Chinatown. But these places could be very crowded — inconvenient even — during this time.
So for those who wish to have a more peaceful and convenient Chinese dining experience, Araneta City is the place for you. There is an ever-expanding selection of Chinese restaurants waiting to be explored in the City of Firsts. Here are some that you can try:
Panda Express
After opening in the Philippines in 2019, the famous American Chinese restaurant is now serving its signature bold Oriental flavors at the New Gateway Mall 2.
Among its favorite entrees is the famous orange chicken, known for its crispy exterior and succulent, tangy sauce. Panda Express, after all, claims to be the “home of the original orange chicken”.
Other must-try include sweet fire chicken breast, Beijing beef, grilled teriyaki chicken, Kung Pao chicken, honey walnut shrimp, and black pepper Angus steak.
Each order even comes with a fortune cookie to give each dining experience a lucky twist.
Location: Upper Ground A, New Gateway Mall 2
Tung Lok Seafood
The best Cantonese cuisine from Singapore can now be experienced at the City of Firsts’ latest mall. With the Cantonese words “Tung Lok” translating to “happy together” in English, this restaurant is indeed ideal for a special dine out with colleagues or loved ones.
Indulge in their all-time favorites such as Tung Lok’s Signature Chili Crab with a side of mantou, Crispy Fish Skin with Salted Egg, Stir Fried Beef with Broccoli, Salt and Pepper Spareribs, Collagen Fish Soup, Crispy Fried Egg Noodles with Seafood, and Pork Siu Mai.
Apart from its common dining area, Tung Lok has three private rooms that can hold 10 to 20 guests. Package meals for private rooms are also available upon booking.
Location: Upper Ground Floor, New Gateway Mall 2
Chicken Fandian
The esteemed birthplace of the renowned Binondo fried chicken is now in the City of Firsts!
Chicken Fandian brings to its latest branch at the New Gateway Mall 2 the dishes that foodies love to visit in its original Manila store such as the iconic Fried Chicken and an enticing selection of delicacies such as Kikiam, Pato Misua, Quekiam, and Oyster Cake.
Behind this famous diner is Albert Uy, a visionary entrepreneur and son of Chinese immigrants who arrived in the country bearing the exquisite culinary treasures of their homeland.
Location: Palenque, Upper Ground B, New Gateway Mall 2
Tim Ho Wan
The “world’s cheapest Michelin-star restaurant”, well known for its Hong Kong dim sum and other treats, has also landed in Araneta City.
Tim Ho Wan is located in a hard-to-miss area near the Big Dome Red Gate, making it a convenient option not just for mallgoers but also for those who just finished watching a concert or sporting event.
It has a menu that makes every dining experience a world-class authentic Chinese feast. Among its famous treats are the baked BBQ pork buns, prawn dumpling, and vermicelli roll with BBQ pork.
Location: Coliseum Plaza, Ground Floor, New Gateway Mall 2
Tong Yang
For lovers of unlimited food, Tong Yang is a great option to satisfy Chinese food cravings. It has a lavish buffet of fresh and delectable ingredients that can be enjoyed on a tabletop hotpot and grill.
Tong Yang is Chinese for “winter sun”, referring to Winter Solstice (the longest night and shortest day of the year). Chinese people consider this phenomenon as a sign of better things to come — a belief that drives the restaurant.
In addition to its wide selection of Chinese dishes, Tong Yang offers a delightful variety of Japanese and Filipino cuisine, making it a truly diverse dining destination.
Location: Upper Ground A, New Gateway Mall 2
Hap Chan
Considered a “classic” in Philippine food business, Hap Chan brands itself as the country’s leading Chinese restaurant chain that offers authentic Hong Kong Tea House cuisine and dining experience at an affordable price.
From a small tea house in Manila, it has grown into a full-blown restaurant with branches in various parts of the country – including in Araneta City.
Hap Chan remains a popular choice for many when craving their beloved Chinese dishes, including favorites like mami and noodle specialties, congee, hot pots, and dim sum. Over the years, countless families have turned to Hap Chan as their go-to place for satisfying their Chinese culinary desires.
Location: Ground Floor, Ali Mall
Four Seasons Buffet & Hot Pot
While many of the restaurants on this list are situated inside the mall, those seeking alternatives can explore other enticing choices. Luckily, Araneta City offers a diverse range of dining options beyond the confines of the mall.
One is Four Seasons Buffet & Hot Pot, a “buffet restaurant concept that marries farm-to-table offerings with hot pot cooking.” It serves a wide assortment of fresh and healthy ingredients, and allows hotpot enthusiasts to freely customize their own dishes.
The restaurant is designed with a lavish and modern market interior, and many tables to accommodate a huge number of guests.
Soup base – try Chinese Herb or Szechuan Mala for a complete Chinese dining experience.
Location: Ground Floor, Manhattan Parkview
SOUPer Hot Malatang
Tucked away amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the Fiesta Carnival arcade, one can discover a true culinary treasure – SOUPer Hot Malatang. This Chinese gem presents a tantalizing array of flavors, bringing forth the essence of authentic Ma La Tang from its roots in China.
The restaurant offers a truly one-of-a-kind dining experience. Guests are given the opportunity to customize their meal by selecting their preferred noodles, toppings, and broth.
One standout dish is the renowned Kung Fu Soup, a flavorful blend of over 18 carefully selected herbs and spices. Notably, this soup includes the powerful ingredients of peppercorn, known for its immune-boosting properties and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Location: Fiesta Carnival Arcade
Food Exchange Manila (Novotel Manila Araneta City)
Hotels are among the preferred destinations of foodies due to their rich buffet offerings. And Novotel Manila Araneta City is one of them, especially since its Food Exchange Manila buffet spread caters to a wide variety of culinary preferences — Filipino, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, etc.
For this year’s Chinese New Year celebration, Food Exchange Manila is offering Lucky Feasts which is available on February 9 (dinner) and 10 (lunch or dinner). Diners are set to embark on a culinary journey as Chef Jerico works his magic to bring an exquisite array of auspicious savory delights.
As a special treat, diners born in the Year of the Dragon can eat for FREE when accompanied by 3 full-paying guests!
For more details, contact Food Exchange Manila at +632 8990 7888 or +63 998 570 0704, or visit bit.ly/LuckyFeasts2024.
Location: Ground Floor, Novotel Manila Araneta City