King Chef Dimsum Kitchen ‘touches the heart’

Dimsum – a dish most of us are familiar with and has brought in thousands of styles across the world. In Baguio, there’s a new place steaming with flavor and aroma – King Chef Dimsum Kitchen.

The history of dimsum goes back to thousands of years originating from the Cantonese people who are known to have special appetite for delicious foods. Back then, it was a breakfast tradition. Cantonese people would often eat small dishes while sipping traditional morning tea. Dim sum culture started in Guangdong province and Hong Kong, but has since spread throughout the world.

Dimsum is a Cantonese word which refers to a small sized bite dishes served in bamboo steamers or on small plates. The Chinese meaning of dim sum is commonly translated to “touch the heart.” Commonly, dimsum dishes are cooked either steamed or fried and are served in small bite sizes. This allows one to order various dishes with different tastes and flavor.

We no longer have to scout for places to eat delicious dimsum and go as far as Binondo just to experience it, thanks to Hansel and Hollan Co for bringing King Chef Dimsum Kitchen in Baguio City.

Tip: Storm the kitchen from 2-5PM and thank us after! :p

Guest post: King Chef Dimsum Kitchen in Baguio: Honest-to-Goodness Delicious Dimsum

By Fiona Quinn 

This blog was re-published with permission from Pilipinas Popcorn Editorial team

All photos in this guest post are owned by Pilipinas Popcorn

Follow this blog on: King Chef Dimsum Kitchen Baguio

If you can’t get your hands and eyes off of dumplings and Chinese food, run to King Chef Dimsum Kitchen in Baguio City housed at The Orchard Hotel in Legarda Road, and we promise you will not be disappointed. It’s honest-to-goodness dimsum. No fuss. Just good food. There’s nothing like a restaurant that is built on the love for food and the love for making other people appreciate delicious and comforting dishes.

King Chef started as a seafood restaurant. The first branch was established in Banawe Street, Quezon City’s very own China town. After a few years, they opened another branch in Binondo on the second floor of Lucky Chinatown Mall. Both restaurants were doing very well. The owners, Marites and Mike Ang, wanted another concept that they could try, something new.

 

King Chef Dimsum Kitchen Baguio at The Orchard Hotel

When asked why they decided to open a branch in Baguio City, Marites went on to tell the story of how her father used to bring her and her sister in Baguio for business and also for leisure. This is where they used to spend their “happy days.” Mike also shares how his father considers Baguio City as one of his favorite places. It’s something very close to the family.

So when they decided to put up another branch, Baguio immediately came to mind. Thanks to Orchard Hotel owner Mr. Hansel and Mrs. Hollan Co, King Chef Dimsum Kitchen now has a home in Baguio.

Putting up a branch in the City of Pines is purely out of love. It comes from a happy memory and this is something that the couple would love to reflect when it comes to their food and their service.

Dimsum

Let’s get to the best part of this review — THE FOOD. With the wide variety of steamed and fried dimsum, King Chef Dimsum Kitchen served us with just some of the best they have on their menu. We had the Fried Prawn Dumplings, Hakaw or shrimp dumplings, Chiu Chow Style Kuchay Dumpling (pork, shrimp, and Chinese chives), Crispy Duck Wanton, and of course, Pork Siomai.

 

One interesting part of this variety is the Ham Soy Kok. Imagine sweet-savory meat filling wrapped in Chinese tikoy. That’s the best description we have for you. But this definitely is a must-try!

In every review, there is always one that stands out. For this visit, it would be the Xiao Long Bao, or otherwise called as soup dumpling. It has pork and chives and is steamed in a bamboo basket. The best way to eat it is to have it while it’s hot. When you eat this yummy goodness, the flavors and that steamy soup explodes in your mouth! Such an experience. You should have this on your menu as soon as you visit.

Now, you may be thinking that all of these come at such a high price knowing that it’s in a pristine location. Well, with P500.00 you can have a variety of 5-6 kinds of dumplings with around 3-4 servings each. But if you come during the promo period which runs every day from 2 pm to 5 pm, you get a variety of up to 7-8 kinds of dumplings with the same amount of serving. No joke.

Beyond Dimsum

Dumplings are the star of the show but King Chef Dimsum Kitchen has more to offer. After all, they are originally a seafood restaurant. As you look at the menu, you will see that there’s a variety of noodles and soups. They have a “Beyond Dimsum” category where they serve other Chinese delicacies. They also have rice toppings, different kinds of rice, congee, drinks, and desserts.

During our visit, we were served with the hot refreshing Seafood with Spinach Soup, savory Soyed Chicken, Radish Cake dipped in a sweet and spicy sauce, Sizzling Beef Chinese Style, Hot Shrimp Salad, and Minced Pork Eggplant in Hotpot. Each of the Chinese dishes was absolutely delicious most especially if partnered with their Yang Chow Fried Rice.

Desserts

It’s a complete meal at King Chef Dimsum Kitchen. You get your favorite dimsum, noodles and soups, rice meals, drinks and then desserts. We had the Black Gulaman and the Almond Jelly with Lychee for drinks and the Mango Sago for dessert.

You would think that with a well thought of menu and great food, the head chef probably knows what he is doing. Executive Chef Joel C. Aroy has been with King Chef since it began. The menu is a product of his travels with Mr. and Mrs. Ang and their only goal is to provide customers with a royal dining experience, authentic Cantonese cuisine served by their most courteous waiters and staff.

Chef Aroy was one of three chefs who won the bronze award at the recently concluded Lee Kum Kee International Young Chef Chinese Culinary Challenge 2018. He battled 42 aspiring young chefs from 17 countries. All the more reason for you to visit King Chef!

With every drink and every bite, King Chef Dimsum Kitchen Baguio is definitely the Chef of Kings and King of Chefs! To know more visit their website and like them on Facebook.