Although I am not a fan of Chinese food, once in a while, I crave dimsum. When I do, I tie my hair back into a neat and shiny bun, put on my reddest lipstick and slip into my most body-hugging, tight-fitting, curve-baring, red cheongsam…
OR I just get into my most comfortable (meaning loose) clothes, run to Li Li, order every item on the dimsum buffet menu, and let myself go.
“The Library”
The Tea Collection
The delicious peanut appetizer
Li Li makes the most exquisite, the most delicate, and the best tasting dimsum in all of Manila. Each item is cooked to order so everything arrives hot and fresh.
We order everything on the menu except 3 items: Steamed Rice Roll with Crispy Dough (how could we have missed this?), Crispy Pancake with Chives and Ham (and this???), and Sautéed Seasonal Vegetables in Garlic (ah, this one we missed on purpose hehehe).
Little dumplings of joy…
Now the question is, which ones would I order again?
“Har Gaw” Steamed Shrimp Dumpling – definitely!
“Siew Mai” Steamed Pork & Shrimp Dumpling with Flying Fish Roe – yes!
Steamed Pork Dumplings Shanghai Style – no, the skin is too thick
Steamed Shrimp Stuffed Spinach Dumpling – probably not
Steamed Beef Ball – I know my dad would have, if he had not given up beef
Steamed Duck Wing in Sate Sauce – mmm… maybe if they run out of chicken feet
Steamed Spareribs with Black Beans – probably not
Steamed Chicken Feet with XO Chili Sauce – yes!!!
“Sieu Pao” Steamed Barbecued Pork Buns – yes, but I like the baked barbecued puff better
Deep Fried Vegetarian Spring Roll – nah
Deep-fried Glutinous Dumpling with Assorted Meat – nah. This is good, but it’s just too filling
Deep-fried Taro Puff with Seafood – maybe not
Wok-fried Radish Cake – maybe not
Baked Barbecued Puff Pastry – yes!!!
Chicken Simmered in Soya Sauce – not really
Honey Roasted Barbecued Pork – definitely. And maybe a bowl of rice, too.
Fried Noodles in Soya Sauce – no
Congee with Fish - no
Fried Buns with Egg Custard Cream – yes, totally
Chocolate Masachi – yes, and not just one. I can finish 3 plates of this myself!
Me, Dad and Mom
How the hell am I gonna fit into that red cheongsam now?
Li Li: 5/F, Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, 1588 Pedro Gil cor M.H. Del Pilar, Malate, Manila, Philippines. Tel: +632-245-1234
