Automatic stars x 3 for being able to feed me something that isn't fast food, always being open, and for being reasonably cheap (at least by US standards). If I could, it would likely be more of a 3.5 star place for me. Note that my rating only applies to eating here at 3am. It may be a much different experience when normal people are going there to eat.
Manila is 14 hrs ahead of my hometown so whenever I am there, I am up in the middle of the night without fail starving for what should be lunch. Most of my options are the local 7/11 but you can only eat so many instant noodle cups at 3am before you feel like you are shortening your life span. So I elected to go looking for something more substantial and stumbled upon this place.
The brightly lit sign proclaims it is always on 24/7/365 and it sits in close relation to the Red Planet (just like the Moon if you get the pun). Getting there at 3am is a little challenging on foot as you must negotiate a dark and traffic laden street where the sidewalk is missing in many places, or cratered in others along with touts chasing you to try to sell viagra, stray dogs fighting and eyeing your leg like a ham, ladies of the night offering you special massages, and the seriously drunk night clubbers looking to challenge anyone to anything. By the time I made it there, I figured I had avoided multiple trauma, rabies, and an STD before even walking in the front door. There should be a medal for that.
The place was empty and quiet and the staff looked tired and bored. Even the security guy at the front door was sacked out and did not stir as I entered. I briefly wondered if I should check him for a pulse but figured I'm out of my country and off duty with a goal for food. Not my problem.
I think the staff were surprised to see someone walk in. They were courteous and prompt. So prompt that they came to take my order within 10 seconds of handing me the 5 page menu so I had to wave them off. That was a bad move since they never came back so I had to get their attention when I was ready to order. I got the sense that they are used to regulars eating there and regulars probably know what they want before even walking in. Asking for time with the menu likely outed myself as a Suzhou virgin and must have confused them and made them back way off. I did receive a complimentary glass of lukewarm but tasty Oolong tea while waiting about 10 min for my Mapo Tofu and an order of Xiao Long Bao.
Once arrived, the food was tasty. Vinegar and fine shreds of ginger came with the Bao but take note, rice does not come with the entree plates unless you order it. Everything was tasty and made to order. Maybe not the absolute best tofu or the most delicate dumplings I've ever had but definitely they got the job done and for a small amount of bank too. A serving of tofu and 4 dumplings was under $6 USD and filled the black hole in my gut while awaiting sunrise. Cash only here is the rule and I did have to go find the server when I finished to pay my bill. Like I said, at 3am, not much was moving around the place except for a few mosquitoes and cockroaches.
Overall, a perfectly serviceable spot and especially notable for always being available. Service could be upped a bit but the food was comforting and tasty especially considering my other options at 3am. I would have no problems going back under similar circumstances. I think it is very worthy of the 3 stars it gets from me. read more