Smackdown: Which Siomai Spot Takes España’s Crown?

(SPOT.ph) At some point in your life, you probably lived off of siomai rice. A classic staple during a person’s college years, the meal is as simple as it sounds: a heaping cup of rice paired with four pieces of the dim sum we’ve known since childhood. Apart from being affordable yet filling, the meal has taught us a couple of valuable life lessons along the way—like how to make things last (we still can’t fathom how four pieces of siomai equate to one entire cup of rice) and how to be creative with one’s meal. Hint: chili oil.

Each educational institution probably has its own go-to spot that's been there for many years, helping feed the rumbling bellies of students looking to maximize their budgets. With more schools returning to a face-to-face or hybrid learning approach, we thought it best to lend our taste buds to a school’s long-standing debate between two siomai houses in the hopes of finally settling the score. We check out Angkong Dimsum House and Dimsum Treats, two of the most talked about dim sum spots located around the perimeter of the University of Santo Tomas campus.

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Where is the best siomai spot in and around UST in Manila?

Dimsum Treats

If there’s one dim sum spot that most can consider being the OG, that would be Dimsum Treats. They’ve been in business since 2008 and has since branched to additional locations since then. They’re mostly known for their huuuuuge portions of siomai that are best paired with Golden Sun, a milk tea drink from neighboring shop D’Cream.

Angkong Dimsum House

Angkong, on the other hand, is a more recent addition to the food haunts of UST having put up shop in 2015 as just a small food kiosk. At the height of the pandemic, they gained online fame by selling their beloved dim sum in frozen packs, to the delight of students and regular patrons who'd been hankering for their siomai. They are also peddled by resellers giving them a wider reach.

Location

Due to its popularity, both Angkong and Dimsum Treats have branches in UST’s food lanes, Dapitan and P. Noval, with Dimsum Treats set to open a new outpost in P. Noval. For the purpose of easy comparison, the author decided to venture to the Dapitan side branches of both establishments.

Angkong’s Dapitan branch isn’t as accessible to students considering it is located in one of the lesser-known side streets (they were previously located in the more known Asturias street). Located on Gelinos Street, Ankong has a limited seating capacity that can accommodate about six to seven groups depending on size. Dimsum Treats, on the other hand, is located right on Dapitan street but towards the end of the strip, bordering on the corner of P. Noval. It has a bigger seating capacity—they even have a second floor!—and can cater to more patrons.

During the author’s visit during the lunch rush, Dimsum Treats had a longer queue than Angkong but was able to get a table pretty quickly.

Price and Serving Size

Angkong has a relatively cheaper price tag for its combo meals. With a starting price of P65, customers can already have an order of rice with four pieces of siomai or dumplings. Take note that drinks do not come with the combo meal and must be ordered separately.

Dimsum Treats, while pricier than Angkong, gives you more variety in how you consume your order. Customers may opt to order a la carte by getting the dim sum only option (starts at P55) if it’s just a quick bite they’re after. Combo meals start at P95 and come with a heaping pile of rice and a medium-sized iced tea. A “fancier” option would be to order the Yang Chow fried rice combo which also comes with a drink and your choice of dim sum (starts at P115). Each order comes with four pieces of siomai.

Taste

The thing with dim sum—specifically those found in mom-and-pop shops—they more or less taste the same in order to maintain the very low price point. But that’s not the case with these two siomai spots.

Angkong’s standard Siomai is reminiscent of weekend merienda at your parents’ home. You know what we’re talking about: Your folks call you from the kitchen, telling you that they bought siomai from a friend peddling the dim sum. You take a couple, prep your sauce in a sauce dish, and take a bite, and another and another. You start to wonder how is it so good. The answer: the siomai is homemade—nothing extra fancy about it, just the idea of hard work and perseverance being put into its creation making it extra tastier.

Dimsum Treats’ Special Siomai, which has been sating Thomasians’ siomai hankerings for as long as everyone can remember, is more commercial in taste despite its more homemade look. A bit on the starchier, drier side of the spectrum, the steamed pieces of dim sum still provide a satisfying bite to those that are in a pinch and want a more filling meal. What makes it stand out against its competitors, however, is the chili oil that comes with every order. It's a bit spicier than usual—a simple dunk can really fire up and extend your meal given how much of a kick it gives. Yes, we really do mean extend because it forces you to eat your siomai in smaller portions while at the same time shoving more rice down in the hopes of alleviating the spice the chili oil brings.

The Verdict

While both Angkong and Dimsum Treats have staunch supporters who would fight you tooth and nail in defense of their choice, it really depends on what you’re looking for in a meal should a winner emerge.

Those that want a more flavorful bite ought to check out Angkong with its homemade approach to the well-known dim sum. But if it’s value for money, Dimsum Treats take the cake with its massive portions, outstanding chili oil, and refreshing drink combo that’s great for when you want a filling but affordable meal.

Still, a firm winner must be declared and if it were up to us, we’d happily give España’s crown to Angkong Dimsum House. Despite the traditionally small size of their dim sum (an important factor for hungry college kids), the taste outweighs everything else. Surprisingly, it has left the author feeling full, regardless of whether or not she successfully portioned and extended her four meager pieces of siomai into an entire meal. So whether you’re a student that’s just about to start school, or someone in the middle years of their education, heck, even if you’re an alumnus that has long since graduated, a definite reason to visit the alma mater, and by extension, Gelinos Street is Angkong and their surprisingly delectable bites on their take of a classic Chinese staple.

See a list of Angkong Dimsum House branches; See a list of Dimsum Treats branches.

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