Top 10 Asado Siopao in Manila

PHOTO BY War Espejo(SPOT.ph) If youre like us, then we know youre as much a fan of merienda as we are. One of the staples of this afternoon tradition is siopao, a pillowy soft, sweet-savory snack that traces its roots to Chinese pork buns or char siu bao. For that occasional dim sum break, you might go for a basket or two of asado siopao, those white steamed buns filled with cubes or flakes of pork, which sometimes comes with a side of thick, brown sauce.There are several places around the Metro where you can find this filling treat, but weve found 10 tasty picks that youll gladly save room for at the dim sum table. While you might already have your favorites, we judged ours based on flavor, filling to dough ratio, presentation, and the sauce (for the ones that came with it). Sorry folks, no bola-bola to see here!All SPOT.ph Top 10 lists are researched, paid for, tested, and selected by the writers and editors. They are discreetly conducted without any notice made to the establishments or their owners. PHOTO BY War Espejo10. Kowloon House (P65/two pieces)This long-standing institution is a no-brainer for people who just want something quick and flavorful. Their siopao, for one, is a steal, with two pieces under P100. Presentation isnt really this siopaos strongest point, although the soft, standout dough is flavorful enough to eat on its own. The asado filling is a bit dry, even with its visible chunks of fat, and looks more orange in color than the others on the list. The orange and brown sauce that go with the pack dont add much in terms of flavor, but wed still give this siopao a chance for its unbeatable price point.Kowloon House has branches all over Metro Manila. PHOTO BY Loren Evangelista-Agaloos9. Comida China de Manila (P120/two pieces)While its a restaurant thats usually packed because of family celebrations, Comida China de Manila is also a good stop if youre craving siopao. If you dont mind the wait (ours took about 20 minutes before arriving at the table), youll be getting two large pieces that wont disappoint. The smoky taste of the brownish asado filling makes up for the thick dough around italthough we know some people wont mind this unequal proportion. This siopao is best enjoyed with its sweet sauce, so go ahead and pour it generously over those buns.Comida China de Manila is at FRDC Building, 106 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave (C5), Barangay Ugong, Pasig City. PHOTO BY Loren Evangelista-Agaloos8. King Bee (P110/two pieces)It could very well be one of your usual haunts for Chinese food, but have you ever paid attention to King Bees siopao? While its not on top in terms of its filling-to-dough ratio, it still leaves a memorable mark in terms of flavor. We spotted some extenders in the filling, and the orange-colored asado might be a bit of a surprise, but biting into this large portion of siopao would still go well with your order of soup or other dim sum favorites on their menu.See a list of King Bee branches. PHOTO BY War Espejo7. King Chef Dimsum (P90/three pieces)We like that King Chef Dimsum thought of making this siopao look presentable, but in the end its all about the taste. The red filling comes with its share of minced fat, and a douse of that tasty sauce gives a good kick of flavor once added. The dough is bouncy to the touch and not at all dry, although its still best appreciated with that asado filling. Each siopao is small enough to finish in a few bites, but at P90 youll definitely end up with more than just one bamboo basket of this on your table.See a list of King Chef Dimsum branches. PHOTO BY War Espejo6. Ling Nam (P85)Your usual Chinese restaurant haunts will most likely include Ling Nam. An order comes with just one large portion of siopao, with its perfectly shaped and smooth dough on the outside, and flaky pork asado inside, which stands out for its bright orange color. The pork filling falls a bit short on flavor, and the slightly sugary thick sauce doesnt add much to taste, but this siopao still gets high marks because youll get almost equal amounts of dough and filling in every bite.See a list of Ling Nam branches[ugcMrec] PHOTO BY War Espejo5. Yang Chow Dimsum and Tea House (P95/two pieces)The next time your siopao takes a while to get to your table, take that as a sign of possibly tasting great things ahead. The siopao from Yang Chow arrives freshly steamed, but even if you decide to take it home and steam or reheat it yourself, youll find that this dough and filling pair still fits perfectly. The dough is smooth and tender to touch, while the reddish pork-asado filling gives off a slightly sweet flavor thatgoes well with the side of hoisin sauce that goes with your order.Yang Chow Dimsum and Tea House is at Eton Centris Walk, EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City; and Marcos Highway, Antipolo City. PHOTO BY Loren Evangelista-Agaloos4. Gloria Maris (P120/three pieces)Our order of siopao from Gloria Maris arrived slightly deformed from its packaging, but this turns out to be a case where you cant judge a book by its cover. The dough is quite heavy and compact, so that it feels like every bite matches up with its interior, which is made up of a generous portion of pork asado. The fillingwhich has its share of fat bits, is coated with just enough sauce that tends to clump up in some areas, but the overall flavor remains topnotch. You might not even have to reach for that side of hoisin for this siopao, as youll most likely finish all three without even realizing it.See a list of Gloria Maris branches. PHOTO BY Joanna Manalastas-Calasanz3. Masuki (P60)When it comes to siopao, many people agree that Masuki has one of the best. Masukis siopao sports a no-fuss exterior, but once you break it apart and get to that pork filling, those textures will certainly leave a strong impression. While the sauce on the side doesnt add much flavor, the brown filling resembles a tasty pork floss with flaky and chunky portions, which pairs well with the slightly sweet and light dough that envelopes the meat. Removing that outer layer of dough might be an option for some, so that you get to dive right into that soft dough and simply enjoy those standout flavors.See a list of Masuki branches. PHOTO BY Loren Evangelista-Agaloos2. Wai Ying (P85/two pieces)You probably already know that Wai Ying has some of the best-tasting dim sum in town, so go ahead and add their siopao to your list of favorites. The dough is firm and thick but doesnt take over that reddish-orange pork asado filling which exhibits that memorable smoky flavor. You might come across some tendon or fat bits while munching on this siopao, but it still ranks high for presentation and its balanced pork-to-dough ratio. This one doesnt come with any sauce, so take that as a vote of confidence that what you have in your hands is something close to spectacular.Wai Ying is at 810 Benavidez Street, Binondo, Manila (Fast Food); 832 Benavidez Street, Binondo, Manila; and EGI Taft Tower Condominium, Taft Avenue, Manila. PHOTO BY War Espejo1. Ma Mon Luk (P50)No one does mami and siopao like Ma Mon Luk, and our recent visit goes to show that theyre still at the top of their game. The perfectly knotted exterior of their regular asado siopao hides a flaky brown filling that might look dry at first, but once tasted exudes a slightly salty yet well-balanced flavor that is unlike any other siopao on this list. Its customary for some to remove the hard outer layer of dough, but what shouldnt be ignored is that must-try brown sauce on the side, which adds a layer of sweetness that highlights all the best things about this bun. The crowds still flock to Ma Mon Luk, and after getting a taste of this, its easy to understand why.Ma Mon Luk is at 408 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City; and 545 Quiapo Boulevard, Quiapo, Manila.Photos by Loren Evangelista-Agaloos[searchbox]