
(SPOT.ph) There’s no denying that Chinatown is the go-to place for real-deal Chinese cuisine, but with the traffic and parking challenges—not to mention the continuous gas price hikes—sometimes you just have to look for nearby dining alternatives to sate your cravings. You’d be surprised to find out that there’s a hidden gem at The Grid in Rockwell, and it’s called White Flower Tea House.



Also read: This Hearty Noodle Dish Is Just What You Need After a Long Day
Fans of Chinese food, we've got scrumptious new reasons for you to drop by White Flower Tea House:
Some of you might not be familiar with the brand since it opened at the height of the pandemic last March 2021. Along with the rest of the food industry, this resto newbie struggled with the uncertainty of the global health crisis and various quarantine situations. Fifteen days after it officially opened, it had to close down because of a lockdown, and it took months of ups and downs before it finally found its footing and regularly opened for its dine-in customers once again. Chef Decker Gokioco recalls the experience so well, most especially the happiness and relief of seeing children in high spirits going around the food hall after months of noticeable absence.
White Flower Tea House initially had a very extensive menu, but they have curated it to fit the food hall lifestyle since then. “When I create food, una 'yong comfort,” revealed the chef who introduced new offerings just last May 1. “Mahilig ako sa shrimp tapos mahilig din ako sa rib-eye.” You’ll find his favorite proteins in the new menu items that are here to stay.
Should you come with family or friends, why not share an appetizer like Prawn Toast (P350/three pieces; P650/six pieces)? This classic Hong Kong-Cantonese dim sum is basically made up of baguette slices topped with prawn paste that’s coated and fried to a crisp—but take a bite and you’ll find that it’s so much more than that. According to the chef, they use a mix of chopped shrimp and blended shrimp to create a paste and achieve that creamy and chunky texture at the same time. It’s garnished with a dollop of sweet mayonnaise, sesame seeds, and green onions, plus served with sweet and sour sauce on the side. You know it’s perfectly fried since it stays crunchy even after sitting at the table for a while. Make sure to get some sauce with every bite to complement its taste.


Another shrimp starter that could also double as a viand is the Almond and Honey Flakes Shrimp (P575), which might remind you of the traditional hot shrimp salad. Though this version has the same fried shrimp tossed in mayonnaise and fruit cocktail bits, the addition of almond slivers and Honey Flakes cereal give it more contrast in texture and flavor. The crunch from it complements the creamy shrimp well and makes the eating experience more enjoyable. You’ll also wouldn’t mind having it as your last bite since the sweetness from the fruit bits will make your taste buds happy.

Also read: The Best Chinese Restaurants in Manila for Your Next Celebration
Seafood lovers would also appreciate the Egg Floss Shrimp (P550), a Singapore-inspired dish made with deep-fried battered shrimp that’s sautéed in aromatics. It’s a visually appealing dish as the shrimps are tossed with curry leaves, chilies, and egg floss. They actually make the egg floss from scratch by frying beaten eggs, which are mostly yolks, hence the intense yellow color. It’s a really tasty dish with a strong garlic taste and a hint of spice, and the serving size is quite good too.


If you rather feel like splurging, then go for the USDA Sizzling Black Pepper Ribeye (P900). Picture USDA ribeye steak cut into cubes and tossed in signature black pepper sauce with onions and leeks and served on a sizzling plate—all you’ll need is an extra order of steamed rice. Be warned though that each bite might require a large spoonful of carbs since it’s really rich and savory. The tender beef slices are all coated with the dark and thick sauce, and its strong peppery flavor will hit you like a ton of bricks. It definitely wouldn’t be complete without a bowl of rice—or two.


Aside from these shrimp and beef offerings, there are also new stir-fried noodle dishes and noodle soups as well, some are even available in potluck trays. So next time you’re in the mood for some Chinoy comfort food, know that there’s no need to drive far. This food hall stall is sure to hit the spot.
White Flower Tea House is located at Stall 9, The Grid Food Market, 2/F Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City. For delivery orders, check out the White Flower Tea House section of The Grid Food Market's website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Photos by Majoy Siason
Also read:
WATCH: This Is The Crispy Chinese Fried Chicken You Should Make
A Guide to Chinese New Year Traditions
Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community and subscribe to our Chatbot.
We are now on Quento! Download the app and enjoy more articles and videos from SPOT.ph and other Summit Media websites.