If Hong Kong comfort food is what you’re after, TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie will treat you right. TuanTuan in SM Megamall is a collaboration between the Lugang Group and the Mui Garden/Deer Garden restaurants of Canada. Extravagant dishes centered in Hong Kong cuisine and Macanese flavors marry a touch of French flair. Your best bet is to head in for its panoply of savory curry, noodle soup, and signature snow buns, or take delight in some of its best-selling items just as we did. 😉
Review of TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie (SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City)
Ambiance: ★★★★★
Filled with thoughtful details, the interior design of TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie has a good command of both modern and retro-style themes. Everything looks classy, with elegant crystal chandeliers and consistent bright lights above the tables. I’m sure it took a lot of effort (and money) to look this effortless.
Ideal for a more intimate setting, the back dining area is arranged with a long table that can sit 10 guests. It has an eye-catching faux garden wall with realistic artificial plants that make the space feel rather magical as an indoor patio or an extended oasis of the restaurant.
The wall just beside this area also deserves a good deal of attention, as it’s decorated with like a collage of framed pictures and things that tell different wonderful stories.
It’s pretty remarkable that TuanTuan has this kitchen countertop in the middle that somehow reflects a laid-back kitchen that charms with its warm but neutral palette. The black and white scheme really never fails to look polished, suitable for contemporary and chic interiors.
Service: ★★★★★
Service was prompt and friendly. In other semi-random information, it was funny how the staff were all camera-ready whenever I would position my camera to take a shot of a section of the restaurant. Even those chefs preparing the pork snow buns in the open kitchen smiled and posed when I was about 20 feet away. It’s been great engaging with them. 🙂
Food: ★★★★★
We made sure to snag an order of TuanTuan’s Signature Barbecued Pork Snow Buns (PhP 128, 3 pieces) because I have heard from several friends how these buns taste better than those of Tim Ho Wan. My verdict? They are right! These pork buns have a crisp, sweet, streusel-like top that flakes beautifully. The filling is delectable and almost addicting. It’s made up of tender, sweet-savory pork wrapped in a warm, pillow-soft freshly baked golden bun. Yummy! TuanTuan’s pork snow buns are a compelling reason to eat here in their own right.
Looking colorful and tasty, the House Special Trio (PhP 398) consisted of creamy baked seafood, pesto wild mushroom, and pork chop rice. This dish struck a number of notes, thanks to the combination of flavors that had successfully addressed every part of our palate, with each boasting a unique taste that just can’t be beat.
Standing up to strong spices, the Steamed Halibut Belly with Chili and Garlic (PhP 468) was not a boring entree either. Although we found it a hassle to remove the fish bones while eating, the flavor did not turn us off. The fish meat was soft and tender. I especially liked the sauce which gave an alluring aroma that reminded me of home. 🙂 Overall, it’s a messy and glorious dish with salty, sweet, pungent, and fresh flavors, plus multiple textures to boot.
Price for Value: ★★★☆☆
TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie in SM Megamall’s Fashion Hall is a must-stop for Chinese food lovers. Featuring a fusion cuisine made from a distinctive range of Portuguese-influenced dishes from Macau, TuanTuan serves food that are worth waiting in line for. While tabs are mostly on the high end, this restaurant still left me wanting to come back. 🙂 See its menu here.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
WOAH!!! at least you had a good experience. A few months ago, the service was really bad… I loved the food but the service. AWFUL!!! seryoso..
I would love to try them again.
hmmmm sarap!!!!! talaga 😀 Cheers..
Haha yes, super sarap talaga. 🙂 I thought we were just lucky since there wasn’t a lot of customers at the time of our visit (after watching Inside Out), so the staff were able to manage our requests efficiently.
It sounds like a great place. It looks like one too! I love the greenery they added to warm up the place. I know you said the price is on the high end, but you’re right. You get what you pay for, and that sounds like a place worth paying for.
Yup, it’s the entire dining experience that you’re paying for here. I think it’s better to just enjoy the meal rather than quickly finish the food just for the sake of filling up your tummy. 😛
Everything about this looks great! The atmosphere is beautiful, I love the live greenery that you can see when sitting. That wall makes it look like an outside eating area! Oh and the food, yes the food looks great!
I was quite surprised to see the greenery area in this Chinese restaurant. It’s definitely a fun twist. A room filled with light and plants gives the feel of being outside.
Why couldn’t I live near there! The House Special Trio looks absolutely delicious. What a marvelous place. Now I’m starving!
Just the smell of the food already made me feel hungry. The House Trio is a must-order when it’s your first time to try TuanTuan. It’s also featured on the front page of their menu. 🙂
The staff sounds so friendly! I love when we go to places with nice staff it makes the environment of the restaurant so much more enjoyable! All of the food looks so good, I have not heard of some of these entrees before.
There are more interesting dishes to try. For instance, their customized noodle soup really looked like a top choice among customers. Their best-selling curry is also one reason for me to consider a return visit. 🙂
Looks like a great restaurant. It has so many great things to look at. I love the garden wall, that area looks so inviting. The steamed halibut looks so yummy! I think I could deal with the bones for something that tasty.
I suggest doing away with the bones first and then eating the fish with plain rice with spoon and fork. Eating the smaller pieces of piece with chopsticks was rather hard. 🙂
you always share awesome pics and always make me hungry. I love asian foods. I really want to try that Halibut Belly, looks delicious and healthy! Too bad I live in the United States.
I’m so glad that I have places like this within my reach. 🙂 There are many restaurants in Chinatown where I live but it’s also great to check out those that are farther away and then appreciate more variety of Chinese cuisine.
It looks like a great place. My family is a huge fan of Chinese cuisine and all the food you featured looks mouth watering. You mentioned that the prices are a tad expensive, but if the food is that good, the service prompt and it’s a really nice place, then I guess it’s worth it.
Right. There’s nothing wrong to spend some good money for something that’s worth it. Food, service, ambiance, and overall presentation deserved an A. 🙂
Yum this looks like a zummy restaurant! I love the wall with the frames and the bike, that is so cool! Thanks so much for sharing this with us 🙂
Yup, that wall looked striking. Too bad there were too many people that time so I could not take more pictures with different angles or position my camera closer.
I love Chinese food. Your posts always make me want to go out and try something new! I think ambience is almost as important as the food sometimes. I love a good ambience in a restaurant! I love that wall!
Everything in TuanTuan looked desirable. I hope they can open more branches here in Manila soon. 🙂