Last Sunday, we gathered at Lugang Cafe in SM North EDSA to celebrate Papa Sony’s birthday with a feast fit for the occasion.
After our shoe-hunting adventure in One Ayala last Saturday, Sunday was another special day — it was Papa Sony’s birthday! 🎉 He decided to celebrate by treating us to a sumptuous lunch at Lugang Cafe in SM North EDSA.
The restaurant was buzzing with that familiar weekend energy — families gathered around round tables, waiters bustling with trays of steaming dishes. Perfect setting for a birthday feast!
Here’s what we enjoyed:
Pork Xiao Long Bao
Of course, we had to start with this crowd favorite! These delicate dumplings looked so perfect in their bamboo steamer — each one holding that flavorful hot broth inside. I love how the wrapper was thin but strong enough to hold everything together until you take that first bite… sabay sip ng sabaw, then a taste of the tender pork filling.
Pork and Shrimp Shao Mai
This one surprised me because it tasted more like Xiao Long Bao than the siomai I’m used to. It was juicy and meaty with that little bounce from the shrimp. Every bite was satisfying and paired so well with Lugang’s dipping sauces.
Spicy Garlic Fish in Claypot
This dish came bubbling hot, the aroma of garlic hitting us even before it landed on the table. The fish was tender and absorbed all that rich, slightly spicy sauce. There was just enough heat to make you want another spoonful of rice… and then another.
Stir Fried Green Beans with Minced Pork
One of my personal veggie favorites! The beans were still crisp, with a smoky flavor from the stir-fry, and the minced pork added that savory umami kick. It’s one of those side dishes you keep going back to in between bites of the main dishes.
Pineapple Fried Rice & Golden Fried Rice with Egg and Pork
We couldn’t decide which rice to get, so we ordered both. The Pineapple Fried Rice was colorful and slightly sweet from the pineapple chunks — a nice palate refresher between the richer dishes. The Golden Fried Rice, on the other hand, was simple yet comforting with fluffy eggs and bits of pork — the perfect partner for almost everything on the table.
Roasted Pork Belly
Crispy skin. Juicy meat. That’s really all I need to say! This one was a hit with everyone, especially with that flavorful seasoning that went all the way through the meat.
Mapo Tofu
Soft silken tofu swimming in a rich, spicy, and savory sauce — a hearty comfort dish that’s perfect with rice. The sauce clung to every cube of tofu, giving you that burst of flavor in every bite.
By the end of the meal, we were all leaning back in our chairs, happily full and a little sleepy. This was the second half of our super busy weekend — no wonder Daddydoodledoo and I started the week feeling exhausted! But honestly, it was all worth it. It’s not every day we get to celebrate family birthdays with such a feast and laughter around the table. ❤️
