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| Yang Chow Fried Rice - Super Bowl of China |
During the 2000s and into the early 2010s, one of our go-to Chinese restaurants whenever we found ourselves in Makati was Super Bowl of China. Their branch in Glorietta 4 was where we usually ate, and we would even bring visiting friends and family members there.
We were so familiar with their food that we didn't even have to look at the menu. Daddy would usually order the beef with broccoli, Mommy would get the sweet and sour pork, and we would always round it out with their version of Birthday Noodles, yang chow fried rice, fried cuttlefish, and the chicken with cashew nuts.
Super Bowl of China might not have been a high-class establishment, but they definitely had a flavor profile that became a comfort—and was slightly addictive. My real test for Chinese food is always the leftovers; if they taste even better when you reheat them, you know it's good.
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| Beef with Broccoli - Super Bowl of China |
As with most traditional Chinese restaurants, they served their food family-style, giving everyone a chance to sample each dish. My only regret from back then was never trying their Peking duck, which was always on display at the roasting station right by the waiting area. There was also a crowd whenever we dined there, whether it was for lunch or dinner.
Eventually, they closed their stores, though I'm not entirely sure why. Because of that, I was surprised to find out they’ve had a recent revival. They now have a branch here in SM City Cebu, and I think there has also been a change in ownership.
A few weeks ago, we had lunch there out of pure nostalgia. Unfortunately, a lot of the original dishes are no longer offered—the chicken with cashew nuts and the cuttlefish are both gone from the menu.
For our lunch that day, we ordered the yang chow fried rice, lemon chicken, and beef with broccoli. The portion sizes were generous and the pricing was reasonable, but for me, the flavors lacked that distinct Chinese umami that would bring back my old Super Bowl memories.
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| Lemon Chicken - Super Bowl of China |
I think the lemon chicken could be better if they fried it a little longer, since the lemon sauce made it soggy. I was expecting the beef sauce to pack a punch as well, but for me, it lacked that distinct ginger flavor. The yang chow saved the day, though—it had that great hint of smoky taste you only get when fried rice is cooked in a wok.
Still, if you're looking for budget-friendly Chinese food, I would recommend giving them a try. After all, taste is subjective and my palate might be different from yours. Is it worth a visit? I would say yes.
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