Red Onion: A New Cuisine Fix that is Taiwanese Food

 

When in the mood for some Taiwanese fare in Manila, Red Onion should definitely be one of the options on your list.

In a scene where most up-and-coming restaurants feature Chinese and Japanese cuisine, only little has been mentioned about Taiwanese food. However, with the tasty and not to mention affordable dishes of UP Town Center’s Red Onion, things might finally be looking up for Taiwanese cuisine. 

When asked about the name, Mark Endaya, one of the restaurant’s business partners, said that red onion is actually an essential part of the Taiwanese taste. Almost each dish imparts a certain tone from the ingredient. Some even call for red onion-infused oil just for that added element of flavor that makes all the difference. 

 

 

Home of hand-shaved noodles, Red Onion boasts of a special knife used in preparing their Gourmet Beef Noodles. The knife allows for a more unique dish as each noodle is never identical to another. The blade also creates a thicker cut for the noodle, offering a chewier bite. Its broth features 39 spices and resonates a slightly acidic note, contrasting the succulent oils of the beef.

One big bowl is enough to split between two people. However, if you’d like to avail of their eat-all-you-can hand-shaven noodles, it’s best to be reminded that sharing is not allowed. 

The Red Onion Fried Rice (P188) is commended for its depth in onion flavor. Another notable characteristic of the fried rice is how it isn’t overly greasy. Trust me, there’s nothing more horrible than taking a spoonful of rice, only to feel the oil seep onto the edges of your lips later on. Eep!

The Double Fried Sweet and Sour Pork (P228) features pork strips covered in a delectable honey glaze and sprinkled with sesame seeds. It’s a simple dish, yet a refreshing change from the orange and at times overly flavored sweet and sour pork that is commercially available nowadays.

 

Taiwan is usually famous for its range of night market food stalls that offer all sorts of sweet and savory bites. Red Onion pays homage to one of these popular snacks by providing a variety of spices in their pork chop’s breading, creating a more flavourful dish overall.

Succulent pieces of shrimp are coated in a light tempura batter, glazed with sweet syrup and adorned with candied walnuts. This was definitely one of the highlights of the meal. I highly recommend ordering at least 2 plates of this. It’s just that good!

Refills for the Iced Lemonade and Wintermelon Tea are at 50% off, so it’s also highly recommended to merrily sip away when dining at Red Onion. The Iced Lemonade is a great palate cleanser when paired with the Gourmet Beef Noodles, while the Wintermelon Tea complements dishes like the pork chops and the shrimps. The Taiwanese Papaya Milk, on the other hand, tastes delectable on its own and is a great pick-me-up on an incredibly hot day, as well. 

The dessert is served with a dusting of cinnamon powder at the top, which is what gives it an interesting taste. The cinnamon brings another dimension of sweetness to the dish, balancing out the slightly acidic undertones of the mango. 

Red Onion’s unique Taiwanese fare and affordable prices usually bring families clamoring to get a table during the weekends, so it’d be best to call in for reservations before Sunday lunch.  So, when on the lookout for a new cuisine fix in Manila, don’t forget to head on over to Red Onion for some delicious Taiwanese food!

 

 

Red Onion Cafe

GF, UP Town Center, Katipunan Ave, Loyola Heights, Quezon City

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myredonioncafe

 

 

Red Onion: A New Cuisine Fix that is Taiwanese Food