Hap Chan to the Rescue

“Where do we go for dinner?"

Sunday night family dinners can be fun adventures. They can also be good reason to start a family debate!

When you have many kids of different ages ( teenage to toddler), asking the magic question can lead you to more questions than answers. “Wasn’t it your turn last time to choose where we will eat? Wasn’t that where we felt sick after eating their …? Didn’t we eat there last week ?“ Life was much simpler when there were less choices!

But this Sunday was different. It was a miracle that everyone had the same restaurant in mind. Although not one of our regular Sunday venues, Hap Chan at Britanny Bay, South Super Hi way was on everyones mind. We only ate there once many many months ago which is why I say it is a miracle we all remembered it at the same time. Chinese food to the rescue!


You might have noticed the row of restaurants in victorian style looking “houses“ along the SSHWY near Sucat exit. At night, these are outlined with lights and kids are so facinated by them. Last year, they had a GIANT Christmas tree in front of their restaurants. No Christmas decors up yet this year but I am looking forward to their grand display again ( I hope) for 2008.

The place is not too small. Maybe good for about 60 persons. They also have a big balcony area behind overlooking a lake. Nice! Typical red Chinese restaurant interiors but more of modern Chinese.


Ordering was not hard since we always pick the “usual” in Chinese restaurants when our kids rule. Waiting time was also VERY quick. Maybe about less than 10 mins only? And they even provide free Hot tea while you wait.

Chicken with Salted fish Fried Rice(165p)- Oh gosh! They have one of the best. They certainly do not scrimp on salted fish here. One order was not enough for 5 though. We brought 3 kids but they all ate like adults! Finally, my “white rice only please “ son attempted to try Fried Rice and congratulations he is now a certified Salted Fish Fried Rice addict just like the rest of us. No more ordering extra white rice in the future I bet. Bad news for the rest who now have to share with one more head !

Sweet & Sour Pork(210p) – Delicious! I think we have tried every Chinese restaurants Sweet & Sour Pork and this is definitely one of the better ones. Slightly crunchy and big chunks of pork. Definitely not soggy like the rest we have tried. And it had more meat than vegetables and pineapples too!




Lemon Chicken(245p)- Not one of our usual orders but one of the kids tried it at a friends house and suggested we try it too. It was originally a choice between Hap Chan Chicken, Butter Chicken and Lemon Chicken. I secretly wanted the Butter chicken but the waitress said it was all bones. All bones? Not a good way to sell a dish I must say! Her selling point for the Lemon chicken was that it was all fillet. It surely was but nothing great compared to the Sweet and Sour Pork. Am still looking forward to trying the boney Butter Chicken next time. Or maybe our usual Salt & Pepper Spareribs.


Birthday Noodles(185p)- I always love the standard birthday noodles in Chinese restos. This one was good. Not dry of course. Strangely ( or not) the quail eggs were orange. Aren’t they usually pinkish red? Not too many vegetables too. Don’t get me wrong. I love vegetables. The kids don’t.

Dessert was a last minute decision. They have Cold Taho served in different ways. We tried the Chilled Taho with Mango.(35p) It was a surprise because it came with lots of Sago too and the Mango was actually a Mango Taho Flan/ Gelo. I was expecting to see fresh Mango bits floating in Taho. It loooked so good that I even forgot to take a photo and just started eating it right away! Tasted so good too … not too sweet. It is now officially a family favorite. Unbelievable value for money at 35 pesos only. Now I have an excuse to go back again soon.

By the way, our bill was just a little over 1,000 pesos. Not bad at all !

Hap Chan has branches in Ali Mall, Baclaran, Congressional, Dakota Malate, Ermita ( w KTV), La Pinas, Makati, Neptune Bel Air, Market Market, Monumento (w KTV), Pedro Gil Malate, Tagaytay, Tomas Morato, and West Avenue.

Brittany Bay branch along Sucat Exit, South Super Hi Way also has delivery service. Just call 8389330.