Dim Sum Buffet at Li Li

One Saturday morning, we decided to get some dim sum. And not just any other dim sum but a dim sum lunch buffet! Originally, we planned to try out Makati Shangri-La’s Dim Sum Plus but decided at the last minute that the dim sum buffet in LiLi at the Hyatt was a better deal. Plus, the City of Manila was closer hence we chose LiLi 🙂

Through phone inquiry, we learned that LiLi’s dim sum buffet is from 12 noon to 3 pm. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, they serve rice and soup with the dim sum while Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, they have congee and noodles. Sundays, they have the special Yum Cha dim sum buffet (which, like other Sundays buffets in hotels all over the city, is more expensive).

To my surprise, LiLi has one of the nicest, well-appointed interiors that I’ve seen in a Chinese restaurant in Manila. The restaurant is designed as if it’s a house, complete with a living room, a staircase, and function rooms with names such as the Drawing Room and the Library. There are two entrances and we entered through the main door beside The Fireplace, another famous Hyatt restaurant.

the entrance to LiLi

LiLi’s Drawing Room

Upon sitting, we got a dim sum menu card where we wrote down how many orders of dim sum we will get. The server tells us we can order as much as we want but no leftovers allowed. The menu card also indicated no sharing of food but we did share. (And I admit we had some leftovers too!)

Here’s a rundown of the complete dim sum menu (we ordered everything of each), how many we ordered, and some pictures:

1 Assorted Fungus and Vegetable Congee (which they split into two)

This Congee was yummy. And I later learned that the plates are from the Villandry colleciton of Raynaud Limoges, which i loved

2 Hargaw Steamed Shrimp Dumpling
2 “Sieu Mai” Steamed Pork and Shrimp Dumpling with Quail Egg
2 Steamed Pork Dumplings “Shanghai” Style
2 Steamed Shrimp Stuffed Spinach Dumpling

2 Steamed Minced Fish Dumpling with Dried Scallop
1 Steamed Duck Wings in Sate Sauce

1 Steamed Spareribs with Plum Sauce
1 Steamed Chicken Feet with Black Beans

1 “Sieu Pao” Steamed Barbecued Pork Buns
2 Deep Fried Chicken Curry Dumpling
2 Deep Fried Dumpling Sichuan Style
2 Deep Fried Dumpling with Assorted Meat

1 Deep Fried Taro Puff with Seafood
1 Wok-fried Radish Cake

1 Baked Barbecued Puff Pastry

1 Crispy Onion Pancake
1 Chicken in Fa Du Wine Sauce
1 Honey Roasted Barbecue Pork
1 Fried Noodles in Black Pepper in Soya Sauce
1 Stir-Fried Vegetables in Garlic

It was my first time to try out dim sum buffet style. I thought, it’s just dim sum so the food would be light and easy to finish. And of course we had to order at least one of each! Looking at the menu card, it didn’t seem that many. But how they surprised us. And we later learned that one order doesn’t mean one piece, but there could be several pieces for one order. There goes my diet—gone again for the weekend!

And this picture doesn’t even show EVERYTHING we ordered

We also ordered some tea to help in digesting the big dim sum meal. Judging by this lovely display, LiLi has a pretty impressive tea collection.

Then for dessert, the buffet included chilled taro cream with sago and chocolate masachi. I wasn’t able to take pictures of those anymore. I guess because I was already so full! 😉

We also looked through their a la carte menu, where the prices all ended predictably, in the number eight (8). Less predictably, we discovered that the most expensive item on the menu—Braised Whole “Ouma” Abalone with Premium Oyster Sauce-–was at the very stunning price of P21,888.00. Now, I’ve seen P12,000 shark’s fin soup before but P21,888??? I am not kidding:

And to think that I once thought the Pink Garoupa in Shang Palace was scandalous! Apparently, the (Chinese-food loving) rich are very different from you and me! The mysterious abalone notwithstanding, LiLi still made my day with their fresh and tasty dim sum. But for those of you out there who know, why is abalone so expensive anyway? And for those who have actually tried it, is it worth that price? 🙂

And since I haven’t quite decided whether this blog will be purely food and travel or, just like me, into fashion too, I’m ending this post by sharing my outfit (despite the stress of work these days, I do LOVE dressing up again!). Hope we all have a sumptuous week ahead! 🙂

St. Francis Square black lace top (a steal at P100!) + Mango black tank top
Nude chiffon skirt, black platform lace up booties, black belt, and aviators —all from SM 🙂
Three strand pearl necklace (worn as bracelet)- Greenhills
Cole Haan black patent and suede weave bag