Dining Shabu Shabu: A Royal Feast

CEBU, Philippines – A latest addition to the Cebuano cuisine selection is China Royale’s Shabu Shabu Restaurant situated in The Crossroads, Banilad. When we ate there recently, Executive Chef Eric Ang recommended that we try their set menu, the Royal Ace. Ideal for four to five persons, this filling set platter is composed of fish, lobster & scallop balls; pork, beef & chicken slices; fish fillet; shrimps; squid; crab; noodles; assorted vegetables which we cooked on our own with a boiling pot right in front of us.

In between delectable bites of food, Chef Eric revealed that China Royale was established late last year by the owners who hail from Davao. They brought the shabu shabu concept to Cebu since it is a healthy way of dining out, using less oil. Food freshness is of prime importance. Vegetables and fish are bought from the local wet market, and they have a local supplier of imported U.S. beef ribeye, Black Angus beef, and other various meat products. Chef Eric also has a full team with him in the kitchen to prepare the ingredients and various fish, lobster and scallop balls. The soup stock is cooked all day long, so it is always served fresh. Meanwhile, the parts of their famous in house dipping sauce composed of soy, chili, and sate sauce is imported all the way from Taiwan.

Aside from the starter menu for first timers to shabu shabu dining, Chef Eric also recommends their imported U.S. beef ribeye (quite tender) and U.S. Black Angus beef. Their wait staff is also trained on recommending and helping out diners on what to order and how to cook the fine meats, balls, and seafood. The whole concept is to cook and dine as you please, in a relaxing manner. All the ingredients are prepared for you, and you can do your own presentation, make your own style, and even experiment with the taste.

The cozy interiors of China Royale are a combination of Asian and Western touches, from the lighting to the couches. It has two floors for dining, and the second floor can be used to host a private party for 25 people. Plans in the pipeline include putting up more restaurants in Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue areas. From Monday to Saturday, they also have their “eat all you can” lunchtime treat for a song, PHP 499 ++.