Taiwanese street-side flavors

CEBU, Philippines - The usual “grab-to-go” bubble tea house concept is taken a notch higher by adding the “dining” to the experience, to snack on finger treats that may go well with freshly brewed milk teas or savor specialty meals to satiate one’s cravings.

The flavors of Taiwan street-side eats are introduced in the newest Ersao stationed at the 3rd floor of J. Centre Mall along Bakilid St., Mandaue, for the convenience of movie buffs since it’s the area across the cinema enclave. The eye-catching modern interiors washed in different shades of green and white, with comfortable vinyl couches make for a relaxed setting to sample traditional Taiwanese cuisine.

Your P250 goes a long way here! Munch on the snack favorite steamed or fried tasty Dumplings (pork, seafood or kuchai) for P60 at five pieces + Adobong Tofu, P45 + a steaming bowl of the noodle star Beef Genji, P100 + Winter Melon Tea, P45, and you’ll get your fill. The easy-on-the-pocket combination of the rice toppings bestseller Spicy Chicken Rice (P95) and Green Tea (P45) simply appeals to the budget-conscious.

There are 5 menu options: there are snacks, side dish, rice toppings, noodles and beverage of fresh fruit shakes available in 500mL only, and an extensive selection of teas (blended green teas, milk teas, freshly brewed teas and milk teas) with add-on options such as pearls, nata, perilla seeds, grass jelly, red bean, QQ jelly, whip cream, rock salt whip cream and mango whip cream at P10 each.

The Taiwanese outpost takes pride in its handmade noodles and pearls that have their very own formulation concocted by the owners themselves, the Hsiehs. Also, the store features a unique Condiment Corner where one can mix-and-match sauces and dips according to his/her whims. And to add more kick to a hot bowl of noodles, he/she pour hot sauce or season with spice powder or pepper, according to his/her specification.

The whole food business, which now has 18 branches all over Luzon and in the Visayas (JMall branch is the first branch outside Luzon), is being run by the family with Joy Yao-Hsieh (the Ersao – second sister-in-law) at the helm of food development who carries with her a good experience as a bartender and restaurateur in Taiwan before flying to Manila with husband Jack 23 years ago to establish businesses. Daughter Charlene is currently in-charge with operations and also graces every opening of company-owned and franchise branches of Ersao. (FREEMAN)