Conquering the world, one siomai at a time

If you are a student of history, you may have noticed the direct relationship between food and world domination. Consider these former empires.

Spain and its direct competitor, Portugal, financed expeditions to find new trade routes so they could have easier access to spice. They needed spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper to use as food preservatives and to enhance the flavors of their food. Because what’s the point of building a global empire if your meals are dull and boring? 

In 1521, while looking for a quicker route to the Spice Islands (Moluccas), Magellan discovered a group of islands which would later be called the Philippines, after Philip II of Spain. So you see, our colonial history started with food shopping: Food as a rationale for world domination. Today many traditional Filipino dishes are local interpretations of Spanish cuisine.

Crispy noodles: Order the Citi Special Menu and get an automatic 25 percent discount on your meal.

In the 17th century the British Empire made its presence felt in India, China and Southeast Asia through the British East India Company. The company traded in cotton, silk, opium, and what we now think of as a very British staple, tea. The British Empire needed lots and lots of tea — again the correlation between world domination and food, in this case, beverage. In the 18th century the British realized that drinking tea was more fun if consumed with a snack between lunch and dinner (what we call merienda), and that light meal was also called “tea.” 

The 20th century saw reverse-colonization taking place in Britain as Indian food became the most popular cuisine in the British Isles. It is said that the British national dish is chicken tikka masala.

Today’s economic powerhouse is China, and even before China opened its borders to international trade, Chinese cuisine became the most popular food on the planet. 

Bestseller: The crabmeat green soup

The whole world eats Chinese food. Everywhere you go, you have the comfort of knowing that no matter how unfamiliar your surroundings, you will not starve to death: there is always a Chinese restaurant serving the necessary noodles, sweet-and-sour pork, fried rice and dim sum. (Where there is no Chinese restaurant, we’re doomed.) It’s not just comfort food; it’s affordable comfort food. 

In Metro Manila diners have the comfort of knowing that authentic Hong Kong cuisine is always available at President Tea House. Regulars swear by its siomai — said to be the best siomai in all of Binondo, which is saying a lot. 

President Tea House also serves a variety of roasts: the prized Peking duck, asado, and lechon Macau. The main courses include all-time favorites such as the hot prawn salad, seafood roll, spareribs salt and chili, beef with broccoli, hotpots, pancit Canton, hofan, and Mandarin chicken.

Of course, a fragrant pot of tea goes best with dim sum: hakao, Japanese siomai, chicken feet and siopao. The concept of the tearoom starts with all-day dining — the main branch of President Tea House on Salazar Street in Binondo, Manila, begins the working day at 6:30 a.m., when the regulars start coming in for breakfast. 

All-time favorite: Mandarin chicken

Now diners can enjoy their favorite Chinese dishes at President Tea House even more with Citibank Dining Privileges. Get special treats whenever you dine using your Citi card. From March 31 to April 3, 2011, Citi cardholders can avail of the Weekend Special Offer at President Tea House. Order the Citi Special Menu and get an automatic 25 percent discount on your meal (available in San Miguel By the Bay at SM Mall of Asia, The Annex, SM North Edsa branches).

The Citi Special Menu includes some of the restaurant’s bestselling dishes: crabmeat green soup, Mandarin chicken, fish fillet with special Thailand sauce, crispy noodles, Yang Chow fried rice, and siomai. Or, every minimum single-receipt purchase of P1,500 comes with a free order of Mandarin chicken, available from April 4 to May 15, 2011.

Citibank Dining Privileges offers the best discounts and best deals to Citi cardholders at more than 1,000 dining outlets in the Philippines and 5,000 restaurants across Asia.

According to Roy Villareal, Citi eConsumer business director, Citibank Diving Privileges offers the best discounts and best deals.

Batter up: Fish fillet with special Thailand sauce

“Cardholders in the Philippines can get the same treats available to Citi cardholders in Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore,” he added.

The next time you’re in Hong Kong, drop by Miusik Restaurant and get a 12-percent discount when you pay with Citi card. This offer is good until October 14, 2011. At Ta Ke Tei, get 10 percent off a HK$200 purchase with Citi card until October 31, 2011. 

In Korea, the restaurants Mezzaluna (Kwangwhamoon), Iki Iki, Xingkai, and Moomba offer 10-percent discounts to cardholders on the total bill (excluding party and promotional menu) until January 31, 2012. Crystal Jade Palace, Dal (Karosu), and Dal (Yeoksam) also give 10 percent off food purchases until January 31, 2012.

Rice and shine: Yang Chow fried rice

Sushi Tei, Shimbashi Soba, Fish & Co., and Dome Cafe in Singapore give 10-percent Styles rebates when you dine using your Citi card until the end of the year.

Meanwhile, cardholders from Hong Kong, Korea, and Singapore can dine at President Tea House branches in Metro Manila and enjoy the Citi Special Menu this weekend at a 25-percent discount, or get the free Mandarin chicken with a P1,500 purchase. If you’re a Citi cardholder and you find a better offer than the existing Citibank Dining Privileges  at partner restaurants, Citi will reimburse you the difference. 

RJackson Go, managing director of President Tea House and  Roy Villareal, Citi eConsumer Business Director

Anyone for Chinese food?

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President Tea House has branches at 809 Salazar St., Binondo, Manila, open Monday to Sunday, from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; San Miguel By the Bay at SM Mall of Asia, Monday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 12 midnight, Friday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 12 midnight; The Annex at SM North Edsa, Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.