Gala Shabu-Shabu: It’s in the sauce

Gala Shabu-Shabu is a very pleasant space with white tables and dinnerware; it looks sleek, contemporary and clean. In fact, the only indication that it is an Asian restaurant serving Japanese fare is the wall covered by a photo mural of bamboo — and the teppanyaki and shabu-shabu tables.

I haven’t had shabu-shabu in a long time and have forgotten how fun it is to cook your own food — you actually just dip the seafood, meats and veggies in a pot of pork and veggie broth or just veggie — or have one of the staff do it for you.

Gala offers shabu-shabu platters such as pork (P329), beef (PP329), US top sirloin (P549), Kobe beef (P1,199), combination meats (P449), lobster (P250/100 gm) and veggies (P299).

And don’t forget to use the Gala dipping sauce. It’s really meant for the shabu-shabu but I used it for everything — from the tempura to the beef tepanyaki. You can also order from the a la carte menu, which has Japanese favorites like different kinds of yakiniku, sushi, teriyaki, itame, noodles and rice toppings.

Shabu-shabu, of course, is best enjoyed with friends. Platters are too big for just one diner, so grab a friend or two and cook to your heart’s content.

Gala Shabu-Shabu is located at the ground floor of Entertainment Mall. Call 556-0271.

Healthy Shabu-Shabu: Feasting without guilt

The Japanese version of the hotpot seems to be the way to eat in these health-conscious times. Businesswoman Candy Hwang, who manages the restaurant, was inspired by her oriental diet so she developed Healthy Shabu-Shabu.

Unlike the traditional shabu-shabu, Hwang says that at their restaurant, customers are able to choose the kind of food that would complement their diets — whether it’s high-protein, low-carb or vegetarian — and still feel full after the meal.

The restaurant promotes a healthy way of cooking your own food, oil-free and no MSG added. “We make sure that we used only the freshest and the finest ingredients to make sure that diners get the nutrients that they look for in food. The flexible menu fits all kinds of dieters.”

Healthy Shabu-Shabu is located at the second level of Entertainment Mall. Call 556-0354.

Hai Resto & Bar: Getting high on good food

There’s something about a garden salad with pomelo sections that is so refreshing. It tastes like summer, even when you’re having it in the colder months of the year. This is one of the bestsellers of Hai Resto & Bar — along with its panfried fish fillet, which celebrities such as Tony Gonzaga, Christine Reyes and Ara Mina also like, according to Hai restaurant manager Ron Camacho.

Hai has a  very extensive menu — 42 items ranging from dim sum to salads, soups, noodles, chef’s specialties, roasts and desserts. Must-tries include the lotus fried rice, which is encased in lotus leaves; beef and shrimp dumpling noodles; Hai spring rolls; and shredded pork asado and chicken congee. I really liked the spareribs with barbecue sauce. The sauce is not too overpowering and the pork slices are very tender.

At 8 p.m. the lights are dimmed and Hai turns into a bar with its offering of bar chow and drinks. For private parties, you can book the function room, which seats 20, and has a videoke.

If you’re having a party, from 10 to 50, you can choose from its lauriat packages, ranging from P215 to P600 per person.

Hai Resto & Bar is located at the second level of the Entertainment Center, South Wing. Call 556-0815.

China Palace: An all-time favorite

Between dim sum chef Leung Tak Kuen and Chinese chef Lee Kwai Yan, Highlands China Palace, which already has a cult following thanks to their outlet in Tagaytay Highlands, has made celebration food everyday fare for mallgoers.

Apart from its a la carte menu for individual diners or small groups, it offers Peking duck set menus for 4 to 12. The Peking duck set for four persons consists of three kinds of dim sum, half a Peking duck, minced duck wrapped in lettuce, bean curd duck soup, stir-fry garlic fish fillet, lotus fried rice, and mixed jelly with coconut milk. The lauriat becomes fancier as the price goes up, of course. Some sets include lobster, pigeon, garoupa, crabs and goose fillet.

Wedding receptions, birthdays, meetings and other events have been held here as the restaurant has the capacity to seat up to 350 guests. It also has four function rooms that can accommodate 16 persons each.

The Highlands China Palace is located on the second level of the Entertainment Mall, South Wing. Call 556-0291.