The Original Salted Egg Croissant from Urban Bakery Hong Kong

When we were in Hong Kong, one of the things I absolutely had to try was the Original Version of the Salted Egg Croissant from Urban Bakery. We were eating so much, you can read about how we ate five times a day here, that we had to settle for buying a Salted Egg Croissant from the Urban Bakery stall in the Supermarket at Hysan Place in Causeway Bay, just to try it.

The salted egg croissant is so popular, they now have 2 variations of it.
Molten Salted Egg Yolk Custard, and Molten Salted Egg Yolk Ball Law,
whatever that is, which may be the crumb paste on the croissant.

I opted for the original one which looks dusted with powdered sugar
because the person there said that the new product was sweeter.

Urban Bakery at Hysan Mall has the usual freshly baked bread assortment

and they also have a counter where you can order these delicious looking
sandwiches that they will make for you while you wait.
It's just a pity they don't have any seating.

The Quiche and Dessert also looked yummy.

I only bought one croissant (HK$22) to take away, but I asked them to heat it, because I brought it up to Cafe Habitu to share with Ady.

I don't know if it wasn't hot enough, but the Salted Egg wasn't oozing out
of the center. 

But compared to other Salted Egg Croissants I have tried, these ones
are filled to the brim when you get to the two pointy ends.

Taste-wise, their filling tastes like the normal Salted Egg Custard that is on the sweet-side, which isn't bad on it's own, but I don't think the powdered sugar crust is necessary. Now that I've tried it, I can definitely say that Antoinette's adaptation of this is much better, you can read about that here and you definitely must try it if you're in Singapore. But if you're already in Hong Kong, go for the Salted Egg French Toast of Chau Kee instead, which you can read about here.

I still think Urban Bakery is worth a visit next time. I want to try their Quiche, but I think I'll go to their actual coffee shop, so I can enjoy it with hopefully good coffee too. just saying.

Urban Bakery

Jasons‧Food & Living 

B2/F, Hysan Place 

500 Hennessy Road 

Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Salted Egg Cheese Tarts to die for from Antoinette in Singapore

I've previously written about Antoinette in Singapore, because I agree with everyone who says that they have the BEST Salted Egg Croissants ever! Even better than the original. They actually have good classic French food too. You can read my post on that here.

I think we were so full during that dinner, I didn't get a chance to try their Salted Egg Cheese Tarts, but I vaguely remember wanting to try them too. Fortunately, as I was walking out of Mandarin Gallery, I literally stumbled on the Antoinette branch there, in fact, I had already forgotten that they have one, so even if I was again full... I took it as a sign and I bought one Salted Egg Cheese Tart to go.

It looks quite similar to Bake... But the crust is so much
better. since it's phyllo or puff pastry, the same thing
their famous croissant is made of. The secret is really in
how generous you are with butter in between the sheets!

I had it for midnight snack with my purloined tea from the SQ lounge.

Yum!!! Too thumbs up for the mostly cheese tart
at first bite! Better than Bake IMHO.

The second bite was just heaven, with the explosion of
salted egg lava... that went so well with the cheese.

I am definitely a plan. Next time I go back, this is definitely worth hoarding to carry home to Manila. (which by the way, I was too lazy to do for Bake.) just saying.

Antoinette at Mandarin Gallery

333A Orchard Road, Mandarin Gallery, 

#02-33/34, Singapore 238897 

Hours: 11am to 10pm daily 

(Last order - 9.30pm)

Telephone Number: (65) 68369527

*Reservations not accepted at this outlet

http://www.antoinette.com.sg/

Hole in the Wall Michelin-rated Dimsum Place at One Dimsum Hong Kong

If Yum Cha in Hong Kong, which you can read about here, had over-priced Kawaii dimsum, One Dimsum in Prince Edward is the exact opposite. This simple hole in the wall dimsum place has long lines because their dimsum is yummy, and so affordable too with dishes ranging from HK$15-25 (seriously!). They were awarded one Michelin star in 2013, which they weren't able to retain, but they remain quite popular with locals and tourists alike, so remember to arrive before you're hungry, and be ready to queue.

When you arrive, you must go immediately to the person manning the door so you can get a number, an order form and the menu. If you're impatient like us, just ask how long the estimated wait time is because One Dimsum is actually around 10-15 minutes walking distance to Tim Ho Wan, which is the end of the toy wholesale shopping street in Sham Shui Po. 

Since Ady and I were both on the impatient side, we did walk to Tim Ho Wan. I was hoping to order some Baked BBQ Pork Buns, but even for take away, it would take around 20-30minutes, so I didn't bother.

Ady and I walked all the way to the toy stores, we each found something to buy, to make it worth our walk, then we hailed a cab back to One Dimsum because we were afraid they might give away our table if we weren't there to claim it.

Our timing was perfect because we were seated shortly after we got back.
You can just enlarge the photo to see how seriously affordable this place is.

The place is quite small, and even with small tables, sitting beside
strangers is the norm.

In fact, some of the dishes in this photo belonged to the two dudes who were
sharing the table with us. Hahaha.

Ady and I ordered our usual favorites.

Shrimp Chong Fan

Siomai

Radish Cake

Hakaw 

Beancurd Roll

I love good dimsum for brunch. It's even better when everything you order is only around HK$100! Now I can understand why people come all the way to Prince Edward for this, and are willing to line up too. Makes me wonder if it's less crowded if you come for a midnight snack since they are open until 12:30am anyway.  just saying.

One Dimsum

Shop 1 & 2, G/F, Kenwood Mansion

15 Playing Field Road, Prince Edward

Tel: +852 2789 2280

Mon to Fri: 11am – 12.30 midnight

Sat & Sun: 10am – 12.30 midnight

Nearest MTR: Prince Edward (Exit A)

Sofia's Turns 9 and her DreamPlay Playdate

Sofia is one of the people I know who get really really excited around the time of her birthday. We celebrate her whole birthday week because her excitement is simply contagious. She was quite upset with me this year because I had to travel for work and I was gone for the few days leading up to her birthday, arriving back in Manila only the night before. Of course I had to make up for it by making sure I bought everything on the shopping list she gave me before I left.

This year, we celebrated her birthday a few days early when we went to visit Big Pa to celebrate his birthday a few months late! Sorry!!! Then, they surprised us with a birthday cake as well for Fi (and loads of our favorite Chicken Rice too)!

Sofia asked for a trip to Singapore and Legoland for her birthday so she specifically told me, "No more gifts this year mom, and no more party". We were just going to have dinner at Kimpura, sort of like a grown-up.

Sof claimed this as her Presidential Birthday Chair for photos.

We had her usual Estrel's Caramel Cake this year,
thanks to Auntie DinDin.

Then she does her usual icing taste test, sort of without double dipping.

This year, she insisted on cutting the cake, serving it,
and having her picture taken too.

Parang kasal lang.

She was very lucky because Ninang Ady gave her free tickets to DreamPlay so we agreed that she could invite two classmates, and Viele even if she wasn't having a party this year.

We scheduled it for Friday, the last day of exams.
Let me just tell you having three girls in the car is enough to drive anyone nuts.

Thank you Ninang Ady for the tickets!

The girls were so excited we could barely get them to sit for lunch at Chez Gingy.

Thank you Auntie Doc for arranging!

Order the chicken fingers and twister fries, so it's easy to take away and for
the kids to snack on when they finally get hungry.

The kids played nearby, in the Make and Race your Own Boat attraction,
as I already registered everyone for Gingy's Cooking Class.

Fiona and Gingy!

It was very crowded when we were there because there were several schools that had a field trip. The second floor was a bit less crowded.

Running after the girls is so tiring, my favorite attraction is The Dream Theater which had 3D short films of Dragons, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda plus a preview of The Trolls trailer.

Hassle lang that the water spray wakes you up if you power nap.

We did the Kung Fu Panda area when the students left. This is one of the most popular areas when the place is crowded.

The Go To Places when the kids are tired na are the library and Animation Studio.

There is no longer any time limit on the Dreamplay Entrance Passes, so you can actually stay there until 10pm.

Sof and Viele, the last ones standing kept on making tawad last attraction.

We had to wait for Ninang Ady to finish working so we went to Cafe Society
for Ice Cream which Sof ate with her twister fries, then she went on to sleep.
Hahaha.

Good thing it was enough to recharge her for Mama's Birthday Dinner!

Happy Happy Birthday Ma! We love you!

I'm glad this little girl enjoyed her week-long birthday
celebration.

Oh, but it's not over yet. We still have Singapore and Legoland. just saying.