Most of us who grew up in the 90s in Manila will remember Greenhills Shopping Center as the place that had practically everything, from toys (Nova Fontana, Filbar’s) to clothes (Shoppesville Plus); from music (CD Warehouse) to the Best Places for Random Objects (Regina, Gift Gate, Tickles, Papelmeroti). It was a haven for both parents and children, a weekend hangout that easily became a place that many families looked forward to.
Some of the fondest memories were spent with food, and Greenhills had some of the best and most diverse. Here are 8 Greenhills food places that are still around to this day, which means that your trip down (delicious) memory lane will be very easy.
Food Channel was first introduced to us in the 90s in Virra Mall (which is now called V-Mall). Now, it already has more than a dozen branches in Manila. Their bestseller is the beef shawarma, a heavenly creation of crispy beef (try asking them to make it extra tostado, you won’t regret it), cheese, fries, and that glorious garlic/yogurt sauce. It’s actually more of a stall than a restaurant, but no one’s stopping you from eating the meaty goodness the second you lay your hands on it.
Location: Promenade Walkway, Greenhills
This place is almost always packed. Famous for items like Beef Brisket Rice, Spare Ribs, Chicken Feet, and scrumptious dimsum (hakao! shark’s fin! radish cake!), Le Ching has become a Greenhills institution.
Location: Greenhills Shopping Center, Shoppesville
You can literally smell the buttery, soft hopia cooking (they make them right outside the shop) as you approach this place. Some of the classic specialties include snack cakes (pianono roll and mamon), made-to-order cakes with buttercream icing, and the famous loaf breads. Baon heaven!
Location: U-V 102B G/F V-MALL Bldg, and Unit RSG-2 Greenhills Lifestyle Center
This one used to be tucked away in a corner near Shoppesville Plus and the radio station (Greenhills used to have its own, complete with DJs and all, and it was awesome), near clothing and PX stores. The ingredient that makes the suman latik (which could otherwise be bland) delicious is the thick coconut sauce poured onto it. This is perfect for pasalubong, and best served hot!
Location: Promenade Walkway, Greenhills Shopping Center
Simply known as DEC, this Chinese deli/grocery store used to be located in Virra Mall but has since moved to Annapolis, which is just right across Greenhills. Kids from the 90s who decide to visit this place again will most likely be filled with memories of Haw Flakes, kiamoy, as well as packaged food like siomai and kikiam.
Location: Providence Building, 55 Annapolis Street, Greenhills Shopping Center
This Cantonese restaurant promises that “there’s more to hot noodles,” and has been serving great food to families since the 90s–the time when millennials were awkward pre-pubescent boys and girls hearing mass in Virra Mall or grocery shopping at Unimart. Some of Luk Yuen’s best items include their fried and steamed dumplings, as well as the noodles (dried or with soup) like the beef brisket and wanton.
Location: Ground Floor, V-Mall, Greenhills Shopping Center
Barbecue memories! Grill/Cafe Sizzler is famous for its affordable and delicious meals like sizzling steak (tenderloin, garlic a la pobre) and different types of sinigang (tuna belly, prawn, salmon). If you’re on a budget but looking for Pinoy/lutong bahay-type food, this is the place to visit.
Location: Ground Level, Greenhills Shopping Center
This teppanyaki restaurant is the place for the more fancy lunches and dinners (usually the go-to San Juan restaurant for birthdays and other special events). Kimpura is famous for its set meals, teppanyaki combinations, donburi and sushi. It’s pricey, yes, but it is worth it–this is one of the reasons why it has been around for decades.
Location: Unimart Building Greenhills Shopping Center
Do you have more stalls/restaurants to add to this list? Share them with us in the Comments Section Below!
