104 – On Cheap Hong Kong Eats: Eat Fresh, Maria Clara Street

The Banawe area in Quezon City has been known for two C’s: Chinoys and car parts. Although longtime residents know its food spots like the back of their hands, many new restaurants have set up shop here. I’m fortunate that my workplace is but a stone’s throw away, allowing me to discover new foodie havens popping up. My work ends at 6:00 in the evening, but it’s a problem whenever Friday arrives. I have to wait until the number coding scheme ends an hour after, as my vehicle’s license plate ends in 9. CJ and I use this one hour gap to walk the stretch of Maria Clara Street into Banawe for an early dinner.

Enter Eat Fresh, along Maria Clara Street. This restaurant serving Hong Kong street food has been a long-time fixture in the Banawe vicinity. We always see a lot of occupied tables whenever we dine here, a proof of its popularity. Eat Fresh promises authentic cuisine and huge servings, at cheap prices—something they consistently deliver all the time. And who wouldn’t be tempted to dine here when you can watch your food being cooked?

Don’t expect red walls and fancy décor when you visit. The place is laid out simply, just like a dai pai dong food stall in Hong Kong. Steel and Formica tables and plastic chairs are arranged neatly, with pictures of their offerings on the bright yellow wall. Food is cooked at the left area, while drinks are prepared on the right area. Since a clear glass panel separates these from the dining tables, you can have a closer look at your orders being prepared. Be wary though; there’s a possibility that you’ll smell of food if you’re seated near the cooking spot. Oh, and did I mention drinks? Eat Fresh also carries a wide array of unique drinks such as Dr. Pepper, Schweppes, Vitasoy, and a lot more.

Check out the pictures below to find out more about Eat Fresh. Do like their Facebook page here. Until the next review, bon appetit.

This was taken around 11:00 in the morning. See that line of parked cars?

Prepare to get introduced to authentic Hong Kong cuisine.

Their unique drinks in cans…

…and in bottles.

White and stainless steel.

Black and White Gulaman (P30 / regular size): Just your regular drink with grass and almond jelly cubes. Perfect, if you’re on a budget – but it was too sweet for my taste. Add water to tone it down.

Pearl Nai Cha (P120 / large size): Tastes the same as Tuan Tuan’s, but larger. Needs more stirring, as the condensed milk tends to accumulate at the bottom of the cup.

Breaded Scallop (P40 / 3 pieces): Best with hoisin and peanut sauce!

Fried Stuffed Tofu (P50 / 2 pieces): The tofu was rather bland, but the stuffing saved it.

If one order is enough with rice, how about two?

Hong Kong Pancake Balls (P65): CJ’s favorite, and a good substitute for rice.

Special Fried Rice (P95): Eat Fresh’s take on the classic yang chow fried rice does not disappoint.

A serving of this would be good enough for two people (or one, if you’re a heavy eater like me).

Taosi Spareribs Claypot Rice (P145): Another staple in Chinese restaurants, I loved the balance of vegetables and meat on this one.

Pour the special sauce on the rice, and watch it sizzle.

3 Kinds Mushroom with Vegetable (P165): Straw, shiitake, and button mushrooms sauteed in special sauce with vegetables. My personal favorite at Eat Fresh.