Let us welcome 2025 with our favorite Chicken Biryani by Dani’s Palace and other favorites from January 2025.
Our top picks from what we tried last month are:
- Fried Mandu by Chung’s Kimchi,
- Spinach Croissant by Dulce Desserts,
- Chicken Biryani by Dani’s Palace Shawarma and Grill,
- Burnt Basque Cheesecake by Wood and Coffee, and
- White Peak by Purge Coffee Roaster.
Fried Mandu by Chung’s Kimchi
First on our list is Fried Mandu.
We have been to Chung’s Kimchi many times and have tried their Steamed Mandu. It was ok for us. Light and a good contrast to their more flavorful and heavy dishes.
This time, we tried their Fried Mandu and we love it even more. The meat filling is flavorful and the dumpling is fried crisp but not greasy. The sauce it comes with is salty and a bit sour and sweet. The Fried Mandu is great on its own but the sauce also complements the flavors well.
Chung’s Kimchi is located along Sobrecary Street in Obrero.
Spinach Croissant
Next on our list is Spinach Croissant by Dulce Desserts.
Dulce Desserts is one of our go-to cafes for meetups. They have a limited savory menu and this is our favorite from their savory offerings. The spinach filling is creamy but not too rich. It is seasoned lightly and goes well with the croissant shell. The pastry is flaky and buttery. This savory pastry is good as a snack or a light meal.
They are located at CT Drive along Tulip Drive (CVA Avenue) in Matina.
Chicken Biryani by Dani’s Palace
Last month’s absolute favorite is Chicken Biryani.
The Chicken Biryani is sublime. The rice is aromatic, cooked well, and bursting with the flavor of spices. The chicken is juicy and flavorful. It is spicy, salty, a bit tangy, with a hint of smokiness. The chicken and the rice go well with each other. The serving is large for 2-4 persons.
It comes with a Yogurt Sauce and a Spicy Sauce. The Yogurt Sauce is creamy and balances the spice well. But if you love spice, go for their Spicy Sauce to make the Biryani extra spicy.
We recommend ordering an extra side of our favorite Garlic Sauce. It is creamy and flavorful. It gives a different layer of flavor to the dish.
Dani’s Palace Shawarma and Grill is located at Limaria along Maa Road in Maa.