Zoy’s Top 5: 2025 Dishes & Meals

Last Thursday, I gave you the dishes and meals that are honorable mentions for 2025 (read it here). Now, I’m listing down my top five for the past year. Again, these are food that I have tried for the first time.

As I’ve explained in the previous article, I have an objective and a subjective criteria. Objectively, the dish or meal has to be flavorful (meaning, it has different flavors) and has a variety of textures. They are the ones I refer to as “a world of flavors and textures.” But I will make a few exceptions to those that blew my mind away in spite of the lack thereof.

Subjectively, the dish or meal has to be enjoyable, something that is forever etched in my memory and making me want to have more of it. Well, it wouldn’t make this list if I didn’t enjoy it.

So starting with the top five:

**5. Panciteria Meal at Toho Antigua Panciteria (Manila City, Metro Manila, Philippines)**

One of the best panciteria (a spot that offers Filipino-Chinese food) meals I’ve ever tried is at Toho Panciteria Antigua (sometimes spelled as To Ho), which is the oldest restaurant in the Philippines located in the world’s oldest Chinatown.

Check out the panciteria dishes we tried at Toho Antigua Panciteria by clicking the link below.

Address: 422 Tomas Pinpin St., Binondo, City of Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-8PM; Sunday, 9AM-3PM | Contact No.: (02) 8242-0294

**4. Dai Pai Dong Meal at Oi Man Sang (Hong Kong)**

Literally “big license plate stall”, a Dai Pai Dong is an open-air, street side stalls serving Cantonese dishes. We tried this food experience at Oi Man Sang, which turns out to be our best local meal in our Hong Kong trip.

Check out the dishes we tried at Oi Man Sang by clicking the link below.

Address: 1A-1C Shek Kip Mei St., Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong | Operating Hours: Daily, 4:30PM-12AM (Last Order: 11PM) | Contact No.: +852 2393 9315

**3. Zi Char Meal at Kek Eng Kee Seafood (Singapore)**

Literally “cook fry” and sometimes spelled as “Cze/Tze Char”, Zi Char refers to Chinese home-style dishes or meals that are cooked upon order. It’s one of the Singaporean food experiences that every foodie should try. And one of the best spots to try it (three of our Filipino friends who live/d in Singapore highly recommend it!) is at Kek Eng Kee Seafood.

Everything we ordered in Kek Eng Kee was delicious. These include Claypot Pig Liver, Coffee Ribs, and their signature Moonlight Hor Fun (stir-fried wide rice noodles).

For Kek Eng Kee Seafood branches and operating times, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as their Website.

**2. Tokusei Wagyu Tsukemen at Mashi No Mashi (Hong Kong)**

The Tokusei Wagyu Tsukemen (dipping ramen) of Mashi No Mashi has 150 grams of noodles, one piece of wagyu, bamboo shoots, cabbage, and soft-boiled egg.

Its broth is thick, slightly sweet, and has a nice acidity. I suspect that the broth is partly made with fish, giving an umami taste.

Aside from the nice flavors of its broth, this dish has a nice play of textures. The cabbage and bamboo shoots are crisp, the egg is soft and creamy, and the noodles are thick and chewy. I love its textures!

But the highlight of the dish is (obviously) the wagyu, which melts in the mouth and bursts with juices with every bite.

BaseHall Branch Address: Kiosk No. 12 & 13, BaseHall 2, LG/F Jardine House, 1 Connaught Pl., Central, Hong Kong | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11AM-10PM

Wan Chai Branch Address: Shop 1B, G/F Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Rd., Wan Chai, Hong Kong | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 12NN-3PM & 6-10PM

Facebook | Instagram | Website

1. Roast Goose at Yat Lok Restaurant (Hong Kong)

Hands down, the Roast Goose of the MICHELIN-starred roast meat shop Yat Lok Restaurant is my favorite dish for 2025. It’s so succulent that every time I chew it, it bursts with juices!

The skin is shimmering, fatty, and has a slight crisp. Dip it in the plum sauce for added sweet and sour flavors, and it’s the perfect bite.

Address: G/F 34-38 Stanley St., Central, Hong Kong | Operating Hours: Daily: 10AM-8:30PM | Contact No.: +852 2524 3882 | Instagram