Dessert Republic - HK in the Middle of San Mateo
Restaurant: Dessert Republic
Address: 138 Main Street, San Mateo, CA
Phone Number: (650) 401-3570
Cuisine: Chinese, Snacks, Tea, Coffee, Desserts
Dining Partner: Bubuh, Bubuh’s Dad, Bubuh’s Mom, Auntie W
Looking at the picture above, you would think that it was taken at a little eatery in the middle of Asia. BUT NO, surprisingly, it is smack dab in the middle of San Mateo. You actually have to do a little searching to find Dessert Republic. It’s in a little alley by the parking garage. While walking around San Mateo with Bub’s family, we accidentally ran into this place. What a find!
I love this place because it’s almost like a Hong Kong tapas place. You can get several little dishes and snacks and share with others. There were finger foods like sandwiches and chicken wings, then you got rice plates like abalone sauced pork chop and rice, and then your desserts like eggettes and crepes filled with fruit. They also have an extensive selection of drinks and slushee. Check out their MENU HERE - it's humungous!!
The water (obviously from tap) tasted horrible, but I really liked the cups they were served in. I am going to go into the service here. The lady who brought us our water was a little, sweet older woman who could be Bub’s grandma. Don’t you love seeing that? Some women are still so into their jobs that they don’t even want to retire. I guess some women are never sick of serving people and making them feel at home. The employees set up tables and chairs outside just for us!
I have had several crepes before and this was just as good. There was ice cream, fresh strawberries, Nutella, and whipped cream. Simple, yet so delicious. I appreciate places that use fresh strawberries. I remember having a strawberry crepe in Cole Valley and the strawberries was HOT. Ew. No, I would rather have fresh.
Again, I have had honeydew slushees before, and this was no different. Sweet and refreshing. You can add aloe jelly for $0.50 and tapioca for $0.25.
A language barrier brought this to our table. Bub’s Dad just wanted the Beef Stew Noodle soup, and the lady said “Curry?” Then I pointed at the menu at the one Bub’s Dad wanted (the CheHou Beef Stew Noodle Soup) to inform her that he wanted that one instead. Then something happened and both were brought out. He was about to send it away, but more than likely they were going to throw it out, so I took it. It was delicious. The beef was so tender, and they added some steamed broccoli and a curried potato. The more I ate it, the more I realized that the whole thing was no more than a package of MSG-laden Maruchan chicken-flavored, dry-packaged ramen and beef curry on top. It must not have even cost 2 bucks to make. As delicious as it was, I felt a bit ripped off. You can make this at home easily for a fraction of the price. It was SOOOO good though.
Another item that can be easily made at home. It was simply two pieces of bread with the crusts cut off, two pieces of SPAM (which was probably more like a generic brand luncheon meat), and a thin layer of fried egg. Again, a buck-fitty to make, but of course, they jack up the prices. Bub ate this in like three bites. Yummy, but too expensive, but like the soup above, easy to make at home.
Overall, I liked it a lot. Everything we had was very tasty, but I wouldn’t come back just for the sandwiches. The drinks are good and the crepes are worth returning for if I was in the neighborhood. The owner (or some authority figure in the restaurant) was very nice. Bub’s Mom and aunt were talking with him and then before he left, he gave us little membership cards. He also e-mailed us specials and coupons for extra savings. Yeah, I’m going to need those coupons because some of the items are a little too steep for my wallet. Other than that, cute place and yummy food…it would also help if you knew Chinese. =/
1 tonguegasms:
that strawberry crepe looks delicious in the picture at least
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