Mai Wei Fang: Sheng Jian Bao, Shao Bing Sandwich, and more!

Mai Wei Fang

We're all familiar with Chinese cuisine in the form of noodles, dumplings, and savory dishes that go well with rice, such as Sweet and Sour Pork, Lemon Chicken, and Beef with Broccoli. But did you know that in northeast China, wheat flour products are considered staple compared to rice during the Tang Dynasty? Some of the bread products from thousands of years ago have lasted through time that here in the Philippines, we get to enjoy them in a fast-casual restaurant located at Robinsons Place Manila -- Mai Wei Fang.


wood, yellow, and white theme	modern Chinese ambiance

Mai Wei Fang, meaning "wheat mill room", occupies a small area at the Adriatico Wing near Robinsons Supermarket. It's a strategic location as there are a lot of passers-by and with a show kitchen occupying half of the resto, it surely captures attention. The place has a nice wall accent that is reminiscent of ancient China, at the same time, providing a modern and vibrant feel in hues of yellow and white.

A fast casual dining gives me the idea that you just "pay, grab, and go". Anyway, all the food items can be eaten on-the-go, while dining capacity is only around 15. But since their food products are made fresh as you order, then I'd say "pay, watch, grab, and go!". You won't feel the waiting time as you'll be fascinated how each item is being prepared and cooked.

And speaking of Mai Wei Fang's products, let's checkout each of them here.

Shao Bing (80Php, add fried chicken for 35Php)

Flaky layered flat bread

Shao Bing

Shao Bing looks like a simple huge bread but trying it is a different experience. Preparation is a bit intricate as it makes use of unleavened dough that is grilled giving those beautiful grill marks, and then baked. The result makes a crispy outside with thin flaky layers inside that are not too soft but enough to give crisp and bite. It comes with a spicy dip but I'm good having the bread on its own.


Shao Bing	Shao Bing

You Tiao (80Php)

Fried Chinese doughnuts breadsticks

You Tiao

A serving of You Tiao includes two long dough strips joined together and deep fried. This Chinese doughnut has a thin crisp feel outside, while inside is light, soft, and airy. As this is fried in oil, there's a tendency to be oily but not too much.


You Tiao	Cong You Bing

Cong You Bing (80Php, add fried chicken for 35Php)

Crispy savory green onion pancake

Cong You Bing

If you are familiar with naan bread of India, Cong You Bing can be likened to that. I love the simplicity and earthy taste mixed with green onions giving some hints of herbs. Similar to Shao Bing, it makes use of unleavened dough, has flaky texture, but is more savory.

preparing Cong You Bing

I initially thought Cong You Bing is cooked similar to normal pancakes, but I've witnessed that the preparation requires more effort than that. From a dough made into flat circle, topped with green onion spread, rolled horizontally, then rolled into a sphere, lastly flattened before cooked.

slices of Cong You Bing and Shao Bing

Sheng Jian Bao (6pcs - 165Php)

Pan fried pork soup dumplings with black vinegar sauce

Sheng Jian Bao

I'll start by saying Sheng Jian Bao is one of my favorites here at Mai Wei Fang. And if you're going to visit them, do not miss this! It is similar to xiao long bao as it also has soup inside and makes use of black vinegar as dip. But physically, it looks different as Sheng Jian Bao is topped with sesame seeds and green onions, and has flatter top versus xiao long bao's usually pointy shape. What makes me love Sheng Jian Bao more is the added texture of it being pan-fried, its bigger size, and the meatier and juicier filling. Warning: Sip the soup before putting it in your mouth. Or if you want to feel the explosion of soup inside your mouth, be sure you'll be able to handle it. Believe me, I've witnessed some splashing of the soup from the mouth!


Sheng Jian Bao	Sheng Jian Bao

In terms of preparation, it starts with a semi-leavened dough kneaded, formed into small flat circles, then wrapped on pork meat. The dumplings were first pan-fried then steamed to melt the gelatin which forms the soup inside the buns.


putting the filling	pan-fried then steamed

Shao Bing Sandwich (155Php, add fried chicken for 35Php)

Flaky layered flatbread filled with scrambled eggs with green onions, you tiao (Chinese doughnut), and pork floss

Shao Bing Sandwich

Shao Bing Sandwich is my other favorite and I recommend that you add the fried chicken on this! There's a lot of going on in this sandwich, a combination of flavors and textures, but I love how they all went together. Soft and crisp You Tiao, squishy scrambled eggs, tasty and fluffy pork floss, crunchy and savory fried chicken, and the flaky Shao Bing. Having this sandwich is such an experience!


Shao Bing Sandwich	Chinese Fried Chicken

Chinese Fried Chicken (regular - 165Php, XL 350gm - 320Php)

Chicken breast fillet with Chinese breading and spices

Chinese Fried Chicken

This Chinese Fried Chicken (CFC) is characterized by a flattened chicken breast fillet, marinated, breaded, and deep fried. Chinese herbs and spices are very much evident making it flavorful. I love the crunch of its breading. It is best combined with the other bread products to balance the intensity of flavors.


Chinese Fried Chicken	You Tiao Dessert

You Tiao Dessert (100Php)

You tiao with crushed peanuts and sweet milk sauce

You Tiao Dessert

On a sweet note, there's You Tiao Dessert. It is basically You Tiao drizzled with sweet milk sauce and sprinkled with crushed peanuts. Simple but not overwhelmingly sweet.


Little Foodie trying out Shao Bing	it's a thumbs up!

Aside from the wheat flour products, another well-loved during our visit at Mai Wei Fang is this Premium Winter Melon Chilled Tea. It is so good and refreshing!

me and my Premium Winter Melon Chilled Tea (12oz - Php75, 16oz - Php90)

Nothing beats freshly-made bread and dumplings, prepared and cooked right before your eyes! You get to appreciate the food more as you don't only get to taste it, but actually experience it. Mai Wei Fang offers the not-so-usual Chinese food and so it is worth a visit. I can have two or more orders of that Sheng Jian Bao all for myself!! That good!

Mai Wei Fang
Ground Floor, Adriatico Wing, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila