PING PONG DIPLOMACY

If you're searching for your greasy Chinese comfort food that's fried up in the streets of Binondo, trust me, PING PONG DIPLOMACY is not for you.

But if you're craving for Chinese American fusion that a little bit on the wild side, then you should IMMEDIATELY make plans to drive up to SM Aura, pronto!

Yup! I daresay that the food in PING PONG DIPLOMACY is not something that you have encountered before. The dishes are unique, imaginative, affordable, and most importantly, DELICIOUS. Really a winner for those with adventurous taste buds.

Now does PING PONG DIPLOMACY serve your usual Chinese Food? Definitely not. But it is something you should NEVER miss because it will surely be the start of a "beautiful relationship."

And for ERICJAZ FOODIES, it started last week. :)

PING PONG DIPLOMACY!!!!

PING PONG DIPLOMACY, located at the 3rd floor of SM Aura, is the newest offering by the TASTELESS GROUP, the company that has already blessed us with HEY HANDSOME, Bad Bird, Le Petit Souffle, Hole in the Wall, among others.

Mr. Charles Paw, the ever happy CEO of the TASTELESS GROUP, got the help of Chefs Noel Mauricio (cough... pogi... cough) and Him Uy de Baron to come up tasty dishes that make American Chinese fusion the big thing in the Metro. 

PING PONG DIPLOMACY was still in their soft opening but I could feel the excitement of the diners.

The Chinese Dimpol and I were searching for our friends but our attention was snagged by the many dismembered hands holding onto Ping Pong rackets.  

Oh the humanity!!!!!

Curiouser and curiouser!!!!

Seriously though, PING PONG DIPLOMACY based their name on the momentous event involving the Americans, the Chinese, AND Ping Pong in the 1970s. 

Just in case you're laaaaazy to google (like me), you could always go to PING PONG DIPLOMACY to learn more about it. They have the story right on their walls!

Tee Hee! I'm sure you could find the logic in that. 

The Chinese Dimpol and I were able to squeeze in between the hot ladies of THE FOOD ALPHABET, THE MOMMIST, and newly-wed THE FOOD SCOUT!!!!

It's always great to meet up with KTG ladies! I should take note though to always wear deodorant if I'll sit beside the hottie MOMMIST!!

(Semi) Girls Night Out?? :)

Kidding!!! Of course I only have one date....

Si Mike Tan!!!

Yihiii! See the resemblance???

PING PONG DIPLOMACY menu!

Menu 1...

Menu 2!!!

And now let's EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Start off your game of ping pong with some of their Wonton Cheeseburger (P290.00)!

You'll get 4 crispy wontons that are packed with fried ground Wagyu Beef and Sharp Cheddar cheese.

The Wontons are served with caramelized onions, and lettuce, plus cilantro yoghurt dressing. You eat it like how you do a Korean bulgogi but with more cheesy feelings. He he he he he he!

Ping Pong Wings (P320.00)!!!

Now these are not your ordinary chicken wings because as you tear up the juicy meat from the bones, you'll savor the 12-Chinese spices at every bite. 

Could be an appetizer.

Should also be paired with rice.

TEE HEE!!!!

Prawn and Scotch Egg (P180.00)!

No, it's not a buchi... It's a 5-minute egg that's coated with ground pork and prawns then fried up! Give it a generous dip in the wasabi mayo and watch the sparks fly....

When you go to PING PONG DIPLOMACY you shall not forget to order their Crunchy Eggplant (P140.00)

Yep. I said that ala Gandalf.

Even if you don't like eggplant, I swear, you'll not get that slimy squishy thing about it. Each crispy piece is very crunchy and made more appetizing with the sweet glaze. KE SARAP SARAP! OMAYGADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beerhouse Mussels and Clams (P175.00)!

I wasn't able to try this but when I return, I'm sure my seafood boy Mati would love this.

If you love Tofu, you'll be craving for the PING PONG DIPLOMACY Cranberries and Tofu (P245.00)!

I am now a fan of soft tofu and to pair it with fruity Cranberries and Century Egg then tossed in a sweet and nutty soy sauce is a definite winner. 

Yeah like Patriots kind of winner. Tee Heee!

Spicy Chick-Pea Noodles (P265.00)!

I wasn't able to try this but was curious with the spicy fried lo-mien with chick peas and fatty bacon.

YOWZA!!!!

I WAS able to try the PING PONG DIPLOMACY Surf and Turf noodles (P285.00)!

Fried flat noodles with sweet sauce topped with plump mussels and fatty char siu pork. YOWZA!!! And, to add more richness to the dish, you mix it with the gooey egg.

PING PONG DIPLOMACY Simple Fried Eggs (P135.00)!

Another must-try in the restaurant is, like the name connotes, this simple fried egg that's topped with pork floss and drizzled with oriental sweet sauce.

Simple? Yes.

Delishes??? YESSSSS!!!!!

Want something hot and spicy to go down your throat? Try out the Not Mapo Tofu (P330.00)!!!

This spicy and rich soup is made more flavorful with the Char Siu pork cooked 2 ways and the crispy leeks. If you dip your spoon in further you will find, DAN DAN DAAAAAAN.... Soft Tofu!

INANGKUPUSHNESS!!!!

My favorite -- PING PONG DIPLOMACY Dan Dan Chicken Rice (P265.00)!

This dish may be based from the famous Dan Dan Noodles, but this time, WITH RICE!!!!!!! What a breakthrough!!! Hallelujah!!!!!

But really, if you love spicy food, this is for you. You won't stop taking in mouthfuls of their crunchy chicken skin, gooey egg, and rice with peanuts. You won't and you can't. OVER siya sa sarap. I kenat!!!!!!!!!!

I think I finished everything!!!!!

PING PONG DIPLOMACY Typhoon Shelter Grilled Prawns (P650.00) is a definite MUST order!!!!

You get 5 fatty prawns (NOT shrimps that were stretched out he he he he) on stick that is loaded with garlic, peppers, onions, and seasonings!!!!!

I swear it is finger licking good!!!!

AND, when you're done with all the prawns take home the oils and garlic for your instant aglio y olio pasta! Yup! It's THAT flavorful!!!!!

Cumin Lamb Pouches (P630.00)!

You might think the Lamb is dry but trust me, it's so juicy and tender. You could tear off a huge chunk of the meat and use the buns as sandwich.

Or you could just be a savage and eat from the bone. You choice. If your date is fine with it, then he's a keeper.

Tee hee!

Caveman Beef Ribs (P535.00)!

I doubt if the cavemen during the days of yore had meat as moist and fall off the bone like this!

Pair it up with the savory soy glaze and crunchy fried shallots, you're sure to be licking the bones in no time. 

I don't really have milkshakes unless I'm pairing it with burgers or having it as a dessert, but the Ube Smoothie of PING PONG DIPLOMACY was AWEZUMMM!!!!

At first my husband kept raving about it that I ordered one.

When my Ube smoothie arrived, my Chinese Dimpol drank it.

I ordered again and he drained it. 

I ordered once more and he zoinked it again.

Never in my life have I prayed for him to get tummy ache.... And he did!

HAH A HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHA!!!!!!

ERICJAZ FOODIES with our foodie family, THE KTG!!!

(l-r) ABS-CBN, PINASMUNA.COM, THE MOMMIST, ERICJAZ FOODIES (kami yun heller), THE FOOD SCOUT, THE FOOD ALPHABET, and EATSPLORATIONS!!!!!!

NOW LET'S EAT!

My plate!!! My first-round-of-PING PONG food plate!!!

Don't forget to leave room for dessert (so cliche I know but I'll use it).

The Fortune Balls are so worth a try (P150.00). Take your pick from the sweet and chewy Black Sesame, Ginger, and Taro Mochi. Whatever you choose, don't forget to dip it in the rich pistachio cream. You'll be sucking and smacking on these babies that it would seem indecent.

Yup. That's what the Chinese Dimpol did. I SWEAR.

If you want your pie and eat it too, try out the Jicama Pie (P220.00).

Served with Five Spice Ice Cream, you'll savor the rich cinnamon cubes of jicama with the fried crust.

The ice cream was YUMMERS.

My favorite dessert would have to be the Mungo Buchi (P220.00) since I'm always for these chewy sesame balls when in a Chinese restaurant. It's great that this time, you should be eating it with the Red Bean Puree.... So addicting.

BURRRRP!

Thank you muchos to THE FOOD ALPHABET for inviting ERICJAZ FOODIES and of course to Mr. Charles Paw for having us. 

We will SURELY be back with reinforcements, aka my two boys, very soon. And yes, I foresee that we will be going back again and again!!!!

OH.

YEAAAAH.

PING PONG DIPLOMACY

SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner 26th Street, 

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City