Fullness of Joy Comfort Food Honest Review
October 2, 2020
I’m Chinese so I grew up eating Chinese food – at home, at restaurants – for every single special occasion. Suffice to say, I believe my Chinese food radar is strong. When I find something I like, I stick to it until I find something better. Well, let me just say – Fullness of Joy has given me A LOT to like. We’ve tried pretty much everything on their menu, but they keep coming out with new dishes so this list will probably continue to grow in the months and years to come (LOL I’m thinking ahead – I know I’ll be loyal FOREVER).
Anyway, for today, I want to feature my ABSOLUTE FAVES – aka these are the dishes that have never failed me and I order in a pinch when I suddenly realize there’s a special occasion that warrants special food for the family.
#1 Boneless Taosi Spareribs
What I REALLY love about this spareribs is that it is boneless lean pork. No bones to chew over, no ligaments or fat – just premium boneless taosi spareribs that’s expertly seasoned and so flavorful that every single bite is just a delight. We always order the family pack and simot talaga in one go. Honestly, whenever I order food that I really like, my next thought is usually – can we replicate this kaya? This time around, it never even crossed my mind. Because how can I possibly replicate this goodness?? (Although really, I want to know who their spareribs supplier are, so I can buy these beautiful boneless pork and use it in other dishes as well – aka my mom’s Chinese Spareribs HAHA)
Their Boneless Taosi Spareribs can be purchased either cooked or frozen. We’ve tried both ways, and they’re equally delicious. The frozen spareribs are cheaper, but really easy to cook – simply place in a steamer and voila, there you have it!
#2 Mommy’s Special Misua
Man, ever since we started buying Birthday Misua from Fullness of Joy, I’ve never tasted my mom’s misua anymore… Still, it’s hard to complain when we get this flavorful alternative instead. Trust me, my mom’s over-the-moon – she used to complain that cha misua is so tedious to prepare. Now, all she has to do is microwave this early in the morning haha!
Anyway, what I really like with Mommy’s Special Misua is that it’s not greasy at all, AND it’s chockfull of ingredients. First, there’s the mini meatballs at the top. I don’t know what goes into this, but it has a very distinct flavor. It’s really good, even without any sauce. Next comes the shredded pork, the shrimp, the egg, the peanuts, and the coriander. Grabe, overloaded! Still, we never fail to add our own spin to it – aka each one of us still get one boiled egg to be eaten with the misua. That’s the one thing that’s carried over from my mom’s birthday misua version.
#3 Egg Tofu with Mushroom
My FAVORITE egg tofu dish belongs to Golden Empire (along Banawe). Their dish is called Soya Cakes, which really doesn’t sound appealing at all, but is simply fantastic. Having said that, Fullness of Joy‘s Egg Tofu with Mushroom runs a close second.
The silken tofu simply melts in your mouth, while the mushrooms and the julienned carrots add an extra crunch to your bite. But the biggest crowd pleaser for me has ALWAYS been the sauce. I have no idea what goes into this, but it’s smooth, delicate and sweet without being cloying. The only downside with this dish is you really MUST consume it when you get it. I find that it gets a bit soggy when left out for too long, and it just loses that tiny spark of magic
#4 Pork and Mushroom Siomai
This siomai is a homemade variant. I was initially skeptical because how can you improve on a tried and tested favorite? We’ve all had siomai. Well, I’m happy to be proven wrong. Fullness of Joy‘s Homemade Pork and Mushroom Siomai is VERY flavorful, has this nice bouncy texture, tastes like pure meat (because it is!), and is just really really good. Paired with soy sauce and chili oil, it’s simply pure heaven and I highly recommend it.
#5 Chicken Pot Pie
It’s been awhile since I last had Fullness of Joy‘s Chicken Pot Pie, to be honest. That’s because this dish is super heavy so whenever we order viands, I typically get denied when I suggest this one ZZzzzz. Still, I have fond memories. The inside is filled with this creamy chicken filling that’s warm and tastes like home. But what really sets it apart is its warm, buttery crust. I can eat the crust on its own – it’s THAT good. In fact, this is my go-to gift for friends and family – because it’s super delicious on its own so can be eaten as a snack and on the go, and equally important for gift-giving, it comes in this beautiful sturdy package that makes the gift feel very “sosyal”
And that ends my countdown. Expect to see continuous updates to this list as I end up refining my favorites and adding to it as Fullness of Joy comes up with more homemade dishes that’s not new per se, but is done so well that you realize why they’re called classics.
**All photo credits go to the amazing Uy Sisters <3 My photos are absolute crap because I’m too eager to dive in and start eating, so I never end up with nice enough photos to post huhu!