LU CHI: From Siomai to Shabu-Shabu @MercatoCentrale Midnight Snack

Text by Nikka Sarthou and Photos by Michael Angelo Chua

It all began when Luchi Dimatulac’s brother requested her to make some homemade chicken feet. Since she used to work in a Chinese restaurant, she thought of asking the chef how to make it. What she got was a recipe for siomai, which was an easier option according to the chef. 

At home, she experimented with the recipe using one kilo of pork and let her family and friends sample some. Her taste test actually garnered some orders from her friends and that is where her “accidental business” started.

Flavors of Mercato Series 2:

• CHEF BAB’S SISIG: “A lot of restaurants and bars serve sisig but only Chef Bab of @MercatoCentrale can offer eight variants at one time!”
• JUANA BOWL: U.S. Rib-Eye Steak and Norwegian Pink Salmon @MercatoCentrale
• TACLINGS: Bite-Sized Tacos Hit @MercatoCentrale
• B. WINGS: The Home of the Black Mamba @Mercato Centrale
• LU CHI: From Siomai to Shabu-Shabu @MercatoCentrale Midnight Snack
• GIGA-BITE: One-Stop Shop for Barbecue and Kebab @IsaKebab @MercatoCentrale

“We didn’t plan for a Chinese food business,” shares Luchi, who is also a nutritionist. Although she was working in a restaurant and her parents were in the food industry as well, having her own food stall was not part of her master plan. But fate brought her to that path when she learned making siomai, chicken feet, and other types of dimsum. 

Her first foray into the food business was as a supplier of a siomai stall. She and her partner, Mario Angeles, eventually thought of putting their own stall and joined bazaars to test out the market. Thus, the birth of Lu Chi, which roughly translates to “happy eating” in Chinese.

They offer their specialty siomai for only P50 per order of four pieces. Each piece is not your average small-sized siomai. It’s one big bite of pure pork goodness, which uses 100% natural meat, no extenders, no preservatives and no MSG. It’s a chunky kind of siomai where the meat is chopped and not ground. 

“Our meat is fresh and of high quality. We use the round part of the pigue—choice cuts.” Those who have tasted Luchi’s siomai would know the difference. I have eaten different kinds from various restaurants and this is way better than some. Even my hubby, a self-proclaimed siomai connoisseur, enjoyed each meaty bite of his favorite dimsum. 

Aside from dimsum, dumplings, and sushi, Luchi also serves a mean shabu-shabu, which includes imported balls from Taiwan. Each serving costs P160 and comes with six kinds of balls like lobster. In the Mercato markets, a lot of Koreans patronize this dish. Customers say that it is comparable to the shabu-shabu in other Asian countries. 

Who would have thought that this “accidental” home-based business would grow into a full-blown food business? From a mere capital of P1000, Luchi now has kiosks in various supermarkets and weekend markets around the metro. Now you know where to chow down on affordable and delicious Chinese dimsum and dumplings.

LU CHI AUTHENTIC DIMSUM HOUSE
Telephone number: (+63 2) 514-117
Mobile number: (+63 921) 838-3079 and (+63 932) 845-8775 
Facebook: Lu Chi Authentic Dimsum House

Available at Midnight Mercato, and Cucina Andare:

MIDNIGHT MERCATO
Address: Corner of 34th & 8th avenue (near MC Home Depot), BGC , Taguig
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152 
Email: admin@mercatocentrale.ph or mercatocentraleph@gmail.com
Operating hours: Every Friday and Saturday, 10pm-3am 

CUCINA ANDARE 
Address: Glorietta 3 Park, Makati (in front of Makati Shangri-La)
Telephone number: (02) 812-0102
Mobile number: (+63 917) 840-1152
Email: admin@cucinaandare.com
Operating hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4pm-3am 

Flavors of Mercato Series 1:

• CARLO’S KITCHEN: It’s Crunchy Belly Time!
• CUISINIERS: Have you tried the Best BBQ Pork Skewers in Manila?
• MERRY MOO: One of the Best Artisan Ice Creams in Manila!
• WRAP BATTLE: The Pita Wrap of the Filipinos
• JOHNNY STEAMS: Yankee Burger – Peanut Butter, Crispy Bacon, Oozing Mozzarella Cheese
• OLVERA’S: Authentic Home Cooked Mexican Cuisine
• AUNTIE MAY’s: U.S Beef Tapa, Angus Beef Salpicao and Home Cooked Meals-on-the-GO
• RICE POTS: The Real Fried Rice Stuff!
• MACHEESEMO: Cheese Stuffed Burgers!
• BUMBLE TEA: The Milk Tea Buzz
• NEW YORK MINUTE: Freshly Made Paninis
• @HEY_FISHY_FISHY: Fish & Chips with San Miguel Pale Pilsen Beer Batter

Flavors of Mercato Series 2:

• CHEF BAB’S SISIG: “A lot of restaurants and bars serve sisig but only Chef Bab of @MercatoCentrale can offer eight variants at one time!”
• JUANA BOWL: U.S. Rib-Eye Steak and Norwegian Pink Salmon @MercatoCentrale
• TACLINGS: Bite-Sized Tacos Hit @MercatoCentrale
• B. WINGS: The Home of the Black Mamba @Mercato Centrale
• LU CHI: From Siomai to Shabu-Shabu @MercatoCentrale Midnight Snack
• GIGA-BITE: One-Stop Shop for Barbecue and Kebab @IsaKebab @MercatoCentrale

P.S. Would you like to become the next big food entrepreneur at Mercato Centrale group of markets? Please get in touch with us at (+63 917) 840-1152 or (+632) 812-0102.