Delish Eats: Modern Chinese Fare and Cocktails, for Good and Bad at HAO
Restaurant Story
Opened in August 2025, HAO offers the best of Chinese cuisine through a deceptively straightforward menu. With a name that means “good” in Chinese, the restaurant reflects its philosophy in every detail — honest flavors, masterful execution, and a quiet confidence that doesn’t need to shout (or elaborate anything in their menu).
Blending traditional Chinese favorites with contemporary flair, HAO redefines Chinese dining — pairing heritage with modern interpretations of beloved dishes and legacy with today’s tastes.
Vibe and Venue
Located along Rizal Drive at BGC, HAO is hard to miss. From almost a mile away, its rich, burgundy-red exterior stands out from the line of colorful buildings, layered with urban Chinese elements and pop culture references, all artistically graffitied across its walls.
Inside, the red continues — softening the atmosphere into something more intimate. Red velvet booths, black marble tables, and warm brown seats create a space that feels both elevated and easy, like fine dining without formality. Muted peach blossoms and plum blossoms decorate the walls, anchored by brown shelves lined with traditional Chinese tea sets — quietly setting the tone for what’s to come: a meal rooted in heritage, warmth, and quiet indulgence, yet undeniably contemporary.
Upstairs, the mood shifts. Nicknamed huài, meaning “bad” in Chinese, it serves as HAO’s cocktail bar. With warm gray walls lined with green velvet booths and plush seating, the space feels like the downstairs’ stylish and mature opposite. Here, guests linger over a tipple or two, accompanied by DJs who set the soundtrack for the evening.
The Menu
HAO’s menu is straightforward and simple, much like many Chinese restaurants in the metro. What sets it apart, however, is its dedication to turning familiar dishes into works of contemporary art. The menu invites diners into a world of elevated Chinese cuisine, where beloved best-sellers are reimagined with thoughtful flair. Think dim sum, noodles, soup, and other usual items often seen in many Chinese establishments.
The restaurant also serves cocktails inspired by the Legend of the Eight Treasures — each one perfectly encapsulates the culture and context behind it.
The Cost
While the name and menu sound dauntingly expensive, the menu is quite the opposite. Every dish and drink's prices fall on the range of usual Chinese restaurants in the menu.
The dim sum are priced from P170 to P440, while noodles and starters range from P210 to P600. They also have vegetable dishes (P380 to 420) and soups (P190 to P220). Their mains can go as high as P1,280, but they have lunch-time rice meals at reasonable prices from P320 to P420 (only available from 11 AM to 3 PM). Lastly, their desserts range from P190 to P220.
When it comes to alcoholic drinks, they serve wine by the glass at P500, while signature cocktails are priced at P550. Other than these, they have other liquor options by the shot or bottle.
What We Tried
HAO gave The Beat Manila the chance to try out all their bestsellers, which allowed us to taste their version of Chinese favorites from start to finish — with a signature cocktail in hand.
We began our meal with the Shrimp Dumpling with Wasabi Mayo, which gave a satisfying play of textures — the gratifying crunch of the wrapper meeting the soft bite of the filling, elevated by the sharpness of wasabi mayo for a well-balanced, deeply enjoyable bite.
Next came the dim sum. The Siomai and Xiao Long Bao delivered a classic, incredibly comforting experience — exactly what you hope for, and then some.
For noodles, we had the Angus Beef Hofan, an especially savory and umami-rich dish that felt quite indulgent. The beef was cooked to perfection, and each bite carried a lingering depth of flavor.
For the mains, we had Sweet and Sour Chicken — a staple at any Chinese restaurant. Here, the sauce coated each piece perfectly, with a gentle sharpness cutting through the crisp exterior for a balanced and satisfying bite.
Next, we had the Salt and Pepper Iberico Ribs, a rich and tender dish with a beautiful contrast of textures. The crisp exterior gave way to soft, juicy meat, making every bite feel moreish.
We paired our mains with the Yang Chow Fried Rice — because what is a Chinese meal without it? Flavorful and satisfying on its own, HAO’s version stood out for being lighter than expected, cooked noticeably with less oil without sacrificing the elements that make it comforting.
We rounded out our meal with three of HAO’s signature cocktails: Health, made with Cazadores Reposado, Pei Pa Koa, and lime; Wealth, a whiskey-based tipple infused with Sichuan honey, smoked oak, and citrus; and Pearl, a Bacardi-based, tea-like drink mixed with five-spice ghee, orange, and lime.
In just a few sips, each drink had its own personality. Health tasted like a comforting remedy in a glass, the Pei Pa Koa lent it a soothing, medicinal edge, while also mixed with alcohol. Wealth had a subtle, fruity finish that paired beautifully with our meal. Meanwhile, Pearl was quietly charming — served in a Chinese teacup and left behind a gentle, floral aftertaste that felt like it wasn’t a cocktail.
To end on a sweet note, we had the Yin Yang — an Almond Pudding and Black Sesame Pudding resting on a bed of passion fruit syrup. With just one bite, a subtle sweetness unfolds on the palate, bringing the incredibly flavorful journey to a quiet, satisfying close.
What We Liked
The meal was absolutely filling, to say outright. We absolutely enjoyed everything we had at HAO! But if we were to choose our personal favorites, it would be the Shrimp Dumpling with Wasabi Mayo, Salt and Pepper Iberico Ribs, the Xiao Long Bao, the Pearl cocktail, and Yin Yang.
These truly stood out during our meal, and we definitely recommend them should you visit HAO!
What We Didn’t Like
While there was not much to critique during our meal, we could say that the Angus Beef Hofan was a bit too oily for our liking, it might take a while for the bite to settle down, and might even overpower the other dishes you have on the table.
What You Should Order
With its simple and straightforward options, all of HAO’s dishes and bestsellers would surely be great to have on your table! But if we were to choose two from everything we had, it would be the Shrimp Dumpling with Wasabi Mayo and the Salt and Pepper Iberico Ribs.
We highly recommend trying out a tipple or two from HAO’s signature cocktail menu, too!
Follow HAO on Facebook and Instagram. Reservations are available by messaging their Instagram page or by calling 0919 631 3030.
Location: HAO, Unit 120, Forbeswood Heights, Rizal Drive, Taguig City 1634
Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, from 11 AM to 2 AM; Sundays, from 11 AM to 11 PM
Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Delish Eats reviews here.
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