Welcome to Le Ching Tea House

“ I have been eating at Le Ching since the early 90s. It was by default the place to eat whenever I was in Greenhills Shopping Center. First, the food was great with generous servings. Next, it was affordable (at that time… more on this later). It is their rice toppings that made them famous. Spare robs, beef brisket and even the asado rice. My favorite was the asado rice but it fell off their menu some time ago. Their dimsum is also always a great partner to the rice toppings - siomai and shark’s fin especially. Last time I ate there, the rice topping was priced around ₱250++. This was maybe early last year. Surprised to discover that it’s now at ₱350. Still good for the food that you get but not for anything else. Le Ching is bare minimum when it comes to service. A server will get your order, bring your plates & utensils and then your food. No frills. No pleasantries. They don’t even accept credit card or e-wallet payments. They only accept cash- at least at the Shoppesville store. The store itself is bare minimum. You have tables and chairs. Nothing fancy but enough to enjoy your meal. ”

“ A Nostalgic Christmas Eve Find: Le Ching Tea House There is a specific kind of magic in finding a "neighborhood gem" during the holidays, especially when it comes with a side of local history. This past Christmas Eve, while on a staycation in San Juan, my wife and I decided to skip the usual hotel buffet circuit and look for something authentic. My wife, having lived in San Juan for quite some time, acted as our seasoned guide. Since we reside in the Alabang area, I challenged her to find a spot that offered a flavor profile we couldn't easily replicate back home in the south. Without hesitation, she pointed us toward Le Ching Tea House in Greenhills. The Atmosphere: Old-School Charm If you are looking for white tablecloths, dim lighting, or Instagram-ready minimalist decor, Le Ching is not that place. It is a quintessential, old-school Chinese tea house. It’s bustling, functional, and carries the patina of a restaurant that has survived decades of changing trends by simply doing one thing right: the food. The vibe is no-frills and high-energy. It felt appropriate for a Christmas Eve lunch—families gathered over steaming bamboo baskets, the clatter of heavy ceramic plates, and the efficient hum of servers weaving through tables. > A Quick Tip: Bring cash! In an era of digital wallets and tapping cards, Le Ching remains strictly cash-only. It’s a minor hurdle, but it adds to that authentic, "time-capsule" feel of the establishment. The Stars of the Show We went straight for the classics that made this place a household name in San Juan. * Spare Ribs with Black Beans: This is arguably their most famous dish, and for good reason. The pork was incredibly tender, almost falling off the bone, and the savory, salty punch of the fermented black beans was perfectly balanced. It had that distinct "umami" depth that only comes from a well-seasoned steamer. * Chicken Feet: A staple test for any dim sum house. The sauce was rich and gelatinous, with just enough spice to keep things interesting. It was prepared exactly how it should be—soft enough to melt but with enough texture to enjoy. * Special Wonton: We rounded out the meal with their wontons. The wrappers were delicate, and the filling was fresh and meaty, serving as a clean, satisfying companion to the bolder flavors of the ribs and feet. The Verdict Le Ching Tea House is a testament to the idea that taste triumphs over finery. While it lacks the "fancy" factor of newer mall-based franchises, it offers a sense of place and a consistency of flavor that is hard to find. For those of us coming from Alabang, it was a refreshing change of pace. It didn't feel like a commercialized version of Chinese cuisine; it felt like a meal shared in a neighbor’s kitchen—if that neighbor happened to be a master of the steamer basket. If you find yourself in the Greenhills area and want a meal that prioritizes soul over style, Le Ching is absolutely worth a try. It’s a piece of San Juan history that still tastes as good as the stories my wife told me about it. ”

“ I've been a regular customer of Le Ching Tea House at Shoppesville, Greenhills for almost 40 years, since high school days. Food is still excellent, tasty and delicious. The place is a little bit crowded sometimes, but depends on the day and time. They serve good quality Chinese food which is good and healthy. I would recommend if you want to eat at Greenhills and go try their food which is relatively still the same as it was from decades ago. ”