Monga Dessert Lounge, Box Hill

I'm a dentist by profession so I LOVE it when people like desserts because it keeps us in demand - haha. Anyway, I have been to Monga Dessert Lounge a few times and like the boring old fart that I am, I have ordered the same dessert every time - red bean sweet soup with lily bulbs and lotus seeds.

I LOVE this Chinese dessert sweet soup because it comes in a relatively large bowl when it is piping hot - I'm a hot or cold person; I hate lukewarm. The sweet soup has the perfect amount of sweetness for me - many places make this sweeter and often, I dilute it with more hot water. The red beans, lily bulbs and lotus seeds are cooked to perfection too - soft but still got that tiny bit of bite to it. And that is why I have ordered it E-V-E-R-Y time I go there. Some may say that it is expensive for a bowl of sweet soup at $5 - yes it is, but then again, I don't mind paying for something that I enjoy eating.

I have tried their other desserts by sampling the Husband and friends' orders and alas, nothing compares to the red bean sweet soup.

Red bean pancake - I would describe this as red beans wrapped in glutinous rice paste and deep fried. I thought that it was oily but it did have a nice chewy consistency and not too sweet.

Mango sweet soup with popping boba, pomelo, sago and grass jelly - last time I checked, this cost $8.50. It sounded interesting as I have never tried popping boba - it's basically small balls filled with sweet liquid which burst when you bite into it. However, this dessert was lacking for me - the mango was sour, the pomelo was non-existent and the soup base was just far too sweet.

Mango sweet soup with pomelo and sago - this is another mango-based dessert from Monga Dessert Lounge which did not impress me.

Watermelon with herbal jelly drink - refreshing on a hot day

Monga Dessert Lounge is quite a popular hang-out during the weekends. The decor is pretty cool and is supposed to remind you of Hong Kong. I'm being safe by ordering the same red bean dessert every time because everything else I have tried so far is pretty dire to be honest. Would I recommend it to friends? Yes - like I said before, these dessert places keep my job in demand!

(Disclaimer : I am a HUGE fan of mango-based desserts of Hong Kong dessert places like Hui Lau Shan and Honeymoon Dessert so my palate has been accustomed to superior mango-based desserts so nothing else can compare)

Tempted By Cupcake Porn

I was shopping with two girl friends, Janet and Lydia, and we walked slowly past Cupcakes On Pitt.  The window display of supersized cupcakes was so enticing.

 I wonder if the supersized cupcakes are edible or plastic?

But for A$2.50 per cupcake, it was a tad expensive for two students and an unemployed bum (that's me, btw!)...but Miss JJ was extremely generous and treated us to a cupcake each.  Thank you!

 The selection of cupcakes is vast but eventually, I chose the Cookies & Cream Cupcake.  Why?  It's the Chinese blood in me screaming out - "Get your money's worth!"  Not only do I get cake, but I also get a cookie!  I am a diet's worst enemy!  LOL

The chocolate cake was excellent in taste and texture.  Freshly baked, soft, light and not too sweet.  The cream frosting complemented the cake perfectly.

Food Porn Factor : 10 out of 10 - expensive for a little cupcake but worth it!