AT the establishments around the University of Sto. Tomas, you can find students sitting or standing around no matter the hour. Their mouths are filled with food and smiles seem to be etched on their faces as they spend time with their friends, complain about their teachers and talk about that one girl in class that they can’t stand. 

These restaurants are part of the Thomasian culture; it’s in these places that friendships form and romances blossom, where identities are discovered and dreams are fulfilled. And of course, when talking about famous UST restaurants, you can’t forget about Angkong and Dimsum Treats. 

If you’re a Thomasian or are friends with one, you’re sure to have heard of the Angkong vs. Dimsum Treats debate at least once in your life. While all schools have restaurants known and beloved by students, the Angkong vs. Dimsum Treats argument is something I have yet to see when discussing places to eat at on Taft or Katipunan Avenues. 

Given the hype of both restaurants, one can’t help but think: it’s just siomai. What’s the big deal?

In defense of Angkong 

Angkong Dimsum House, located on P. Noval street, sells a variety of different kinds of siomai: it has pork, chicken, quail, and Japanese siomai. It also offers different kinds of dumplings, if you’re looking for something a little different. When it was just starting in 2015, Angkong only sold food from a small kiosk, and now it has managed to open up two other branches around UST. 

During the start of the pandemic, Angkong had to close its UST branches and started selling frozen siomai online. But as COVID-19 restrictions eased and UST began allowing more and more students into its campus, Angkong managed to make a comeback. Despite the slight price increase, the taste of its food has stayed the same. 

Angkong’s menu | Photo by Francesca Ventanilla

MK Sto. Tomas, a 3rd Year student at UST, said that she has preferred Angkong since her SHS days as a Thomasian. 

“Angkong is just way better than Dimsum Treats, in my opinion. I don’t know if Dimsum Treats changed the quality [of its] products. All I know is [that] Angkong’s been tastier than Dimsum Treats ever since. Hashtag Forever Angkong!” Sto. Tomas said.

In defense of Dimsum Treats

Found along Dapitan Street, Dimsum Treats has been in the UST area since 2008. And like Angkong, it has proven over the pandemic that It’s here to stay. While it was also forced to close down at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, it has since managed to reopen many of its  branches in the UST area.

What many believe Dimsum Treats can be relatively lacking in taste, they say it makes up for it in size. It also has a larger selection of meals as compared to Angkong. While it does serve siomai, it also offers rice meals such as sweet and sour chicken, and pork chop. It also sells its items in larger quantities, labeled as “Party Packs.” For just P220, you can have 16 pieces of siomai cooked for you and ready to go!

The offerings at Dimsum Treats | Photo by Francesca Ventanilla

Aaron Martinez, another 3rd Year student at UST, said he immensely prefers the taste of Dimsum Treats over that of Angkong’s. 

“Mas trip ko yung siomai nila, and their chili is the bomb,” Martinez said. 

All in good fun

Among the 18 people that I was able to ask, 14 preferred Angkong, and 4 preferred Dimsum Treats. But remember: that’s just 18 people! These numbers don’t speak for the entire Thomasian population.

What I love about this whole debate is how, even though it’s supposed to be an argument, it’s something that brings us Thomasians closer together. 

Not everyone can understand what you mean when you suddenly ask, “Dimsum Treats or Angkong?” I’ve been able to use this as an icebreaker for my fellow freshies on more than one occasion, and any time it’s been turned into a “debate,” it’s always been fun teasing and never an actual fight. 

Whether you’re a fan of Dimsum Treats or of Angkong doesn’t really matter, because, in the end, it’s all about preference. You like what you like, you don’t like what you don’t like, and there’s nothing wrong with that. 

Try it yourself!

If you’re in the UST area, or are just bored and wanna join in on the conversation, why not schedule a visit for Dimsum Treats or Angkong?

For Angkong, Sto. Tomas said: “I recommend getting the pork siomai for the classic, and Japanese siomai for a little bit of a twist. Though all of them are so good, and definitely worth the price!”

Meanwhile, if you’re in the Dapitan Area, Martinez suggests the pork siomai and the Japanese siomai.