What's Cookin' in Manila?
No matter where you're from, how far you've been, and even if Manila is just a city next door, as long as you're human, no doubt Manila's got the historical and creative delicacies that would pleasure you with one of the world's best and even bizarre foods. From fine dining, to fast foods, to exotic turo turo's, Manila's got everything that would definitely tickle your taste buds and thrill you with tangy tastes, sweet viands, and incredibly salty desserts.
If you're looking for typical appetite-arousing delicacies that evolved from the influence of China to the present day versions of the Philippines, then Chinatown within the heart of Manila is the place for you! Among an endless list of must try's, hopia is definitely one of which you should get a good taste of. Originally a snack that emerged from the idea of the Chinese, it now has its Philippine-inspired version which we can consider as truly ours- ube flavor, classic mongo and buco pandan.
Now if you're looking for a bite-sized meal, then the mouthwatering siopao is another must try in the heart of Manila at Ongpin Street. What makes it different from all the other ordinary siopaos is that this one does not have white bread surfacing around the meat but rather, a crunchy fried bread that when which tasted will give you a mouthwatering memory of the present-day old-fashioned Manila.
Another type of foods that define true Manila are the street foods which literally describe itself as ones you can buy in the streets. They are very popular because it's easy to find and extremely affordable which make it enticing for students, corporate people, policemen, jeepney drivers, and even foreigners to buy! The most popular ones are the fishballs, squidballs, chicken balls, kwekwek, kikiam and siomai that range from 50 cents to around P30. These foods are well loved by all who try them because of the sauces that are eaten with it- sweet, sweet and spicy, and spiced vinegar. These sauces are the ones in jars displayed in front of the stands, readily available for fun food dipping.
Balut, which is fertilized duck egg, is another street food you won't miss on the street because of the vendor shouting, "balot!" when passing by. This exotic snack is eaten by first cracking the shell, sipping the egg's soup, pulling out the embryo which tastes almost like a hard boiled chicken egg's yolk, then eating the last part which is the duck itself. This snack is best eaten with iodized salt but eating it without the salt is also an option.
If you want to get to know the Philippine lifestyle even better particularly the life in Manila, then we recommend the taho. Taho brings many Filipinos back to their childhood days because this is the one commonly eaten in the morning. It consists of warm soybean curd, sugar syrup, topped with tapioca balls. They are amazingly inexpensive and, like the balut, can also easily be found because of the vendor shouting his merchandise while carrying 2 big cans that are attached to itself by a wooden stick. If the balut is sold only in the evening, taho is sold only in the morning.
Now you might start to think, are street foods the only thing Manila has to offer? No. Manila also presents a variety of restaurants to eat at- there's the Aristocrat, Seafood Warf, Pantalan ng Maynila Seafood Restaurant just to name a few. And if you haven't craved for anything yet, the inihaw na pusit, chicharon bulaklak, and bulalo might just do the trick. Although they can be on the pricey side, they are still worth it because of its Manila authenticity and the experience.
Over all, Manila has a wide range of foods to offer. You don't necessarily have to visit the high end areas and try out the foods in most popular places because the truth of the matter is, when you're in Manila, everything's all around you and all you have to do is look.
By Patricia Kristina Licuanan
The Treats of Chinatown
Calling all the adventurous people out there! Here's a twist to Manila's edible offers! If you've set your mind to thinking that Manila only has the best Filipino foods in every corner, in every restaurant, in every alley, in every historical spot and in every household, think again! Manila also has the treats inspired by the Chinese that date back to the 19th century. In fact, they have established Chinese restaurants and pastry shops that influenced Philippine cuisine and delicacies which are well-loved by many today. While they are spreading all over the nation, one place truly remains to be the heart of it all- Chinatown and that's right, it's in Manila! They have the best Chinese food including those with a twist of Philippine taste that would definitely get your feet walking back for more!
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An example of this would be their noodles, hopia and siopao which now have made its way to Philippine flavors like ube and monggo that come in different shapes, sizes and colors! So if you're just around the corner, don't forget to check these places out! You won't miss them as the stores that keep these delicacies available have lines elongating from the cashier to the entrance door.
Unusual Street Food in Manila!
So maybe you're used to fishball stands, barbecue corners, the taho man and manong sorbetero passing by. Maybe you've mastered dipping isaw in its sauce and have dared yourself to eating the "betamax" but that can happen just about anywhere. Let me tell you something- Manila has got it all AND MORE! You want more adventure? Maybe these pictures below will give you an idea.
How often can you walk within a large crowd of street shoppers and suddenly find a treat of steamy hot beef noodle soup in the middle of the road for only P10? That's right, never! Unless you're in Manila in which case, this could happen anytime, anywhere! Plus, you could guarantee this to be a meal worth every cent because of the soup that softens the beef and marinates it for taste at the same time! After which, the vendor pours it into a bowl, mixes it with noodles and serves it to hungry shopping customers. How's that for pampering?
How often can you walk within a large crowd of street shoppers and suddenly find a treat of steamy hot beef noodle soup in the middle of the road for only P10? That's right, never! Unless you're in Manila in which case, this could happen anytime, anywhere! Plus, you could guarantee this to be a meal worth every cent because of the soup that softens the beef and marinates it for taste at the same time! After which, the vendor pours it into a bowl, mixes it with noodles and serves it to hungry shopping customers. How's that for pampering?
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Now what if after all the common street foods you've tried, you figured that you want something more exotic and different? Then how about inihaw na daing? This one is less common, more creative and would definitely add up to the list of things you've tried in this city.
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Speaking of different, who would've thought that one could stuff tomatoes and onions in a bangus and grill it on the road? Whoever first came up with this idea sure was a genius. Although it takes more time to grill, this street food also is one affordable treat that which when finally cooked, gives its customers their own tasteful pleasure that only in Manila can they find.
Pictures and article by Patricia Licuanan
Pictures and article by Patricia Licuanan
Good Food, Good Family, Good Times!
Filipinos are known to be family-oriented food lovers so you wouldn't be surprised if you pass by a family restaurant in Manila and find tables of families eating together as if it is a barrio fiesta. So don't be surprised if one restaurant actually possesses the name of its theme because true as it sounds, Manila does offer a true Barrio Fiesta.
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Among its many inviting meals is the perfectly sour pork sinigang with sweet potato balancing the taste. Probably the secret of this restaurant is that it perfects home-cooked meals and at the same time, mixes the taste with a sense of home. No wonder why families dine in there everyday.
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And of course, dessert! Who could ever forget dessert? Not only is it a kid's favorite, but also a grown up's. With its traditional content, the sweetened banana, sweet potato, langka, and bola-bola, who would ever cease to consider dining in with the family in the restaurant that could pamper us all?
Pictures and article by Patricia Licuanan
Pictures and article by Patricia Licuanan
Sinangag Express
This a famous place where SILOGs are served. The term "SILOG" means Sinangag Rice and Itlog which is the tagalog word for egg. It was already a traditional meal for filipinos since almost all filipinos liked eating it with meat whether it's pork, fish or chicken. The name tosilog came from tocino + sinangag + itlog, tapsilog from tapa + sinangag rice + itlog and the other SILOGs follow the same pattern. At Sinangag Express, they sell tapsilog, tocilog,longsilog,hotsilog and more.They also have other meals such as lechon kawali, adobo, menudo and other filipino delicacies and their prices are really affordable but their specialty would be their SILOG meals.
I've tried eating at Sinangag Express, the Taft Branch and I liked what I had. I ordered Tapsilog and their serving was of normal proportion and the price was really affordable. I only payed 65 pesos for my meal but the drink wasn't included yet. It tasted good, their "tapa" was juicy and a little bit sweet. and it was with sinangag rice and egg. The place was clean and their service was good. It was somehow big, it's probably good for 40 customers. When I went there most of the customers there were students from DLSU and CSB. I can say that I've quite enjoyed my experience in Sinangag express.
It is located at DLSU but they also have other branches in Pedro Gil, Paranaque, President's Ave, Makati Cinema square, Sunday Market and Aguirre Ave. This place is recommended for food addicts out there.
by Kia Subido
I've tried eating at Sinangag Express, the Taft Branch and I liked what I had. I ordered Tapsilog and their serving was of normal proportion and the price was really affordable. I only payed 65 pesos for my meal but the drink wasn't included yet. It tasted good, their "tapa" was juicy and a little bit sweet. and it was with sinangag rice and egg. The place was clean and their service was good. It was somehow big, it's probably good for 40 customers. When I went there most of the customers there were students from DLSU and CSB. I can say that I've quite enjoyed my experience in Sinangag express.
It is located at DLSU but they also have other branches in Pedro Gil, Paranaque, President's Ave, Makati Cinema square, Sunday Market and Aguirre Ave. This place is recommended for food addicts out there.
by Kia Subido
Tattle Craze
Tattle Craze also called as "Tattles" is a small restaurant located at the back of College of Saint Benilde at Taft. It just opened this year. A lot of students from CSB, DLSU, St.Scho and schools around taft eat at this place for they serve scrumptious and cheap meals which student could afford. It's a small cozy restaurant with about 7-8 tables. They have burgers, lechon kawali, pancit, steak, adobo and more. Their menu consists mostly of "ulam" which are normaly cooked at home.
I visited the place to try how yummy their food is since my friends told me that Tattles is famous in taft. When I went there, I ordered a steak and I was shocked that it was only 90 pesos and it tasted good. As for my friend, he ordered Sisig which also tasted good. I liked the place for the aura of the place was really nice since the place was painted with light blue and their service was really fast. The people there were really friendly and nice to the customers. After I visited Tattles, I came back again to eat there when I met up with my friend and I ordered Lechon Kawali, and I cans ay that I will surely come back again to try the other dishes offered in Tattles because they serve good food.
by Kia Subido
I visited the place to try how yummy their food is since my friends told me that Tattles is famous in taft. When I went there, I ordered a steak and I was shocked that it was only 90 pesos and it tasted good. As for my friend, he ordered Sisig which also tasted good. I liked the place for the aura of the place was really nice since the place was painted with light blue and their service was really fast. The people there were really friendly and nice to the customers. After I visited Tattles, I came back again to eat there when I met up with my friend and I ordered Lechon Kawali, and I cans ay that I will surely come back again to try the other dishes offered in Tattles because they serve good food.
by Kia Subido
Zentea Juice Bar
It's a small store also at the back of College of Saint Benilde. They offer different flavors of chilled teas. The store is a juice bar wherein they mix and match different flavors of teas or you can just choose one flavor for your tea. Their price ranges from 45-65 depends on the size and the tea that you would choose. They have about 8 flavors of mixed teas and about 14 flavors of plain teas. They have fruit flavored teas and they have milk teas.
As I was walking I noticed their store because it was a small store and a lot were actually buying from it so I got curious and checked it out. I ordered Carnival, which is a caramel milk tea. It tasted good because it wasn't that sweet even if there's caramel syrup in it plus I liked drinking it because it was cold and it was a hot day during that time. I also tasted the Naicha, which is the pearl milk tea. I also liked it because it was milky and sweet. It tasted like sweet soy milk. I suggest that you try to grab one of their drinks because it's not only cheap but it's delicious and refreshing.
by Kia Subido
As I was walking I noticed their store because it was a small store and a lot were actually buying from it so I got curious and checked it out. I ordered Carnival, which is a caramel milk tea. It tasted good because it wasn't that sweet even if there's caramel syrup in it plus I liked drinking it because it was cold and it was a hot day during that time. I also tasted the Naicha, which is the pearl milk tea. I also liked it because it was milky and sweet. It tasted like sweet soy milk. I suggest that you try to grab one of their drinks because it's not only cheap but it's delicious and refreshing.
by Kia Subido
Razon's of Guagua
Hey! Let’s take a break. Summer heat huh? I bet its HALO-HALO what you crave for. The sumptuous Halo-Halo of Razon’s is taking the Philippines by shock. As we all know its roots are found in Guagua Pampanga where it all started. But now it is taking Manila with its wonderful journey. Razon’s of Guagua is owned by Razon’s food corporation. It was the five children of Manuel Razon, the older brother of the three sisters who started it legend. One of the incoporators was trained with the three sisters in order to perfect the halo-halo and the pancit luglug. Razons Food Corporation started in 2003, with its mother branch opening in Robinson's Galleria in Quezon City. They also offer different authentic Filipino dishes. But my picks for this restaurant is their Dinuguan with puto and Sisig. Don’t worry pal foods in Razon’s is not that pricey and believe me you can’t say no if its Razon’s of Guagua we’re talking about.
by Jam Jesm Tutanes
References: _http://www.facebook.com/pages/RAZONS-OF-guagua/
by Jam Jesm Tutanes
References: _http://www.facebook.com/pages/RAZONS-OF-guagua/
Abe Restaurant
Its time to eat fellas! Abe (ah-beh) is new to food industry. This restaurant dedicated to Larry Cruz’s father, the late artist-writer, gourmet and bon vivant E. Aguilar “Abe” Cruz. They have a branch in SM Mall of Asia, Bay City, Pasay City. It serves traditional Filipino dishes. However they put some twist to our traditional foods by making it classier. My menu picks are Lamb Adobo with Popped Garlic and Spicy Sisig Pampanga. These dishes are kinda pricey but you don’t have to worry. They offer unlimited rice (Trinoma branch). So you can enjoy every bite of their meals.
Abe restaurant: "Where good friends dine”
by Jam Jesm Tutanes
Reference: ljcrestaurants.com.ph