So now we gonna continue on the previous issue of The First-Timer’s SAFE Travel Guide to Manila, the Philippines (from a local)
Renowned food personality Andrew Zimmern once said that Filipino food will be the next big thing.
CHICKEN INASAL
Renowned food personality Andrew Zimmern once said that Filipino food will be the next big thing.
CHICKEN INASAL
Inasal refers to chicken marinated in a mixture of lime, pepper, vinegar, and annato then grilled over hot coals while being basted with the marinade. Served with rice, vinegar, soy sauce, chili peppers, and calamansi (calamondin), chicken inasal is a regional dish from the Western Visayas region that’s become hugely popular throughout the Philippines.
Popular inasal restaurants in Manila include Bacolod Chicken Inasal, JT’s Manukan Grille, Jay-J’s Inasal, and Mang Inasal. Our personal favorite is a little known place called Bacolod Chicken Parillatucked away in a residential neighborhood in Quezon City.
Pancit Behon Gusaido
Pancit Bihon Guisado is a Filipino-Chinese dish made with sauteed rice noodles, meat, and vegetables. It’s a staple second only to rice. There are several types of pancit, but this is one of the most common and can be found in many Filipino eateries.
Bibingka
Bibingka is a type of rice cake traditionally made from galapong (milled glutinous rice), coconut milk, margarine, and sugar. A time-consuming dish to make, the mixture is poured into a clay pot lined with pre-cut banana leaves. The clay pot is then placed between the layers of a special clay oven that’s lit with charcoals placed below and above the pot for even cooking. Bibingka is especially popular during the Christmas season.
WHERE TO EAT
This was the hardest section to write being a food lover from Manila. How could I narrow it down? Some of these restaurants may not be the trendiest, but they made the list for what in my mind were more important reasons — longevity, accessibility, price, and overall experience. Tailored for travelers getting their first taste of Filipino food, we chose restaurants that serve authentic Filipino cuisine without being too exotic so as to put off any new fans.
1. Abe
Abe belongs to the iconic LJC group of restaurants that’s been serving excellent Filipino cuisine for over 30 years. It’s one of the first restaurants I think of when entertaining foreign guests. Popular dishes include the Lamb Adobo, Crispy Pork Adobo ni Lola Ising, Bamboo Rice (pictured below), and Sikreto ni Maria (sticky rice dessert with ripe mangoes and macapuno ice cream). For more adventurous eaters, I suggest trying the Betute (stuffed frogs) and Arobong Kamaru (sauteed crickets) as well.
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2. Mesa Filipino Moderne
Like Abe, Mesa is one of the first restaurants I consider when entertaining guests from abroad. They aren’t as pricey and their food is just as good. While Abe serves more traditional cuisine, Mesa serves Filipino food with a slightly modern twist. Standout dishes include Baby Squid in Olive Oil (pictured below), Crispy Hito Flakes (catfish), Chicken Binakol (chicken soup flavored with coconut meat), and Baked Scallops.
3. Seaside Market on Macapagal Boulevard
If you like fresh seafood, then you’ll enjoy the Seaside Market along Macapagal Boulevard. A fish market to table concept, you’ll buy your seafood from the wet market then have it cooked by one of the many restaurants in the complex. Seafood doesn’t get any fresher than this.
The seaside market is close to notable areas like Intramuros, the National Museum, and Mall of Asia, so you may want to pair a meal here with a trip to one of those places.
4. Gerry’s Grill
Gerry’s Grill is arguably the most popular Filipino grill restaurant in Manila. The food is good and inexpensive, making it a favorite watering hole among locals. I suggest trying the Inihaw na Liempo (grilled pork belly), Inihaw na Baby Pusit, and the Adobong Puso Rice (pictured below). They’re also known for their Pork Sisig, a hugely popular bar appetizer made with chopped pig’s face, ears, and chicken liver. You can read more about it in my post listing 14 delicious things to eat in Manila.
Gerry’s Grill has plenty of branches throughout the city, including Mall of Asia and Greenhills Shopping Center. If you’re staying at Lokal Hostel, then the Greenbelt 3 branch will be closest to you. Greenbelt 3 is an upscale al fresco mall in Makati so it’s a great place to walk around and kill time.
5. Hole in the Wall
The only trendy eatery on this list. Hole in the Wall is actually an ultra hip food court located at the 4th floor of Century City Mall, which is about a 10-15 minute walk from Z Hostel. We already had a few Filipino restaurants on this list so why not add a place that offered some variety. There are 12 eateries at Hole in the Wall as of this writing. Many of them we’ve tried, all were good.
6. Jollibee
Jollibee is our local version of McDonald’s. It’s a hugely popular fast food burger chain that caters to the Filipino palate. More flavorful than typical American-style hamburgers, there are Jollibee restaurants all over the country (including the Mind Museum). Ask your hotel where the nearest branch is. I suggest getting the Champ. It’s their signature burger and the equivalent of a Big Mac.