Tinolang Tasi

Tasi is a fish that is found in Samar, Eastern Visayas. This meaty and very tasty fish gives a flavorsome experience to one who indulges him/herself to it spell.  That is the only description that I can say about this fantastic fish. It can be grilled, with soup or eaten raw with vinegar, chilis, pepper, onions and tomatoes.   It is also the reason why Part Ebelle restaurant is full of people willing to wait for them to satisfy their craving for this.

  

This was a good food tripping experience I had with my friend in Cebu. He brought me there just before noon time and I was so amaze that in this part of the reclamation area, there is this restaurant that is always full of people. The more it made me curious about this fish.  When I tasted my first sip of the soup, it was indeed a gastronomical experience that I want to repeat again and again.

Where to find

  

Tinolang Tasi can be found at Part Ebelle, reclamation area, Cebu city. It is along the street perpendicular to the main entrance of SM cebu. The best time to go there is around 11am for you to have a seat.  When you arrive past 12NN, you might be waiting for your turn to be seated.

  

Part Ebelle also serve grilled fish belly, kinilaw and other dishes. You can also order native lechon manok upon request. Part Ebelle has been known to serve the freshest fish specially tasi. When in Cebu, don’t miss this opportunity to have a taste of the Tinonlang Tasi of Part Ebelle.

Gyudon

Gyudon is a Japanese beef bowl with onions simmered in fish stock, soy, rice wine, leeks   and topped with raw egg.  I was first introduce with this during my days in gradeschool where I remember, falling in line in our school canteen to have a Japanese food. It was this (Gyudon) aside from Katsudon were the bestsellers and I can still remember it well, it was served at 5pesos per beef bowl.  Those were the days when your 10 peso bill was more than enough to survive. Hehe.

   

When it was about time for me to let my kids taste this, I brought them to Rai Rai Ken. They have created it well more than I expected.  It was the tasted and harmony of flavor that this restaurant is always consistent even if you transfer from one branch to the other.  About the sauce, it was very delicious. It is the one that gave the full flavor and tastiness of the beef bowl.

  

Where to find

 

Rai Rai Ken can be found almost everywhere in the metro but for this entry, we tried it in Island City mall in Tagbilaran, Bohol. To my surprise, they are really consistent to standard of their restaurant and most especially to the food.  Many have creating this wonderful dish but authenticity and flavor does not come together. For Rai Rai Ken, it does.

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Lumpiang Shanghai

Just a short trivia, Lumpiang Shanghai did not originate in Shanghai China. If you go there and if you try to look for one, you’ll get frustrated because Lumpiang Shanghai came from the Philippines. That goes the same with the Shanghai Fried Rice.  This lumpia or spring rolls has been in our culture since time in memorial and it has been associated with us being a Filipino.  This heaven sent spring roll can be found everywhere in our country.  We have different varieties of spring rolls. Here are the samples: lumpiang gulay, lumpiang baboy, Lumpia sa Ubod, Lumpiang Saging (Turon pala yon), Lumpiang Hubad and of course, Lumpiang Shanghai.

  

For this entry, there is this Chinese Restaurant that serves this directly from their kitchen. You will see that there were signs of crackling and steaming when they put it on your table. The taste was very sumptuous even my kids did like it. Lumpiang Shanghai is not complete without the sweet and sour sauce. It also went well with the concoction of chili garlic with soy and kalamansi.

   

Where to Find

Chicken Deli

Fellow readers, please bear with me since I always reach my bandwidth limit every mid of the month due to the increase of visitors to which I cannot upload new pictures and post my new food adventure.  Anyway, here is something that I long to post about my chicken topics.  It is one chicken house that I always go to everytime I am in Bacolod City and it is Chicken Deli.  When I am in Bacolod, ordering for a single piece of chicken is not enough. Usually, we order chicken parts and grill them all together. Why? Maybe that is the trend or maybe I am just want to experience what Bacolod has to offer when it comes to this gastronomic delight. Chicken Deli is there during my first time in Bacolod way back 2004.  The reason why we go back is the taste. They grill very well and the price is about right to your pocket. Of course, it will not be complete if you will not use the famous vinegar “Sinamak” that the place is famous for.  

 During my last visit, they made their inasal even special with the introduction of their amargoso (bitter melon) salad.  It is not that bitter and it blended very well with their inasal. It was indeed an enjoyable and nostalgic chicken experience.

Where to Find

The chicken Inasal of Chicken Deli can be found along Lacson st. downtown Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. It is very near the famous L’Fisher hotel. When in Bacolod never ever miss the chance to eat at Chicken Deli. It is what the famous  Bacolod Chicken Inasal is all about.

Inasal at Manukan Country

You cannot say that you have been to Bacolod if you haven’t experience eating at Manukan country. It is a place near SM Bacolod that is full of restaurants service Chicken Inasal. You can have different parts from chicken legs (pa-a), chicken breast (pitcho), chicken tail (isol) , chicken wings (pakpak) and many other chicken parts that are edible. You can also choose if you want the commercial chicken or the native one. Both are great but the native chicken is much tastier.   

What is the signature of Bacolod chicken? They have a chicken oil that you partner with your rice. You can also add it to your prepared concoction of calamansi, soy and sili as you supplemental condiment.

After eating, the best way to end your dinner is to have talaba(oysters) with beer. Yes my fellow foodies, that experience in eating chicken is what I like at Manukan Country. I would like to acknowledge Nicole’s Chicken Inasal for this wonderful chicken inasal, tasty talaba and a couple of ice cold beer.

If you are planning to go to Bacolod always put this in your itinerary to go to Manukan Country and experience what eating inasal is all about.

Diwal

This is longitudinal clam and is also called “Angel wings” which is in Panay island.  In Roxas city, they have a celebration for this delectable clam called “The Diwal Harvest Seafood Festival”.

Just a brief background, this clam was almost wiped out to due excessive harvesting. Now, the harvest is controlled and the people at Panay are allowed to harvest it if the size is already 5 inches.

This can be eaten right after grilling it or served with butter and Chinese sauces. In my stay in Iloilo, I was able to taste it at Nato and Helen. The taste was different from the tahong and it has its own distinct flavor. It has a sweet and juicy taste that has a soft texture. 

There is also one restaurant that is very familiar to those who dwells in Metro Manila and that is at Pier 1. However, diwal is only available in their Cebu branch at Parkmall. Correct me if I’m wrong but that is the only Pier 1 that I was able to have it.

For the one in Iloilo, it is located at Nato and Helen near SM Mandurriao and for the one in Cebu, it is located at Pier 1, ParkMall Reclamation area.  

This is one shell fish not to be missed. It is the flavor that made it distinct from other clams.  

Election Feast

As a Filipino, we have our obligation to vote for the leaders who will pull us away for the river of poverty and corruption. This day is special for us and also a day to gather and watch-out what’s happening.   This day is the national election and each and every family had the change to gather and feast.

My family and I went to Mandaluyong to where we are registered to vote. After voting in the morning, we went straight to the house of my brother for a sumptuous outdoor lunch.

Our mom prepared our favorite meal that is composed of lechon kawali, tinolang manok, inihaw na bagus and beef with mushroom.  It was a very good lunch while we were discussing the election and what our country might become after this day.

Right after eating, we went straight to their entertainment room to witness what is going around the country even through our Tv screens. This was an afternoon of frozen Margaritas and pizzas that concluded our discussion about the Philippine politics.

As a conclusion, we did not have the result of the election right after it closed at 7:00pm today, but the chance to gather again for a lazy afternoon right after we casted our vote gave more meaning to what our family is all about. Love, Closeness, and Good food.  

Beef Kabab by Alfahkr’s

  

Where to Find

  

  

Tinolang Ulo ng Isda sa Ramos st., Cebu

There is this restaurant that is literally along Ramos st. downtown Cebu city that opens at 5:00pm and will close around 6:30pm. That is because by 6:30pm, there is no more food to serve.

They only serve one dish and that is Tinolang Ulo ng Isda (Fish head).  The soup broth is a little bit sour but not as sour as sinigang. Aside from the head part, you can also ask for other parts of the fish like belly and tail.   

The fish they are using is mamsa (blue marlin). When it comes to the taste, I cannot explain but it was really delectable. That is one reason why you have to be early in order for you to have it.   

When you finish your soup, you can ask for it again and again and that is for free (soup only, no fish meat). You also have a choice either you will have it with humay (steamed rice) or mais (steamed corn grit).   

Where to Find

They say, if you want to know where you can find a good meal, you ask the taxi driver.  This is known to most of the taxi drivers in Cebu specially those who are familiar with the ins and outs of downtown Cebu. This is along Ramos street and is very near Ramos Market, Cebu city. Again, you have to be there by 5:00pm. Many people go and if you go there by 6:30pm, you will be lucky if you still have a fish to eat.    

Pizza beside the Beach

Everytime we were beside the beach, we were accustomed to eat seafoods, rice and a fresh fruit juice but sometimes, your normal craving for city food must also be satisfied.

That is where I discovered a hand-tossed pepperoni pizza that you can have anytime as long as you are in Dumaluan Beach Resort in Panglao Island, Bohol.  

There restaurant is open as early as 6:00am and closes early morning. Yet, you can order pizza anytime of the day. Their pizza in not ordinary pizza, it was topped with delicious pepperoni slices and full of mozzarella cheese. The crust was very delicious and the crunch and softness is there. This is only possible for if the crust is hand rolled and tossed.

Where to Find

The pizza of Dumaluan Resort is in the island of Panglao,  Panglao is the island very near Tagbilaran City. Never miss dropping by in case you go to Bohol. It an island with very fine white sand, very beautiful corals and pristine clear waters. It is an island that offers a wide array of resorts from high end to budget friendly.

That is was I like about Dumaluan, it is not that expensive yet their accommodation is superb. If you feel like going to the pool, it is also available and there food is great. Specially the pizza.  

Buko Halo at Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa

During this summer, there can never be as delightful as cooling and indulging the Filipino way of a cold treat.  That is halo halo.

Everywhere in our country, this mixed fruits with ice and milk can be very visible anywhere. It can be found along the streets, in the mall, and in the leading restaurants. 

But eating this inside the coconut shell and beside a very beautiful view will give you a different level of enjoyment.

That is the Buko Halo that we ate at Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa.  We ate it beside the infinity pool with a picturesque view of the beach. It was a total cooling way to refresh while enjoying the view. 

The Buko Halo that they served does not only taste good, but they included fresh fruits and ice cream. It was a mixture of flavors that resulted to a very palatable and rich halo-halo.

 Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa can be located inside the island of Panglao, Bohol. It is a resort with a view of the sea and a man-made islet that you can go to. It is unique because it is situated on a cliff.

The infinity pool gives you an illusion of the continuation of the pool water to the sea.  This resort will give you complete relaxation. They also have a spa, and water activities that you may avail of. What makes this unique is that they have a cave inside the resort.

You may swim but be careful since the water inside the cave is deep.  Their casitas are designed in harmony with rich vegetation of the area. Thus, this gives a tranquil feeling with nature while having the luxury of a 5 star hotel.

When in Bohol, never miss the opportunity to drop by Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa for a perfect hideaway and a fantastic food indulgence. Their buko halo will surely be a hit to those who seek coolness from the scourging summer heat.  

Liempo at Ramboys

I was informed by my friends in Iloilo that there is this one grill house that gives one of the best liempo. Ever since, this restaurant has always lingered in my mind that I have to taste of what they are say ”pinaka-namit at pinaka-saboroso gid”. It is the Liempo at Ramboys. Upon seeing the liempo, I was surprised that the skin was like chicharon (pork crackling). 

They have a technique in the way they grill that it was like fried and no sign of burn. When I tasted it, I would say napaka-rapsa neto. The skin was so crispy. It is really like eating chicharon and it does not have the rubber-band effect.  The flavor was consistent up to the bone.  

Where to Find

Ramboy originated in Antique but for this, we had it at Benigno Aquino Ave., Mandurriao, Iloilo City. It was so delicious that some of my officemates brought it back to Manila.  But we have to be very cautious in eating at Ramboys. It is very delicious and eating liempo ( bacon slab) might trigger your cholesterol level specially if you have a history of highblood.  

This is one reason why I love going back to Iloilo. This place is full of great things. From the friends that I have to the culinary treat that awaits me. It is really a one gastronomic adventure.  Rapsa sa Ramboys. This is highly recommended.  

Seafood Ramen at Rairai Ken

Ramen is one of my favorite Japanese food aside from sushi and when that craving comes to me, Rairai Ken always pops to my mind.  They have very delicious Japanese dishes but my all time favorite is their seafood ramen. It is a true sea food indulgence that will satisfy you from the first time you sip the soup up to the last noodle that you will slurp.

Where to find

Rairai Ken Ramen House and Sushi bar can be found in most of the malls in the metro. For this blog entry, we had it at Island City Mall in Tagbilaran city, Bohol.  It was a fast decision to eat there since the craving to eat ramen just popped into our minds when were where busy preparing for our tour in Panglao Island.

Rairai Ken has been consistent to the taste even if the branch that we went is outside Metro Manila. When you crave for Ramen, never forget that this is one heck of a ramen house that will surely satisfy you from start to finish.   

Quesadillas at Metrocentre

My family and I waited for an order of lumpia for our visitors at MetroCentre Hotel, Bohol. We were curious because we were referred to the place as one of those who makes a very delicious lumpiang hubad. While waiting, we ordered some quesadillas. To our surprise, it was so deliciously topped with ground beef and melted mozzarella cheese. This heavenly appetizer was also very delicious aside from the lumpia that I mentioned.  It is one of the best quesadillas that I tasted. Most of which are stuffed with cheese, cilantro  and beef. But for this one, aside from the stuff inside the pita, they generously spread the toppings on top creating a pizza like quesadillas.

Where to Find

The Quesadillas of Bohol Metrocentre Hotel and Convention is along C.P. Garcia uptown Tagbilaran City.  Once you entered the hotel, they have a restaurant just beside the lobby waiting for hungry guests just like us. It was worth the wait for the lumpia because we discovered another fantastic appetizer that Metrocentre Hotel has and indeed it was truly cheesy.

Spicy Garlic Scallops

Samar has always been the place where I can gather the freshest and the best sea food experience in Eastern Visayas. First, it goes with the availability of the catch of the day. Second is the local drink that is Bahalina from Palo, Leyte and third is the company of good friends to whom you will share the food and drinks.

Every time I’m in Samar, this is the experience that awaits me. During my last visit, my friend Melvin Labro prepared this special pulutan for us. It is his version of Spicy Garlic Scallops.

Here is the recipe

½ kilo scallops (removed from the shell)

1 Tablespoon Kikoman Soy sauce

2 Tablespoon of Oyster Sauce

1 teaspoon of Sesame Oil

1 onion chopped

1 red bell pepper ( sliced linearly)

3 teaspoon of fried minced garlic

½ cup olive oil

3 pieces of minced siling labuyo

Direction

Sautee the onions with olive oil and mix the scallops after 3 minutes. Make sure that you will not burn the onion. After the scallops turn a little-bit brown you may add all of the spices.  Add additional soy sauce and oyster sauce depending to your desired saltiness. Add the red bell pepper, siling labuyo and minced garlic.  When the bell pepper is half-cooked you may place all of the ingredients to a presentable plate and serve it right-away.  

Thanks to my good friend Melvin Labro who cooked this delectable dish for us. It was supposedly a pulutan but we cannot help it to request for rice. It was indeed a good viand too. We had a wonderful food tripping and drinking weekend at Catbalogan Samar. It was truly another rapsa moment.       

Pata Tim at King Bee

Curcillo

Sizzling Fish Fillet at Ate Fe’s Kitchen

After searching for the best sizzling seafood in preparation for the Holyweek, I came across this simply restaurant that serves a very delicious sizzling fish fillett. What I discovered was the sizzling fish fillet of Ate Fe’s Kitchen. It is a very humble restaurant but the food is great. The taste was mouthwatering since they are using Gandara fillet and it perfectly blended their sauce. It was one festive lunch that I had with my friends.  We got surprised because when the sizzling plate was place on our table, it was continuously steaming. It like we had a fog.

Where to Find

I did not expect this very humble small restaurant is service this very delicious fish fillet. Ate Fe’s Kitchen can be found  at Magiting cor. Maginhawa st. Teachers Village,  Diliman Quezon City. Be sure that you go to the place before lunch for you to have a seat.

I noticed that people were willing to wait to be seated. I guess this is how they are sacrificing to have a very good meal. When you go to Diliman, never forget Ate Fe’s Kitchen. They not only serve very good food, they are also friendly to your pocket.        

Kinunot

Kinunot is a Bicolano delicacy made of shark’s meat or ray fish cooked with coconut milk,ginger, Malunggay Leaves (Moringa) garlic and lastly, chilis.  This dish is also known to some parts of Samar and Leyte specially towns along the coastal line.  It is super spicy and very tasty. It goes well with very hot steam rice.  For this kinunot experience, I guess we were served with a ray fish instead of shark. It tasted both and I cannot distinguish which is which. All I knew was it was hot and very delicious. I also discovered that it goes very well as an appetizer partnered with gin.

For this kinunot experience, we were served by our friend who has a house very near Fulgante Bridge at Naga City. It was a night of fun with my friends while eating and drinking beside the river.  This is one reason why I keep on coming back to Bicol. Good friends, good drinks and good food.  

Machang by Luk Yen

When I crave for dim sum and dumpling, this for sure is one thing that I cannot miss. It is machang. Machang is a dim sum made of rice with meat and shrimp wrapped by lotus leaf and steamed.  When I go for my dumplings food trip, I always have this as my substitute to my rice. It goes very well with a concoction of soy, chili sauce and calamansi.