rapsa.i.ph is now rapsa.ph

Fellow Foodies.

 Thanks for your continuous crave for delectable foods that made rapsa possible. I have a new blog site named rapsa.ph/ 

I also would like to thank i.ph for being generous enough in craddling my blog site for 2 years. They have been very supportive to all of the inquiries and questions in improving my blog.

Blogging must go one and I have to create my own site. Please watch for more exiting entries and food experiences awaiting for you at rapsa.ph. 

RAPSA is 1 year today

Thank you to all the subscribers and readers of RAPSA. Your continuous patronage is the reason that drives me to search and blog for the best food wherever I go across our beloved country.  May we always have that craving to hunt for the best alternative Filipino food.  Sa Lahat, maraming salamat po sa pagtangkilik ninyo. 

Kinilaw na Tuna

Staying in Gensan is not complete if you are not going to eat tuna.  One of the best way to experience this is to eat it raw. If the Japanese have their raw fish dish called sushi, we Filipinos have a version called “Kinilaw” or “Kilawin”.  It is the combination of raw tuna meat with cucumber, tomatoes, onions, vinegar, salt and pepper and chilis. In General Santos City, this is very common dish at the area and one which I can recommend to have kinilaw is at Nikolai.

Where to Find  

Nikolai Barbeque Grill and Seafood is located downtown of General Santos City along Aranghita st. THey are known for their delicious seafood dishes and very affordable price. I bet  you, you will be surprise how may dishes you can have with your 500 pesos.  They serve the freshest catch of the day at a very affordable price.  When you are in the place, never miss their Kinilaw. One of the best kinilaw that I have tasted.

Crab Meat at Conchings

I was surprised when I tasted the crab meat at Conchings when I went to Davao since this is a dish that I grew up and is only serve in the house. The Crab Meat at Conchings is truly is very delectable. At first, I was more focused on their specialty that is inihaw na native na manok but to my surprise, they also make crab meat (relleno style) similar to the taste my parents were cooking for us. It was like reminiscing my childhood days when this is one of my favorite request to my mom. We use to eat it with Nilagang Baka.

Where to Find

Conching’s Native Chicken may be found at Araullo st. barangay Obrero, Davao City.  Eating at Conchings is one of my best gastronomic experience in Davao. Its not only the food that they serve, but they also have a very receptive staff that are there to attend to your needs just to make sure “ na hindi ka mabibitin.”  The crab meat and inihaw na native na manok were truly amazing. I enjoyed it eating with my friends who were also captured by the flavor. Hehe. Sarap kumain dito. When in Davao, never miss this restaurant. Solve ka dito men!!!

Durian

Durian is the fruit that I always associate with Davao. When I am in Davao, this wonderful gift from God is always present as my favorite dessert and sometimes in between meals. October is fruit season and this wonderful fruit can be found everywhere in the city as well as to other places in Mindanao.   For this durian experience, I tasted the Arancillo variety. It has a sight bitter taste aside from the sweetness it has.  Some people doesn’t like it because of the smell. It has a strong smell that either attracts or repels people. For me, I am attracted to it.  

Durian has its spell to those who taste it. For the first timer, I suggest you try the Puyat or Chanee variety. It is much sweeter less the bitterness. It has a distinct taste that you attract you. Just like when I first tasted it, I swore that I will not eat again. However, sworn statements are meant to be broken. Hehehe.  I cannot resist it taste and up to now, I an a loyal durian fan.  No wonder, it is called the King of all Fruits.

Choco Naga

In some of my food trippings in different locations, there are times that there is always a craving for chocolates. Way back then, this is our business where we do chocolate truffles. Chocolate have every since a part of our dining table specially when there is an occasion.  In one of my food adventure, I came across this chocolate bar that is locally made in Naga City, Bicol. The name is CocoNaga. It has a very nice packaging and the taste is really great. They used a dark chocolate and it blended well with the local delicacy of Bicol which is pilinut. The brittle and softness of pili and the local dark chocolate was a perfect combination.

Where to find

If you go downtown Naga city, there is a local delicacy store near Plaza Rizal and beside Regent hotel. They have a variety of handy crafts and local delicacies to choose from and there you will find Choco Naga. My family liked it and they can’t wait from my next visit to the place to where they have reminded me never to go home without Choco Naga. It was indeed a very Bicolano creation that we truly love.

Chopsuey

always, when I go to Davao, there never was a time that I did not eat in this famous restaurant of Penong’s  Barbeque Seafood and Grill. I received a comment that their Chopsuey is one reason why they go back to Penongs. I tasted it and I am willing to testify that what they said was true. It was indeed a very delicious Chopsuey. 

It blended well with their famous chicken barbeque.  We started eating around 11:00am. By the time it was almost 12:00 noon, the place was already full. Certainly it will be like that because not only do they serve delicious food, their service is great as well as their price.

Where to Find

According to my friend, they already have 6 branches in Davao and still growing. Not only that, their satisfied customers are growing as well. For  this entry, we had our Chopsuey experience at their Matina Branch, in front of NCCC Mall, Davao.  One of the nice thing about Penongs is that they serve unlimited rice and soup.  Before you finish your rice, they have a staff that will ask you if you want some more. Walang Bitin sa kain dito.

Calderetang Kambing

Tinola

In Luzon, when you say Tinola, it refers to the clear chicken broth with papayas and chili leaves. In the Visayas, when you say tinola, it refers to the clear fish broth.  This is one of my favorite morning dish.  Very delectable most specially when served very hot and the fish is the freshest catch of the day.  Fresh fish has a tang of sweetness and firmness to its meat. That is why, when I visit Cargara, Leyte, this is always part of my culinary itinerary. Eat Tinola at New Town.

Where to Find

Newtown can be found at Carigara, Leyte. Carigara is an old town located at Leyte province. It was the old capital of Leyte. If you are fun of Antique houses, you will find it there.  . When you happen to pass by Carigara in your way to Ormoc City or Leyte provinces, don’t forget to take your lunch at Newtown and experience their tinola. Its worth the try.

Sinigang na Isda sa Buko

In our culinary culture, coconut is one of our fine ingredient to many of our food. From North to South of our country, you will find culinary creativity using this in our dishes. In Albay, specifically at Legaspi City, there is this restaurant that is very homey. Homey in the sense, that you are going to eat inside their home. This restaurant is known for their extra large sugpo (tiger prawn), head-size crabs and Sinigang na Isda sa Buko.  This sour soup in coconut juice is very delicious. I cannot describe the mixture of sourness with a little bit of sweetness. The blend was so good that I forgot to taste other food that we ordered.

Where to Find

Sinigang na Isda sa Buko is the creation of Alamo’s Eatery inside Barangay # 30 Pigcale, Legaspi City. The street going there is Elizondo. You have to be very particular with the exact location if you go there because, you still have to pass walk path to reach the place.  Just a tip, at first, I was having a hard time locating this restaurant.  I made it easier by tricycle and I asked the driver to bring me to the exact location. It is easy to locate once you are in Barangay Pigcale since it is well known at the area.  A visit at Legaspi city will not be complete without you tasting this delectable dish. As truly one of a kind yet, true to its promise of a wonderful taste. 

Share your Blessings

Fellow Foodies.  It is hard to eat specially when there are those who are hungry for days.  With the recent typhoon (Ondoy), your bountiful food on your dining table might be more than enough.  This is your chance to share to our fellow country men who were affected by the typhoon.    

You may also go to this link for other means and information in how you can help.

Philippine airlines made their stations as a drop off point for all donations.

7- Eleven accepts Donations for Ondoy’s Victims   

Sharing has always been one of the values that our parents taught us.  This is the time that you are needed by your countrymen. This is the opportunity to experience Jesus through them.  Naway Pagpalain tayo ng May Kapal.  

Spicy Chicken Liver and Gizzard

Chicken’s internal organs are delicious. Aside from the tasty intestine (zigzag), the liver and gizzard are fantastically flavorsome.  In a resto in Butuan, they made this wonderful combination into an appetizer served spicy and on a sizzling plate. It was a creation that never popped into my mind. Nevertheless, it was so delicious. We were having chicken inasal when we decided to place additional order. This caught my attention. Surprising, It did reached my expectation. As a matter of fact, it when beyond what I am expecting.  A couple of beers, relaxing music and Spicy Chicken Liver and Gizzard solved my night escapades in Butuan, solved!

 

   

Where to Find

 

You can have this Spicy Chicken Liver and Gizzard at Weegool’s at Purok 2 Doongan Road, Butuan City, It is in front of the city hall.  They also have a branch along Montilla boulevard. This is one restaurant that serves good food and a garden ambiance. It is something that I will be again looking forward every time I go to Butuan City.

Tags: Gizzard Liver

Posted by rapsa at 3:09 pm | permalink | Add comment

Nachos and Burritos

Isn’t it wonderful if you have a training and the food that is being served is not the usual sandwich and coffee but, you’ll have Burritos and Nachos instead?  Yes my fellow foodies, that is one reason to have a training at MMLDC.  Not only that they provide a very good venue that is conducive to learning but they also serve food satisfying to your taste buds and stomach.  MMLC never failed my expectation when it comes to good food, corporate standard and friendly people.  The only thing that set me back is after eating and the siesta time of 1:00 to 2:00pm.  After eating their fantastic food, plus the good cooling system of the area, it will hypnotize you to a deep sleep.

Thanks to the overflowing coffee and Kutchinta  that will surely perk you up every time your sleepy head falls down.       

Where to Find

Sarad

Sarad is a variety of oyster that is plentiful in Leyte and Samar. It has a length of more than a foot and is very common along the shoreline of Palo, Leyte.  They say that you have to dive 30ft deep to harvest this delicious seafood.  When we were still in Eastern Visayas, I use to buy it fresh near Mac Arthur Park and have it grilled right away. It is best with your favorite beer. It has a distinct taste not common to all sea shells and is very flavorsome if you cooked it a little bit spicy. If you want to taste it very well prepared, I recommend Ocho Seafood and Grill.   

   

Where to Find

Okoy at New Town

This famous dish is famous everwhere you go just like adobo. But there are different okoys in different places.  Okoy is a traditional Filipino fritters that has been in our culinary tradition as far as I can recall. As what I read, it originated in Laguna and is now a widespread recipe in every Filipino table. It is famous as merienda (afternoon snack) but the okoy has evolved and is now a part in the main menu.  This particular Okoy is something I would like you to experience. It is the Okoy at New Town.  The shrimps that they use were very large and fresh. If you order for it, it is more than 13” in diameter and they would cut it into bite size.  The taste was very delicious. I guess the technique is to serve the freshest catch of the day to make your okoy very delicious. 

 

 

Where to Find

 

The Okoy of Newtown can be found in Carigara, Leyte. Carigara is an old town located at Leyte province where there are abundant carabao’s milk, bara beef, handcrafted blade, and plenty of dried fishes. There humba as well as their Okoy is very famous. I remember than that we would travel to this place just to have lunch and taste their famous Okoy.  When you happen to pass by Carigara in your way to Ormoc City or Leyte provinces, don’t forget to take your lunch at Newtown and experience the real Okoy. Okay na Okay ang Okoy!!!

Tags: okoy ukoy

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Grilled Marlin Belly by Ocho

For me, my travel to Tacloban will not be complete if I will not pass by Ocho Seafood and grill to have my favorite grilled Marlin Belly.  Even during the time my family was still there, this is my favorite grilled fish dish. That is the same reason why my craving is really unbearable specially when I hear the place Tacloban.  This part is very delicious and tasty as well.  It is so soft that it melts in your mouth. For me, the best condiment is chilis, soy and calamansi with a few drops of vinegar.

  

I have a tip that you might want to try.  One of my best side dish is Lato (sea weeds). Try it with plain calamansi extract as its condiment.  It is simply delicious. I even use it as an appetizer. This goes very good also with my favorite grilled marlin.

 

   

Where to Find

 

You may find my favorite grilled marlin belly at  Ocho Seafood and Grill at Sen. Enage st. downtown Tacloban city.  I saw the growth of a place form a simple resto to a full blown resto with function rooms.  I recommend that you drop by and experience the flavor, ambiance and service Ocho has to offer.  Even when we were still living there, we always have our time to drop by Ocho and most of my visitors coming form different places in our country would ask where they can find it.  When in Tacloban, ask anyone and I’m sure that they know how to lead you to it. 

Tags: fish grilled grilled marlin belly marlin

Posted by rapsa at 4:14 pm | permalink | Add comment

Baked Scallops

There are moments in our life that we want to eat and eat till we drop and one of the food trip that I always have is this baked scallops. In Tacloban, this very delectable sea food is abundant.  When I have that craving, I usually go to Stefanie Food Haus.  Since this is a part of their “all you can eat” dish, I have the luxury of eating again and again without hesitation.  Baked Scallops is one of my favorite seafood and having it really fresh is something an opportunity not to be missed specially if you are outside of the metro.  I like it baked specially with garlic and butter. This simple combination of will truly give you a satisfaction to your every bite.

Where to Find

Stefanie Smoke Haus is located at Avenida Veteranos st. downtown Tacloban city, Leyte.  They have an “eat all you can buffet” where you can enjoy, not only the scallops but other dishes as well like lechon de Leche, Sarad, Ugat Guisado and the like. It was also the place before where the members and friends of the Rotary Club of San Juanico, District 3860 met every Friday, 7:30pm.  I really miss attending our Friday fellowship.  Next time I go to Tacloban, I will really set a schedule to attend.

 The place evolved from a small casual dining to an “eating powerhouse”. Diners starts as early as 11:00AM and will finish at 2 to 3pm. It will resume again by 6:00pm and will end around 9 to 10pm.  What made this place special? I guess its not only the food but the warm accommodation of the owners and staff as well. Thanks to Edwin and Henny Manias for their never failing welcome to me every time I drop by.  Kudos to Stefanie and to the Food Trippers of Tacloban!

Lomi at Silogan

We Filipinos have a different way of lowering our alcohol level after we had a couple or plenty of alcoholic drinks. We have this craving for soup or soupy hot food that will  remove us from the state of drunkenness.  After a hefty drinking session at Tacloban, we  searched for a good food that will lower our amats (alcohol level). That is what we discovered when we went to Silogan and had their Lomi. It was so big that it can accommodate 3 to 4 eaters. It was also very delicious and they always serve it very hot. A perfect fit to those who want to pacify their hunger and lower their alcohol content.

Where to Find

Chicken Barbeque at Baybay

Every time we travel to Leyte province, there has never been an instance that we did not pass by Baybay to have a very delicious chicken barbeque.  That particular location in Baybay Leyte has been there for the time that I had a project at the area during the 90’s.  The only difference now is that it was improved. Before, it was situated at the port going to the boat. Now, they have made a special place where visitors and dinners would converge in a particular strip.  But what made this strip very much inviting is their chicken barbeque.  They have perfected the marinating process and their way of grilling it. The result was a very delectable chicken barbeque with a different kind of blend to the usual chicken Inasal in the metro.   It was this famous J & E restaurant that we always go to. They also serve a delicious clear soup (hototai) perfect with their chicken barbeque while enjoying the sea breeze.

Where to Find

J & E Restaurant is located at Pantalan, Baybay Leyte.  It is easy to find them since it is the restaurant with the widest view of the beach and infront of the light house.  In fairness to the other restaurants, they also serve great chicken barbeque. Some of my friends prefer others but for me, I am still loyal to J&E.  When passing by Baybay Leyte, this is a must for the hungry travel.  It will not only give you a delicious chicken barbeque but it will also give you a very relaxing view and feel of the sea breeze that will bring you to its spell.

Breakfast at Sabin

Breakfast has never been delicious if you have it beside the beach overlooking the Bay of Ormoc. This is our breakfast experience at Sabin Resort Hotel.  In our way to Tacloban, we passed by Ormoc city for a sumptuous breakfast by the bay. I ordered for tapa and my friend ordered for danggit. The danggit is as big as my palm and the taste was so heavenly good.  It was a very good breakfast and the view of Ormoc bay was spectacular. The moment is something that you cannot just have when you are in the Metro area.

Of course, the best partner for this is a steaming hot cup of native chocolate. As a dessert, they served the famous SAL pineapple compliment of the house.  

Where to Find

Sabin Resort and Hotel is located at Bantigue, Ormoc City, Leyte. It is a famous destination at the place and the food is really reasonable and delicious. I like going there because I am a lover of antique furniture and I really appreciate good wood.

Breakfast at Sabin is truly and very good experience not only for the delicious food but for the ambiance that it has a spectacular view.  It is something that you will be coming back again and again.