Crispy Bituka

In Cebu, every time I eat balbacua, this is always my second dish. It is Crispy Bituka (fried intestine).  For this dish, I am very particular who serves and who cooks.  That is also the reason that I only eat the crispy bituka of NL café.  They have built my trust in eating this exotic dish. They have been consistent when it comes to the flavor, taste and cleanliness.  When we go there, we don’t only eat but we also drink beer to partner this lip smacking appetizer.  My friend takes his high blood medication before we go to NL café.  Just to make sure he is safe in eating it. Hehehe!!!   

Where to find

You can find the Cripy Bituka of NL café at Lapu-Lapu ave. Apas, Lahug, Cebu City.  It is the road going to camp Lapu-Lapu.  It is easy to find because it is very near the entrance of the camp.  Before, they only serves up to lunch time.  But due to the number of customers who would like to dine, they opened even on night time.  This is not for the weak of heart and for the strong in blood pressure. I suggest you get your doctor’s recommendation just to make sure you are fit to eat this mouthwatering appetizer.  Rapsa Talaga with Beer!!!

Chewy Crinkles

When it comes to cookies, this is one of my favorite, Chewy Crinkles.  I remember when I was still in college; we would go along Vito Cruz to buy this stuff.  There is this shop that offers a Crinkles that is very much unique from the others.  They have a small bit size and a deformed bite shaped cookie not similar to the round shaped crinkle.  Actual it is not he shape that counts but he taste it gives.  It is one of the best tasting crinkle that I tasted. Rea’s Crinkle is very soft and moist inside but the coating somewhat moderately hard. In our family, we usually have an ample supply of crinkles for our coffee and tea time every night.  

Where to find

This cookie can be found in most of the bakeshops but this one is from Cakes by Rea’s.  The location is at P. Oliveros cor. JP Rizal, Antipolo City.  This is near the Antipolo Cathedral.  You may call them at 6581742 if you want to order.  This is one shop that serves great cakes, great brownies and great crinkles.  Satisfy your sweet tooth, drop by Cakes by Rea’s for this heavenly sent chewy crinkles.

Sizzling Sisig by Sud-an

When there is a drinking session, one of the popular appetizer is Sisig.  Sisig is made from   pig’s head, chicken liver, onions, garlic, and some of the exotic one, they add pig’s brain. It is best seasoned with  calamansi, soy and siling labuyo (bird’s eye pepper).   One of the best sisig that I tasted is at General Santos City.  The taste is just like that sisig in Pampanga and the sauce is truly flavorful.  This lip-smacking appetizer will always be a good partner to a bottle of ice-cold beer.

Where to find

You may find this appetizing Sizzling Sisig at Sud-an restaurant along Santiago boulevard (in front Medical Plaza) in the heart of General Santos City, South Cotabato.  This is one of the best sisig that I tasted far beyond compare to the grills in Metro Manila that serves this similar stuff. When in General Santos, don’t miss the opportunity to taste the Sizzling Sisig of Sud-an.  Manyaman ne!

Nilagang Tadiyang ng Baka

Another weekend, another Sunday special for another rapsa food. My wife cooked Nilagang Tadiyang ng Baka.  This part of the beef (beef ribs) is excellent when it comes to soup dishes.  I remember then (when I am still a kid) when Sunday comes that there will always be a special dish in the dining table after we attend the Sunday mass and one of which is this dish. Instead of Chinese cabbage, we use Chinese pechay, leeks and potatoes.  This will not be perfect if there is no condiments which I combined, siling labuyo (bird’s eye chilis), calamansi and patis (fish sauce).

This is rarely served in restaurant that’s why we decided to make it this Sunday. This was prepared as early as 6:00am and boiled inside our palayok (clay pot) using the traditional coal burner.  The slow cooking process made the meat tender and the bone ribs added flavor to the soup.  Lunch was served around 12:00pm and we all had a fantastic Sunday meal. 

Chicken Inasal by Matias Barbeque

When you drive along AS Fortuna at Mandaue City, You will be amaze that there is this barbeque house that is full of people. Sometimes, you have to wait for your turn at the parking and at the grill point to taste their famous Chichen Inasal.  It is the Inasal and barbeque of Matias Barbeque.  The place is always full house during lunch and dinner. There reason, their chicken inasal and barbeque is very delicious. If you are going to observe their restaurant closely, you will notice that it is the frontage of their house.  The barbeque and Inasal are the reason why the frontage was converted into a dinning place. 

Where to find

When in Mandaue city, Cebu, don’t miss this opportunity to drop by Matias Barbeque.  The signage is very small, but you will notice that it is full of people.  The location is along AS Fortuna near H. Cortes st. The service is excellent. The food is great. Actually, my friend and I stayed thery up to 10pm drinking and there were still people like us who drunk after dining and the “pulutan” is still chicken inasal.  

Barbaque at Larsians

The Queen city of the South has been known for her delicious barbeques which are available everywhere in the city.  I remember way back then (2004), that there was this longest barbeque grill from the tip of Fuente Osmena up to Colon. It was one hell of a party!!! There were bands, cool people and of course, barbeques. 

One of the oldest barbeque place at Cebu is located along the Fuente Circle is Teritoryo San Miguel and is know as “Larsians”.  They have transferred just near the old location an they have improved the place and sanitation to attract more customers and Cebu visitors.  When you are there, I recommend Rex’s Barbeque. They are very friendly and their barbeque does taste great.  Best with puso’ ( hanging rice) and with my favorite beer.

Where to find

Larsians is located along M. Cui st, barangay Sambag II, Cebu city.  There is also another place along A.S. Fortuna at Mandaue City.  Cool place, plenty of barbeques to chose from.  Now, some stalls serves sisig and bulalo.  It is also a good place to stay with your friends and drink you favorite cervezas.  Daghan salamat sa crew ng Rex’s para sa mayo na serbisyo at lami na rapsa foods. 

Bulalo of Calle Z

One of the best bulalo that you may find in Tacloban City, Leyte is at Calle Z or Calle Zaragoza.  Calle Z is a restobar that has been an institution at the place because of is ambiance, warm people, and good food.  It’s an ancestral house of my friend Gerry Ruiz which he converted a part of the house in to a restobar.  Now, the whole ground level has turn out to be an extension of the restaurant to accommodate more customers. Their Bulalo is one of food that drives people to go to Calle Z.  They have a consistent taste to which I can attest.  It has been 3 years now since I last visited the place and up to now they have maintained the same taste of bulalo and  classic music café looks.

Where to find

Calle Zaragoza is located in the heart of Tacloban City along Independencia st.  It is easy to locate even the tricycle or pedicab drivers can bring you there. Ask where to find a very delicious bulalo, and you will be led to the place. For reservations, you may call them at 053-3258582 Good food, cold beers, good music, a real classic café and accommodating people has made this café a real watering hole that has a signature of it own. 

Menudo

Menudo is known to each and every Filipino whose appetite drills down to his/her origin. . This is made of garlic, red or white onions, diced pork, pork liver, diced carrots, bell peppers, diced potato,soy sauce, chickpeas, raisins and tomato sauce.  It is seasoned with fish sauce and black pepper and cooked in a slow low fire manner.  This viand is common in every fiesta table, birthdays, or in every occasion. You may also enjoy this in any Filipino restaurants which you will find in their menu.  There is also the Mexican and Texan version. Similar to us, it has been in their culture for a long period of time. For me, the best is to enjoy it is with no other viand but the Menudo itself. Contrary to way when you attend a fiesta where there are different viands in one plate. It is very good with fresh steamed rice, patis (fish sauce) with siling labuyo( chilis) as my condiments. I mix the sauce and rice and complete it with my condiments. This combination makes me eat more and more!

Where to find

One of my suggestion is the Menudo of Beck. Her location is at Mandaluyong market but I suggest you call her house at (02)578-8575 where you can place your order. This is better since she will create the Menudo, “the special way”. Not commercialized.  Her location is at 123 F. Blumentritt st. now Aglipay st. in front of Tonang’s Pancit Palabok.  This is one traditional dish that you will be coming back for more.  Itaguyod ang rapsa sa atin mga hapagkainan. 

Kinilaw

Another delicious kinilaw version aside from fish has originated in Navotas and Cavite. .  This is Kinilaw na Talaba. It is raw oysters, in vinegar, chilis, onions, pepper and salt. It is also very good with cucumber.  I tasted this during one my drinking session last week. This was very delicious and I goes very well with my favorite white wine, GATO BLANCO.  This was given to my uncle by his brother-in-law who is from Navotas.  Navotas and Cavite are places where there is an ample supply of oysters.

Where to find

This is common in coastal areas and you can have this prepared by the people who live there.  Rarely that you will find it served in restaurants but you can request.  For me, I suggest you have it prepared by yourself because there are some factors that might give you an upset stomach specially that this is raw.  Make sure also that there’s no red tide if you are to taste this very delicious delicacy.  Caution:  Eat this with stomach full. Never eat it if you are hungry. For those whose stomach is not yet strong when it comes to raw food, make sure that you have your medication within reach.  I experienced it already and the pain will make you very weak.  Right now, I got immune to it already. No more pains,  only pleasure in eating oysters. Pero, ingat parin.  J          

Baked MAC

How wonderful it is to indulge to one of the famous pasta food trip.  No other than the famous BAKED MAC (macaroni).  Cheese overload and sumptuous meat has made this a truly sinful pasta that fits the Filipino taste palette.  This one creation that I truly appreciate is the BAKED MAC of Beck.  Beck runs a restaurant in the market of Mandaluyong.  She serves different menu everyday.  But for this one, you have to place your order since this is not serve everyday.

Where to find

You can find her BAKED MAC by calling her house at (02)578-8575 where you can place your order. Her location is at 123 F. Blumentritt st. now Aglipay st. in front of Tonang’s Pancit Palabok.  Her creation can surpass the known baked macs that you can have in famous restaurants.  That is why I truly appreciate home made.  They are very delicious at the same time inexpensive. One more thing, she serves it fresh from the oven.   Another RAPSA treasure found!!!  Do miss this opportunity to taste what is truly heavenly but very sinful.

Chicken and Pork Empanada

There is another empanada that I will truly recommend.  It is the pork and chicken empanada of Globake. Aside from their famous, Asado Siopao, this empanadas are fast becoming one of their flag products.  It is very creamy and taste so yummy.  They have created not like other empanadas where the bread is hard and the fillings are only few.  They have a generous fillings for it and the taste is even more delightful. 

Where to find

They are located along United st. and is very near Pioneer st. Kapitolyo, Pasig city.  They are at the back of Pioneer Center and near the entrance of barangay Kapitolyo.  They also have a shop at EDSA Central. You may also contact them at 02-632-1881. When you go to Pasig from Shaw. Aside from their famous Siopao, there Chicken and Pork Empanada is surely a true hit for eating machines like me.J