Chinatown is one of those places you’ll likely find in every country—and for good reason. It’s a haven for food lovers, offering an impressive variety of local and Asian cuisines. So, it’s no surprise that Kuala Lumpur’s own Chinatown is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
Getting there, however, was an adventure in itself. Due to heavy traffic, we decided to walk and relied on Google Maps for directions. That turned into a bit of a workout—we found ourselves navigating up and down sloped pathways, which left us quite exhausted by the time we arrived.
Once we reached the heart of Chinatown located in Petaling Street, City Centre, we took our time strolling along the vibrant street, observing the food stalls and restaurants. Our strategy was simple: go where the queue is longest. After all, long lines usually mean good food. That’s how we ended up trying Rougamo.
Rougamo: A Chinese “Burger” to Start
We spotted some crowd gathered around a Rougamo stall. Rougamo, often referred to as the “Chinese hamburger,” is a traditional street food made with braised meat tucked into a crispy, flaky flatbread. We opted for the beef version, served hot and fresh. The flaky bread was opened like a pocket and generously filled. The first bite was satisfying—it reminded me a bit of the pepper pork bun (Hu Jiao Bing) I had at Raohe Night Market in Taiwan. However, the meat didn’t reach the bottom of the bun, so it lost a bit of its magic towards the end. Still, it was a great appetizer. Interestingly, we noticed that stalls closer to Chinatown’s main entrance sold similar Rougamo at a lower price—worth checking out next time!
Rougamo Stall at KL Chinatown
Beef Rougamo
Main Dinner at Restoran Meng Kee Grilled Fish
From there, we made our way to Restoran Meng Kee Grilled Fish. The place stood out with its large open space and a bustling crowd, a promising sign.
Meng Kee Grill Fish Restaurant Menu (front)
Airconditioned Room of Meng Kee Restaurant
Live seafoods of Meng Kee Grill Fish Restaurant 1
Live seafoods of Meng Kee Grill Fish Restaurant 2
What we ordered:
Grilled Stingray (MYR 49.90) – The meat was firm and yellowish, likely due to turmeric seasoning. It tasted fresh, not fishy at all. The accompanying chili sauce had a nice twist with onion slices, and a squeeze of calamansi brought everything together beautifully. No wonder it’s one of their best-sellers.
Grilled Stingray with chili- calamansi Sauce
Closer look at the Grilled Stingray Meat
Sambal Cockles (MYR 26.60) – My personal favorite! The flavor was a mix of sweet, sour, and spicy, with hints of garlic and some herbs. It hit all the right notes. One order of rice isn’t enough for this cockles as the sauce is really good. Like what we usually say in Filipino “sabaw pa lang, ulam na!” I assure you, you’d want to double that cup of rice in one seating.
Sambal Cockles
Broccoli with Garlic (MYR 18.60) – A simple side dish, but full of flavor. The garlic-infused broth was so tasty, I could have sipped it like soup. This one was our appetizer instead of a side dish by the way as it was served first.
Garlic Broccoli
Grilled Chicken Wings (MYR 18.00) – A generous serving, grilled to perfection. Unfortunately, this didn’t quite hit the mark. There was an odd aftertaste that I couldn’t quite identify, and we didn’t end up finishing the serving. I personally prefer the BBQ marinade back home in the Philippines—sweeter, smokier, and more balanced in flavor.
Grilled Chicken Wings
Closer look at the Grilled Chicken Wings with chili dipping sauce
We also had a cup of steamed rice (MYR 2.20) and a cold beer to wash it all down. Note: Prices are based on their online menu since I lost the receipt.
A Bottle of Beer with glass half full
Sweet Ending: Smoothies & Fresh Fruit
After our satisfying dinner, we walked around a bit and stumbled upon a small smoothie stall selling fresh fruit drinks served in a large cip. I had a smoothie made with dragon fruit and mango for just MYR 7.00—refreshing, colorful, and cheap! They offer single, double, or triple fruit combinations.
Smoothie Choices along Kuala Lumpur Chinatown
We also picked up fruit cups—pineapple and honeydew—for only MYR 3.00 each, significantly cheaper than what you’d find at a convenience store (around MYR 8.00). The stall had a wide variety, though unfortunately, no option for mixed fruit in one cup—something that would’ve been great.
Fruits in a cup Choices for MYR 3
Fruits in a cup Choices (top view)
Final Thoughts
All in all, our Chinatown food experience was both filling and memorable. Though we only sampled a few dishes, everything we tried was worth the effort (and the uphill walk!). It’s a must-visit spot for any foodie exploring Kuala Lumpur.
Whenever we drive from Nueva Ecija to Manila for work, we try to make the most of the trip—especially when it comes to food. If we have a couple of extra hours, we make it a point to explore eateries slightly off our usual route, guided by online reviews and a bit of curiosity. Pampanga, being a food haven, never disappoints. Over three weekends, we discovered some spots worth sharing.
1. Krishna’s Place Indian Restaurant – Indian Cravings Satisfied
Tucked along a curved street near the red-light district of Angeles City, Krishna’s Place may not look like much from the outside—a simple two-story building that’s easy to miss. But don’t let appearances fool you. This Indian restaurant serves satisfying dishes that are big on flavor without breaking the bank.
It was raining when we arrived, and the place was quiet post-lunch, so we had the ground floor to ourselves.
We started with our go-to Indian appetizer: Vegetable Samosa (₱90 for 2 pcs)—generously sized and packed with curried potatoes and greens. It came with two sauces: a spicy red one and a mild green sauce. But even without dips, the samosa was flavorful on its own.
One order of Vegetable Samosa (2 pieces) at ₱90
Vegetable Samosa cut into half
Next up was Pani Puri (₱150 for 10 pcs)—crispy shells filled with spiced potatoes and tamarind sauce. The flavor felt a little mild compared to the samosa, but still enjoyable.
1 order of Pani Puri at ₱150 (10 pieces)
We also had Butter Chicken (₱350) and Beef Masala (₱390)—both rich in taste and distinct in flavor. The sauces were well-balanced and didn’t just rely on spice for flavor. For the price, the portions and quality were impressive.
Buttered Chicken at ₱350
Beef Masala (₱390)
Overall, Krishna’s Place is a must-try if you’re in the mood for Indian food at affordable prices.
Empty plates at Krishna’s Place Indian Restaurant
2. Sisig ni Edwin sa Dau – Viral and Worth It
On our way back to Nueva Ecija, we made a quick stop at Sisig ni Edwin sa Dau, a roadside eatery that constantly pops up on social media. The place is located along the highway and doesn’t have dedicated parking, but since we came around 2–3 PM, we found a spot easily.
We ordered Pork Sisig (₱150) and Grilled Liempo (₱150). The sisig was a standout—crispy, flavorful, and served in a generous portion. Definitely lives up to the online hype. It was served on a sizzling plate so it’s hot upon serving.
Pork Sisig on a sizzling plate (₱150)
The liempo was a bit salty, but it had more meat than fat, which we liked. Their sawsawan (calamansi, soy sauce, and chili) added a nice kick.
Grilled Pork Liempo on Banana Leaf (₱150)
Inside the Eatery with empty tables
Generous ingredients of dipping sauce: calamansi, soy sauce, vinegar, chilis
Simple, tasty, and budget-friendly—perfect for travelers looking for a quick, satisfying meal.
3. Dwaeji Galbi Restaurant – Korean Comfort Food for Sharing
Another place we tried was Dwaeji Galbi Restaurant, a Korean spot with plenty of parking (good for 8+ cars), making it easy for groups or families to stop by. The photo below did not capture the wide parking spaces.
Front of Dwaeji Galbi Restaurant
We came here specifically for their Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) but ended up ordering a ₱1,000 set menu that included:
Jajangmyeon, Gunmandu (5 pcs fried dumplings) , Tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork) and Haemul Jjampong (spicy seafood noodle soup). The portions were huge—definitely good for 3–4 people.
The Jajangmyeon was delicious. The sauce was rich, slightly sweet, and had bits of corn. The noodles were chewy and springy—possibly homemade—and really made the dish stand out.
The Tangsuyuk was just okay—fried pork coated in flour, not very crispy, meat is a bit difficult to chew, and the sauce was average.
Same with the Gunmandu, which didn’t leave much of an impression. Fortunately their side dishes are good.
Side dishes / Banchan: Fishcake, kimchi, Danmuji or yellow pickled radish and Cucumber Kimchi
The Haemul Jjampong had a flavorful, spicy broth (more manageable for me than for my husband) and came with a decent mix of shrimp, mussels, small crabs and squid. Again, the noodles here were the highlight—firm, chewy, and comforting.
Haemul Jjampong or Seafood Jjampong
Big bowl of Seafood Jjampong with Hubby
Note: The restaurant only has two comfort rooms – 1 for men and 1 for women, so it might get crowded during peak hours. But with large serving sizes and good food, it’s a solid choice for groups or anyone craving Korean noodles.
Final Thoughts
These weekend food stops made our regular drives more exciting and delicious. From Indian comfort food and viral sisig to Korean noodle favorites, Pampanga continues to surprise with its range of culinary gems.
These places may not be fancy, but they offer real, satisfying food at reasonable prices. If you’re passing through and have time for a quick detour, these spots are definitely worth checking out. Whether you’re craving bold spices, grilled Pinoy favorites, or Korean noodles—Pampanga has something tasty waiting for you.
I first heard about The Coffee Library from my father-in-law — he kept talking about how amazing their Tuna Steak was. So during our trip to San Juan, La Union (ElYu), we spotted their branch near a 7-Eleven. The café looked inviting, but parking was tight, so we skipped it.
On our way back, his kumpare mentioned another branch in San Fernando, tucked beside a SeaOil gas station. We got lucky with parking after lunch, so we finally gave it a go.
What We Ordered:
Cheese Burger (₱270)
Tuna Steak (₱300)
Baby Back Ribs (₱315)
Creamy Shrimp & Tuna Pasta (₱280)
Vietnamese Caphe Sua Da – Iced Milk Coffee (₱145)
The Coffee Library: 🍔 Cheese Burger
A deliciously served The Coffee Library Cheese Burger with melted cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, and tomatoes, showcased on a green plate.
This burger didn’t feel like your usual fast-food kind — the patty was thick, juicy, and had a light char that gave it a smoky edge. The bun was soft but sturdy, not overly airy, and it balanced the meat well. What stood out? The white onions — they had a natural sweetness and umami that played perfectly with the crisp lettuce and tomatoes. Plus, there was a savory-sweet sauce (maybe from the meat juices?) that gave it that extra “what-is-this-it’s-so-good” flavor.
The Coffee Library: 🍖 Baby Back Ribs
Baby Back Ribs served with a side of rice and fresh salad
The meat was fall-off-the-bone in some parts, though a few bites near the bone needed extra effort. It was well-marinated with a rich, slightly smoky-sweet BBQ glaze. What really surprised me was the side salad — a refreshing mix of sweet mangoes, tangy strawberries, crisp lettuce, sesame seeds, raisins, and a tropical mango dressing. It felt like a mini “fresh” dessert on the side.
The Coffee Library: 🍝 Creamy Shrimp and Tuna Pasta
A plate of Creamy Shrimp and Tuna Pasta topped with shrimps, garnished with basil leaf, served with two slices of grilled bread.
This dish nailed the balance — creamy but not cloying (no “umay”), with a subtle seafood flavor from both shrimp and tuna. The shrimp brought that briny sweetness, while the tuna added depth. A little chili on top will give it a nice kick. I expected it to be heavy, but it was surprisingly light and flavorful from start to finish.
The Coffee Library: 🐟 Tuna Steak
A plated meal featuring a tuna steak garnished with green onions, accompanied by a serving of white rice and colorful vegetables including green beans, potato and carrot.
No fishy smell at all — even without lemon! The tuna was tender, moist inside, and had a clean, mild ocean flavor. The seasoning was simple, letting the freshness of the tuna shine. I now understand why both my father-in-law and his kumpare were raving about this dish.
The Coffee Library: ☕ Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Caphe Sua Da)
Vietnamese Coffee Caphe Sua Da (Iced Milk Coffee)
I had high hopes since I missed the one I tried in Vietnam. This one had that sweetened condensed milk richness, but the coffee wasn’t as bold or intense as I remembered. It leaned more on the sweet-milky side than the deep roasted flavor. Still refreshing, though the cup felt a bit small for the price.
✅ Final Verdict: The Coffee Library is worth the stop. Great flavors, decent prices, and a few standout dishes that are truly memorable. I’d happily go back to explore more from their menu — and maybe order that Tuna Steak again for myself.
The Coffee Library Menu board featuring various coffee and beverage options
Menu board of various food options at The Coffee Library
We kicked off our Binondo food trip bright and early, leaving Mandaluyong at 5:30 AM to make sure we arrived before the streets got too crowded. By 6:30 AM, we were standing in front of the historic Binondo Church, its centuries-old façade glowing softly under the morning light.
Binondo Church
Our first stop was Chuan Kee Turu-Turo, a well-loved eatery known for its classic Chinese-Filipino dishes. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t open until 7 AM, so we returned to the church and joined the peaceful rosary prayer, taking in the quiet serenity before our food adventure began.
As soon as Chuan Kee opened, we hurried back to find early diners already. We ordered their Kikiam, Soup No. 5, and Chicken with Cucumber Xiao Long Bao (the green one). The kikiam came with s few slices of pickled radish and a sweet, slightly sticky sauce, but tasted fine even without it.
Chinese Kikiam Order
Kikiam at ₱95
The Xiao Long Bao was an unexpected treat. Despite the “cucumber” in its name, it had no overpowering cucumber taste, just a light, healthy balance of flavors. The dough has the right thickness, complementing the savory chicken filling. I eagerly took a sip of the rich, steamy broth inside—only to burn my tongue! But it was worth it.
10 pieces per order of Xiao Long Bao (ate 1 already)
Chicken with Cucumber Xiao Long Bao at ₱240
Finally, the Soup No. 5, a dish infamous for its supposed aphrodisiac properties, had a deep, rich flavor that I preferred over the one served at Café Mezzanine upstairs. There are chunks of beef also though it’s on the pricey side for a small bowl (₱400). Until now I’m still wondering who named and what is the idea behind calling it Soup Number 5.
Soup # 5 (₱400)
Here are other dishes you can order at Chuan Kee Fast Food.
Chuan Kee Turu-turo Main Dish Menu
Chuan Kee Turu-turo Soup Dimsum Dish Menu
From there, we walked toward Wong Kei, a small stall made noticeable by the piles of nearly dried sugarcane stacked beside it. The fresh sugarcane juice (₱100) was a bit pricey but refreshingly sweet with their clever marketing touch—a sticker that read “I Love Wong Kei” on the straw.
Wong Kei’s Sugarcane Juice at ₱100
Along with our drinks, we ordered a variety of grilled barbecues: Rice Cake, Tofu, Sausage, and Veggie Balls (₱50 per stick). The tofu and veggie balls stood out the most, their soft, while the rice cake has a slightly chewy texture resembling tikoy. The sausage, however, was surprisingly bland—good thing the sauce and seasoning saved it, I mean all of it!
Wong Kei Stall
Wong Kei Barbecues: Rice Cake, Tofu, Sausage, Veggie Balls (₱200)
Wong Kei’s Barbecue Pack
A short walk along Ongpin Street led us to the famous Lord Stow’s Bakery, its inviting aroma of freshly baked pastries drawn us in. A foreigner was filming a vlog about their egg tarts as we entered, adding to the store’s bustling charm. It’s a small eatery with a few chairs serving coffee, pasta and more. We got a box of six egg tarts (₱320) and upon our first bite, I understood the hype. The flaky crust gave way to a smooth, creamy custard that was perfectly balanced—not too sweet with enough softness. If I weren’t trying to cut down on sugar, I could have easily devoured the whole box!
Lord Stow’s Bakery Egg Tart Price List
To Go: Lord Stow’s Bakery 6 pieces Egg Tart (₱320)
Lord Stow’s Egg Tart (1st bite)
Nearby, we made a stop at Shanghai Fried Siopao Shop, a no-frills stall selling at ₱35 per piece of fried siopao. The size is slightly small (similar to what we buy at 7-11 Convenience Store) that looked liked it was steamed first then pan-fried at the bottom. It had a mix of pork and chicken filling on my taste, with bits of fresh onions that added a natural sweetness. It didn’t come with sauce but it wasn’t dry either. Still, I wished I had something to drizzle over it.
Fried Siopao cut into halves
We also grabbed a plain Bichu (₱35), a large, deep-fried treat that had a light hint of saltiness but wasn’t greasy even when consumed after hours of our trip to Nueva Ecija. It turned slightly soggy, but it was still delicious.
Shanghai Fried Siopao Shop
Other food items you can buy at Shanghai Fried Sioapo Shop was siomai, buchi, hopia and more.
To go: Fried Siopao and plain Bichu
We then passed by Oishiekun Chinese Bites, where we couldn’t resist trying their Milky Bichu (₱70)—yes, another Bichu, but this one was coated in sweet milk powder, just like the ones in 90’s ice scrambles! Though it was smaller than the plain Bichu, it was still big enough to share, and they even cut it into bite-sized pieces and provided sticks to keep our hands clean. Hours later, it had gone a bit stale, but the sweet, milky flavor still held up.
Oishiekun Chinese Bites Store
Oishiekun Chinese Bites: Milky Bichu pack
Oishiekun Chinese Bites: Milky Bichu
Other Chinese Snacks are sold in this store so check out the menu below.
Oishiekun Chinese Bites Menu
While wandering through the narrow Carvajal Street, we stumbled upon Lian Niang Restaurant, a hidden gem tucked away in an alley. We decided to try their Pan-Fried Dumplings (₱200) and Beef Noodles (₱250). The dumplings were fantastic—crispy on the bottom yet soft and juicy inside, almost like a pan-fried xiao long bao. However, after waiting over 30 minutes for the beef noodles, we found out our order was never placed! In hindsight, it was a blessing since we were already too full to enjoy it.
Lao Niang Restaurant’s Takeout/Takeaway Menu
Inside Lao Niang Restaurant
Lao Niang Restaurant’s menu photos
Lao Niang Restaurant’s menu
8 pieces Lao Niang Restaurant’s Pan Fried Dumpling (₱200)
Just a few steps away, we tried the famous Puo Hing Fresh Lumpia, but it wasn’t for me. It had sugar granules in the filling making it too sweet, and lacked garlic, which I usually love in fresh lumpia. I still prefer Aboy’s Fresh Lumpia from SM Megamall.
Puo Hing Fresh Lumpia Takeaway at ₱100
Puo Hing Fresh Lumpia at first bite
Puo Hing Fresh Lumpia Stall
Puo Hing Fresh Menu
Our final stop was Mixue Ice Cream Shop on Dasmariñas Street, a random discovery while searching for something to quench our thirst. The store had cute snowman (Snow King) products displayed and I regret not trying their ice cream. Instead, we ordered a Peach Earl Grey Tea, which had just the right amount of sweetness with fruit bits—a refreshing way to end our food crawl.
Mixue’s Peach Earl Grey Tea for ₱65
Mixue’s Menu
Mixue’s Snow King products
Mixue’s Snow King products 2
Looking back, we barely scratched the surface of what Chinatown has to offer. There’s still so much to try, so I guess another Binondo food trip is definitely in order!
Spent a long and nice weekend in the island of Siargao or what was originally “Isla de las Palmas”. ‘Tried different food varieties and I think the average meal price is around PhP 300 – 350 which is quite expensive. This maybe reasonable as the island doesn’t grow their own food. We weren’t able to scout for other food establishments outside Gen. Luna – where most hotels are situated, so the post below is within the touristy area.
Lunch at Apsaras Tribe Hotel where we stayed: Sky Restaurant. They have special menu for Chinese New Year on 2nd week of February by the way. We tried their steamed fish Lapu-lapu in sesame oil. Herbs were generously scattered that makes this dish so fragrant. The fish is medium in size and tasted good at first but the saltiness of soy sauce is too much after consuming half of it.
Steamed Fish Lapu-lapu in Sesame Oil for PhP588
Breakfast: Apsaras – Our breakfast is part of our hotel accommodation and I must say that these ones are good. The serving plate is big enough that makes it a heavy meal. You can also request how your eggs are cooked. And since food is a bit expensive in this area, might as well consider a package with breakfast inclusion.
Apsaras Tribe Sausage Breakfast Plate
Apsaras Tribe Fried Milk Fish Breakfast Plate (Filipino Breakfast)
The Food Truck Tacos – before going to Siargao, I did my homework on different restaurants or food that we ‘must’ try – meaning where there are lots of good reviews. So when we saw the Food Truck, we tried their sampler tacos. Almost all samplers from other restaurants include best-sellers so this is what I thought when I ordered. Not sure if it’s just a hype or I didn’t order the right one.
The taco is soft but I can still taste the fresh flour and it’s so visible to the naked eye- it’s a no for me. I don’t remember which one tasted best among the four – there’ s chicken intestine (1st taco), then the fish fillet (2nd), pure veggies and can’t remember the last one. No hot sauce was offered and the calamansi didn’t go well with the tacos – I preferred lemon or lime.
The Food Truck Taco Sampler
Dinner: Wellington Grilling Station – This is one of the best grilled meat I had as the marinade was so flavourful. This is a “karinderya-style” or “small eatery”turu-turo” and their grilled menu is only available in the afternoon until the evening. If I’m to rate this, it would be 10/5. I think nobody has reviewed this yet but it’s good – the meat is cooked to perfection, soft, tasty and affordable. We ended up ordering 2 plates of Chicken Barbeque, Chicken Intestine (isaw ng manok) and Pork BBQ. Other options are chicken leg and wings, pork intestine (isaw ng baboy), squid and not sure of the others as we had our dinner a bit late.
Wellington Grill House
Grilled Chicken, Pork Bbq and Chicken intestine Barbeque
Day 2 Lunch at Happiness. We dined here at around 11-ish and they still serves breakfast. I think they offer lunch menu at 12pm so on our 2nd day, we had two breakfast.
Super Banana is a combination of Chia seeds, peanut butter, tahini and ofcourse banana fruit. Ice was well blended and the sweetness is not too much. We liked this one. By the way, that’s a toasted banana garnish.
Super Banana for PhP 220
The Green Power Bowl is an energy booster made from Puree of mango, banana, pineapple, ginger, coconut milk topped with moringa, chia seeds, goji berries, banana, toasted coconut flakes and home-made-granola served in a wooden bowl. It’s a bit pricey for the serving size but I must say that this was surprisingly good. On my last scoop, that’s when I realiazed that the sourness of pineapple is overpowering.
Green Power Bowl for PhP 320
Better Together Sourdough – It doesn’t matter if you eat this together or separately coz it plays with your taste buds. As the name suggests, it tasted better together. Both sourdough has their unique taste but the one with tomato overload is better for me. Maybe the spread complements the sourness of the tomatoes, I don’t know. It magically enhances the fruit. Yes, tomatoes are fruits. Although this one is delicious, the price is not affordable.
Better Together Toasted Sour Dough for PhP 320
Snack at Atabai Snack Bar is a snack bar at the roadside. They can only accommodate like 8 persons at a time – 4 seats at the front and another four on the side. We ordered the Nachos, Snow Special Burger with Fries, Winter Special Burger, Chocolate Milkshake and Caramel Macchiato. Their prices are reasonable for how it tasted and the service sizes.
The Nachos is not that tasty but for the price of PhP120, it can be considered an okay appetizer for a medium-sized plate.
Atabai Snack Bar Nachos for PhP 120
Their burgers are bigger in person so don’t be fooled by my small photos. These were tasty burgers and the patties are thick with generous veggies. Although I’m still wondering how they come up with the burger names.
Atabai Snack Bar Snow Special with Fries for PhP 149
Atabai Snack Bar Winter Special for PhP 189
The glasses used on our drinks are bigger and as per the photos below, both drinks were overflowing. The caramel Macchiato is sweeter than the chocolate milkshake so I preferred the latter. Both drinks were good for the price.
Atabai Snack Bar Caramel Macchiato for PhP 120
Atabai Snack Bar Milk Chocolate for PhP 129
Dinner at Kanin Baboy on Day 2. Hubby and I tried our luck going to Cev (Ceviche and Kilawin) and since it’s crowded and fully-booked, we roamed around and ended up at Kanin Baboy. We ordered the spicy (for me) and non-spicy platter for hubby. When our orders arrived, the servings looked familiar and yes, it’s the same with what we had when we’re in Bali Indonesia. I’m sorry but this one is incomparable from what we had. Aside from the serving size and price, this one lacks the aroma and spices. This is just like you took a plate on a Filipino Buffet Restaurant and stuffed it with all pork dishes. Even the sambal sauce didn’t add anything on the pork dish. You can check my Bali Food here – .Warung Babi Guling Dolbi (https://myeatsperience.com/2023/11/22/bali-indonesia-food-experience/)
Kanin Baboy Special for PhP 385
Kanin Baboy Regular for PhP 295
Day 3 lunch at Thai Foon. Their Papaya Salad is very fresh with good crunch from the nuts. Papaya was shredded to perfection and so with other vegetables in it. The only down side for me is the sourness of the vinegar which was too much maybe because it’s almost like a soupy dressing as shown on the photo below.
Som Tam (Papaya Salad) for PhP 190
Their fried spring rolls are nothing special and the common thing that should make it stand out is the dipping vinegar sauce paired with it. This lacks garlic and the sweet and sour taste. I’m also surprised that they didn’t cut their spring rolls which adds feast to the eyes when you’re able to see the filling.
Thai Foon’s Fried Spring Rolls for PhP 170
The Chicken Cashew is soy-based flavor and as per hubby, it tasted more like our Adobo. The good thing here is they didn’t skimp on bell peppers, cashew nuts and the other greens.
Thai Foon’s Chicken Cashew for PhP 280
Thai Foon’s Mango Sticky Rice is the best order we had, well for me. Let’s explain in detail: First the presentation. The white, blue and yellow color combination looked appetising. Agree? The blue rice color is from the blue ternate flower that is edible. The rice and coconut milk were unsweetened. I’m not sure which one has a hint of saltiness but it balanced the sweetness of ripe mango. We could have ordered another plate but we’re so full.
Mango Sticky Rice for PhP 180
Their Coconut Juice is just so-so. For the price, I think I’m not just paying for the juice but also the coconut meat but wasn’t able to because of how it was presented. Too bad I didn’t ask them to open it. I also expected that coconuts are cheaper here because they have plantation everywhere.
Coconut Juice for PhP 100
Dinner at Cev (Ceviche and Kilawin) – We initially visited this on our 2nd night in the island but it’s full house so we’re advised to reserved a slot the next day. Almost all customers are non-Filipino and I got excited because they all seemed chilled, relaxed and enjoying the food. Fast forward, we came a bit earlier for our reserved 8:00pm slot but were immediately seated. On to our food orders:
I’m a bit bias on my review here because I compared it to the taste I’m familiar with while growing up. Fish Ball for 5 pieces – as a Filipino I still preferred the local taste of home-made fish ball made from Galunggong. I actually can’t remember how this tasted but I think sauce made it better and there’s no fishy after taste.
CEV’s Fish Ball for PhP 200
The Ceviche or Peruvian version of our Kilawin is consist of sweet potato (kamote), squash and bits of corn to lessen the spicyness of the dish. There’s crunchy onion on top. In short, I think our kilawin version or the one I tried in Davao is better (https://myeatsperience.com/2023/03/11/luz-inihaw-kinilaw-place/). Less ingredients but more flavor.
CEV’s Pacifico Ceviche for PhP 360
CEV’s General Luna Kinilaw for PhP 360
CEV’s Garlic Rice
Their Kilawin version has so much ingredients paired with garlic rice. Aside from the fresh fish meat, there’s mushed grilled eggplant, fresh and toasted onions, onion chives, mango, white and green sauces. The taste was foreign to me not like the regular kilawin I had so it’s a bit difficult to appreciate it but I give thumbs up on how they present their dishes. So far, their garlic rice was the star of my orders – no kidding. Ofcourse I finished all our orders because it’s pricey.
My food experience in Siargao is both a hit and a miss – mostly expensive but this is expected as Siargao Island is a tourist destination so prices are targeted to foreigners. There are other food establishments in Gen. Luna which we weren’t able to try so if I’ll be returning to the island in the future, I will surely have a different list. Food reviews are really subjective, but it’s still helpful when trying food on a new place for the first time. Again, these are based from my experience so one may agree or disagree.
By the way, prices of the dishes above are from February 2024 so it may differ when you visit Siargao.
Two of the many foods I really enjoyed while growing up were pizza and pasta and there was never a good restaurant as far I can remember in (my) Aurora Province. I only have my mom’s pasta (Pinoy Style Spaghetti) on Christmas Day. Pizza? I can’t think of any. When Aurora opened its doors to tourists because roads became accessible to any vehicle type, alot of business establishments opened and one of those was the best Pizza and Pasta Restaurant named Happy Huts. Does it make its customers happy? I believe so..
My brother in law (BIL) and sister discovered this hidden on a secret place somewhere in Baler and keep on asking me – do you know where the best pizza in Aurora is? It’s like exaggerating something that sounds unreal. My hubby and I didn’t try it first because the street to where ’twas previously located was narrow so it’s a no. Fast forward after a year when Happy Huts transferred to their new location – Smart Beach House, Querijero St. along Sabang Beach in Baler, that’s when we finally gave it a try. Although the street is still narrow, it’s passable passable and more accessible (1 vehicle at a time) than the previous one.
What we ordered? Not much, really…
For the appetizer: we had Sloppy Potato (PhP 269) and Chicken N’ Wedges (PhP 359) – photos below. The serving sizes are good for sharing as per the menu which is true if you have other orders, but if just one of these, then it’s not. The crispy shoestring potatoes with thick potato wedges smothered with ground meat, ranch and melted mozarella are good combination – though the photo didn’t justify how appetizing this was. The crispy Chicken tenders and potato wedges has two dips – ranch and honey mustard. The chicken meat is tender and goes well with the dips but I still preferred the Sloppy Potato over this. Oh and by the way, this is part of their “Mains” but it’s more of an appetizer for me.
Sloppy Potato
Chicken N’ Wedges
For the Pasta orders, we had the Tuna Aglio Olio Pasta (Solo for PhP 189) and Creamy Tandoori Chicken or Leon’s Carbonara (Solo for PhP 189) – sorry I really can’t remember which one we ordered but the taste is more of a chicken carbonara and lacks saltiness on my palate. I’m a bit bias here as I really love anything about tuna so I vote for the Tuna Aglio Olio eventhough I can’t remember which one has a mild spicy taste (plus point if the tune pasta). The taste is simple but clean and leaves no fishy taste unlike in other restaurants. The solo servings are generous for its price so you’re a winner in either pasta meal.
Tuna Aglio Olio Pasta
Creamy Tandoori Chicken or Leon’s Carbonara
This visit to the best pizza and pasta in Baler Aurora won’t be complete without the Pizza. We had the Duo Pizza which costed around PhP 339 for two flavors in one. It’s Texas Chicken BBQ and Margherita. It’s thin crust so it’s crunchy and loses it’s charm when left cold. Surprisingly, the crunchiness didn’t leave until we consume everything – I think around 30 minutes or so. 🙂 The combination was good ‘coz I’m not a fan of pure meat so this is better for my taste.
Duo Pizza
Last and definitely not the least, is their Pan-seared Fish Curry which was around PhP 299. The sauce topping is well blended on the fish and my hubby liked this. I can’t really identify the ingredients of the curry sauce but I’m sure there’s lots of tomatoes in it like sarciado but in a good way. The serving size is also big enough for its price.
Pan-seared Fish Curry.
Overall, I can say that this pizza-pasta joint is a must try when you’re in Baler. The prices are affordable for the quality and serving sizes of their offerings. They occupy two floors – air-conditioned on the ground floor and open-air on the second. The owners and servers are friendly and attentive so it’s a plus x2.
Prices above are from 2023 so to give you an idea, here’s their 2023 menu book:
My eatsperience 