Ferino’s Bibingka Merienda Blowout

With all the time spent at home with the fam, I’m glad I was able to find the opportunity to reacquaint the kiddos to our rich culinary heritage.

This initiative was greatly helped by my mother-in-law when she treated her kids and their respective families to a Pinoy-style merienda during her recent birthday by having local delicacies from Ferino’s Bibingka delivered to our respective homes.

Bibingka is kind of kakanin or rice cake made with galapong (glutinous rice flour) and cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves. While it can be enjoyed year-round, bibingka is especially popular during the holiday season; it is the go-to food to be enjoyed after Misa de Gallo.

Ferino’s Bibingka started in pre-war Tondo, Manila when Ceferino Francisco, Sr. (also known as Mang Ferino) starter selling bibingka and puto bumbong on the sidewalk outside their rented apartment. The business grew after the war, such as when they opened Ferino’s Cafe in the Manila Hotel in the 1950s, another branch at the Fiesta Carnival in Cubao in the 1970s and more afterwards.

Most of these stores closed down with Mang Ferino’s passing but the Ferino’s Bibingka brand was revived by his grandson, Sonny Francisco, who began to operate bibingka dine-in and takeout stores in 2016.

Ferino’s Bibingka’s storied dishes made their way to our table by way of the Family Set 1 (Php880) sent by MIL as her birthday blowout. This set consisted of:

Bibingka Extra Super. Pure galapong mixed with two fresh eggs, topped with salted eggs and kesong-puti.

Pancit Palabok (Small Bilao). A traditional Filipino noodle dish which is made with round rice noodles doused in a gold-colored savory sauce topped with shrimp, crushed chicharon (pork rind), slices of hard-boiled egg and chopped green onions.

Pork Barbecue (6pieces). This popular Pinoy street food of pork barbecue consists of slices of pork skewered on bamboo sticks, marinated in sweet and savory barbecue sauce then grilled to smokey and tender doneness.

Palitaw sa Linga. Another kakanin which is made of flattened ground glutinous rice which are dropped in boiling water. The rice cakes rise up to the surface (“litaw“) when cooked which is how the dish got its name. It is served dipped in grated coconut, with a side of sugar and sesame seeds (“linga“).

Thanks to MIL, the fam was able to explore the richness of our local cuisine!

To order from Ferino’s Bibingka, you can:

• Call +63 2 76227104 or text +63 917 6502331
• Click/Tap the SHOP NOW button on Facebook Messenger
• Order via GrabFood

Check out my reviews of other Filipino restaurants:

• 121 Restaurant, Eastwood City
• Pares Retiro, Cubao
• Tapa King, Libis
• Pares Retiro, P. Tuazon
• Goto Believe, Kapitolyo
• Max’s, Ayala Feliz
• Mang Ding’s, Marikina
• Belly Good Boneless Lechon, Maybunga
• Aling Banang’s, Santa Lucia
• Friends & Family Express, The Podium
• Mang Inasal, Libis
• Max’s, Tomas Morato
• Pares Retiro, Tomas Morato
• 121 Restaurant, BGC Stopover
• 121 Restaurant, Allegro Center
• Manam Comfort Filipino, Trinoma
• Tahanan Bistro, Antipolo
• Liloan’s Pride, California Garden Square
• Bench Cafe, Trinoma
• Bai’s Boneless Lechon Cebu, Pasig
• Liloan’s Pride Liempo, Greenhills
• Angus Tapa Centrale, Tomas Morato
• Gerry’s Grill, Tomas Morato
• Luna J Filipino Gastropub, Tomas Morato
• Gerry’s Grill, SM Marikina
• Bacolod Chicken Parilla, Tomas Morato
• Classic Savory, SM East Ortigas
• Jaytee’s Tagaytay
• Buddy’s, Cubao
• Cabalen, Ayala Malls Feliz
• Limbaga 77, Tomas Morato
• Victorino’s, Tomas Morato
• Locavore, Kapitolyo
• Mozu at Ming’s, Tagaytay
• Siglo Modern Filipino, Tagaytay
• Conti’s, Greenbelt
• Ilustrado Restaurant, Intramuros
• Rico’s Lechon, Tiendesitas
• Fika, Capitol Hills, QC
• Sartin, Tagaytay
• Lobo Filipino Tavern, Poblacion
• Joliant, Tomas Morato
• Ombu Kusina, Tomas Morato
• Padi’s Point, Sumulong
• Padi’s Point, Upper Antipolo
• Padi’s Point, Tomas Morato
• Padi’s Point, Metro East
• Sisig Society, Fisher Mall
• Tapsi ni Vivian, Pasig
• Lola Cafe, Tomas Morato
• Pamana, Tomas Morato