HAPAG: Your destination for comforting Filipino food during your Manila Ocean Park adventure

If you’re on your way to enjoy the exciting attractions at Manila Ocean Park with your friends and family in tow, food should be the least of your worries.

After all, Manila Ocean Park is home to quite a number of gourmet eateries, the latest of which is its Filipino restaurant, HAPAG.

The restaurant’s name is derived from Tagalog word which translates to “table” in English. In Filipino culture, the table holds a special significance as it is often the focal point of gatherings and celebrations, where families and friends come together to share meals and create cherished memories.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park

Just like its name suggests, HAPAG at Manila Ocean Park aims to be a place where people can gather around the table and indulge in the comfort of Filipino cuisine, creating a sense of warmth, togetherness, and hospitality. Its name not only pays homage to Filipino traditions but also reflects the restaurant’s commitment to providing a welcoming and memorable dining experience for its guests.

Ready for your foray into Filipino comfort food? Be sure to include these down-home delicious dishes when you dine at HAPAG:

Soups

Sinigang na Hipon (Php700). This classic Filipino dish features succulent shrimp cooked in a tangy tamarind broth, with vegetables like kangkong (water spinach) and radish adding a refreshing crunch. The sourness of the soup paired with the sweetness of the shrimp creates a comforting and satisfying bowl of goodness.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park

Sinigang na Baboy (Php650). For pork lovers, Sinigang na Baboy is a must-try. Tender pork chunks are simmered in a sour tamarind soup, along with vegetables like kangkong and eggplant. The savory and tangy flavors meld together, making it a perfect dish to warm your soul.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Vegetables

Pinakbet (Php250). This popular vegetable dish from the northern regions of the Philippines features a medley of fresh vegetables like eggplant, okra, and bitter gourd, cooked in a shrimp paste sauce. The combination of flavors and textures in Pinakbet creates a comforting and healthy dish that is perfect for vegetarians, those looking for a lighter option or as a side dish to complement other viands.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Mains

Beef Caldereta (Php550). A rich and hearty stew, Beef Caldereta is a Filipino comfort food that is perfect for meat lovers. Tender beef chunks are simmered in a slightly spicy tomato-based sauce with vegetables, potatoes, and carrots, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying dish that is best enjoyed with steamed rice.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park

Whole Fried Chicken (Php800). Crispy, juicy, and flavorful, Filipino-style Fried Chicken is a comfort food staple. HAPAG’s version is sure to satisfy your fried chicken cravings, with its golden-brown crust and succulent meat. Perfectly seasoned and fried to perfection, it’s a timeless classic that will surely hit the spot.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park

Crispy Pata (Php1,200). This version of the classic Pinoy dish is a true delight for meat lovers, featuring perfectly deep-fried pork knuckles that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It is served with a dipping sauce made with vinegar and soy sauce, which adds a tangy and savory contrast to the rich flavors of the pork.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Charcoal-grilled

Grilled Boneless Bangus (Php350). Known as the national fish of the Philippines, Bangus or milkfish is a beloved ingredient in Filipino cuisine. HAPAG’s Grilled Boneless Bangus is marinated then grilled, resulting in a moist and flavorful fish dish that is both comforting and delicious.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park

Grilled Liempo (Php500). A delicious way to enjoy pork belly is through HAPAG’s Grilled Liempo. Marinated in a special blend of spices and grilled to smoky juiciness, the result is a flavorful pork dish that is sure to please your taste buds. It’s a comforting and satisfying choice for meat lovers.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park

Chicken Inasal (Php260). This flavorful grilled chicken dish from the Visayas region of the Philippines is known for its distinct marinade made with calamansi, lemongrass, and vinegar. HAPAG’s Chicken Inasal is tender and juicy, with a tangy and savory flavor that is perfect for satisfying your chicken cravings.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Sizzling Plates

Sizzling Liempo Steak (Php500). HAPAG’s Sizzling Liempo Steak is grilled then served sizzling hot on a cast-iron plate, with a savory gravy that complements the pork. The sizzling presentation and the mouthwatering aroma make it a truly comforting and indulgent dish.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park

Sizzling Pork Sisig (Php450). A popular appetizer or pulutan in Filipino cuisine, Sizzling Pork Sisig is a sizzling plate of chopped pork face and ears, seasoned with spices and served with a tangy sauce. HAPAG’s version is crispy and flavorful, with a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors that will surely make your taste buds dance.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Rice

Bagoong Fried Rice (Php310). Bagoong, or fermented shrimp paste, is a staple condiment in Filipino cuisine. When used to flavor fried rice, it results to a savory staple that’s sure to complement your favorite Pinoy dishes.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park
Beverage

Sago’t Gulaman (Php120). Sago’t Gulaman is a popular Filipino beverage made with tapioca pearls (sago) and agar-agar jelly (gulaman) soaked in a sweet syrup made from brown sugar, water, and vanilla. HAPAG’s Sago’t Gulaman is a refreshing and nostalgic drink that is perfect for quenching your thirst and cooling down during a hot day. The combination of the chewy tapioca pearls, slippery agar-agar jelly, and sweet syrup creates a unique and satisfying texture that is both fun to eat and drink.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park

So, after a day of thrilling adventures and exciting discoveries at Manila Ocean Park, take a moment to unwind and treat yourself to the comfort of Filipino food at HAPAG. Indulge in the rich flavors, warm hospitality, and cozy ambiance that this newest restaurant has to offer, and create lasting memories of comfort and culinary delight with your family and friends.

HAPAG is located at Ground Floor, Manila Ocean Park Complex, behind the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta along Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila, open daily from 10am to 7pm. Book your Manila Ocean Park tickets via Klook or visit its website.

Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park

To stay updated on Manila Ocean Park’s attractions and dining establishments, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant during my recent tour in Manila Ocean Park. Food items here were served at no cost to the attendees.

Check out my previous posts about Manila Ocean Park:

How to make the most of your visit to Manila Ocean Park

3 ways Mommy Loida Foods makes preparing yummy lutong-bahay meals easier for busy moms

Let’s face it: we busy moms face quite a lot of challenges when it comes to preparing home-cooked meals.

With the demands of work, managing a household, and taking care of children, finding the time and energy to plan, shop for, and prepare healthy and delicious meals can be a daunting task. This can lead us to sometimes relying on fast food, takeout, or pre-packaged meals, which can be expensive and unhealthy in the long run.

Plus, we also sometimes struggle with finding inspiration and coming up with new meal ideas that our families will enjoy. The pressure of ensuring that meals are nutritious, well-balanced, and meet dietary restrictions or preferences can also add to the stress of meal preparation.

Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods

All of these challenges add to our burdens as busy moms, but this is where Mommy Loida Foods can help by providing convenient, high-quality, and nutritious meal solutions.

Mommy Loida Foods

Mommy Loida Foods offers a range of products that make cooking at home easier and more convenient, saving us valuable time time in the kitchen but also ensuring that we can provide our families with wholesome and nutritious meals that they will enjoy.

Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods

Here are three ways Mommy Loida Foods make lutong-bahay an easier and more delicious affair for us busy moms:

  1. Frozen Packs. Mommy Loida Foods come in frozen packs wherein the ingredients are already pre-prepared; meats have been marinated, sauces have already been made and viands have been pre-seasoned. We can buy our favorite viands and store them in our freezer, ready to be brought out and cooked when we need them.
  2. High-quality ingredients. All of Mommy Loida Foods’ products are made with high-quality, healthy ingredients that are free from preservatives and additives. Moms can feel good about what they’re feeding their families, knowing that they’re getting wholesome and nutritious meals.
  3. Time-saving solutions. Since all the ingredients have already been pre-prepared, all we have to do is thaw out the frozen packs and follow the step-by-step instructions, then voila! We have a meal for the family to enjoy. Quite a big help to us busy moms who may not have the time or energy to do all the chopping, slicing and dicing, isn’t it?
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods

Pinoy food faves

Mommy Loida Foods offers a range of Pinoy-favorite ulams that are sure to be big hits at the dinner table. These include:

Barbecue Liempo. A flavorful cut of pork belly that has been marinated in a savory blend of spices and herbs, perfect for grilling, roasting, or pan-frying.

Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods

Chicken Inasal. Traditional grilled chicken dish wherein chicken pieces are marinated in a tangy and flavorful mixture of vinegar, calamansi juice, garlic, and spices.

Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods

Pork Sisig. Classic Kapampangan dish made with chopped pork that has been sautéed with onions, garlic, and chili peppers then mixed with calamansi juice, soy sauce, and mayonnaise to create a tangy and savory flavor, making a great either as an appetizer or a main dish.

Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods

Quick and easy dimsum

If you want to treat the fam to a satisfying snack of dimsum, Mommy Loida’s got you covered there as well with its Tagumpay line.

Mini Pork Asado Siopao. Fluffy steamed buns made with first-class flour and filled with sweet and savory pork asado filling. It may also be air-fried.

Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods

Chicken Siomai. Tasty steamed dumpling made with lean ground chicken, minced vegetables and aromatics, best enjoyed with toyomansi. It may also be deep-fried.

Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods

Mommy Loida Foods’ range of convenient and high-quality frozen food products make home cooking easier and more enjoyable for busy moms as they allow us to save time and energy in the kitchen while providing delicious and nutritious meals for the family.

Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods

So moms, go ahead and enjoy the benefits of home-cooked meals without the stress and hassle of meal planning and preparation. Whether you’re looking to try new takes on classic Pinoy dishes or want to simplify your mealtime routine with quick and easy dimsum, Mommy Loida Foods has something to offer. So why not give them a try and discover how they can help make your life easier and your home-cooked meals more delicious!

Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods
Mommy Loida Foods

Place your orders at Blk 2 Lot 5 Samadores Compound Area, 2 Luzon Ave, Quezon City (Tel. No.: +63 9176282298) or contact Mommy Loida Foods via its Facebook and Instagram pages.

Mommy Loida Frozen Foods are also available at Bamaka Meatshop Prime outlets located in:

  • Antipolo: 283 Sumulong Highway, Antipolo, Rizal (Tel: +63 919 0746044)
  • Cainta: 29 E Village East Avenue, Barangay Story. Domingo, Cainta, Rizal (Tel: +63 928 5512488)
  • Quezon City: 14 Freedom Lane, Quezon City (Tel: +63 998 5600522)

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Affordable and fuss-free lunch at Chic-Boy, Tomas Morato

Ever since my coworkers and I were required to #ReturnToOffice, the highlight of our working day is our mid-day meal together: our so-called #HappyLunch.

One fine day, our lunch break forays took us to the recently re-opened Chic-Boy nearby.

Chic-Boy serves a variety of Filipino comfort food, notable for its delicious and affordable menu items that cater to a broad range of customers, and to our petsa de peligro-prone group in particular.

Chic-Boy
Chic-Boy

The name “Chic-Boy” is a combination of two words, “chicken” and “baboy” (Filipino for pork), which are the two main ingredients used in most of the dishes. The restaurant chain’s concept revolves around serving tasty and budget-friendly Filipino food in a casual and welcoming environment.

The restaurant has a casual, no-frills ambiance, making it a perfect spot for a quick and fuss-free lunch. As it is conveniently located in a strip of eateries a mere walking distance from our workplace, we had no trouble getting here and sating our lunch cravings.

Chic-Boy
Chic-Boy
Chic-Boy
Chic-Boy

The service is fast and efficient, ensuring that we got our food in no time; the server even gamely took our photos for those requisite group photo opps.

Of course, the highlights of our dining experience here are Chi-Boy’s affordably priced yet deliciously filling dishes, all served with steamed rice and a bowl of hot soup, such as:

Cebu Lechon Liempo (Php190). This is Chic-Boy’s best-selling dish, and for a good reason! The tender and juicy pork belly is roasted Cebu Lechon-style, giving it a crispy skin and mouth-watering flavor. It’s served with a side of vinegar dipping sauce that perfectly complements the meat.

Chic-Boy
Chic-Boy

Lechon Sisig (Php170). The crispy, savory, and spicy chopped pork belly is a must-try for anyone who loves sisig. The dish is perfect as a pulutan or a main dish that goes well with rice.

Chic-Boy
Chic-Boy

Chicken Inasal Paa (Php155). Chic-Boy’s version of Chicken Inasal is a crowd favorite. The grilled chicken is marinated in a blend of spices, giving it a deliciously smoky flavor. It’s served with a side of sinamak (spiced vinegar) dipping sauce that enhances the taste of the chicken.

Chic-Boy
Chic-Boy

So if you’re on the lookout for an affordable and fuss-free lunch, Chic-Boy in Tomas Morato is the perfect destination for you . With its wide range of tasty yet budget-friendly Filipino dishes, including the best-selling Cebu Lechon Liempo, Lechon Sisig, and Chicken Inasal, Chic-Boy offers a deliciously Filipino dining experience that won’t disappoint.

This Chi-Boy branch is located at The Terraces, Tomas Morato Avenue corner Scout Borromeo Street, Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, open for dine-in, delivery and pick up from 11am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 86316213 or 63 929 2323237.

Know more about its menu and offers by visiting its website or following Chic-Boy on Facebook and Instagram.

Get a free palabok platter with your Mang Inasal family size chicken order

Stressed over what to have for Noche Buena?

Not to worry, Mang Inasal’s got your back with its Take-out and Delivery Blowout.

If you missed this promo when it was first offered last November, you’ll definitely be happy to know it’s back just in time to save us from our Noche Buena woes.

Mang Inasal Chicken + Palabok Platter

As a treat for its customers, Mang Inasal is treating customers who order a Family Size Large Paa or Pecho Family Size for takeout or delivery with a complimentary family size platter of Mang Inasal Pancit Palabok. These servings are good for four people, definitely enough to satisfy my hungry fam.

Mang Inasal Chicken + Palabok Platter

Mang Inasal helped make the Ilonggo dish chicken inasal more accessible and popular in the metro. In this dish, chicken pieces are marinated in calamansi, pepper, vinegar and annato, then grilled over hot coals while being basted with the flavorful marinade until the chicken becomes smokey, juicy and tender. I tend to favor the paa (chicken leg and thigh) over the pecho (chicken breast) as I find this part juicier and more flavorful but other people find the pecho more to their taste. Chicken inasal is best enjoyed with garlic ricr, toyomansi and doused in a lot of chicken oil.

Mang Inasal Chicken + Palabok Platter
Mang Inasal Chicken + Palabok Platter

Mang Inasal’s Pancit Palabok, on the other hand, is made of thin rice noodles in a thick golden sauce topped with chopped spring onions, slices of hard-boiled egg, bits of chicharon (pork rind), pork slices and flakes of tinapa (smoked fish).

Mang Inasal Chicken + Palabok Platter
Mang Inasal Chicken + Palabok Platter

With my recent order of Mang Inasal Family Size Large Paa, I also received the Pancit Palabok Platter, all for only Php396!

Mang Inasal Chicken + Palabok Platter

This offer is available until December 28 only so don’t let it pass you by!

To allow more people to enjoy this amazing deal, customers can only avail of three orders of Mang Inasal Family Size Large Chicken Platters per transaction.

For delivery, course your orders via GrabFood, FoodPanda or LalaFood.

For takeout, visit your nearest Mang Inasal branch or send a message via Facebook.

No-stress meal from Jampax Foods Delivery

Momshies, just because you spend more time at home nowadays doesn’t mean you’re less stressed, right?

With all that juggling between working from home, and all the stuff you need to work on at home, it’s enough to make you get frazzled sometimes.

Fortunately, the folks over at Jampax can take stress out of preparing your family’s next meal.

Jampax Foods

A group of friends who used to work in food industry before the pandemic hit our shores banded together and put their skill sets to bear to whip up tasty yet affordable rice meals for online selling.

Jampax Foods

Here’s a sampling of what you can expect from Jampax:

Gyoza (Php45/5 pieces). Mini-versions of the popular Japanese potstickers made with ground meat and minced vegetables flavored by garlic and aromatics wrapped in thin dough wrappers. This is my daughter’s favorite dumpling and she considers no Japanese meal complete without it.

Jampax Foods

Jampax Foods

Katsudon (Php110). Tender piece of pork loin, breaded and deep-fried served with egg cooked in a sweet and savory sauce over steamed rice and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. My little boy can’t get enough of it!

Jampax Foods

Jampax Foods

Chicken Inasal (Php85 | Php100 with rice). A boneless quarter leg of chicken flavored in the traditional Ilonggo marinade of calamansi, pepper, coconut vinegar and annato then roasted until tender and flavorfully smokey.

Jampax Foods

Jampax Foods

Other dishes from Jampax’s home-cooked menu include:

  • Chicken Teriyaki (Php85 | Php100 with rice)
  • Karaage (Php85 | Php100 with rice)
  • Tonkatsu (Php85 | Php100 with rice)
  • Pork Siomai (Php40/5 pieces)
  • Japanese Siomai (Php55/5 pieces)
  • Lumpiang Shanghai (Php45/5 pieces)

These dishes are jam-packed with flavor and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways:

  • A single order can be a busy office worker’s hassle-free lunch
  • Several orders can be family’s quick and easy dinner
  • Large orders can be a crew meal for outdoor projects and or party fare for big celebrations

Want to stock up on food you can cook later? Jampax also offers marinated chicken wings and chicken breast fillets at Php200 per half-kilo pack (in flavors garlic parmesan, hickory barbecue and buffalo flavors), as well as frozen pork siomai, Japanese siomai, gyoza and lumpiang shanghai for Php70 per twelve-piece pack.

So momshies, kiss the stress away for your fam’s mealtime. Just order your food at Jampax by calling +63 915 5850297 or sending a message on Facebook or Instagram between 8am and 6pm daily with a two-day lead time (same day orders may be accommodated depending on stock availability). Cashless payments via BPI and GCash are accepted and encouraged. Delivery is free in selected areas in Cavite.

Jampax Foods

Jampax Foods

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate an honest review.

Check out my blog posts on other small enterprises and startups in the food business:

Chicken inasal meal at home from Mang Inasal, Libis

To me, grilled food is a taste of the outdoors.

Roasted chicken, or letson manok, is a welcome break from the braised, stewed, boiled or fried fare that the family and I usually have at home.

Chicken inasal, the version of roasted chicken from the Visayas, offered a delicious variance from our usual family meal. It is made by marinating the chicken in a mixture of calamansi, pepper, coconut vinegar and annatto then roasted over hot coals.

Well, as a treat for the fam (and a way for me to avoid cooking), I decided to order from Mang Inasal via GrabFood for our dinner. Thirty minutes after placing my order, my fam’s meal arrived, ready for eating.

Mang Inasal, Libis
Mang Inasal, Libis

Our meal included several orders of:

Pecho (Chicken Breast and Wing) Solo (Php125 each).

Mang Inasal, Libis
Mang Inasal, Libis

Paa (Chicken Thigh and Leg) Solo (Php109 each).

Mang Inasal, Libis
Mang Inasal, Libis

Pork Barbecue (Php39 per stick).

Mang Inasal, Libis

These chicken inasal solo meals are served with a cup of steamed rice and are best enjoyed with chicken oil (used to baste the chicken pieces) and a dipping sauce of calamansi, soy sauce and siling labuyo.

This delivery is from the Mang Inasal branch located at Intrepid Plaza, E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Libis, Quezon City, via GrabFood.

Download the Grab App on the App Store or Google Play. Get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

During the Enhanced Community Quarantine, other Mang Inasal branches in Metro Manila are open:

  • For delivery (via #73333): Navotas Bayan, East avenue, Novaliches Sta. Quiteria, San Roque Supermarket, San Lazaro, Kalentong, Pasong Tamo, Baclaran, Moonwalk, Gate 3
  • For takeout: Sangandaan Caloocan (+63 923 4025595), Navotas Bayan (+63 9399136147), Puregold Valenzuela (+63 918 3425363), Paso de Blas (+63 932 1336949), East Avenue (+63 933 8670280), Retiro (+63 933 8670279), Novaliches Sta. Quiteria (+63 925 6462725), San Roque Supermarket (+63 932 7998977), Doroteo Jose (+63 9332848245), Pedro Gil (+63 922 4132838), Kiko Camarin (+63 923 1283557), Hidalgo (+63 922 7620977), San Lazaro (+63 936 0962443), Parang Marikina (+63 932 2027036), Hillside Masinag (+63 917 1199318), MLQ Antipolo (+63 917 8143904), Ligaya Pasig (+63 977 8899997), Pasig Rotonda (+63 939 9159771), Pasig Market (+63 915 4061717), Puregold FTI (+63 922 9353717), Puregold Taguig (+63 922 9353717), Waterfun Taguig (+63 975 4824051), Gate 3 (+63 925 4944715), Pasong Tamo (+63 943 7055774), Guadalupe EDSA (+63 917 1165603), Evangelista (+63 942 3727748), Buendia Taft (+63 943 3292476), DD Meridian (+63 921 0097607), Burgos Arnaiz (+63 2 84423773), , Malibay Pasay (+63 932 5761960), Baclaran (+63 917 1782004), Lianas Sucat Paranaque (+63 923 7097331), Moonwalk (+63 927 8859925), Starmall Las Pinas (+63 923 4542164)

Fine Filipino Food with a View at Fika, Capitol Hills

A Swedish chef whipping up Filipino delicacies.

That’s the way the cookie crumbles at Fika, the restaurant located in the out-of-the-way Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center up Capitol Hills in Quezon City.

Fika, Capitol Hills

Fika, Capitol Hills

Head chef and CEO Mats Loo hails from Sweden where the word “fika” means “having coffee and talks with friends.” Having long dreamed of having a restaurant name Fika, he made his dream a reality right up Capitol Hills in Quezon City.

Fika, Capitol Hills

Diners of Fika are treated, not just to fine Filipino food, but also to a stunning view of the city. Being located in the Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center, near Capitol Hills Golf and Country Club and Celebrity Sports Club, it is surrounded by lush greenery with a view of Quezon City all the way to Antipolo.

Fika, Capitol Hills

Fika, Capitol Hills

Fika, Capitol Hills

Also housed in the same building is the top culinary school First Gourmet Academy. It trains aspiring chefs in various courses that will prepare them for jobs in both local establishments and those abroad. Its working kitchen is also where the fantastic dishes in Fika’s breakfast and all-day menus are prepared and cooked.

Fika, Capitol Hills

I recently joined a foodie meetup held at Fika where, together with fellow foodies, I was able to sample delectable dishes from Fika’s all-day menu. These include:

Chicken Inasal (Php255). A popular Ilonggo dish, it is grilled chicken marinated in a special sauce that gave it its distinct color.

Fika, Capitol Hills

Laing (Php135). Dried taro leaves, coconut milk and chili peppers make this a winner among lovers of spicy food.

Fika, Capitol Hills

Pancit Luglog (Php195). Thick noodles sauteed in a rich savory sauced and topped with hard-boiled eggs and chicharon. A party favorite!

Fika, Capitol Hills

Pinakbet with Bagnet (Php265). A classic Ilocano dish, it’s made of stewed vegetables seasoned with bagoong and topped with crispy bagnet.

Fika, Capito Hills

Fika Fried Rice (Php135). A recipe that came from Chef Mats’ mom, it’s a great breakfast fried rice made with chopped Chinese sausages, scrambled eggs, pork bits and various chopped veggies.

Fika, Capitol Hills

Binagoongan Rice (Php135). A flavorful dish made of rice, pork bits and kangkong sauteed in bagoong paste then topped with salted egg and ensalada.

Fika, Capitol Hills

Bangus Steak (Php285). The fish version of Bistek Tagalog, it features boneless bangus marinated in soy sauce and calamansi and served with lightly sauteed white onion rings.

Fika, Capitol Hills

Dinakdakan (Php140). An Ilocano dish made of various pork parts such as cheeks, liver, ears and tongue.

Fika, Capitol Hills

Sisig (Php150). Chopped pork parts are deep fried and seasoned with calamansi, mayonnaise, soy sauce and chilis.

Fika, Capitol Hills

We washed down our meal with ice blended drinks such as Choco Frappe (Php165) and Green Tea Frappe (Php175).

Fika, Capitol Hills

And since any meal wouldn’t be complete without dessert, we indulged ourselves in some freshly baked cakes, all at Php110 each:

Tres Leches

Fika, Capitol Hills

Ube Queso

Fika, Capitol Hills

Chocolate Cake

Fika, Capitol Hills

Chocnut Cheesecake

Fika, Capitol Hills

Clear winners for me are the Pinakbet with Bagnet, Fika Rice and – dare I say – all the cakes!

These Fika food sure are Fika good! Do check them out!

Fika is located at the Ground Floor, Capitol Greenstreet Commercial Center, Capitol Hills Drive, Old Balara, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays at 6.45am to 10.30pm and Fridays to Saturdays at 6.45am to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call + 63 917 7006588, +63 2 3553132 or +63 2 5142480.

Disclosure: Together with other food bloggers, I was invited to attend a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant.  All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

The appeal of Bacolod Chicken Parilla

It is rare for a group of ten coworkers to instantly agree on where to have lunch but mention Bacolod Chicken Parilla and you will find us simultaneously leaving our desks to go to what seems to be our favorite chicken inasal place.

Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Bacolod Chicken Parilla

The chicken inasal, a Bacolod specialty dish, is a type of roasted chicken which is marinated in lime juice, pepper, annato (called achuete in the Philippines) and vinegar, grilled over hot coals while being further basted with the marinade.  It is often served with garlic fried rice and a dipping sauce called sinamak (which is made of palm vinegar infused with garlic, chili peppers and ginger.  The most common serving variations of inasal are the paa (leg and thigh), pecho (breast and wing) and pakpak (three pieces of wings).

Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Paa
Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Pecho
Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Kinilaw na Tanigue
Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Garlic Rice and Plain Rice

My personal preference when it comes to chicken inasal is the paa because, while the pecho is usually meatier, the paa is more flavorful and juicier.  I also want lots of chicken oil (usually made from rendered chicken fat infused with garlic and annato seeds) to drizzle over my chicken and garlic rice, making my meal so much more sinful but tastier as well.

Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Bacolod Chicken Parilla
Bacolod Chicken Parilla

The offerings here are also quite affordable, contributing to the almost universal appeal among my officemates.  Menu prices for the items we usually order are:

  • Pecho at Php90
  • Paa at Php90
  • Pakpak at Php85
  • Garlic Rice at Php25

This branch of Bacolod Chicken Parilla is located at the corner of Scout Gandia and Scout Reyes Streets, Bgy. Paligsahan, Quezon City.