happyfoodies.com – Philippines Food Blog

Savoring the flavors of Tasty Dumplings

Mention Binondo and one immediately conjures up images of crowded streets, Binondo church, Chinese herbal medicine stores, Eng Bee Tin hopia, and of course, the-hole-in-the-wall eateries. I used to live in Manila and Ongpin was a regular haunt but not anymore. Venturing to the Binondo Church one Sunday and the almost mandatory side trip to Eng Bee Tin, I chanced upon this seemingly small restaurant with the signage, “Tasty Dumplings”. And so started food trips to this eating place that yielded tasty surprises.

Tags: Binondo, Chinese, Dumplings, Manila, Noodles, Pork Chops

Tongue-Thai’d in Thai Sticks ‘n Steaks

I’ve always had a penchant for Thai food ever since I’ve encountered it a long time ago way back when Flavors and Spices, one of the pioneers of Thai cuisine in the country, was around. Then, there was also the more mainstream but nonetheless delicious offerings of Sukhothai. I had this notion that it’s pretty hard not to like Thai food because for all the differences it had with local fare, there are some striking similarities – the use of a shrimp paste, nam pla, for example bears strong resemblance to our bagoong and patis. Some of the flavors are also familiar – the liberal use of lemongrass or tanglad, lime juice, chilis and coconut milk.

Tags: Beef, Chicken, Curry, Halo Halo, Makati, Mussels, Soups, Thai

Food tripping in Sagada

Much has been written about Sagada and its natural wonders that attract trekkers, spelunkers and other adventurous spirits. But to the foodie, Sagada is more than that. there’s another side to this so-called Shangri-la of the north, a more flavorful one that will appeal to the adventurous foodie. We traveled over 400 kilometers to food trip here and there’s something about the highlands – its nippy, crisp clean air, peace and quiet, and of course, the awesome scenery – that makes eating so much more enjoyable. It could also be the elevation that takes eating to a new high. Here, we give a sampler of the many food offerings out there.

Tags: Breakfast, Burgers, Omelette, Pancakes, Pastas, Sagada, Yoghurt

When desserts don’t have to be so sweet

Desserts have always been synonymous with the words “sweets” but it doesn’t always have to be that way. A visit to an American country-style bakery cafe named Mom’s and Tina’s proved us wrong. They have a huge selection of baked goodies that are both truly luscious to the eyes and delectable to the taste.

Mom and Tina’s is a run by the Torres family (named after their Grandmother Mama Belen and her daughter Tina Torres-Santos) for a few years now. The restaurant shows that the very good home-grown food they prepare is hard not to hide for so long. Starting as a small bake shop in Pasig, their place eventually grew to a large bakery cafe in front of SM Hypermart in Ugong. And about 3 months back they opened a new spot in Legaspi Village along Dela Rosa, Makati where we were finally able to sample what they have to offer.

Tags: Cheescake, Desserts, Makati, mom and tina's, Mousse, Pasig

Goodfood hunting

22 years is a very long time for any restaurant to be around especially now that restaurants sprout one year and close shop the next.

Hunters could be commended for longevity alone if it weren’t for the wonderful food it offers. Tucked in a rather non-descript part of Mile Long in Makati, Hunters carries on a tradition of exotic fare that harkens back to a time when game animals such as wild boar and deer were still plentiful and un-politically correct to serve.

Tags: Exotic Dishes, Lamb Chops, Makati, Pie, Sinigang

Authentic Yakiniku at Urashemi-ya Restaurant

Yakiniku is Japanese for “grilled meat”. Beef, pork and offal (entrails, internal organs) slices are cooked over coal (traditional), gas or electric (modern) grill and served with a soy-sauce-based dip. Yakiniku traces its origins to Korea but is different from Korean fare such as bulgogi as the customers themselves grill the meat.

Tags: Japanese, Kakigori, Little Tokyo, Makati, Manila, Yakiniku

So why another food blog?

Ironwulf said: Food is very much part of travel and each destination offer its distinct food fares. As part of our contribution to a growing food community and as a means to share the rich food culture of different places we visited, we thought of creating a separate blog dedicated to food we stumbled upon which we found worth sharing.

Tags: appetizer