Well. Here I am posting on this little blog of mine after quite some time, and wondering - does anyone still write blogs? I mean…really write, and not just post pics and all. It seems to me that consumption of stuff online has moved to a LOT of fleeting moments captured of people dancing half dressed, or pouting, or flexing. Or images carefully angled on beautiful precipices or exotic white sand beaches, advertising a beautiful life. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Hey, if that’s your cup of tea, well .. as they say in my country - more power to you! (Was never quite sure what that meant, tbh!)
So here I am writing. Will anyone read this, or worse - will anyone care? I honestly don’t know. But then again, I guess I have to go back to my “why” .. why did I decide on blogging in the first place? And why start again today - Aug. 8, 2020? My “why” for this has always been a way for me to express myself, within my truths and parameters, and more importantly - use the blog as a platform to amplify. It’s a word I’ve been using a lot lately - amplify. I’ve always been an amplifier of things I believe in - especially food! - but these past few months indoors has amplified my being an amplifier even more than I could’ve ever imagined. People have been seeking me out, sliding into my DMs (to me that still stands for Doc Martens, btw, and sorry na if you think that’s boomer..piss off..haha!), and asking for my opinion. I promised myself to really be a servant to my community, and if that means shifting into this role more, then so be it. I truly feel how hard it’s been for those around me - and I won’t lie.. it’s been rough for me too - but I will lend my time and effort whenever and wherever I can, because (as I keep harping on) this is a time to lean on each other, and together we will get through this. Show empathy and kindness, share your talents, create and inspire - display your humanity.
This is my first big share for you in this blog. This piece. I won’t sugar coat this or anything. It is what it is: people have been sending me food almost every day for like 3 months.. maybe more. Some I’ve ordered through channels, of course, but a LOT just showed up at my door. Because they’ve asked me what I think about their product, and if I liked it, maybe I can share it with others. And that’s exactly what I’ve done. I am so humbled that they trust and respect me and my word, and I really am blessed (overwhelmingly so, quite often!) to have the good fortune to try all these delicious things. The stuff I’ve put on this massive list are my favourites that I’ve tried DURING THE LOCKDOWN (and not before, ok?) - things I would order again on an ordinary day. Some of these items may be from professional food businesses, but most of them are from home businesses trying to float themselves through this. I’ve actually tried MORE than this, but these are the ones that spoke to me most. (If you’re reading this list, and don’t see a product you’ve sent me on it, it just means that either A. I’ve maybe had it when things were normal, B. I’m not into it that much, or C. that I think there’s room for improvement, which I’m willing to help with if you need me.) Or sheesh - sa dami ba naman - MAYBE I just forgot. Tao lang po. haha! Are they perfect products? Nope. Not for a lot of them, anyway. And I say this because a lot of them are testing these waters for the first time, and not used to making a lot of whatever it is. But if there is anything this pandemic has taught me, it’s that there is no use in nitpicking. Peeps, let’s just support each other. If you’re a fan of their restaurant/biz, go order. If you’re intrigued or are craving, go order. Heck, if you’re their true friend, go order. The money they make from your order could literally feed families, as well as satisfy your tastebuds. Win win, if you ask me.
You ready for this? Take notes, ayt? Format: Name of dish / IG or FB or whatever name .. yeah, go slide into those DMs .. / additional notes, if needed. Oh. And also - some of these guys may be on hiatus because of school or whatever, so just message them to be sure, ok? Here we go. In no particular order:
Focaccia (Crafted At Home) Wala. Undisputed champ of focaccia in Manila, imho. Or at the very least, top 3. Experience written all over it - from the flavor, the craftsmanship, and the wait time in line for it. haha!
Belarria Saltsan (Cocinalo) A Basque sort-of callos, made by a Basque chef who found his way to our shores… right before the pandemic. I don’t really care that it’s “sort-of” a callos.. it is amazing!
Chicken Rendang (Rendang Rumah) The couple behind this are musicians, and this is their income stream with no gigs. Legit tasting rendang, taught to drummer hubby while stationed in Malaysia. Penang-style, and damn tasty.
Caldereta (Feliz Dish Details) This was unexpected. It kinda tastes old school, but it’s not. But you can tell a lot of TLC was given to cooking this.
Sancocho (ok, this was from Malou Fores who owns Mamou.. maybe you can order from Mamou’s page.. but this was truly magnificent) Arguably of our best lockdown meals - a Latin American nilaga/cocido of sorts, with a cilantro filled tomato and onion salsa, plus mashed avocado salsa on the side. Magnificent!
Kale Quiche (Lazy Ouef) Flaky, light, cheesy, satisfying quiche from the kitchen of Metronome, but under their for-delivery sister brand, Lazy Ouef.
Dried Squid (Oscar’s Dried Beef Tapa) This is truly a family run operation that has been quietly selling for years, but only now entered the online universe. Their squid is not always available, but I truly love it, and their beef tapa is amazing too - crunchy, and just awesomely different!
Hainanese Chicken (Wah Liao Kwe) These dudes are really good chefs who actually run an Italian joint, but they also happen to be of Chinese descent and make a really value-for-money platter of Hainanese Chicken Rice.
Loaded Palabok (Sarsa) Sarsa’s made all sorts of moves in quarantine, and introduced all sorts of stuff too. This palabok, made extra special with toppings, is an over-the-top treat made really well.
Bacon (Berry’s Deli) Berry makes this bacon without putting chemicals and stuff. It’s just really tasty, and fatty (well. it IS bacon!) and is my current favourite. Pro-tip - eat it with eggs and rice.. or kimchi. Oh man. Not for every day eating, but what a reward!
Kimchi (Hey Kimchee) These, to me, are some of Manila’s best kimchi variants, a lot of them made with vegetables from the owner’s farm. Get papaya and radish for sure, but they’re all fantastic!
Bicol Express (Gata Express) This is made by a family headed by the Bicolano hubby. It’s home cooking done really well, with their Bicol Express being my choice among their offerings. Yes, make a lot of rice.
Guinataang Bilo Bilo (Sexy Chef) These lovely ladies make delicious and healthy food, but I will forever be grateful to them because during the early days of lockdown my friend Bea introduced me to this really comforting bilo bilo. Not kidding - it calmed me down.
Sinantolan na Bicol Express (AngHunks) Look beyond their hilariously brilliant branding, and you have a rice monster in a bottle. It’s spicy, and needs a ton of rice. Amazing. Stock up on this.
Coffee (Fresh Batch Coffee) The gent behind this just loves coffee, and roasts them himself. They also made lockdown bearable.
Laing (QueRica) To be honest, Rica of Que Rica has several products. Do try her Bicol Express sausage too. They’re all fiercely Bicolano dishes, but some with a contemporary twist.
Lobster Ikura Rice (Choomp Choomp) This is what it is - chunks of lobster and ikura (salmon eggs) on rice. OH YES.
Tres Leches (Begonia Bakehouse) I could’ve put way more sweets on this list, but I don’t really do much sweets. I do always love a tres leches, as long as it’s not overly sweet. This one fits the bill.
Kare Kare (Ica Sebastian .. find her on Facebook in What’s Cooking Makati) All meat kare kare, made the slow way, sans peanut butter. Luxuriously yummy!
Olive Oil Choc Chip Cookie (Cloud Bakery) The owner is a lady who came home from Le Cordon Blue after her pastry course. I do like these olive oil cookies because you can taste the olive oil - a good taste profile that matches well with chocolate.
Sourdough Sandwich Loaf (28 Derby) They saved me this quarantine with their sourdough sandwich bread. It made for ace grilled cheese sandwiches, or even morning toast.
Steak Ramdon (Gochugang) Yeah, it became a thing, and I don’t mind because it’s really good!
Shawarma Rice (Tipple Cafe) The master of this dish, Fran, is a flavour master - one of Manila’s underrate cooks. This shawarma rice brings a lot to the table - I can eat this anytime!
Baked Salmon (Benedicto Kitchen) Made by a young chef trying to make his mark, his baked salmon is cooked properly - not dried out to kingdom come - and with just the right amount of parm.
Smoked Bagnet Panwich (XO46 Bistro) The XO peeps made several kinds of panwiches, and they are all on point with our Pinoy tastes. The smoked bagnet is their most decadent.
Caldereta Empanada (Sarsa) My first bite of this one was transcendental. I just KNEW. Only made on Wednesdays, btw.
Soft Shell Crab And Prawn Mee Goreng (Babu) I love me SEA flavors, and this one has tons of it.
Sisig Sushi Bake (Sushi Bake House) It took me awhile to dive into this trend, but I already knew the best ones will pay attention to the details. These do, for sure. Pro-tip: sisig sushi bake. It just works!
Hackensack Burger Kits (Hackensack) This is a bit of a cheat, because I’ve tried their killer burgers and became an instant fan. But their kits are done well, and because you cook it at home, you can do some customisation if you wish. One of Manila’s best local burgers.
Honeycomb Pecan Cookies (Kusinina) Made by a biz savvy high schooler and her cousin, they use better ingredients to make their mark. The honeycomb pecan appeals to me most!
Pares On Toast (Hapag) This was a meal kit, and man what a decadent one: house pares (pares was never this decadent!) on their house bread. They ain’t playing around here.
Sukiyaki Bowl (Asakusa House Of Tempura) The best foods for these times travel well.. and their sukiyaki mos def does. And it tastes good too!
Coffee (El Kapitan) The man behind this is known for his coffee machines, but he also roasts delicious beans!
Pork chops (The Wholesome Table) Part of their new menu items, this is tender pork chop with mushroom sauce and red cabbage on the side. It’s satisfying and healthful too - on point with their brand!
Sambal (Papa Bear) My boy Denny from LU makes this, and a nice kecap manis too. I tried using it with noods, doctoring it up with some preserved veg and an egg. Woosh. Yummy!
Pao de quiejo (Chewbaker) I admittedly fell in love with their branding, but it is a great product, too! PdQ is a Brazilian cheese bread that has to be experienced to be a appreciated.
Minched Chili Chicken (Doon) Here’s a family run Thai joint moving food out of their Magallanes branch. I didn’t want to expect too much, but I was pleasantly surprised. Tasty stuff, with ok spice.. this minced chicken was my fave.
Boiled Corned Beef (Old Swiss Inn) As old school as it gets, and many a simbang gabi goer’s breakfast of choice. Boil up their corned beef with potatoes and cabbage with a hot filling meal. They also distribute Pinky’s Farm dairy products! Check their yogurt.
Fried Chicken Kit (Mr Delicious) I think this was the lockdown fried chicken to beat. Granted, you fry it yourself, but it’s well worth it. Get their mash pots too!
Basque Cheese Cake (Gallery By Chele) In a sea of burnt basque cheesecake - if you can’t make one yourself, get a masterful one. This is it.
Callos (Txoko) Put it this way.. it’s almost as good as my lola’s. hehe!
Bottled Pesto (Prologue) Epilogue and Prologue are two of Manila’s best, imho. Their bottled pesto stood out, because generally I don’t like bottle pesto.. but they did a great job! These guys have a lot of good dishes, and frozen stuff too!
Kadyos With Pigface (Cibo di Marghi) This is the most decadent kadyos I’ve ever had. It is also, for me, the best. I will be spoiled by this forever.
Kikiam (Angkong’s Kikiam) This was a sleeper biz that my friend told me about. They make kikiam the chunky old school way. Don’t miss their chili sauce which they also sell!
Crabs In XO Sauce (Chinamommy) Chinamommy make special crab dishes, and they’re all really good, but their latest dish is my jam. Do check out their wrap-your-own Chinese lumpia, and old school Chinese sausage .. also a new product!
Avocado Hummus & Moutabal (Hummuseria aka JL Martinez) JL is an old friend and gym mate.. a cook who currently makes some of the best hummus in town. He makes an avo one because they’re in season, and recently introduced moutabal! If you want to eat healthy without sacrificing flavor AND pleasure - these are sure fire hits.
Cinnamon Rolls (Northern Mom) These are made my a pretty lady (who’s my cousin haha!) who loves to bake goodies. Her cinnamon rolls stood out to me - gooey, rich and pairs well with coffee.
Jamonburguesa (Bar Pintxos) This also took me by surprise - a burger (already rich and juicy) with BP’s signature jamon aiolli. But damn it works!
Cheese Cream Puffs (Tokyo Milk Cheese) I do like the stuff these guys sell, because they’re always balanced sweets with a lot of savoury thrown in. Not cloying at all!
Cacao Tea (Jacob’s Well) As a coffee drinker, it’s always fun to discover teas that agree with me. This one - with a clean cacao finish - is delicious. The chocolate lovers will pounce on this. Plus, it’s good for you too!
Fresh veggies (Kai Farms) Man, the veg I got from Kai Farms was a treat! EVERYTHING we made from it was great - a testament to its freshness and how they grow it.
Nasi Lemak (Sambar) This is made by renowned chefs from home, and will definitely scratch your SEA food itch. Sambal is on point!
Donut Cake (Buns & Bros) These guys make some of the best burgers in Manila. BUT they also make ….. killer donuts. Yep. Gift this donut cake to a loved one or to yourself. You won’t need a reason to enjoy it.
Ube Bibingka (Bibingka MNL) BM makes these small bibingkas which are perfect for afternoon merienda. I saw this product - the ube bibingka - evolve.. and it’s my pick from their arsenal.
Bagnet Chicharon (Delichow) My friend sent me some to try. I was sceptical, but when I popped one.. OH MY. Brilliant! Try this on the side with monggo. haha! Seriously good.
Grilled Apahap (Holy Smokes) Actually, I’m late to the Holy Smokes party. They make AMAZING food. The grilled apahap haunted me - that’s how good it was. Also check their grilled spicy shrimp, and their beef ribs. GALING!
Cinnamon Buns (Tuesday Bake) These pastries more my speed - balanced sweetness. Check out her bombolonis too!
Gyoza (Gyozilla) Good gyozas you can buy frozen to prepare at home. Pro-tip - vegetarian gyozas!
Banana Bread (Kish The Cook) In a sea of banana breads, this stood out to me again because they weren’t too sweet, and were quite moist. I did, however, try them with the below…..
Caramel Sauce (Bucky’s) It’s a condiment, sure, but it’s true caramel - luscious, buttery, and not too sweet.
Truffle In A Bottle (True Chocolate) DUDE. Dark chocolate in a jar. Spoonable. Yes, it’s very dangerous! haha!
Old School Snickerdoodles (Ang Sarap) This girl is barely out of high school, but she makes these snickerdoodles which I don’t see anymore. It’s also her least sweet cookie!
Salmon Sashimi (Golden Catch) You got a sashimi itch? THIS.
Ootoro And Hamachi Sashimi (Polaris Fine Foods) You got a sashimi itch, but specifically an itch from Japan? THIS.
Spicy Chicken McNuggets (Mcdo!) Something about this.. I’m not exactly a fast food guy. but damn this is good!
Aburi Kakuni Sushi Bake (Tsuke-Men, The Grid) If you dig into The Grid’s menus, there is a whole lot of stuff that's very contemporary and done very well. This torched pork, with pickles, is the sushi bake I never saw coming. Simply a very good dish!
Beef Empanada with Mango Habanero (Holy Smokes) Yeah they made this list twice. This empanada, of which I had zero expectations, was so good that it shocked me. Really. My fam thinks so too. And I think Holy Smokes if one of my new favourites.
Vegetarian Chili (Chili Asylum) I asked for this kinda spicy, and it was made just that WITH a whole lot of sigarilyas which i love. You won’t miss the meat. It’s a veg party in your mouth.
Sausage (no IG.. just message 09178103245) My friend and his wife - certainly the furthest from being butchers - have ventured into home sausage making, and it’s a doozy. Lots of herbs and spices, and a good amount of fat. Well done for a first time at bat!
All Natural Marinara (Kajuayan) Kajuayan are good hearted social enterprise entrepreneurs, and their newest product - designed to put to use the large amount of tomatoes harvested by our poor farmers - is an all natural, fresh tasting marinara in a bottle.
Tinapa Roll (Mabushii Taiyo on FB) This was made by a former chef who’s now a security guard. He heard about me, found me, and asked if he could send me this. The happy ending to this little tale is that it’s yummy!
Bahn Mi (Gourmet Gypsy Cafe) This is probably the most inclusive restaurant in Manila. Chef Waya wears her heart on her sleeve and cooks her ass off. This bahn mi is a monster sandwich. Have the sriracha on the ready!
Lemon Squares (Mom & Tina’s ) I almost didn’t pay this much attention, but they are quite well done! Individually packaged, they don’t dry up, and are just right in the sweetness department. Do check out old school stuff too, like shepherd’s pie, and chicken spinach lasagna… oh and chicken embotido!
Hunny Bunny (Shuga Delights) Shugah is a home biz making pastries. Those who like it sweet and rich - they’ve got a lot of stuff for you. My pick, though, was this super moist mini-carrot cake - it was so moist it’s almost puto like! - that has a frosting you can smear on it.
Gazpacho (Sagana BGC) Sagana is the home restaurant of one of Manila’s best French food practitioners. You want the best foie terrine in town? This is the place, for me. But the lockdown menu they’ve come up is pretty good, too - this gazpacho was an early summer pick!
Strawberry Milk (Cyan Pattiserie) This is seasonal, though.. so ask if available - but if they do have it, get a few! It’s just fresh and fun!
Chili Garlic Sauce (Crunchilicious) This is a very Pinoy chili garlic sauce, and will have you topping it on siomai, or pork spareribs in tausi sauce. Very Le Ching (and as we LC fans know, that is a good thing!)
Gluten Free Bread (Little Spatula) I ordered this from a gym mate of mine and it’s been a morning staple. I smeared a little cream cheese and Vegemite on it. YUM. It’s also pretty substantial - one piece will last you the whole morning!
Salpicao (Cafe Naci) Beef in olive oil, garlic, and chilies. Maybe some paprika. Tastes like the 90s! Pass the garlic rice.
Lasagna Noodles (Noodle Lab PH) If you want to make a lasagna at home - and you should! - check this husband and wife team out.
Cheese Nibbles (Cafe By The Ruins) Yep, from Baguio. Good jams, too.
Strawberry Sorbet (Dimpys Kitchen) The thing with Dimpys - really successful home biz - you can tell they don’t short cut anything. Quality is high, and their sorbets are some of the best in town. Pro-tip - if they have any, try their ensaymadas.
Madrileño Callos (order from Vicky Lauchengco on What’s Cooking Makati) This is not quite the callos I grew up with, and edging towards fabada territory. So i suggested she call it Faballos. Basta. Try it. Haha!
Bijin Nabe Kit (Bijin Nabe PH) This is one of my favourite restaurant meals now available in kit form to do at home. It’s easy to do, and man, it’s just as good.
Rigatoni Al Telefono (CiboPH) It’s brash, and huge, and it’s full of carby goodness.. if you love Telepono sauce, like I do, this is for you. It’ll also feed an army.
Pizza Kit (Pizza Express PH) We really enjoyed putting these together and they tasted ace!
Mushroom And Kale Hand Pie (Wildflour To Go) Because these guys make some of the best pastries in the country, and this veggie hand pie is my new fave.
Corn Pops (Kelly And Co Snacks) A better made version of those crazy snacks you find in tiangges and gas stations. I used to buy this and stopped buying, until Kelly and Co came along. haha!
Pork Floss Hopia (Eng Bee Tin) I bought this on a day I was feeling sad. And I’m glad I did. Instant pick me up!
Pork Barbecue (Find Titamommy on FB) This is a pivot by an events person, who makes decent home cooking for not much. My gateway was simple pork barbecue on a stick .. at 15 bucks a stick! Good laing too!
Bad Bowl Mongolian Bowl Kit (Bad.Bowl) This almost slipped my mind, but good thing it didn’t. Such a fun meal for me, as I had to make my Mongolian concoction and customized it with my sauce selection.
Are you full yet? Hehe! Consider this the longest kodigo (cheat sheet) ever, but more to come in the future. Go out there and support them, or whoever you can, when you can. We will get through this, folks. TOGETHER. Til the next post! Stay healthy!
