Manila Journals

Eating out in Manila

A July 2009 trip to Manila by jae_em

Fiesta sized bowl of halo-halo from Chowking Photo - Manila, Philippines

Quote: Most of the reviewed restaurants are chain restaurants. While I normally wouldn't suggest eating at a chain restaurant, Filipinos do enjoy going to places that are well known and familiar.

10 Photos

Dads

Restaurant | "Dads' food is Okay"

Quote:

There are several locations of Dads; the one that I went to recently that was located in the Ayala Center.

Dads is split up into 3 sections: American, Japanese & Filipino food. I heard you're supposed to use the correct colored plates for the appropriate cuisine (yellow: Filipino, blue: American, green: Japanese). The food was decent, but nothing to be wowed by. I think the highlight for most people is the dessert - where you can make your own halo-halo.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on September 12, 2009

Dads
Epifanio de los Santos Avenue
Manila, Philippines 1554
+63 2 636 3780

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Tasty Dumplings

Restaurant | "Forget the Dumplings, Get the Pork Chop!"

Deep fried pork chop with rice Photo - Manila, Philippines

Quote:

Tasty Dumplings is located in Binondo on Ongpin Street, very close to the Binondo Church.It's easy to pass this location. It's marked by a small yellow sign - and from their window, you can see it's sparsely decorated. Your food comes with either rice or some noodle soup. You can also order without the starch. My cousin highly recommended the deep fried pork chop, and we also ordered hong ma (red roasted pork) as well as some boiled dumplings. Prices are very affordable. The food arrived only a few minutes after ordering. The dumplings weren't anything special; the hong ma was super salty. The pork chop was great: tasty, light and crispy. The name of the restaurant...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on September 12, 2009

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Classic Savory

Restaurant | "An Alternative to Jollibee"

Spinach soup from Classic Savoury Photo - Manila, Philippines

Quote:

Classic Savory has been around since the end of WWII. Founded by four Chinese brothers, it was originally a panciteria (a noodle house), serving mainly lomi. They expanded their menu to feature a "fried" chicken dish which became popular with the both Chinese & Filipino communities. I learned of this history from the placemat that was placed on the table.The location of Classic Savory I visited was in the Cash & Carry Plaza, near Roxas Blvd. The sign by entrance claims Classic Savory is the original fried chicken, but the chicken is roasted, not fried. It is tender and moist. Unlike American rotisserie chicken, Classic Savory chicken is quite sweet and possibly has a hint of five-s...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 15, 2009

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Chowking

Restaurant | "Chinese Fast Food with Western Fast Food Service"

Quote:

Chowking is quite unlike most Chinese restaurants:- it offers individual meals, instead of dishes served family style- service is like many other Philippine fast food restaurants: you place your order at the register and your order is brought to you at your tableThere are multiple locations of Chowking throughout Manila & the Philippines. The ones I had visited were at the mall connected to Manila Ocean Park (MOP) as well as one near the casinos by United Nations Avenue. Since both were located in touristy locales, we were lucky to have nice views of each area.Menu items are typical Chinese-Filipino fare, i.e.: pancit (fried noodles), noodle soup, siopao (pork b...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on September 16, 2009

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Jollibee

Restaurant | "Don't Bother with McDonald's"

Quote:

If you're new to the Philippines, don't bother heading to the local McDonald's. Do what the locals do: most Filipinos are heading to Jollibee - with a multitude of locations, you seriously can't miss it. Its mascot, a bee donning a chef's hat and a red jacket, usually stands near the entrance of the restaurant.My first introduction to Jollibee was when I was eight. I was awestruck that a fast food place served fried chicken with rice (aka Chickenjoy)! I only ate that at home (in the US). Their fried chicken is quite unlike American fried chicken. The skin is lightly battered and crispy but it has a more peppery zest. Chickenjoy is always served with some gravy. The gravy tastes quite like ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on September 16, 2009

Jollibee
Branches All Over Metro Manila
Manila, Philippines
08020667416