There are different versions of empanada here in the Philippines; several types are available in…read morethe Metro and in each region have their own preferred fillings and toppings, but the best one I've tried so far is located in the Province of Ilocos. Ilocos empanada has several ingredients such as green papaya, mung beans, whole egg, a piece of their famous garlicky Ilocos longanissa and enveloped in a crispy shell case made of mixed flour and crushed annato seeds to add crunch to this delectable empanada. The good thing is you don't have to travel twelve hours from the city to have a taste of Ilocos famous empanada since Victoria's Empanada de Iloko brought it here in Manila. Sample this dish while it's hot and crispy and although Victoria's version is more peppery that the ones in Ilocos, just add Sukang Iloko and that would balance the taste and get that authentic Ilocos empanada taste.

You won't have to travel all the way to Ilocos if you're craving for some Ilocos Empanada…read more Victoria's Emapanada de Iloko sells Ilocos Empanada that is close to the real thing. You may choose from a variety of the empanadas based on your liking. If you want it with the complete ingredients, they have the Special Empanada. If you want one or two of the ingredients taken out like the egg or longganisa, they also have options for you. All their empanadas are made to order so you're sure that it's freshly cooked. For just Php 50, you already have an Ilocos Empanada to satisfy your craving. Service is pretty fast as well so you won't have to wait that long.

Healthy food gets a bad reputation for being bland and sometimes downright appetizing and for a…read moregood reason, it just tastes like crap. Sure, it's loaded with vitamins and nutrients but if it tastes like cardboard then it completely takes away the joy of eating. Contrary to what most people believe, you don't always have to sacrifice flavor for nutrition and Yin Yang's Chinese Fresh Lumpia shows us how it's done. Its shredded cabbage and carrot, rolled in a soft lumpia wrapper. Inside you would find nuts, nori and seaweed. Topped with a sweet sauce, Yin Yang's lumpia is proof that eating right can actually taste good. Tips: 1. Have one before going to the grocery. This helps you cut down on junk food shopping. 2. Best to buy the lumpia before noon. I find that it tastes better. 3. You can order a box for take-out too.

Next to Globe Lumpia in Binondo, this is #2 in my list for the best lumpiang sariwa in Manila. This…read moreplace offers vegetarian lumpia (also vegan!) and for such simple ingredients, it's incredibly tasty. I just love the seaweed! The first time I tried it, I was actually a bit confused with the taste at it leans more towards nutty and sweet, unlike most lumpias that are mostly garlicky. I did fall in love with it after a few bites, and it's always been a place for me to grab a quick snack at Town. It's located at the food court, which is perfect because I pair this with a fresh fruit smoothie. Perfect afternoon snack! Also, not expensive! Both tummy and wallet are satisfied.

For some people, bibingka is a seasonal food. It's best enjoyed after Simbang Gabi during Christmas…read moreseason. But my love affair with bibingka does not end when the holidays are over. It's of my my favorite Filipino delicacies. Thank goodness for Bibingkinitan, I can enjoy my hot bibingka all year round. Of course, it seems too indulgent to finish one plate of bibingka all by myself. But Bibingkinitan serve freshly baked mini bibingkas, just the right size for one person, though I can finish a whole box (6 mini bibingkas inside) in one sitting if I don't control myself. I recently learned that they also have ube, pastillas, macapuno and even peanut butter bibingkas, but those are just seasonal. It's okay, I'm more than happy with my original bibingka, more butter and no sugar, please. I like bringing home a box of Bibingkinitan for an afternoon snack, but I also like eating it at their stall, with their special calamansi juice.

If you're on thrift mode, Paotsin is definitely your best friend. Paotsin can usually be found…read moreinside groceries or food courts but don't belittle this food stall, it will be your savior if you're short on cash. Their menu is very simple, just pick a dimsum that you like and choose from Hainanese Rice or Lemak Rice. I'd say go for the Hainanese Rice! Although their dimsums don't differ that much from each other when it comes to taste, I'd recommend getting the Shark's Fin. Just ask for Toyomansi and Chili and you're good to go! TIP: You may request for your dimsum to be steamed or deep fried.

The best takoyaki I've had by far, here in the Metro, is by Samurai. Located in the supermarket…read morearea of SM Southmall, Samurai has been serving close-to-legit takoyaki for an affordable price. They also have other Japanese food like Okonomiyaki, Gyoza and Ramen but I wouldn't recommend it that much. Samurai doesn't have an actual restaurant but their food is easy to eat so you won't have to worry about them being just a food stand. What I also love is that their service is pretty fast even though their takoyaki is always freshly cooked.

I never really thought much of Daang Hari until a relative told me about a trunk sale happening…read morethere every weekend. So we decided to check it out and it has been one of our favorite hang out places ever since. There was nothing very special about the trunk sale; most the items being sold were the usual things you'd see in a bazaar, and some second-hand items. But one time we found some really interesting, Amazon-level finds. The sellers change from time to time so it's best to just check it out. The food bazaar has merits. It's not as big as your Mercato or Salcedo market, but it's good enough for food trips. They sell various street foods and native delicacies. Hubby likes buying the all-meat Vigan Empanada, while I keep coming back for the super cheesy nachos (100 pesos for a big plate!) and fresh dalandan juice. If you're into pre-loved goods and food trips, drop by the Evia parking lot. They're there every weekend.

Definitely the best. Its worth every peso spent. TRY it.... and tell me If I am wrong.read more

The local church in my village draws a large crowd every Sunday. It should come as no surprise then…read morethat several barbecue stalls have set themselves up just outside the church to cater to the gastronomic needs of those who hear mass. Out of all the places to get barbecue none are for me, as great as Joey's barbecue. I've been going here since I was a kid. In fact, their barbecue is the standard by which I measure all other barbecues. I think I've said that before about one other barbecue, but this one is my other real standard. If a barbecue doesn't taste as well or juicy as Joey's then it's definitely below great. It may be good, but it will never be great. The best way to eat their barbecue is to get it fresh off the grill. If you're lucky then there are a few ones just fresh off, if not then I strongly recommend that you ask yours to be heated again just so you can understand what I'm talking about. Their barbecue is soft on my gums and teeth. The sauce is sweet to my nose and taste buds. When fresh off the grill, the barbecue has this sort of caramelized texture to it something I rarely see in other barbecues. They have other stuff to offer, but really it's the barbecue you want. It's about P17 each, but I often go there with a P100 bill and leave with nothing left in my pocket.

This place is one of those mini burger joints that you tend to see at some odd corner of a street…read moreor urban area. These things pop out here and there and are nearly everywhere. I like these small burger joints because they just smell of Pinoy quality. Their burgers are okay. They're not the best ones out there, but they're definitely good enough for me that I'll end up going back for more every now and then. What I really enjoy about their burgers is the value for money. Most of their burgers come in the buy one take one variety. It's easy to fill your stomach on food if you give this place a try. Just don't expect to get burgers with really thick patties. Their patties are a bit thinner than usual, but considering the price and the fact that it's often by one take one, the size of the pattie should matter little.

I must admit, what first got my attention was the color and aesthetic of Coney Island. The use of…read morebasic colors white, blue and red never fails to make an impression. I was seriously digging the faux popcorn cart and awning, too. I got the Coney Dog and my friend got the Burrito Dog, and because we were right in the nick of time (as always), we were in such a rush. The lady offered to deliver it to our seats and took down our number. Perfect timing as she delivered it right before the movie started. So much convenience for what was already a good deal for the food! Anyway, Aside from the usual hotdogs, corndogs (CORNDOGS!) and popcorn, they also have wraps, sandwiches, nachos, and other munchies like string fries, curly fries (win, right?), potato chips, and onion rings. Darn it, they even have milkshakes! Which, sadly, I didn't get to try. There's always a next time anyway. There WILL be a next time.