I've recently re-discovered this decent food house (carinderia) in Mabolo called Atek's. They're supposedly known for their ngohiong. And I seem to remember eating here years ago for exactly that. That eating experience did not make an impression at all. And that probably explains why it took me years to find my way back to this place.
There are a number of pressing reasons why I'm here now. One is because it's 2:30 in the afternoon and I've not had lunch. To say I'm starving is a supreme understatement. Two is I'm in the area. And three, this seems like it'll be a really quick meal since it's cafeteria style. And it doesn't hurt that it's really cheap, clean, cool and quiet too.
The ngohiong was as uneventful as I remembered it. It was a bit too dry and lacking in crunchiness. And the sauce had a unnerving bitter aftertaste. The fact that my entire meal plus drinks cost around P70 made me decide that making a fuss for the bad meal wasn't worth the effort.
I'm not a very big fan of ngohiong but I'm happy to eat the good versions of it any day. Cheaverz is an okay option. The sauce is much better tasting (with no bitter aftertaste). And the entire wrap is just more satisfying.
My favorite, however, is Chinese Ngohiong near USC Main. I don't know why my brother and I went there to eat years ago since we were post-grads at the time. And we lived on the other side of Cebu too. Anyway, the place was dingy and crowded. It's not dirty but not clean either. The constant influx of people makes the hygiene status vague. You eat with your hands too. So if you're fussy, come prepared. The place is a student's haven and continues to be so. Again, be mentally prepared if you're over 25.
There is, however, a very good reason why this place continues to pack the crowds. I don't know what they put in their ngohiong but the way they make it makes the wrap really memorable. Its crunch and the filling is just right. And the sauce is perfect. With two or three wraps, you'll be full and ready to face the world again.
You might end up not going back for more (like me!) but after eating at Chinese Ngohiong, this will now and always be your benchmark for what a good ngohiong should taste like.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Orosia Food Park (Pochero)
Orosia has the best pochero I've had in Cebu.
This place is on the left side of the national highway that connects Mandaue to Consolacion. There's a big signage too, so it's hard to miss.
The place looks humble and nothing special but the food is good. Their specialty is Filipino and grilled items. But it's the pochero that I like the most.
I need to check two places that my brother is suggesting to see if they can beat Orosia. One is supposedly near Mayflower Inn and the other near Sarrosa Hotel.
I'll update this post when I get the chance to try these places.
Oh, and if you're looking for a cheap pochero that's decent, you can also try Atek's near Corner Bakery in Mabolo. A bowl is P50 and it's quite good. The give you a big hunk of meat with the soup so it's worth every peso.
(Photo borrowed from OpenRice.com)
This place is on the left side of the national highway that connects Mandaue to Consolacion. There's a big signage too, so it's hard to miss.
The place looks humble and nothing special but the food is good. Their specialty is Filipino and grilled items. But it's the pochero that I like the most.
I need to check two places that my brother is suggesting to see if they can beat Orosia. One is supposedly near Mayflower Inn and the other near Sarrosa Hotel.
I'll update this post when I get the chance to try these places.
Oh, and if you're looking for a cheap pochero that's decent, you can also try Atek's near Corner Bakery in Mabolo. A bowl is P50 and it's quite good. The give you a big hunk of meat with the soup so it's worth every peso.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Ted's Old Timer Batchoy
I used to live in Iloilo when I was a child. Back then, all I could remember about the city were the following:
One, there was a Shakey's there! After school mom would take me and my brother to get mini pizzas, always Hawaiian Delight. And always, we ate at the counter. I loved Shakey's! And that sparked my love affair with thin crust pizzas that burns strong to this very day.
Two, there was A LOT of grilled squid. Every night (it felt that way, I'm not sure if this is factual) we scoured the streets for grilled squid. My mom was pregnant with my baby brother at that time and that was all she always wanted to eat. At night, the city seemed to come alive with squid grilling stands. The world was dark except for the shiny red coals that grilled the stinky squids. Those imposed trips never made me a grilled squid fan. I found it too gummy and burnt tasting.
And third but not least, there was a noodle soup dish called batchoy there. I was about five and was confronted with this dish that had animal innards! As any child would, I found the surprise elements too yucky to eat. Picky eater that I was, I had trouble eating normal-looking food and much more so the livers and intestines. My parents were really into it though, so I obliged a sip. Holy broth! It tasted great! It was salty with a touch of sweet, full of texture (noodles, chicharon, spring onions), and just all around satisfying. I see my dad adding a lot of pepper and soy sauce to his, so I follow suit. And the flavors explode! Needless to say, I loved it!
We used to eat at the original Ted's Old Timer at the La Paz market. So I was really excited to find that Ted's Old Timer has expanded to Cebu. They have branches in AM/PM Mall, near Cebu Doctor's Hospital and Mandaue Centro. The taste was still quite good. The broth was a little too sweet when I tried it but after peppering it generously it seemed to have helped balanced back. The puto was just as good as I remembered. I found myself there on a cold and overcast day, making it just the perfect thing to have.
To know more, visit their Facebook page here.
One, there was a Shakey's there! After school mom would take me and my brother to get mini pizzas, always Hawaiian Delight. And always, we ate at the counter. I loved Shakey's! And that sparked my love affair with thin crust pizzas that burns strong to this very day.
Two, there was A LOT of grilled squid. Every night (it felt that way, I'm not sure if this is factual) we scoured the streets for grilled squid. My mom was pregnant with my baby brother at that time and that was all she always wanted to eat. At night, the city seemed to come alive with squid grilling stands. The world was dark except for the shiny red coals that grilled the stinky squids. Those imposed trips never made me a grilled squid fan. I found it too gummy and burnt tasting.
And third but not least, there was a noodle soup dish called batchoy there. I was about five and was confronted with this dish that had animal innards! As any child would, I found the surprise elements too yucky to eat. Picky eater that I was, I had trouble eating normal-looking food and much more so the livers and intestines. My parents were really into it though, so I obliged a sip. Holy broth! It tasted great! It was salty with a touch of sweet, full of texture (noodles, chicharon, spring onions), and just all around satisfying. I see my dad adding a lot of pepper and soy sauce to his, so I follow suit. And the flavors explode! Needless to say, I loved it!
We used to eat at the original Ted's Old Timer at the La Paz market. So I was really excited to find that Ted's Old Timer has expanded to Cebu. They have branches in AM/PM Mall, near Cebu Doctor's Hospital and Mandaue Centro. The taste was still quite good. The broth was a little too sweet when I tried it but after peppering it generously it seemed to have helped balanced back. The puto was just as good as I remembered. I found myself there on a cold and overcast day, making it just the perfect thing to have.
To know more, visit their Facebook page here.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Gold's Gym Cebu
Updated: March 2016
I'm getting fat. My arms and stomach have been morphing into blobs before my eyes. I really need to get my eyes off the TV and my butt off the couch. So when Gold's Gym participated in a Group On promo last November, I needed to not say no. A normal monthly membership fee costs between P2,500-P3,000 but this promo ended up being somewhere in the P1,500 range, so it was quite a steal.
So I trudged my unhappy self to the gym after a week -- frown, frown, scowl, scowl. I actually bumped into someone I knew and she asked me why I looked so troubled. I was not happy to be there, that's why! I really hate to exercise. On the treadmill alone, I look weird, I feel sweaty, I just can't stand it!
The registration process wasn't good. The girl who assisted me didn't seem to have any service skills. I had to ask her where I should go now that I'm signed and ready. Then she asks me: "Oh, are you going to the gym now?" Duh. I'm in full exercise gear - trainers, leggings, towel, and water bottle; what did she think I wanted to do? Service in Cebu can be too trying sometimes!
So no orientation. No tour of the place. No do's and don'ts. No pertinent information. Don't expect much from the attendants wearing yellow. Oh, and when I called days ago to schedule my trainer's appointment they promised to call me back the next day but never did. Point is, just don't expect good service when you come to Gold's Gym Cebu. Save yourself the stress.
A good thing though is that the basic workout facilities of the gym are nice. The equipment are very new. And the place is also very clean. I often see the gym attendants wiping the equipment after people use it. Only now did I realize that I should be doing that myself as proper gym etiquette.
I also don't want to be hassled or talked to when I'm working out since I'm unhappy enough to be there. And this is the best thing about this gym and the primary reason why I stayed on. The people who choose to work out here are relatively quiet and they're courteous. They workout in peace and they leave you to do the same. And for this, I'd recommend this place.
Do remember to bring your own lock since the lockers don't have any. Towels have fees too. There are an abundance of paper towels and hand soap though, which is nice.
Gold's Gym has two locations in Cebu: 3F JCenter Mall in A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue City and 3F Ayala Center Cebu where Fitness First used to be located.
I'm getting fat. My arms and stomach have been morphing into blobs before my eyes. I really need to get my eyes off the TV and my butt off the couch. So when Gold's Gym participated in a Group On promo last November, I needed to not say no. A normal monthly membership fee costs between P2,500-P3,000 but this promo ended up being somewhere in the P1,500 range, so it was quite a steal.
So I trudged my unhappy self to the gym after a week -- frown, frown, scowl, scowl. I actually bumped into someone I knew and she asked me why I looked so troubled. I was not happy to be there, that's why! I really hate to exercise. On the treadmill alone, I look weird, I feel sweaty, I just can't stand it!
The registration process wasn't good. The girl who assisted me didn't seem to have any service skills. I had to ask her where I should go now that I'm signed and ready. Then she asks me: "Oh, are you going to the gym now?" Duh. I'm in full exercise gear - trainers, leggings, towel, and water bottle; what did she think I wanted to do? Service in Cebu can be too trying sometimes!
So no orientation. No tour of the place. No do's and don'ts. No pertinent information. Don't expect much from the attendants wearing yellow. Oh, and when I called days ago to schedule my trainer's appointment they promised to call me back the next day but never did. Point is, just don't expect good service when you come to Gold's Gym Cebu. Save yourself the stress.
A good thing though is that the basic workout facilities of the gym are nice. The equipment are very new. And the place is also very clean. I often see the gym attendants wiping the equipment after people use it. Only now did I realize that I should be doing that myself as proper gym etiquette.
I also don't want to be hassled or talked to when I'm working out since I'm unhappy enough to be there. And this is the best thing about this gym and the primary reason why I stayed on. The people who choose to work out here are relatively quiet and they're courteous. They workout in peace and they leave you to do the same. And for this, I'd recommend this place.
Do remember to bring your own lock since the lockers don't have any. Towels have fees too. There are an abundance of paper towels and hand soap though, which is nice.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Taiwan Shabu Shabu vs. Choi City Shabu Shabu
When it comes to Shabu-shabu my personal favorite is Choi City's eat-all-you-can lunch. For less than P400, you get a really tasty broth, nice dipping sauce and all the fix-ins you want for the soup.
Choi City is also the only place I know where I can get a fresh taho dessert all-day and everyday. So it usually makes going there to eat extra special. Their taho comes in a small wooden bucket. And you get to scoop it out yourself -- hot and clean (very important) -- and add as much syrup and sago balls as your little-child-of-the-Philippines' heart desires. It's really quite the experience. A very happy experience.
Fun Trivia: Shabu-shabu means "swish swish" in English. It sounds funny but I'm not kidding. I saw this in a legitimate food program on TV. And apparently the name comes from you swish swishing the food in the boiling broth. :)
Yesterday I finally got to try eating at Taiwan Shabu Shabu near Parklane Hotel and Sweet Little Things. I've passed by Taiwan Shabu Shabu a few times now and I've always been interested to try it. Yesterday, I finally got the chance. The word around town was that it was good place but expensive.
Unlike Choi City there was no choice of broths. You only got one kind and you simply had to choose your platter of choice -- A, B, C for small, medium, or large respectively.
The platter was okay. At P680 supposedly for two people, it was more than enough for our group of four. The broth was nice and light. There are also fresh sea foods such as shrimp, cray fish, squid and oysters which Choi City doesn't offer. As part of the platter, they even offer a delightful coffee jelly with milk dessert that ends the meal nicely and freshens your palette. The meal was really very nice. And I was very satisfied. The price was not as bad as I originally thought as well, which was a good surpirse.
However, the beef quality, the fish ball options (my favorites!), tasty broth, price and all-you-can-eat factor of Choi City's Shabu Shabu just can't be beat.
Choi City wins this one.
Choi City is also the only place I know where I can get a fresh taho dessert all-day and everyday. So it usually makes going there to eat extra special. Their taho comes in a small wooden bucket. And you get to scoop it out yourself -- hot and clean (very important) -- and add as much syrup and sago balls as your little-child-of-the-Philippines' heart desires. It's really quite the experience. A very happy experience.
Fun Trivia: Shabu-shabu means "swish swish" in English. It sounds funny but I'm not kidding. I saw this in a legitimate food program on TV. And apparently the name comes from you swish swishing the food in the boiling broth. :)
Yesterday I finally got to try eating at Taiwan Shabu Shabu near Parklane Hotel and Sweet Little Things. I've passed by Taiwan Shabu Shabu a few times now and I've always been interested to try it. Yesterday, I finally got the chance. The word around town was that it was good place but expensive.
Unlike Choi City there was no choice of broths. You only got one kind and you simply had to choose your platter of choice -- A, B, C for small, medium, or large respectively.
The platter was okay. At P680 supposedly for two people, it was more than enough for our group of four. The broth was nice and light. There are also fresh sea foods such as shrimp, cray fish, squid and oysters which Choi City doesn't offer. As part of the platter, they even offer a delightful coffee jelly with milk dessert that ends the meal nicely and freshens your palette. The meal was really very nice. And I was very satisfied. The price was not as bad as I originally thought as well, which was a good surpirse.
However, the beef quality, the fish ball options (my favorites!), tasty broth, price and all-you-can-eat factor of Choi City's Shabu Shabu just can't be beat.
Choi City wins this one.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Rico's Spicy Lechon
I've always been a Helen's Lechon kind of girl but a summer party I attended has helped open my eyes to other possibilities. And the possibility's name happens to be Rico's Lechon!
Rico's is a lechon place that's very near where I live. In fact, it's too convenient. I've heard that this is Joseph Estrada's favorite lechon house and that was enough to put me off patronizing it. Too judgmental and irrational, I know.
Anyway, first time I laid eyes on a Rico's Lechon stunner it was already cut open revealing slivers of tangad (lemongrass) and lots of chili. I was indignant at first. I always have issues with traditional recipes that are altered. And in this case the Cebu lechon was made spicy. The nerve!
One bite was enough to make me bite my own ass about this though. I deserved it, thank you very much. The very spicy kick takes the fatty edge off the roasted big. And it's just so darn addictive. I'm salivating just thinking about it! Aah!
For non-spicy lechon, I still favor Helen's oven Rico's (and CNT). You can ask Helen to cook the pig longe to make it extra tender or "lata". Helen's also makes the better dinuguan, or blood stew, in my opinion. It comes with the lechon as a nice extra.
But for lechon overall, I'm a spicy convert. Rico's wins by a mile.
For more on Rico's, click here for contact details and things.
They sell in kilos too but only during Sundays. Make sure you go very early since the pigs sell-out fast.
Rico's is a lechon place that's very near where I live. In fact, it's too convenient. I've heard that this is Joseph Estrada's favorite lechon house and that was enough to put me off patronizing it. Too judgmental and irrational, I know.
Anyway, first time I laid eyes on a Rico's Lechon stunner it was already cut open revealing slivers of tangad (lemongrass) and lots of chili. I was indignant at first. I always have issues with traditional recipes that are altered. And in this case the Cebu lechon was made spicy. The nerve!
One bite was enough to make me bite my own ass about this though. I deserved it, thank you very much. The very spicy kick takes the fatty edge off the roasted big. And it's just so darn addictive. I'm salivating just thinking about it! Aah!
For non-spicy lechon, I still favor Helen's oven Rico's (and CNT). You can ask Helen to cook the pig longe to make it extra tender or "lata". Helen's also makes the better dinuguan, or blood stew, in my opinion. It comes with the lechon as a nice extra.
But for lechon overall, I'm a spicy convert. Rico's wins by a mile.
For more on Rico's, click here for contact details and things.
They sell in kilos too but only during Sundays. Make sure you go very early since the pigs sell-out fast.
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