Here’s Where You Can Have Your Own Pinoy Food Fiesta
Ube sinigang from Abe, to Cheesecake from Lola Café, to Zubuchon lechon—the food choices are endless and you can find them in your SM Mall of choice
“I think sisig is perfectly positioned to win the hearts and minds of the world as whole,” described Anthony Bourdain in show Parts Unknown. Truth be told, the country has so many other hidden gems and wonderful dishes and pastries that we find ourselves craving for especially during this month of celebrating everything Filipino.
Thankfully, all our cravings can be answered as the largest array of Filipino food is available at your nearest SM Mall. You’ll know that its safe and clean here, and you can dine al fresco in the designated areas. As all the restaurants strictly follow IATF protocols, you know that you can eat or do take-out comfortably.
Here are some of our discoveries in the different SM Malls.
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Sinigang sa Ube – Abe, SM Megamall
This type of sinigang makes use of ube instead of the usual taro, thus changing the soup’s color from semi-clear broth to that with a purple tint. It adds the rough texture of ube to the dish, making it creamy, and toning down the sharp-sour taste. You can avail of this in Abé, a restaurant dedicated to the memory of artist-writer, gourmet, and bon vivant E. Aguilar “Abe” Cruz, the father of the late Larry Cruz. The restaurant is known for its Filipino food and gourmet dishes reminiscent of Abe’s travels around the world.
Photo Credit: Abé, SM Megamall
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Napoleones - Merczi, Bong Bongs, SM City Bacolod
Napoleones are layered puffed pastries filled with custard, and topped with a white sugar glaze. It’s a Bacolod delicacy that is similar to the French pastry mille feuille. There are two recommended places to get this: Merzci, a leading bread and food pasalubong source in Bacolod City with a strong user base of tourists and locals alike. It’s also known for its Otap, Egg Crackers, and Bañadas. The Napoleons comes in boxes of 12s or 6s, On the other hand, Bong Bong’s is another source of pasalubong favorites, and they’re likewise known for their piaya, barquillos, and biscocho. While some of their products are already available in Manila, the Napoleones can only be found in Bacolod, and this is because it has a short shelf life and needs to be refrigerated immediately.
Photo Credit: Merczi, SM Bacolod
Bacon Wrapped Bagaybay – Bistro Selera at 2L North Wing SM Lanang Premier, Davao
This is definitely not your ordinary seafood appetizer—it’s made from fresh bagaybay (tuna milt or male gonads of tuna fish) wrapped with premium bacon and deep fried, topped with garlic. What used to be known as Kusina Selera, they’re known for their modern renditions of classic Filipino food.
Photo Credit: Bistro Selera, SM Lanang
Ube Quezo de Bola Cheesecake - Lola Café at 2L S-Maison
Imagine this: Ube filling with a bottom layer of graham, topped with quezo de bola on top—and you know you’ve got a winner from Lola Café. This Filipino take on the cheesecake is a hit especially to those who love both ube and quezo de bola. The pictures don’t do it justice so you just have to go and check it our yourself in S-Maison. For those of you who loved the cozy interiors of the old house where the first branch of Lola Cafe began, then you definitely would appreciate the ambiance in S-Maison, bearing modern and elevated uses of Lola Cafe’s characteristic concrete-finish walls and wooden tables and chairs.
Photo Credit: Lola Cafe, S-Maison
Strawberry Shortcake - Vizco’s Cake Shop in SM City Baguio
There’s one must-try in Vizco’s and that is their shortcake topped with fresh strawberries. Baguio, of course, is known as the city with the most luscious strawberries in the country. A Baguio-only institution, its strawberry shortcakes come in a variety of sizes, and can even be made into a 2-layer cake for weddings and special occasions. For those who want other variations, there is the strawberry tart, and there are also savory options in Vizco’s.
Photo Credit: Vizco's, SM Baguio
Sisig - Ikabud at GL, SM City Pampanga
When you talk about sisig, Pampanga is the place you must visit, and so as this Filipino dish gains attention worldwide (from Anthony Bourdain to other food shows), head over to Ikabud in SM City Pampanga where you can get this special dish for dine in, take out or delivery. Ikabud itself is one of the most popular restaurants in Pampanga.
Photo Credit: Ikabud, SM Pampanga
Halo-halo - Lana’s at SM City Legazpi
It’s forever summer in the Philippines, and there’s always space for halo-halo after every meal (or as merienda!). You’ve got to try Lana’s Sweet Delight’s version of the halo-halo as this comes with a cheesy taste. It comes in a lot of flavors: The original flavor, mixed fruit, buko pandan, quezo mais, and more!
Photo Credit: Lana's, SM Legazpi
Lechon - Zubuchon at SM Seaside City Cebu and SM City Cebu
Cebu lechon is characterized by its natural ingredients, and this is perfected by Zubuchon. They use natural sea salt, native coconut vinegar, freshly squeezed coconut milk, millet, rice, seafood, and of course, the pigs are backyard raised. Zubuchon does not use any MSG, food coloring, or other chemic preservatives, nor do they use soy sauce or any bottled ingredients to give that brown color. Available for dine in, take out, and delivery.
Photo Credit: Zubuchon, SM Cebu
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