Aysee: Serving Sisig Since 1986 and My Favorite Sisig Spot in Metro Manila

We always see food spots and concepts come and go. But some stand the test of time (and even the pandemic). So I want to feature and celebrate these institutions in this series, Legends of Manila. Today, I’m featuring my favorite sisig spot in the Metro.

If I have friends from abroad and I can only feed them a few Filipino dishes, one of the dishes I will let them try is Sisig. Considered as one of the quintessential Filipino dishes, Sisig is traditionally a dish made of chopped pig ears/cheeks and chicken liver, mixed with onions, seasoned with calamansi and sili (chili), and served on a sizzling plate. It started out as pulutan or beer food but is now accepted as a viand. It also evolved into different forms. Some have egg and mayonnaise on it while others use chicken and fish instead of pork. Some even fuse it with international cuisine, such as paella and tacos.

The best ones, in my opinion, is found at its birthplace, Angeles City (Pampanga), a city north of Metro Manila (check out my search for the best sisig in Angeles here). I wouldn’t mind driving an hour or two just to eat sisig there. But if I want to save gas and time, I go to my favorite sisig place here in the Metro—Aysee.

Aysee is a popular sisigan (sisig spot) across what is formerly ULTRA (now called PhilSports Arena). Serving sisig since 1986, it is probably one of the first spots to offer the iconic pork dish in the Metro. Today, they have branches in Mandaluyong and Tiendesitias.

Don’t expect a traditional Kapampangan sisig at Aysee. Instead, they use meat and skin, and place an egg in it. If you’re a purist, then this is not for you. But come on! A good sisig, albeit non-traditional, still deserves to be recognized.

But just how good Aysee’s sisig is? It’s smoky and tasty, and it’s crunchy because of the pig skin (it’s akin to chicharon or deep-fried pork rinds). The egg acts as a substitute to chicken liver, giving the dish creaminess. Add calamansi and chili, and it will elevate the sisig to another level!

Aside from sisig, Aysee also serves other dishes or pulutan such as Papaitang Baka, a beef innards soup supposedly made bitter with bile (or papait in Tagalog). However, it’s more sour than bitter. But because I love any innards soup, I don’t really mind the lack of bitterness.

Another favorite of mine is their Crispy Pork, which is crisp outside and bursts with juices inside!

You can also get grilled skewers, which are nicely charred and marinated. You can’t really go wrong with these!

By the way, they have a set that includes Sisig, Papaitang Baka, Crispy Pork, 4 cups of rice, and a 1.5L Coke. It’s good for 4 and it only costs P630. Talk about value for money!

Don’t expect a healthy meal at Aysee. I feel that a day was taken away from my life by eating their sisig, papaitan, and crispy pork! LOL. But it’s a good feeling, especially that I got to eat my favorite sisig in all of Metro Manila. I highly recommend Aysee to you.

Aysee ULTRA Branch Address: St. Martin St., Pasig City, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday, 11AM-12AM; Tuesday, 9AM-9PM; Wednesday-Sunday, 9AM-12AM | Facebook