Little Quiapo: Serving Halo-Halo, Pancit Palabok, and a Food Wars Asia-Featured Kare-Kare Since 1949
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 an institution known for its Halo-Halo (a Filipino shaved ice dessert) and Pancit Palabok (a rice noodle dish).
My wife and I once binge-watched Food Wars Asia, an Asian Food Network series that pits 2 institutions against each other to determine which one best cooks a certain dish. One of the episodes, interestingly, is about Kare-Kare, a Filipino dish typically composed of a protein (traditionally beef and ox tripe), vegetables, and a stew made with peanuts. The episode featured two Filipino restaurants, Serye (which I’m figuring if it’s still operational) and Little Quiapo, which I’m writing about in this article.
Little Quiapo B.F. Homes (Parañaque) Branch
Founded in 1949, Little Quiapo is one of the oldest restaurants in the Philippines. It was started by Irineo Bartolome, a sorbetero (ice cream vendor), who opened a food stall at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. It’s name is a reference to the bustling Quiapo area in Manila.
Today, Little Quiapo is now being run by Irineo’s daughter and grandchildren. The third-generation restaurateurs have been driving the restaurant in these modern times. For instance, their branches had makeovers and now have a modernized look of a classic Filipino home.
An Artwork in Little Quiapo B.F. Homes
Honestly, I haven’t heard of Little Quiapo until I’ve watched it at Food Wars Asia. I was so naive about it even though several personalities have featured it. But it was time for me to end the naivete so we went to one of two Little Quiapo branches, in BF Homes, Parañaque.
Inside Little Quiapo B.F. Homes
The Al Fresco Area of Little Quiapo B.F. Homes
Of course, we ordered their signature Pancit Palabok. It has a tasty and rightly goopy sauce. The squid and tofu add textures to the dish.
Pancit Palabok
We also tried another bestseller, which is Adobong Pusit (squid cooked in vinegar and squid ink). It’s squid is rightly cooked, and the sauce is flavorul and rightly acidic. It’s possibly the best squid adobo I have ever had!
Adobong Pusit
Because it was featured in Food Wars Asia, we got the Kare Kare. It has chunks of beef and different cow parts, swimming in a stew that’s rightly sweet, thick, and peanutty. The stew is so good we requested for a refill (I can’t remember if there is an extra cost). There’s also a ton of veggies on top, adding a medley of textures.
Kare Kare
Look at that chunk of beef!
Their Kare Kare is easily one of my favorites and could also be one of the best ones I have ever tried! Unfortunately, it lost to Serye’s version.
Last dish that we tried is the Comida China. It’s a plate composed of different Chinese-Filipino dishes such as fried chicken, Lumpiang Shanghai (deep-fried spring rolls), Pancit Canton (a stir-fried egg noodle dish) and fried rice. Every component is excellent!
Comida China
Unfortunately, they ran out of ice when we visited so we didn’t get to try their Halo-Halo. It was summer so I guess their bestselling staple was extra in-demand!
Little Quiapo serves incredible Filipino food. I can tell that even with the few dishes we’ve had. Their food are simple Filipino dishes done really well. No wonder it has lasted for more than seventy years. I highly recommend Little Quiapo to you!
For branches and operating hours, check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.