Zoy's Top 5: 2021 Dishes and Meals

Last week, I gave you my Top 5 food destinations for 2021 (read it here). Now, I’m listing down my top 5 dishes and meals for 2021. These are food that I have tried for the first time.

As I always do, my selection is done methodically (I feel smart using this word! LOL.). I have an objective and a subjective criteria. Objectively, the dish or meal has to be flavorful (meaning, it has different flavors) and has a variety of textures. They are the ones I refer to as “a world of flavors and textures.” But I will make a few exceptions to those that blew my mind away in spite of the lack thereof.

Subjectively, the dish or meal has to be enjoyable, something that is forever etched in my memory and making me want to have more of it. Well, it wouldn’t make this list if I didn’t enjoy it.

So starting with Top 5…

5. Chicken Mole Poblano by Cochi Loco Manila

Aside from tacos, another quintessential Mexican dish is the Mole (pronounce MOE-lay). Literally “sauce”, mole refers to a wide variety of dishes composed of a sauce made with dried spices and Mexican chilies that are grounded or pureed together, and poured into a protein. While there are different kinds of mole, the most famous one is the Mole Poblano, which is made with chocolate! (To learn more about mole, check this article.)

Cochi Loco Manila offered it a few times as specials. An order comes with Mexican rice and 3 corn tortillas. The chocolate stew is rich and flavorful, with chocolate and cinnamon the most prominent. It’s also nutty and gritty, which I believe is because of nuts and the dry spices (can’t help but liken this mole to Kare-Kare [Filipino peanut stew] because of the nuts). The cilantro and raw onions in the rice cuts through the richness.

Cochi Loco’s mole poblano is superb! I’ve never tasted anything like it before. Believe me, you will want to wipe every bit of the stew with the tortilla because it’s that unique and flavorful!

Check out my Cochi Loco experience here and read about their Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”, a Mexican holiday) specials here.

Address: 4/F SM Aura Premier, McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City | Operating Hours: Daily, 10AM-9PM | Contact No.: 0917-6830503 | Facebook | Instagram

4. The Legendary Bunny Chow by ZAR South African Grill

Bunny Chow is a South African dish composed of a curry stew stuffed inside a hollowed loaf of bread. The stew can be made with chicken, lamb/mutton, and vegetable. While there are many versions of its history, the dish certainly originated from the Indian immigrants of Durban, a city in South Africa.

ZAR’s Legendary Bunny Chow has chicken and potatoes stewed in a flavorful and slightly spicy curry (I can certainly taste the garam masala). There’s a sour relish on the side, which cut through the richness of the stew. The bread is fluffy, perfect as a utensil to the stew, which is the traditional way of eating Bunny Chow. Overall, it’s a very enjoyable dish and my favorite among all ZAR dishes!

Check out my ZAR experience here.

Address: 2/F K-Center, Felix Ave. cor. Kaginhawaan St., Karangalan Village, Pasig City | Operating Hours: Wednesday-Monday, 12PM-9PM (8PM on Sunday) | Contact No.: 0915-0492727 | Facebook | Instagram

3. Gai Tod Hat Yai (Fried Chicken Hat Yai-Style) by Krapow MNL

Hat Yai is a city in Southern Thailand that is famous for their gai tod (fried chicken). While Krapow MNL does not specialize on Thai fried chicken, I think they serve the best in town! Let me tell you why.

Their fried chicken is juicy and tender and it’s skin is perfectly crisp and thin. In fact, steam will come out when you bite into it. Then the coriander and crispy shallots add flavor, while the cucumbers add a nice crunch. The sweet and spicy dip compliments the savory chicken. And let’s not forget the sticky rice, a classic pair for gai tod, which incorporates another layer of texture to the entire meal. In other words, this Hat Yai fried chicken meal of Krapow MNL is a world of flavors and textures!

Check out my Krapow MNL experience here.

Address: 5648 Don Pedro Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City | Operating Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11AM-10PM; Sunday, 11AM-6PM | Contact Nos.: 0956-2517150 | Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

2. Spanish-Filipino Food at Dos Mestizos

Dos Mestizos is an institution in Boracay, serving Spanish-Filipino heritage food. With locally-sourced fresh ingredients, they make the best Spanish-Filipino heritage food, which my wife and I both loved! (We ate there twice during our honeymoon!)

Our Dos Mestizo’s Spanish-Filipino Feast

We loved everything we ate there. Our favorites are Baked Oysters al Espagnola, Paella Negra (Squid-Ink Paella), and Salpicao de Vaca (Beef Salpicao).

Of course, a Dos Mestizos article will be coming up soon, as well as a Boracay series. Stay tuned for it!

1. 40 Days Dry Aged Charcoal Grilled Angus Rib Eye Steak at Antonio’s

Antonio’s, the 84th placer at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (congratulations!), is considered the best restaurant in the country by many foodies. They’re known for their steaks so we thad their 40 Days Dry Aged Charcoal Grilled Angus Rib Eye Steak. The steak weighs 700 grams (good for 2 persons) and comes with a choice of salad, soup of the day, 2 side dishes, a choice of dessert, and coffee or tea.

Antonio’s 40 Days Dry Aged Charcoal Grilled Angus Rib Eye Steak

It’s the best steak meal I have ever had so far! Check out our Antonio’s splurge here.

Address: Purok 138, Brgy. Neogan, Tagaytay City, Cavite | Operating Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11AM-1:30PM; Friday-Sunday, 11AM-1:30PM & 5:30PM-7:30PM | Contact No.: 0917-8992866, 0918-8992866| Facebook | Instagram | Website

What dish or meal above would you like to try soon? What’s your top 5 dishes and meals for 2021? Comment them below!