Zoy’s Top 5: 2022 Dishes and Meals

Last Monday, I gave you my top five food destinations for 2022 (read it here). Now, I’m listing down my top five dishes and meals for 2022. 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…

But waiT! HonoraBle Mentions first

It’s hard to condense my favorites into a list of five. So let me cheat a bit by giving honorable mentions first.

In alphabetical order (click on the link, if applicable, to read more about the dish/meal):

Birria Tacos at OnlyPans (Various Branches in Metro Manila)

Cordilleran Food at Farmer’s Daughter (Baguio City)

Goto Batangas at Tessie’s Goto and Bulalo (Lipa City, Batangas)

Kakanin (Rice Cakes) at Jojie’s Pa-initang Bol-anon (Tagbilaran City, Bohol)

Empanada de Kaliskis at Mercy’s (Malolos City, Bulacan)

Sinanglao at First Sinanglaoan (Vigan City, Ilocos Sur)

Special Lamb Chops at Lemon and Olives (Baguio City)

Vigan Empanada at Casa Jardin (Vigan City, Ilocos Sur)

Now, the Top 5…

5. Chinese-Indonesian Food at Wardo Restaurant (Makati City, Metro Manila)

If the pandemic didn’t happen, I would have visited Indonesia back in 2020. For now, I will have to satisfy myself with Indonesian food here in the Philippines. It’s a good thing that there is a Indonesian restaurant in Salcedo Village, Makati City—Wardo Restaurant. The restaurant specializes on Chinese-Indonesian cuisine.

Many of its dishes are flavorful and has many textures. Examples are Gado-Gado (traditional Indonesian mixed salad composed of slightly boiled vegetables, tofu, and a nutty sauce), Nasi Goreng (fried rice) Ayam Penyet (traditional marinated chicken), and Nasi Goreng Sate (special fried rice with satay, omelette, and prawn crackers).

Wardo Restaurant’s *Nasi Goreng Ayam Penyet*

For my review of the food at Wardo’s Restaurant, kindly read this article: Wardo Restaurant: An Authentic Chinese-Indonesian Restaurant in Salcedo Village (Makati City)

Address: LPL Manor, San Augustin St., Salcedo Village, Makati City, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 24 hours open (closes at Sunday, 7AM) | Contact No.: 0926-7055507 | Facebook | Instagram

5. Pancit Palabok at Jolli Dada’s Eatery (Manila City, Metro Manila)

I had a hard time deciding what my top five is. So I’m cheating one more time by doing two top fives! LOL. Anyway…

Pancit Palabok is a one of the quintessential Filipino merienda (snack). It’s a rice noodle dish doused with shrimp-infused sauce and served with several toppings such as boiled egg, crushed chicharon (deep-fried pork rinds), and squid, among many others. One of the best versions is from Quiapo’s Jolli Dada’s Eatery.

*Pancit Palabok* (without sauce) at Jolli Dada’s Eatery

Jolli Dada’s pancit palabok is loaded with toppings. It has boiled egg, chicharon bits, a huge piece of chicharong bulaklak (deep-fried pig mesentery), fried garlic bits, spring onion, adobong (braised) squid, tinapa (smoked fish) flakes, and fried tofu.

The noodles are chewy, the gravy is rightly thick and goopy, and the toppings add flavors and textures. But the game changer for me is the chicharong bulaklak, which bursts with fat.

The palabok pairs well with Puto (rice cake), which is delivered all the way from Batangas. Jolli Dada serves two kinds but aside from its color, I honestly couldn’t tell the difference (maybe my taste buds weren’t working but I assure you it wasn’t COVID-19 LOL). Both are soft and nicely dense. And here’s a pro move: Use the puto to wipe any remaining palabok gravy!

Address: Lutong Maynila, Quinta Market and Fish Port, C. Palanca St. cor. Quezon Blvd., Quiapo, Manila, Philippines | Operating Hours: TBA | Contact No.: 0916-6973824; 0916-2530418

4. Tori Titan Ramen at Marudori (Makati City, Metro Manila)

Tori Titan Ramen is an off-the-menu item of Marudori, a ramen shop that specializes on Paitan (chicken-based) ramen. Like the Tonkotsu (pork-based) ramen of Marudori’s sisters, Mendokoro Ramenba and Yushoken Ramen, the broth of Tori Titan Ramen is rich and creamy, and its noodles are al dente.

Furthermore, the broth, I believe, is shoyu or soy-based. But the main feature of this ramen is the gigantic (thus, titan) piece of grilled boneless chicken thigh, which sweet, smoky, and tender. It was so huge that lifting it with my chopsticks is already a workout for my fingers. LOL.

Rockwell Branch Address: G/F 8 Rockwell, Hidalgo Dr., Makati City, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 11AM-11PM | Contact Nos.: (02) 8771-1827, 0917-6259326

Salcedo Village Branch Address: G/F V. Corporate Centre Building, Soliman St., Salcedo Village, Makati City, Philippines | Operating Hours: Daily, 10AM-11PM | Contact Nos.: (02) 8771-1792

Facebook | Instagram | Website

3. Bored OG Burger at Bored and Hungry (Manila Pop-Up)

I will say it right away: The Bored and Hungry’s Bored OG Burger is amazing! It comes with two beefy and ultra-juicy smashed patties, melted slice cheese (which make the burger rightly cheesy), sweet caramelized onions, and crisp and sour pickles, all sandwiched in two soft buns that have absorbed all the flavorful juices.

Bored and Hungry’s Bored OG Burger Combo

The Bored OG Burger is now the best burger I have tried so far.

Check out Bored and Hungry’s Facebook, Instagram, and Website

2. Tacos at Pineapple Coast (Angeles City, Pampanga)

Pineapple Coast’s tacos comes in three, and either in corn or flour tortilla. I’m just not sure if you can choose your tortilla.

My favorites are: Al Pastor (tacos with grilled pork shoulder and pineapples), Birria Campechano (tacos with stewed USDA short ribs and ox tripe), and Gringo (stewed USDA beef belly, cheese, pico de gallo, and lettuce placed in a deep-fried tortilla).

Pineapple Coast’s *Birria Campechano* Tacos

Pineapple Coast’s tacos are now my favorite in the country! We will definitely drive up north for it.

For my review of the tacos, kindly read this article: Pineapple Coast: The Best Taco Spot in Angeles City (Pampanga)

Address: 8A Zeppelin St., Hensonville, Angeles City, Pampanga | Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 5PM-11PM | Contact Nos.: 0918-431 1715 | Facebook | Instagram

1. Malaysian and Thai Food at Chef’s Home (Baguio City)

The Southeast Asian food, particularly Malaysian and Thai, of Chef’s Home is one of the best I had here in the Philippines. Every dish we had was superb! My favorites here are: Penang Char Beehon, Squid with Salted Egg, and Thai Crispy Papaya Salad.

For my review of the food at Chef’s Home, kindly read this article: Chef's Home: Still My Favorite Restaurant in Baguio City

Address: 88 Marcos Highway, Bakakeng Central, Baguio City, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11AM-2PM & 5PM-8:30PM | Contact No.: 0916-4445756 | Facebook | Instagram (the IG account says it’s inactive)

What dish or meal above would you like to try soon? What’s your top five dishes and meals for 2022? Comment below!