Zoy's Top 5: 2023 Dishes and Meals

Last Monday, I gave you my top five food destinations for 2023 (read it here). Now, I’m listing down my top five dishes and meals for 2023. 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.

BUT WAIT! HONORABLE MENTIONS FIRST

It’s hard to condense my favorites into a list of five. So let me give you my honorable mentions first.

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

Balamban Liempo at Johnnas Food Haus (Balamban, Cebu, Philippines)

Buffet at Spiral (Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines)

Dimsum-All-You-Can at Shanghai Saloon (Various Locations, Philippines)

Ilocano Food at Morning Sun Eatery (Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines)

Pad Krapow (Holy Basil Stir-Fry) at Phed Mark (Bangkok, Thailand)

Now, the Top 5…

5. SuTuKil at Parr’t Ebelle (Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines)

SuTuKil is an authentic Cebuano food experience. It’s an acronym for sugba (grilled), tuwa (to stew), and kilaw (to cook in vinegar). We tried it at Parr’t Ebelle, which is an institution in Cebu City.

Our SuTuKil Meal at Parr’t Ebelle Tinola

We tried their grilled marlin, kinilaw na tuna, and tinolang mamsa (a local fish; I can’t find its English name), as well as their grilled pork belly. I must say that all their dishes, especially the grilled ones, are masterfully prepared. Stay tuned for my Parr’t Ebelle SuTuKil experience!

Related Article: Coming Soon!

Mabolo Branch Address: Road 6, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7:30AM-8:30AM; Sunday, 7:30AM-3PM | Contact No.: 0947-3411337 | Facebook

4. Michelin-Starred Street Food at Raan Jay Fai (Bangkok, Thailand)

The food of Raan Jay Fai, the first and only MICHELIN-starred street food in Thailand, is made with ingredients that are of the highest quality. The queue is long and the prices are exorbitant but just think that you’re paying for the experience and the expertise of Chef Supinya Junsuta a.k.a. Jay Fai. It’s not common to eat street food prepared by a MICHELIN-starred, internationally-recognized chef.

From Left to Right: *Tom Yum Pla*, Beef *Radna*, and Pork *Pad Krapow*

My favorites here are Beef Radna (stir-fried rice noodle dish topped with mixed vegetables), Stir-Fried Chinese Broccoli and Japanese Abalone in Oyster Sauce, and Tom Yum Pla (Fish Tom Yum or sour soup).

Address: 327 Maha Chai Rd., Samran Rat, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand | Operating Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 9AM-7:30PM | Instagram

3. Thai-Chinese Meal at Chuan Chim (Phuket, Thailand)

Chuan Chim is a Thai-Chinese hole-in-the-wall in Phuket that’s a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand awardee. Their food is so good that it won my heart to Thai food. To me, it’s the quintessential Thai street food experience—delicious and cheap (it only costed me THB400!).

From Left to Right: *Pad Krapow Moo Sub*, *Tom Yum Pla*, and Chicken with Cashew Nuts

The dishes are prepared à la minute by its female wok masters. I tried their Chicken with Cashew Nuts, Pad Krapow Moo Sub (Holy Basil Stir-Fry with Minced Pork), and Tom Yum Pla. All three dishes are so good! Check out my experience by clicking the link below.

Address: 37/3 Montri Rd., Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:30AM-1:30PM & 5:30-10:30PM | Contact No.: +66 76 215 825

2. Hokkien Mee at Mee Ton Poe (Phuket, Thailand)

One of the must-try Phuketian dishes is Hokkien Mee or Hokkien-style noodles (Hokkien is a Chinese ethno-linguistic group). It’s a stir-fried noodle dish composed of thick egg noodles, pork, seafood, and veggies. I think the closest Filipino counterpart of it is Chami.

I tried it at Mee Ton Poe, which is an institution at Phuket City. Their version has slices of pork, fish cakes, real fish, and squid tentacles (I had the shrimp removed because I’m allergic to it) so imagine the textures. Then the veggies add crunch and the egg add creaminess. Overall, it’s tasty and well-balanced!

Mee Ton Poe’s Hokkien Mee is simply amazing! It’s a world of flavors and textures, and I declare it as my favorite Phuketian dish! Since I tasted it, I’ve been daydreaming about it, and I regret that I didn’t order for takeaway. So Hokkien Mee, I’m coming back to Phuket for you!

Phuket City Branch Address: 214, 7-8 Phuket Rd., Tambon Talat Yai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand | Operating Hours: Daily, 9AM-6:30PM | Facebook

1. Degustation at Bale Dutung (Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines)

Bale Dutung is the private dining space by Chef Claude Tayag, a Kapampangan chef, author, and one of the culinary giants of the country. It offers a degustation experience and is strictly by reservation.

Chef Claude (pronounced as cloud) may probably be familiar to you. That’s because he’s the one who toured the late Anthony Bourdain around Angeles City for the Philippine episode of No Reservations. He also hosted Bourdain at his home—the 2nd floor of Bale Dutung—and this later gave birth to the Anthony Bourdain tasting menu.

From Left to Right: Ensaladang Pako (fiddlehead fern salad), Beef *Caldereta* (tomato-based stew), and Grilled Pork *Sisig* (the iconic Kapampangan pork dish)

I love the idea that Bale Dutung serves classic Kapampangan dishes but made it really, really well. They also utilize local ingredients such as the pako. And the flavors and textures of every dish were incredible and obviously well-thought. Let’s not forget how every dish is beautifully plated, reflecting the artistry of Chef Claude. Check out our degustation experience by clicking the link below.

Address: Paul Ave., Villa Gloria Subdivision, San Jose, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines | Operating Hours: Contact Bale Dutung for schedule and reservations | Contact No.: 0933-8233967 | Email: baledutungexperience@gmail.com | Facebook | Instagram

What dish or meal above would you like to try soon? What’s your top five dishes and meals for 2023? Comment below!