Originally Posted by
SFflyer123
I will be heading to Manilla later, and I want to get really "classic" Filipino food. I know that lechon--the roasted pig--is supposed to be very famous. I will definitely being eating that there. But what other Filipino food should I make sure I eat? I live in San Francisco, so I am close to Daly City, which is "little Manila". But I want to get food that is really classic Filipino dishes. Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Since you live in SF, a little research prior to your trip would be an easy way to discover some dishes you might like:
1) Fil Am BBQ - off 82 and School in Daly City - sticks of chicken and pork BBQ are king here
2) Sinugba - on Gellert just north of Westborough - silogs are the way to go. eggs, garlic fried rice and your choice of meat - chicken tocino is really good and if you're into squid, a side order of grilled pusit would round off your meal quite nicely
3) Mana - on 25th Street in San Mateo - their beef dishes are the stand out - bistek tagolog (beef cooked in soy and lemon), caldereta and mechado (meats with a tomato based gravy), hearty soups (sinigang is good, there's another with chorizo and banana that's really good) and if you need gulay (vegetables), the laing (taro leaves stewed in coconut milk) is the best I've had.
4) Tastebuds - on San Burno ave between 101 and 82 - for weekend lechon
About the only common Philippine food the Bay Area seems to lack is good lechon manok - chicken grilled over an open fire. Otherwise, a few trips to the restaurants above will give you a really good taste of what to expect in the Philippines.