Shiok

I enjoyed our dinner at Shiok in Fort Bonifacio the other day because it's alot better than Nasi Lemak in Robinson's Galleria and Orchard Road in SM Megamall. I have been frustrated with the wannabe singaporean restaurants and it makes me miss singapore even more. Shiok is a tiny restaurant in between 7eleven and BPI. Service here is slow, since there are only 3 waiters and too many diners. The people are nice and friendly but they look overworked. It's best to dine during non-peak hours.

This is what we had for dinner:

Char Kway Teow

This is not as good as the one in Nasi Lemak. It's too sticky and it needs more flavor and spices aside from egg to make it authentic.

Close up of Hainanese Chicken 

Their hainanese chicken rice meal is definitely better than Nasi Lemak and Orchard Road. It's just as good as Penang Hill in Shang Mall but not as great as Stevies. The meat is very tender, moist and was cooked perfectly. The rice is average and the sambal needs to be stronger.

Nasi Lemak Meal

Fried Chicken, plain rice, fried fish, egg and peanuts with Sambal

This was heavy, though the watered down sambal was a huge disappointment. I told the waiter they should never add water to the sambal since it defines how yummy the nasi lemak will be. I'm pretty sure you predicted that I ordered additional sambal:)

Sambal Kangkong

I liked this since the kangkong was served crunchy and the dish was slightly spicy!

Our dinner cost around PHP750 inclusive of PEPSI drinks:)

I would definitely return to Shiok since it's near my house and the food is so much better than the other singaporean restaurants. The food is affordable since it's heavy and serving time takes 15 minutes more or less.

Cheers to more trips to Shiok!:)

Shiok, Fort Bonifacio

01-05 Fort Forum Bldg., Bonifacio Stop Over, 31st and 2nd St, Fort Bonifacio Global City

Taguig City, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 466-6291

Best Ilocano Food

If you ever decide to have a food trip in Ilocos, here are just "some" of the yummiest food (and very affordable too!) you can find:

1. Miki

A noodle soup with hard boiled egg. Perfect when eaten with puto and bread sticks plus loads of ilocos vinegar.

Miki Up-close:) 

The noodles have an eggy taste to it but it goes perfectly if you add of spicy sukang ilocos! You can also ask for extra soup if you want;)

 

Bread that was rolled, dipped in bread crumbs and deep fried to crunchy heaven.

It funny how filipinos enjoy eating carbs, carbs and carbs:)

 

2. Dawangs Carinderia 

A whole in the wall restaurant in Laoag and it is open for breakfast. Food here is cheap but really good and authentic. J's mom refuses to eat here:)

Insarabasab

What resembles thinly sliced liempo with tomatoes. 

It's super good when you add spicy sukang ilocos:)

I can't remember what this is. M, J's brother ordered this one with his Insarabasab.

Pinapaitan Baka

Sampalok and Bile flavored stew of tripes and innards

I was afraid to eat this because i normally do not eat anything with bile in it. It has a strong taste but it gets better as you eat more. It would help to not think of what it's made of...that's what i did! The meat is tender and thinly sliced.

3. Good Dinakdakan

Tito B got take-out dinakdakan from this place. 

Dinakdakan

Grilled pig head/ face

The meat is very tender and the sukang ilocos compliments it perfectly. It's similar to sisig, but it's not crunchy.

4. Food @ Mario's

This open air restaurant has a great ambiance and different kinds of Ilocano food that you can order. It's located near Fort Ilocandia, Laoag.

5. Ilocos Empanada

There are different places to buy this in Laoag or Batac. There are mixed reviews but for me, as long as I buy it in Ilocos, I'm good!

Rice flour with achuete, egg, monggo and vigan longganisa

This is sooooo good! Extremely crunchy and flavorful! Usually served with ketchup, though I prefer the ilocos suka. If your vegan, you can opt for the regular empanada, which doesn't have longganisa. Some places serve this with cheese inside. I guess I'll just try it next time!

Can you see how worth it this is?:)

6. Biscocho Bread

Pasuquin Bakery has been protecting its recipe ever since because so much people flock to this place for their bread. It's so tasty and soft that you can eat it alone. Or perhaps dip it in coffee and add butter:)

7. Pancit Cabagan

Pancit from Cagayan but is available in Laoag. 

Round noodles, julienned cabbage and carrots, boiled quail eggs and a generous amount of lechon de carajay slices.

This pancit is very heavy but so good! I mix all the sauces together.

sauce # 1: toyo with crushed onions and chili

sauce # 2: egg drop soup

It's like gravy...haha

Sauce # 3: calamansi

8. Ilocos Bagnet

To be eaten with Sukang Iocos or LechonSauce/Mang Tomas

Ilocos Bagnet can be found everywhere, but it's cheaper if you buy it in the wet market before going home to Manila. All you have to do is deep fry it at home. Make sure you separate the fat from the meat so it's easier to cook. You can store the extra portion in the freezer and it will keep.:)

9. Ilocos Longganisa

I prefer this to the vigan longganisa since it has more garlic and the size of the longganisa is bigger:)

Ilocos is such an awesome place to eat and get fat. There's always a different place to eat in. Plus, their spicy suka pretty much goes well with EVERYTHING. I am so excited to come back to binge and spend time with J's family.

Cheers to happy days!:)

Mi Goreng Instant Noodles

Have you ever tried this brand of Mie Goreng from Indonesia? It is THE BEST instant noodles you will ever have. And when I say best, meaning EVERYONE loves it. Throughout the years that my family was living in Indonesia, this was one of the things I always asked for. Everytime I would give friends, they would all enjoy the taste and ask for more. Now, it is available in all Matahari stalls located in SM Megamall, Market Market, etc. Good luck with finding this since its usually out of stock. I caught a Korean couple hoarding all of it at 11am when the stocks were just delivered. I was ready to fight them for it with my small fists and my limited knowledge in close quarter combat (thanks to J). Good thing they still left some.;)

My sisters also brought home some from Bangkok. Now I know what I'll be eating all week;)

I am so happy:) May this bring you joy as well! Hahahha

Cheers!:)