Mandarin Tea Garden: Unpretentious Chinese Fastfood

I've been lucky to stay  at a place so accessible to food places. A street across the place I'm staying are two of the big"fast food" Chinese restaurants in Davao: Dimsum Diner and Mandarin Tea Garden. I prefer the latter for its home-made, no-nonsense approach to Chinese food. It felt like eating at one of Binondo's eateries. 

I've tried a few of their rice toppings and they don't taste like Chowking to me (don't get me wrong, I do love Chowking's halo-halo). I'd skip the Pork Asado and head off their Taosi Sparibs (seen below). Tender, tasty and flavorful- try it with the plain rice though. 

Fried Ravioli, while far from one of Friuli's special (and I do hate the banana ketsup/sweet&sour sauce); this one's filling and passable.

 Skip the pork asado, I find the meat a bit overcooked and the sauce unimpressive. You are better off with the other rice toppings on the menu :)

This one's a must-try. True to "fall of the bone" phrases, not at all gummy and hard to chew; just well-seasoned and steamed just enough to truly get the goof stuff there. Mind you, I've never been a fan of chicken feet (I find it hard to eat and the texture of the meat quite disgusting in most Chinese restos).

This one's a killer. I normally don't eat fruit salad, let alone adore watermelons. Oddly enough, it works (or heavy cream just goes perfectly with every dessert).

Get ready for Davao's sudden downpour though (and always bring a handy umbrella and never wear your favorite flats at night). Davao do have this sudden heavy rains that cause this part of the city to flood heavily. Don't ruin a good night's meal with getting your favorite outfit soaked.

Bulcachong: Dabawenyos Hangover Cure

I asked a few locals why most restos close early in Davao. Last night, we were looking for places to eat and noticed that most establishments close as early as 9-10 pm. So where do people eat after drinking? I notied that breakfast/brunch meals are not so common as cakes are to Dabawenyos. Most restaurants even cafes open at 11 am.

Few bloggers mention "TAPS" as one of the best places to get tapsilog. But a friend told me, kids these days prefer Bulca chong na. Partly menudo, partly balbacua, this beef concoction is your ticket to sobriety. It has all the requirements of your anti- hangover fix: warm, hearty, beefy goodness. Your comfort to the impending doom of migraine the next day. 

Situated at Ilustre Street, this is your go-to place when you find yourself for those cheap, after drinking session. Situated in an antique building, the place has two sections. You will have to pay P15 more on your food for aircon and the privilege to be dining here. Or you can go all the way cowboy and eat in the humble carinderia outside (beware of the greasy smell, probably from the beef)  

To start of, NEVER order this weird kinilaw. A cross between sashimi and your DIY kinilaw (kuya just placed the vinegar in front of me, optional po ba ang suka kuya?). Anyway, while they've chosen one of the more expensive fish (malasugi); I still can't wrap my head around my usual kinilaw (coconut milk, suka and loads of sili).

Presenting: Bulcachong. My friend explained that it was more of a mix between bulalo, balbacua and ...chong? Don't get me wrong, but I already love Bohol's version of the balbacua dish (soup there is a transparent concoction of spices and slow-cooked beef). This one will do. It has all the good parts, fatty and filling :)

For more of their menu, take your pick:

Oh, it might be one of the few places that I've been to that actually serve Emperador and Tanduay in bottles and long necks. Talk about subtlety. Curing hangover with more alcohol indeed! :)

Raffy finishing his meal, this is as low-key and cowboy as it gets

If you do have the decency, please do not bring food from outside here. 

Davao Tripping: Hodge-Podge of Food Memories

I will be spending a week here in Davao for work. In between free times, I am sampling as many dishes as  can here. Being in Davao never fails to astonish me, it has this urban yet laid-back feel. People are nicer, pace is slower even traffic is not that bad compared to Cebu. But the thing the reason why I love about Davao is the sheer abundance of restaurant per area. I've never been in a place where small, start-up businesses are encouraged and thriving. People are supporting local cafes and restos over franchises. I love how each area in the city reminds me of Maginhawa. Food is affordable. You can get a decent meal for P100. Plus, people here speak a mix of Tagalog/Bisaya so for non-Bisaya speakers its so easy to navigate your way around here. 

..Plus I'll never understand why there's this abundance of coffeeshops and neighborhood pastry everywhere (not that I mind). Lunch was Penong's chicken. (I failed to take a photo just because I was too hungry that time). The chicken is their specialty. Unlike Mang Inasal's version, Penong's was a cross between grilled and lechon manok. Not dry, tasty with the right amount of spice; one serving ain't enough for those who skipped their breakfast. Don't expect anything fancy though, the place does look like your neighborhood kainan. Penong has a lot of branches in Davao so its easy for you to find one here.

Your neighborhood artsy cafe: Yellow Hauz

I have a soft spot for neighborhood cafes. This one has cute art projects everywhere. Just don't get the mango shake because you are going to be bound for some disappointment. Their selection of white coffee is comparable to Starbucks. They also serve meals (pastas, pizza, cakes, etc). So while you sip your favorite coffee drink, you can buy arts and crafts materials inside as well. 

Sarum banggi:  Skin Burns

I might have to be the clumsiest person you'll ever share a meal of sizzling food or anywhere near to cooking paraphernalia  My attempt at cooking has lead to tremendous burnt marks, I usually end up hurting myself or other people in the process. So tonight, my left arm wasn't spared. Anyway, I got a bit confused with the place's interior. They ought to replace those table cloth and tiles immediately. 

Anyway, Chiara recommended this place as Raffy was craving for some steak. 

I got Steak Ala Pobre (..supposedly at medium well). But it did ended up well-done anyway. Nothing special really but for P250, you get a hefty serving of  meat. (see photo below). Think of it as an upgraded version of your Sizzling Plate, with loads of gravy to accompany it.

Raffy got something from the Surf and Turf menu (calamares and steak). Rice and loads of gravy, I am not that hard to please.