This is what was left of a wonderful lechon kawali (deep-fried pork belly) meal at Romy’s kitchen, a small canteen inside the Delarosa Carpark 1. I learn about this place when my office was still at the 27th floor of the Enterprise Center, Ayala Avenue cor Paseo De Roxas. I can’t remember who introduced me to this canteen, but when I do I shall mention that person here. Romy’s Kitchen is known to be the home of the best lechon kawali in town. I have tried others but they all pale in comparison to this. I had no intention of blogging about it so I didn’t bring a decent camera when I ate there. However, the crunch and punch of their Lechon Kawali was just to good I had to make a blog post out of it.

This is the kind of canteen that most Makati employees have probably tried already but hardly noticed how good their meal was, until it was all gone, burped and farted out. Those who do eat there probably don’t notice that they have not changed prices since 2007, if memory serves me right. A heaping saucer-full of freshly popped Lechon Kawali cost P60 per order. Each order is actually good for two people with mediocre appetites. However, upon sinking your teeth into the fat and crunchy rind, you will realize why you don’t want to share the P60 cost with even your faithful lunch buddy; you will love to just pop it in your mouth even when you have eaten all your rice. When I used to have lunch often at Romy’s Kitchen, an officemate of mine would ask me to buy her an order and she would eat it from a plastic bag like she was eating a bag of chips. No, she would not share with me so I made sure I had my own takeout.

If you work in the Makati CBD area, craving for Lechon Kawali and other delectable delights but on a very tight budget, Romy’s Kitchen is your best choice. Located on the second floor of the Delarosa Carpark 1, behind Enterprise Center building. Ask the guards if you don’t see it right away. Just make sure you are there before 12 because the lines get so long that the Conga line stretches from the food counters to the stairs on the first floor, outside the canteen. Best time to go there is 11 am. You also opt to go there after the lunch crowd has finished eating, but there won’t be too much of a choice in food when it’s past 12 pm.

If you are traveling North and you are tired with eating fast food fare, here’s one alternative that is in the same price range, but with more choices and are freshly cooked, not that your favorite fast food doesn’t serve freshly cooked Chinese food.

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My favorite has always been Chami noodles. Chami is the name for large egg noodles usually cooked stir-fry and braised. It is not usual for Chami to be served with soup, though the noodles come out of the wok with a little bit of sauce.

Lee Foo serves really good Chami noodles. One double plate only costs P75.00 (US$1.60) which, according to their servers should serve two people.However, my appetite says it’s only good for lil’ ole me. I ate it with warm siopao (steamed bread buns), asado (grilled or barbecue) flavor. However,  most people I saw at the restaurant were ok with the order’s size. Still, it’s cheap!

For P120.00 (US$2.50) you can a filling order of Lechon Kawali (deep fried pork belly) that is so crispy and flavorful. One order could be good enough for two people. My only regret is that they only serve it with commercially available liver sauce. I was hoping they’d make their own.

One of their specialties is the Lumpiang Shanghai Bangus (small rolls containing milkfish).

They deboned one large bangus (milkfish), then put it in small rolls, fry it and serve it hot with a sweet and sour sauce. At P70.00 per order of 14 pieces, this dish is both delicious and healthy.

Lee Foo Panciteria is all over Bulacan. You may visit their Tabang branch at 112 Sta. Cruz, Guiguinto, Bulacan. Their phone number is 044-7940360.

In celebration of my dear sister’s confirmation as ambassador, we all went on an excursion to Manaoag, Pangasinan. This is our first family outing since my Mom passed away.

While having lunch at Serendra, I asked my sister where we will eat when we go to Pangasinan and she immediately answered “Matutina’s!”. She beat me to the punch because that’s what I was about to suggest. Apparently, she’s been there before with her friends and this time she wanted to enjoy it with us.

Matutina’s has been known to be President Gloria Arroyo’s favorite whenever she travels to Pangasinan. See the pictures and judge for yourself.

Their Sinigang na Bangus (Philippine Milkfish cooked in sour broth) soup is not spectacular, but what I do love about it is that they use fresh Bonuan bangus (fresh milkfish from the town of Bonuan, Pangasinan) and it’s boneless too!

Ah the wonderful, delicious bangus fat without the bones! One order costs P195.00 (US$4.10) and is good enough for two people.

Of course, the best “soda” available is buko juice (fresh coconut water) which you may choose to drink fresh from the husk or sweetened with milk, whichever you prefer.

Each order containing 12 ounces or so costs P45.00 (US$0.94).

What is lunch without Lechon Kawali (deep-fried pork chunks)? You may choose to use Bagoong Isda (fermented fish paste), which is the Pangasinense staple sauce or the usual soy sauce and vinegar. They have catsup too!

Each order is good for two persons and costs P110.00 (US$2.30). A real steal!

Noreen loves Adobong Pusit (squid sauteed in it’s own ink with soy sauce and vinegar) a lot. Luckily, Matutina’s offers it in their menu and it is really very good. Slightly sweet and just right to the bite, Matutina’s Adobong Pusit is the closest rival of Milky Way’s version. The flavors are so similar, it’s hard to say which one tastes better!

One order costs P175.00 (US$3.60) and is good for two people.

You can practically do anything with Bangus (milkfish). You can even make it into sizzling sisig, a Pampanga original method of food preparation which was originally done to pig ears and liver. They take the bangus, de-bone, boil then marinated in lemon sauce and other spices. It is then served on a sizzling hotplate with some butter as seasoning and topping. Absolutely delectable.

An order costs P120.00 (US$2.50). Served sizzling hot!

Last to arrive, though kinda late, was the Hipon Crispy (crispy shrimp). What they do here is put some flour and batter on fresh shrimp then put these in boiling oil. The result? Shrimp that is so crispy you can eat the whole thing without worrying about the shell. Perfect sauce for this treat is vinegar with a little chili pepper.

One order of Hipon Crispy costs P180.00 (US$3.75). They usually go best with a bottle of ice-cold beer on the other hand.

At the end of the meal, the restaurant gives away Buko Pastillas (candied coconut) to their diners. The Pastillas were a great cap to any meal at Matutina’s.

I highly suggest that you drop by any of their three branches when you’re en route to Baguio City or Manaoag. You get great food are great prices. It’s no wonder why it’s almost always full.

Matutina’s is not difficult to find because they now have three branches.

Bonuan Beachfront
0917 642 1466
075 614 3162
Bonuan Tondaligan, Dagupan City, Pangasinan

Urdaneta City
075 568 8288 or 075 624 2065
Nancayasan Highway, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

Baguio City
074 446 9009
19A Legarda Road, Baguio City