‘Kaon Na!’ Indulge in your favorite Bicolano dishes at Araneta City
Nestled in the southeastern region of Luzon, Bicol is a province renowned for its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and, most significantly, its fiery and flavorful cuisine. Bicol cuisine is synonymous with chili peppers, fresh ingredients, and coconut milk. Yet beyond its flavor profiles, Bicol’s culinary heritage is a rich tapestry woven with indigenous flavors, Spanish influences, and local ingenuity.
September is important for Bicolanos as they celebrate their annual Bicol Food Festival. Experience their culinary excellence with the plethora of Bicol favorites in Araneta City. Discover the restaurants and kiosks that give justice to well-loved Bicol dishes.
Mesa (Ground Floor, Ali Mall)
Let’s start with one of the most well-known Bicol dishes: Bicol Express. Mesa takes this staple and stays true to its traditional process, using simmered pork in fresh coconut milk with bagoong alamang, siling pangsigang and labuyo, and Baguio beans.
Abe (Ground Floor, Gateway 2)
Abé offers delectable traditional dishes that push the boundaries of taste. Its laing with tinapa consists of gabi leaves cooked in coconut milk, and it gets its distinctive flavor from smoked fish. The gabi leaves are tender and full of flavor, while the coconut milk adds a richness that is hard to resist. Finally, the smoked fish gives it a unique and irresistible taste.
Manam (Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2)
One of Manam’s unique aspects is that it takes Filipino favorites and adds a modern twist to beloved flavors. For example, Manam turned Bicol Express into its lumpia version, resulting in a new way to enjoy the spicy dish.
Rhoma’s Toasted Siopao and Donuts (UCKG Building)
Besides the spices and vibrant flavors, Bicol cuisine boasts diverse textures–just take it from their toasted siopao, composed of slightly firm dough filled with ground or chopped pork meat, onions, potato, and a slice of boiled egg. It’s savory and filling, which makes it a favorite among many Filipinos.
Mangan (Upper Ground Floor A, Gateway Mall 2)
If you’re looking for a healthier version of the fiery Bicol express, Mangan offers a vegetable-based alternative with its sigarillas/sigarilyas express. The fresh vegetables and creamy coconut milk bring an ideal balance of savory flavors in every bite–minus the guilt!
