Introduction
During my stay in the Philippines, I spent some time at a friend’s house while eating out about half the time. To be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for Filipino food… but boy, was I wrong! Everything tasted so much better than I imagined.
I’d like to introduce some family-friendly spots that we could enjoy with peace of mind.
MANG INASAL
This is a very popular chain in the Philippines. They are known for their “Unli Rice” (unlimited rice) service when you dine at the restaurant. You can find them almost everywhere, including near various supermarkets and malls.
The teriyaki chicken grilled over charcoal is amazing. Eating it feels just like enjoying a huge yakitori stick. Both kids and adults will love this taste!
For around 200 pesos, it comes in a box like this as a meal set with rice (you can also order it ala carte). Most chicken in the Philippines seems to be served on the bone, and combined with the smoky charcoal aroma, it is simply delicious!
Besides the chicken, they also have charcoal-grilled pork. I heard they have a spicy version that would be irresistible for spicy food lovers (I definitely want to try that next time!).
There is also a dish called PALABOK, which consists of rice noodles tossed in a shrimp-based sauce and topped with savory-sweet sautéed minced meat. It’s a flavor you don’t often find in Japan, and it’s delicious! Squeezing fresh calamansi over it changes the flavor profile, adding a refreshing zing that brings out a deeper complexity—doubling the deliciousness! While a few pieces usually come with the meal, it’s so good with a lot of juice that you might want to pick up some extra at the supermarket!
Buon Giorno
This is a very stylish restaurant located in Tagaytay, a summer resort area near Lake Taal, away from Manila. Tagaytay is a thriving area with many chic restaurants, cafes, and even an Ayala Mall. On this day, we visited for lunch after spending time at a nearby amusement. It was absolutely amazing.
You can enjoy your meal while taking in a panoramic view of Lake Taal. The scenery was breathtaking. At around 1,500 to 2,000 pesos per person, it is a bit pricey for the Philippines, but in exchange, it is safe and clean.
- Peace of mind point: The restrooms are sparkling clean—literally like a furniture showroom! In my experience, places with clean facilities usually have clean water and ice too. I’ve never had any stomach issues here. Just a heads-up: parking is only free if you spend over 500 pesos. But with a security guard at the entrance and the whole area being gated, it feels very safe and secure.
- Kids’ friendly point: To be honest, the way to the parking lot might make you wonder, “Am I in the right place?” But once you step inside, there’s a courtyard where kids can run around safely! Since it wasn’t crowded on a weekday, my kids seemed to know instinctively that it was a safe spot—they had so much fun running around together.
They serve Italian food and it comes with free sliced bread. Both the salad and the water were great! It’s the kind of restaurant where you can just enjoy the amazing food without ever worrying about tummy troubles. It was simply delicious!
They have several types of pizza, and all of them are absolutely amazing! The crust is thin and light, so it’s super crispy and easy to eat. Plus, they’re loaded with plenty of cheese!
The pasta dishes were also sophisticated and delicious. I especially loved the seafood pasta—the shrimp were perfectly prepared and tasted so fresh, with no fishy aftertaste at all. It had a nice spicy kick to it!
RICO’S
My local friend took me to this place at the massive MOA! It’s a local food chain you often see in malls—maybe not quite as well-known as Mang Inasal, but still a favorite. Since it was the height of the Christmas season, most restaurants at MOA had 30-minute to over an hour-long wait. Our first choice had 17 groups ahead of us, so we had to find a backup fast! My friend recommended this place, saying it’s local and delicious. Thanks to the spacious seating, we were able to get a table right away.
There’s a huge variety of dishes on the menu! They have plenty of set meals too, so it looks like a lot of fun to go with a group and order a bunch of different things to share.
Pork BBQ: The smoky aroma from the charcoal grill was so mouth-watering! Even my 4 and 2-year-olds loved it and were munching away. They just couldn’t get enough of it!
I thought the seafood was served in a soup at first, but it actually came with a peanut sauce underneath! You eat it by coating the seafood in the sauce as you go. It was a unique and delicious flavor that we don’t really have in Japan—I absolutely loved it!
Jollibee
When you think of the Philippines, you can’t miss this place! It’s the nation’s favorite burger chain with the famous bee mascot—it’s said to be the only place in the world where McDonald’s just can’t win. You’ll literally see them everywhere you go in the Philippines!
- The Taste: The breading has that perfect sweet and savory flavor, and the inside is surprisingly juicy! I can totally see why it’s loved by everyone from kids to adults—it might even be better than KFC!
- Focus on the sets: The Philippines has a huge “rice-loving culture”! Whether you order chicken or even a burger, it almost always comes with a side of rice. It’s not the Japanese rice we’re used to, but for some reason, it’s surprisingly tasty and goes so well with the food! By the way, the type of rice is different here. While Japanese rice is short-grain and sticky (perfect for making Onigiri!), the local rice in the Philippines is longer and has a fluffier, looser texture. It’s a fun discovery to taste the difference!
- A quick tip: Since the fries are thick-cut, even a large size might seem like less than you’d expect—you’ll probably finish them in no time! If you have a big family, it’s totally worth going all out and ordering a “bucket size” of chicken
Mo’ Cookies
There was a huge dog at RICO’S (the cookie shop from the Philippines!), and my oldest son got a bit spooked. So, while waiting for our food, we decided to take a little stroll. That’s when we stumbled upon a super cute shop! We thought, “Let’s give this a try!” and had so much fun picking out some treats together with the kids.
I expected them to be overly sweet, but they were actually rich, moist, and absolutely delicious! They were quite big, so I only bought four, but I totally regretted it later—I should have bought so many more! lol
Rare find: As of now, they seem to be available only in the Philippines—specifically around the Manila area. I couldn’t even find them at the airport! If you happen to spot them, they are definitely a must-try!
Avocadoria.ph
In the Philippines, avocados are actually considered a dessert! Instead of soy sauce, people here eat them with sugar or condensed milk. I first learned about this about 15 years ago, but being a “soy sauce purist,” I never had the courage to try it until now. But this time, I’m finally taking the plunge and giving it a try!
The Verdict: I was so surprised! The creaminess of the avocado really stood out, and it was delicious!! If you drink it knowing it’s avocado, you can catch a hint of the flavor, but otherwise, it just tastes like a rich, creamy shake. Since my oldest son was away at the time, my younger son gave it a try instead. He loved it so much that he kept begging for “One more! One more!” lol
Is the water and ice safe?
From a nurse and mother’s point of view
Based on my experience, I’ve noticed a strong correlation between a shop’s cleanliness and the safety of its water. New malls tend to have reliable plumbing, so the restaurants inside generally feel safe. If a restaurant is well-maintained and clean, the risk of getting sick from the water or ice seems quite low. However, unlike in Japan, vending machines aren’t readily available, so it’s a good idea to carry your own drinks with you!
Street Food Stalls
We came across some street stalls while walking near the National Museum. They were selling light snacks and ice cream. According to a local friend, these stalls have become much cleaner than they used to be. Although I decided to skip them this time to prioritize my children’s health, it might be a fun adventure for adults!
Final Thoughts
Based on my past experiences, I was a bit worried about whether I’d be able to find enough things to eat during my stay in the Philippines. However, I encountered so many safe and delicious dishes that it truly turned out to be a ‘no-miss’ gourmet trip!
While prices aren’t the lowest, you’re paying for peace of mind and great taste. There are so many wonderful restaurants to explore that you might even run out of time!
