Archive for the ‘General Santos’ Category
I have been a fan of soup dishes specially balbakwa. This beef soup dish has given me the gastronomical pleasure soup no. 5 can bring. Just an introduction, Soup no. 5 is a beef soup made of beef testicles and sexual organ. It is commonly called “bat and balls” and is known for its aphrodisiac properties. In my experience in eating soup no. 5, I guess I would say that it is more soothing and can revive your lost energy.
In General Santos, I experienced a mix of both Balbakwa and Soup no. 5. This crossover dish was very delectable. I wanted to order for another bowl but my friend advised me not to over eat it. I took his advise since the dish has too much beef ligaments and all of the delicious flavors in it. Eating in moderation is still the best way to control one’s self and extend your existence for a more palatable food experience. Going back to the soup, “Ang sarap sobra !!!” I don’t know how to describe it further but I can assure you of the taste.
Where to Find
Manny’s Balbakwa is located along JP Laurel st., Downtown, General Santos City. It was the former location of Jane’s Sinugba. We were frequenting the place a long time ago and when I went back, I noticed that it is already a Balbakwanan. Its good to be back at Gensan and at the place where we use to hang around.
Now that there is a new restaurant that serves what I like, I will again go back and hang around again when I stay in Gensan.
You will be amaze that there are migrants from Panay Island and the far North of the Philippines from Ilocos that settled in South Cotabato, Mindanao. They speak their native dialect to where they originated as if they did not migrated at all.
Although Batchoy originated from La Paz Iloilo, the migrants of Panay brought this fantastic soup dish to their new place in South Cotabato. They have created this similar to the Batchoyan in Iloilo.
I tasted this wonderful dish at Lab’s Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy in General Santos City. It was again a self gratifying experience to taste this dish in an unexpected land of tuna and seafoods. Of course, batchoy is not complete without the puto (rice cake).
Where to Find
Lab’s Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy can be located along Roxas East Ave., General Santos city. They also have braches at South Osmena st. and other location in the city. When in General Santos and you are craving for this sumptuous meal, drop by Lab’s and you will be truly in love with the famous La Paz Batchoy.
In Visayas and Mindanao, there are plenty of “Balbacuahans” in every corner of the streets. However, there are only few who cooked is so well that the name of their restaurants linger everytime you hear the word Balbacua.
In General Santos city, there is this Balbacuahan that is frequented by people in all walks of life. Even if it is a little bit far from the city, people still go there. The taste that lingers to those who tasted it can attest that they have created this soup so well. If you go there during lunch time, you will have a hard time to have a seat because the place is crowded. Better to be there around 11:00AM just to make sure that you’ll have you place to dine.
Where to Find
Aweng’s Balbacuahan is located along the National Highway, Calumpang, General Santos. It is the road going to Sarangani provinces. When you are in General Santos City, never miss this change to drop by Awengs and have a taste of their Balbacua. The taste will surely entice you to its spell.
Staying in Gensan is not complete if you are not going to eat tuna. One of the best way to experience this is to eat it raw. If the Japanese have their raw fish dish called sushi, we Filipinos have a version called “Kinilaw†or “Kilawinâ€. It is the combination of raw tuna meat with cucumber, tomatoes, onions, vinegar, salt and pepper and chilis. In General Santos City, this is very common dish at the area and one which I can recommend to have kinilaw is at Nikolai.
Where to Find
Nikolai Barbeque Grill and Seafood is located downtown of General Santos City along Aranghita st. THey are known for their delicious seafood dishes and very affordable price. I bet you, you will be surprise how may dishes you can have with your 500 pesos. They serve the freshest catch of the day at a very affordable price. When you are in the place, never miss their Kinilaw. One of the best kinilaw that I have tasted.
- Garlic Chicken
In General Santos, aside from Tuna, Chicken is one the all time favorite at the place. You can find it at every barbeque houses and restaurants. I was brought by my friend Edwin Tagalog to try a different chicken experience at Chicken Hauz. It a humble restaurant but you will notice that people come and go for take-out. The specialty of the house is their Garlic Chicken. It was one of the best garlic chicken that I tasted. Even the sauce was so flavorsome. As a matter of fact, it was so delicious that I ordered again for eat out. It was perfect with their fried rice. No wonder, if you say you want to eat chicken at Gensan, they will bring you to the place. Not to mention that the price is very affordable.
Inside Chicken Hauz
Where to Find
Chicken Hauz can be found at South Osmena st. downtown of Gensan. They also have branch along Magsaysay avenue. They also have a wide variety of food to choose from and other variations of chicken menu that will depend on your eating modes. But for me, their garlic chicken is enough reason for me to come back and have it again and again.
Chicken Hauz Restaurant
Steamed Talakitok with Toasted Garlic
After a long day of work in Gensan, our friend took us to a restaurant that he has mentioned to me even before I came to the place. His description was, I was one of the best seafood restaurant in General Santos. So, we went there and took a taste of what he was claiming. For the main dish, we ordered of a steamed Talakitok (Trevally or Jack) with Toasted Garlic. What I like about steam, is the natural sauce that is created plus the spices. The steam, penetrates the meat, creating a soft-tender, flavorsome fish. This was the experience we had when we went to Nikolai. The taste of fresh fish is different and more delicious with a tang of sweetness. This is something rare to have in Metro Manila.
Where to Find
Nikolai Barbeque Grill and Seafoods
Nikolai Barbeque Grill and Seafood is located downtown of General Santos City along Aranghita st. They have a wide variety of food to choose from. Starting form the clams to big fishes and to other all time favorite Filipino dishes. This steamed fish really caught my attention. It was something to be enticed to, most specially when the fish that is serve was the freshest catch of the day. Steamed Talakitok with Toasted Garlic is something to crave for.
Nikolai
When there is a drinking session, one of the popular appetizer is Sisig. Sisig is made from pig’s head, chicken liver, onions, garlic, and some of the exotic one, they add pig’s brain. It is best seasoned with  calamansi, soy and siling labuyo (bird’s eye pepper). One of the best sisig that I tasted is at General Santos City. The taste is just like that sisig in Pampanga and the sauce is truly flavorful. This lip-smacking appetizer will always be a good partner to a bottle of ice-cold beer.
Where to find
You may find this appetizing Sizzling Sisig at Sud-an restaurant along Santiago boulevard (in front Medical Plaza) in the heart of General Santos City, South Cotabato. This is one of the best sisig that I tasted far beyond compare to the grills in Metro Manila that serves this similar stuff. When in General Santos, don’t miss the opportunity to taste the Sizzling Sisig of Sud-an. Manyaman ne!
 
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This is one of my alternative dish to adobo. I remember to have it eveyday when I was a little bid younger. Hehe. Anyways, Binagoongan is made of pork cubes stirred-fried with bagoong and spiced with green chilis. There is also a version of chicken and seafoods. I got to taste one of the best binagoongang baboy in this part of General Santos. The meat was very soft and the way they cooked it, is to perfection!!! One of the best Binagoongan I tasted. The dish is not salty.  It is so delicious that the sauce alone can be a viand by itself.  In Filipino, “Sarsa pa lang, Ulam na!!”
 
 
Where to find
I found this little treasure at a restaurant named “Sud-an”. Â It is along Santiago boulevard infront of Medical Plaza. Â Sud-an serves different Filipino dishes that are also delicious but this baby caught my attention. Â When in Gensan, drop by Sud-an to have a rapsa meal and don’t forget to include Binagoongang Baboy to which give all of my praises and admiration.Â
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