Maasin at the Port Area
It was a good feeling to be back in Maasin. The last time I went to this Southern tip of Eastern Visayas was two years ago. Now, it has progressed but still remained the southern charm that it have.
Its been a long time since last visited and it has always fascinated me to roam around in this lovely city. My favorite part, the port area.
View from Kinamot sa Abgao
In Maasin, there is this great restaurant that is known for its great food and warm accommodation. The first time that I went there was around 2006. The name is Kinamot sa Abgao. It has improved. Now, they have a hotel beside the restaurant.
Kinamot sa Abgao
Going inside Kinamot
Kinamot is a word in Visayas to “eat using your bare hands”. We Filipinos are familiar with this way of eating and there is a proper etiquette in doing so. You may either use your left or right but you have to make sure that your other hand is not used. There are exemptions like eating shrimps, crabs and shells but as much as possible, it is avoided. In eating using your hands, you have to make sure that the food that you take is just enough to enter your mouth and must be very clean afterwards.
Going back to the restaurant, it is situated just beside the breakwaters. You will experience a cool breeze of the sea. We even saw fishermen catching fish while we were dinning.
Inside Kinamot sa Abgao
Here are the foods that are must have:
Kinilaw
One of the best tasting kinilaw that I ever had. The combination of sweetness and the tang our sourness plus the freshness of the fish has made this a fantastic dish. This is highly recommended.
Inihaw Platter
Inihaw platter is a combination of grilled fish, squid, pork bacon, beef and chicken. At first we thought at this is just a small dish good for two. But then it came, we were three and still we had a hard time finishing it. This complimented the kinilaw. The grilled squid was cooked just right leaving it very soft.
San Miguel Pale Pilsen
The kinilaw and the inihaw platter were great with with a bottle of San Miguel Pale Pilsen. The combination of grill and kinilaw is the perfect match here in Kinamot. They also have a hotel beside the resto named Villa Romana Hotel. When you go to Maasin Southern Leyte, never miss this opportunity to eat beside the bay with one of the best kinilaw and gilled that I tasted. Bare in mind, Kinamot sa Abgao.
Grill Place of Tita Fannies
When it Cagayan De Oro, it is always a time for good food with your good friends. Right after work, I was brought by my friend to dinner. Since they know that I am always looking for an extraordinary experience in eating, they brought me to Tita Fannies for me to taste their famous Liempo de Lechon. Just before we went there, I was already thinking of eating Liempo. When they mentioned Tita Fannies, I did not give any hesitation instead I said, “take me there, right-away!” Tita Fannies is very easy to access since it is just along Corrales st. downtown CDO.
Order Counter
We ordered for 3 dishes. First was the Lechon Liempo, second was Lechon Manok, and third was Kinilaw.
Liempo De Lechon
It took us not that long when our orders started to come in. When I tasted their Liempo de Lechon, the skin was crackling and the meat was so tender. I guess they have a technique in marinating and cooking the liempo. It was indeed very delicious and tasty. It was something to eat and eat again. Ang sarap sobra!!!
Lechon Manok
Second was the lechon Manok. Typical of a lechon from the south, it was tasty as well and the taste of lemon grass enhanced its flavor. It was very flavorsome and was perfect as a main dish and an appetizer. It goes very well with soy, chilies and calamansi.
Kinilaw Boat
Their Kinilaw was also as great with their grilled dishes. It was the right combination. It was very delicious specially with beer.
Inside Tita Fannies
Dining at Tita Fannies does give you an experience of eating great food coupled with a good ambiance. You can also eat with your bear-hands ( for foreign readers, there is a proper ethics in the Philippines society in eating without utensils) or ”kinamot” as what they say in the south. When you are in Cagayan De Oro or Iligan City, visit Tita Fannies. You may also visit their website at http://titafannies.com
Outside Tita Fannies
To Tita Fannies, I will again go back to your place, have the Liempo de Lechon and taste your other delectable dishes. Till we meet again, Tita Fannies. Rapsa kaayo ang imohang Liempo de Lechon ug ang Lechon Manok!!!.
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.
Saucy Wong
After spending too much of the cholesterol overload at barbeques, bulalo, durian, inasal and beer, I decided to eat at a simple restaurant with veggies, simple food, simple dessert, simple soup but all were delicious. I came into this eatery and it is called Nanay’s eatery. They have this specialty of the house called Saucy Wong. This is one breaded meat with plenty of sauce that is mouthwateringly great!!!
Kinilaw na Langka
Another great stuff in Nanay’s eatery is the Kinilaw na Langka. It is jack fruit served with vinegar sauce. Delicious padin!!! I also had ginisang Baguio Beans.
Ginisang Baguio Beans
Wow!! This is really a food tripping. What about the fish dish? Of course!!! There should be two and that is paksiw na galunggong and another kinilaw na dilis.
Paksiw na Isda
Kilawing Dilis
Cassava Cake
Sometimes we look for known and flamboyant places only to find out that what they serve are very simple to make and commercial in taste. There reason for it is because who i in charge of the kitchen? Some are those who studied in prestigious culinary schools whose creation are more of the presentation and not on the taste. The taste is what these small carenderias leverages on and not too much on the presentation. That is also the reason why people frequented these places because most of the time, the owner is the cook. It is like eating in the house and the prices are much less than the big and known restaurants.
Where to find
Nanay’s Eatery is along J.P. Laurel st. Lanang Davao city. It is beside Bayan Building and infront of Grand Regal Hotel and Casino. This restaurant are frequented by people for the near by offices. They are open as early as 7:00am and open before 9:00pm. This is one restaurant in Davao that I use to go since 1999. Up to now, they still serves one of the best Lutong Bahay in the area. When Davao, don’t forget to pay Nanay a visit in her humble restaurant that serves awesome food!!! Iba parin ang luto ni Nanay.
Published on February 4th, 2009 in
Homemade
Another delicious kinilaw version aside from fish has originated in Navotas and Cavite. . This is Kinilaw na Talaba. It is raw oysters, in vinegar, chilis, onions, pepper and salt. It is also very good with cucumber. I tasted this during one my drinking session last week. This was very delicious and I goes very well with my favorite white wine, GATO BLANCO. This was given to my uncle by his brother-in-law who is from Navotas. Navotas and Cavite are places where there is an ample supply of oysters.
Where to find
This is common in coastal areas and you can have this prepared by the people who live there. Rarely that you will find it served in restaurants but you can request. For me, I suggest you have it prepared by yourself because there are some factors that might give you an upset stomach specially that this is raw. Make sure also that there’s no red tide if you are to taste this very delicious delicacy. Caution: Eat this with stomach full. Never eat it if you are hungry. For those whose stomach is not yet strong when it comes to raw food, make sure that you have your medication within reach. I experienced it already and the pain will make you very weak. Right now, I got immune to it already. No more pains, only pleasure in eating oysters. Pero, ingat parin. J
Tuna is everywhere in General Santos one of my favorite dish is Kinilaw. It is made of raw tuna, mixed with onions, cucumber and sometimes tomato is added in other version. Final ingredient is salt and vinegar. I also tasted a version with mayonnaise. Something not usual but it does taste good. The freshess of the fish and vegetables made this Kinilaw in Gensan tangy and sweet.
Where to find
It is everywhere in our land.!!! This dish is one truly “tatak Pinoy” in our culinary masterpiece. Simple but very tasty. In General Santos, you may find it at every restaurant. One of the finest that I tasted is at Nikoli. It is located at Naranjita st. downtown of Gensan. Once you are in Naranjita st., the land mark is the restaurant. There is also the “Tuna Grill” along Quirino ave. It is very easy to find because both are known in the place.
Kinilaw is one of the best tuna receipe I ever tasted. Sarap ng hilaw! Sarap ng kilaw!
