Goyong's Grilled Balut

 

Goyong's Grilled Balut was inspired by the latest online food craze. You no longer need to travel to Manila or Tondo areas just to satisfy your curiosity.  You can now simply go to Kandili Street, Calumpang to taste their grilled penoy/balut, adobong balut,  also their garlic sauce and sweet chili sauce. 

Goyong's Grilled Balut opens daily and prepare their tent at 4PM until the baluts are sold out. You may call this number to order/pick up. 0927 567 1860

Posted By Marikeño2:31:00 AM

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Oppa Bowl to Go

Oppa Bowl to Go is your latest and craziest boneless Korean chicken trend in Marikina City. It is very similar to the fried chicken craze you see on television in K-dramas. It comes in 8 different flavors: original, soy garlic, spicy chili, honey butter, sweet chili, lemon glaze, salted egg and hot buffalo. 

It is you perfect snack when watching Netflix, when studying or simply when you are just plain hungry.  You can either buy half a chicken or an entire chicken. I personally liked their original flavored chicken which is comparable to the yangnyeom chicken I had in Jeonju, Gangneung and Itaewon when I was in South Korea. It had hints of gochujang (chili paste), gochugaru (chili flakes), ginger, garlic, honey and some soy sauce. The chicken fillet was smothered in their thick signature red sweet spicy sauce then sprinkled with roasted sesame seed. It is so good, you want the entire box for yourself. 

Tired of eating the usual white rice? You can try their kimchi fried rice which goes quite well with their famous chicken. It has bits and bits of kimchi cabbage and just like their chicken, it is always served hot and steamy. 

Oppa Bowl to Go is located at 142 MH Del Pilar Street, Calumpang, Marikina. Open daily from 10AM to 1AM.  You may order by calling their number at 0967 395 0780 or via the Grabfood app. Click here to view their most recent menu with pricing. Prices may change without prior notice. 

Posted By Marikeño12:06:00 AM

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Industriya Marikina

Industriya Marikina is probably the grandest and most elaborate restaurant to date in the City of Shoes.  From its architectural design and intricate details, to its wide food choices and very long menu.  Simply just by looking at it, one might think that it took them a really long time to come up with something like this; yes and it took them nearly two and a half years to finish it and it was definitely worth the wait.

Dr. Alfredo Senga Cheng, owner of Industriya Marikina, is a retired doctor, specializing in internal medicine and also a pulmonary disease specialist.  He retired 15 years ago when his mother became ill and bedridden.  He gave up his profession, his busy life and became his mother's personal caregiver.  His parents were once exporters of ladies shoes and sandals. They owned this huge lot in Tayug, Calumpang which was first used as a shoe factory for AGS, also popularly known as the American Golden Shoes back in the 70's. In fact, it was so popular that they had shops at the Marikina Shoe Expo in Bayan. They eventually transformed their building into what we now know today as Industriya Marikina. It is a living witness and testimony of how big the shoe industry was in Marikina.

When we asked Dr. Cheng why he chose to name his restaurant, Industriya Marikina, which we first thought was a really strong brand name and might draw great expectations from their guests, he said : "Industriya - to bring back the legacy of the shoe industry. Marikina is well-known for its quality shoes and was in fact, Asia's Shoe Capital."  Hearing him answer my first question made me picture the glory days of Marikina and asked myself if that will ever happen again.

"Do you still make shoes?" we asked Dr. Cheng. "We've stopped manufacturing shoes but we still do retailing" he said. "However, my sister owns Rusty Lopez" he added.

Industriya Marikina was first opened to the public on November 28, 2014.  Tayug was chosen as the location for the restaurant for two obvious reasons: sayang ang lupa and there was no income. So to get the people's attention, he thought that building a grandeur restaurant like Industriya Marikina would be his key to success. He also decided to add long menu with diverse set of tasty mouthwatering food: American, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Filipino. You will also notice that they put too many details in the restaurant: from their couches, the ceiling, the dining area, the lighting, the broad window panes, the al fresco, the doors and even their bathrooms.  Yes, their bathrooms. So to those who believe that if you want to find true love, you have to let it find you first.  Well, not on my case, because I came looking for it and I found love especially with their food.

Moria Wase Deluxe (image above, top left) is a collection of different sashimi. It has over 10 kinds of fresh gifts from the seas and placed neatly on a single plate.  The portion might be a little too sparing for a heavy eater like me, but I have to tell you this, our dear readers, this is pure gratification.  The color is vibrant and it creates an overwhelming explosions of flavors in my mouth.  If you love sashimi, you have to try it. A little too pricey though, so definitely not for everyone.

Sake Roll (image above, top right) is fresh pink salmon on a roll. Add some gari or young ginger for a tender flesh texture and natural sweetness taste then a generous portion of wasabi for that little extra kick. Once again, it truly melted my heart away.

Special Sarada (image above, bottom left) is a yummy Japanese salad with kani (crab meat), ebi (shrimp), maguro (tuna) and sake (rice wine). Mixed with fresh lettuce, cucumber strips and Japanese mayonnaise. It is the freshest salad you will find in the city.

Japanese Seafood Ramen (image above, bottom right) is a steamy hot bowl of seafood freshness: seafood stock, squid, shrimp, fish balls, Narutomaki, seaweeds and vegetables. It has that clean aftertaste and it was not that oily at all.

Pan Seared Tenderloin (image above, main article photo) is a New Zealand beef tenderloin served with a purée of mashed potato, buttered vegetables and red wine sauce. The meat was well-done so it was a little chewy but still flavorful and so juicy. Comes with tasty and crunchy sautéed vegetables.

Gamberetti Pasta or Shrimp Pasta (image above, top) is a firm pasta dish with tomato sauce and sautéed shrimps. Perfectly paired with a slice of crunchy garlic bread. If you like it light and you like it pasta, then Gamberetti Pasta it is.

Veggie Delight Pasta (image above, bottom) has red and green peppers, olives, mushrooms, onions with generous mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. Best to eat it when it is fresh and steaming hot. Highly recommended to friends and families.

We concluded our meal with a good set of their oh-so-yummy desserts: Mango Crunch, Mixed Berries Cheesecake and Moist Chocolate Cake. A slice of each of these were like slices of heaven sent from above.  Thank you God for these blessings.

A visit to Industriya Marikina is not just a food experience but a blast from the past. It will show you both old and new about Marikina, where it came from and where it's heading.  It was a nostalgic experience.  We enjoyed our visit to this place, most especially our chat with our new dear friend, Dr. Cheng.  Thanks to the entire staffs and management of Industriya Marikina.  Visit them at 23 M.A. Roxas Street, Calumpang. You may also check their map by clicking here.

Posted By Marikeño3:31:00 PM

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Corner Cafe

Corner Cafe is your modest eating house located in Tayug, Calumpang. They can be easily spotted because they are literally located at the corner of M.H. del Pilar Street and I.S. Senga Street in Tayug, Calumpang. Most of you might have heard of them because of their very famous Lechon Cake. Lechon in Spanish, which refers to a suckling pig that is roasted.  So it is a cake that looks like a real Lechon.  It comes in three sizes: Super Mini is P1,000; Mini is P1,500; and Regular is sold at P3,000.  You have to order it at least three (3) days in advance before the day you are supposed to pick it up.

Corner Cafe started one Christmas Eve in 2012.  Dra. Yet Cheng, the owner was just selling customized home baked cake online.  They were getting too many orders from customers and some of them were asking if they had a place where they can see the cakes up close.  That is when they've decided to open up a cute little cake shop/cafe.  So on June of 2013, they opened their store to the public.

I was accompanied by our first batch of food trip contest winners: Krisha, Daniel and Christian.  I also had to ask my good friend, Isagani to join us for lunch.  We all loved their place.  It's simple yet clean. Reminds me of those Japanese tea houses that I've been to.  The floor was nicely tiled and the chairs and tables were all made of wood. It had that warm homelike feeling. Jona, one of the staffs greeted us and showed us our reserved table.  She handed us the menu and asked us what we wanted to have.  Here are just some of what we've had:

Corner Cafe Asian Salad is a combination of Szechuan grilled shrimps, crispy wanton strips, slices of oranges, sesame soy dressing on top of crisp iceberg lettuce. The taste is mild but the crispy wanton strips made it pleasant to eat.

Calamares Fritos is crispy battered squid rings served with garlic mayo. Some might find that calamares are boring but when paired with their garlic mayonnaise, tastes quite good.  We even had to wait until it is slightly cold so we can see if it'd still taste okay. Perfect finger food for friends and groups.

Frutti de Mare is a fettuccine pasta with shrimps, clams, mussels, squid and fish fillet mixed together in a luscious marinara sauce. The sauce was not enough but I find the taste to be quite pleasing and enjoyable to my palate. It is a seafood festival with all our favorite things in it. It also comes with garlic bread.

Roast Beef Sandwich is thin slices of roasted beef smothered in rich mushroom gravy in a sesame seed bun. Comes with fries.  It is your perfect sandwich.  The taste reminded me of something from the past which was both surreal and exciting. One of the best roast beef sandwiches I've had ever.

T-Bone Steak is the holy grail for meat lovers. I find it a little thin but for that low price, why ask for more? The taste really surpassed our expectation and it would be a sure hit to everyone that would order. Coming from a meat fan, this is my favorite dish of all.  Served with garlic rice, vegetables and gravy.

A visit to Corner Cafe will never be complete without getting to taste their mouth-watering cupcakes. We've tried all of their best-sellers: Red Velvet Cupcakes, Nutella Cupcakes, Caramel Mud Cakes, Chocolate Cupcakes and my favorite, Apple Walnut Cupcakes. All sold for only P60 each.  You guys really have to try these. Not too sweet and so yummy.

We would like to thank Dra. Yet Cheng and Mrs, Heidi Cheng of Corner Cafe for their warm cafe, good food and great cupcakes.  Visit them in Tayug, Calumpang. They are open from 11am until 10pm, Mondays to Sundays.  You may call them at 0922 864 5973.  Click here to see their full menu and prices.

Posted By Marikeño9:45:00 AM

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Directions: Calumpang

How to Get to Calumpang, Marikina City?

Calumpang is located in the southernmost part of Marikina City and is one of the city's oldest and most vibrant communities. Many longtime residents proudly speak with the distinct Marikeño accent, a unique characteristic often associated with Marikina's rich cultural heritage.

The barangay is home to some of Marikina's most beloved dining destinations, including Cafe Lidia on Calderon Street and Jesus Panciteria on J.M. Basa Street. As you explore the area, you may also come across small shoe-making workshops, a reminder of Marikina's long-standing reputation as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines.

From Cubao:
From Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, ride a jeepney with the Calumpang signage. This route will take you directly to Calumpang and its popular landmarks, including Cafe Lidia and Jesus Panciteria.

From Manila:

Take the LRT-2 and get off at Katipunan Station. From there, ride a jeepney with the Calumpang signage.

From Monumento or Fairview: 
By bus: Take a bus bound for Cubao. Upon reaching Aurora Boulevard, ride a jeepney with the Calumpang signage.

By train: Take the MRT and alight at Araneta Center-Cubao Station. Proceed to Aurora Boulevard and ride a jeepney with the Calumpang signage.

From Alabang, Pasay, or Makati:
By bus: Take a bus bound for Cubao. Upon reaching Aurora Boulevard, ride a jeepney with the Calumpang signage.
By train: Take the MRT and get off at Araneta Center-Cubao Station. If coming from Alabang, you may first take a bus to Magallanes and transfer to the MRT. From Cubao, ride a jeepney with the Calumpang signage. These jeepneys provide direct access to the heart of Calumpang and its well-known restaurants, residential areas, and local businesses.

Posted By Marikeño7:54:00 AM

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Marikina's Pride; Cafe Lidia

Lydia, entrepreneur, never had imagined that she would be getting herself into food business. She used to manage an old shoe factory business, leading over 180 workers. Hard to admit, shoe-making's a dying industry in Marikina City.  Most of the small-time shoemakers in the city had stopped making them. Not to add the skyrocketing prices of shoe materials they imported from China.

Being this very positive and determined person, Lydia decided to venture on food business. she believed that when a door shuts, a window opens. Having zero-knowledge on how she would manage it, she sought advice from her friend, Nelson Tolentino. So on September 8, 2009, Cafe Lidia opened its doors to the public. She only had 10 staffs.  But it wasn't the ending yet. It was just the start of this great story. 

Only two week right after their opening, Typhoon Ketsana (also known as Ondoy) made landfall to Metro Manila on September 26, 2009. A month's worth of rainfall in a single day washed away homes and flooded large areas of Manila, Pasig, and Marikina. Hundreds of people were killed and missing, thousands were left with no homes. It was the worst rainfall ever recorded in the history of Metro Manila.  However, this didn't deteriorate Lydia's spirits. Instead, she faced all her problems with great courage and determination, she decided not to draw back. Cafe Lidia underwent an immediate face lift and soon attracted many hungry people of Marikina. It became a perfect place for meeting people. It's where friends and families meet to talk and vent their sad stories on the recent event. Lydia quickly noticed that more and more people were leaving her restaurant feeling better and relieved.  Only a year after their grand launching, Cafe Lidia has established its reputation as one of the best and top-rated restaurants in the city of Marikina. Here are the foods we've tried during our visit: 

Buffalo Wings (p150) Tender chicken wings flavored with their very special barbecue sauce, cooked until bright red. Also comes with its special tartar sauce. It is so affordable yet tastes so good.

Pasta ala Lidia (p135) Their house special. It has anchovies, olives, capers, tuna, and fresh tomatoes in olive oil. very delicious and sumptuous. Quite a large serving of 200 grams. If you love shrimps, don't miss their Spaghetti Gamberini (p160), an unpretentious pasta dish, served with mushrooms, garlic oil, and shrimps. It also comes with garlic bread. Simplicity at its finest. Highly recommended.

Pizza Madam (p230) A 12" thin crust pizza topped only with the freshest and best ingredients like cheese, pepperoni, ham, olives, bell pepper and onion. Baked until crust is deliciously crisp. Good for 2 to 3 persons. Pizza Mama (p205) is an all-vegetable pizza, with bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, onion, eggplant, pineapple and zucchini. Don't forget to also try their House Pizza Special (p220) 12" thin crust pizza topped with pepperoni, ham, bacon, mushroom, onion, bell pepper and pineapple.

Grilled Pork Belly (p195) A new entrée recently introduced from Cafe Lidia's kitchen, flavored with their own special barbecue sauce, java rice, carrots and green beans. The pork was terribly tender and tasty; quite satisfying.

Lydia's Fish and Chips (p160) Buttered deep-fried creamy dory fish, served with thick potato wedges and tartar sauce. Whoever sees and tastes it will swirl in excitement and delight. Share this light snack with a friend or family.

Cafe Lidia is one of my most favorite restaurants and cafés in Marikina City. Their coffees and cakes are served with the biggest smiles. Aside from their excellent menu, they also give speedy services by their very friendly staffs.  The interior is quite cozy and comfortable, with lighting so easy to the eyes. Free wi-fi service is also given to all you Facebook fanatics. Bon appétit everyone.



We would like thank the following people for making this feature possible: Doña Lydia, Mr. Nelson Tolentino (publicist and adviser), Ms. Grace Malabonga (manager) and to the entire staff (waiters, waitresses, chefs, cooks, assistants, security, maintainance, etc.) of Cafe Lidia. More power to you. Visit them at #64 Calderon Street, Calumpang Marikina city; 647-7606; cafe_lidia@yahoo.com.ph.

Posted By Marikeño8:27:00 PM

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Gazebo in the City

Gazebo is just one of the best features that the River Park has to offer. It is right in front of the riverbend, also facing Riverbank's Amphitheater. The Gazebo is my most favorite thing in Marikina and it is the one of the best things to see in the city. I just hope that the city mayor will make more projects like this.

Posted By Marikeño6:23:00 AM

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