Tinda Lapaz has a lot of food finds to offer. There's the quintessential of Ilonggo cuisine which had its birthing and carrying the name - Lapaz Batchoy (take your pick from Ted's Oldtimer, Deco's Original and Netong's). There's also the popular hang-out - Madge cafe; and rows of carinderia's and bakeries.
And of course, there's the row of halo-halo stalls lining almost half of the market's "facade". So yesterday, fulfilling one of my long "to-do, to-eat" list, I ventured to Tinda Lapaz and beat the searing November heat (and it's not even summer time yet) with an "Extra" serving of halo-halo at 5G's Refreshment. (And the 5 G's turn out to be Glenn I, Glenn II, Grace, Greg and Gene.)
Just like the batchoy, halo-halo comes in Regular, Special, Super and Extra. I counted more than 15 ingredients ranging from fresh fruits to colorful "trimmings". Of course I went for the Extra as my default order as I just have to go for it especially in blogging and surprisingly it was just PhP35.
And there was much more on the menu, even cheaper but it was all halo-halo for me that time. So it was my usual clicks and flashes when my order was being prepared by "Manang 5G". After the block of ice has been shaved came assorted toppings for my order.
As it was an "Extra" order of halo-halo, I got one topped with barquillos and leche "plan". With out the rolled wafer, it will be "demoted" to a "Super" order PhP30, just topped with the custard. But without the custard, it'll just be a "Special" one - PhP25. But still it's a steal given this amount which is mostly equivalent to an order of soda in restaurants.
And my order came picture perfect - all the colors sort of blended just right! It had that enticingly fresh aroma from the fresh fruits prompting me to finish my foodtography in no time - plus there' the melting factor of the shaved ice.
I didn't bother to add sugar as I just was satisfied by the sweetness offered by the fruits and other ingredients. I usually limit my sugar even at home like when I make fruit shakes, its just the natural sugar content of the fruits. I just love the taste of melon (and it's not even the melon season) and the buko meat. then there' the subdued taste of banana and kamote giving it some texture as well. The pineapple,avocado and papaya gave it more dimension in taste. There's the contrasting texture of the corn flakes and the sago. And finally the ube halaya, leche "plan" and the barquillos ...
With these galore of ingredients and with a extra-super bargain price, it was indeed another satisfying foodie adventure at Tinda Lapaz, making this market indeed a showcase of Ilonggo food and food ways. 'til we eat again...