FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Allan's Food Kiosk may not ring a bell but if I'd say it's the resurrection of Tarzan Magic La Mien noodle place, then let's do the food talk. It was a shock more than one year ago that this restaurant that specializes in hand-pulled noodles closed down its branch along Calle Real. I can't help but miss their very good freshly made noodles that you can see being hand pulled from their kitchen. But by a stroke of luck, fellow foodie Mr Eugene Jamerlan, discovered this newly opened restaurant along Valeria Extension (street) to be the "reincarnation" of our favorite noodle house. Allan's Food Kiosk is just opened a few days ago and it is located in the former site of Emperor's Wok. Just a block away from Marymart Mall and SM Delgado. But as they are experiencing (re)birthpains as of now, their hand pulled noodles are not yet on the menu. But good thing our other favorite was ready when we dropped by there today. Their yummy Oyster Cake was a...

So how to start a month the month of Love in terms of gastronomy? I didn't have to try hard as they come on their own terms.After the revelry of Dinagyang, the next big celebrations in Iloilo are the Chinese new Year, Jaro Candelaria Feast and Paraw Regatta. And it was on the mid celebrations (Jaro Fiesta) that February gastronomy marked its start.  I went to two fiestas during Candelaria - the rainforest inspired set up at the Jamerlan residence and one at Afrique's Jaro, where the restaurant business all began. But in between I just got a call informing me of a photoshoot happening at Days Hotel Iloilo and when I got there it was cakes, cakes and cakes all over. Tinapayan was readying for Valentine and the Heart Cakes were at the center of it all. The next day I was out to lunch at the Central Market and got to discover the old way of having Coffee on the Go at De Leonian Cafe . The month also brought in more discovery as for the first time I got to taste a hambu...

Now there's more reason to go back at my favorite noodle house in town! Tarzan Magic La Mien Noodle noodle along JM Basa street may just look like your ordinary Calle Real eatery serving turo-turo and Chinese specialties but once you've tried what's on their menu, you'd surely be back, again and again. A few days ago, I found myself enjoying their latest dish, Oyster Cake. Our order took long that we thought it was forgotten but when the plate of the oyster cake came to the table, we knew then why. It was cooked with a labour of love, the oyster meat was seasoned with delectable spices (the kusay being the most evident) then sauteed and made omelet style then smothered with, at first I thought just plain catsup, but it was a Chinese dressing/sauce which really complemented the oyster specialty. It was one good and savoury find that day. And they also have new noodle varieties and I think I hit the jackpot with my order - Spare Ribs La Mien. The taste of the s...

There’s a new noodle house in town where you don’t only get to savor its specialties but also get a closer look on how the noodles are actually made. Located along Iloilo City’s premiere heritage showcase - JM Basa Street, the Tarzan Magic La Mien Noodle House highlights the Chinese influences in Ilonggo food and food ways. It opened just a few weeks ago and diners, mostly of Chinese descent, have been coming back to this restaurant because of the allure of the freshly made, hand pulled noodles that is said to be flavourful but also of the gastronomic exhibition of pulls, twirls and stretches diners see and enjoy. FRESHLY MADE They only make the noodles when a customer places an order and that accounts for the freshness in taste. The kitchen is visible through a glass window and it was quite a sight to see the noodle guy doing his gastronomic stunts in full view of the hungry customers. The noodle maker pulls out a plain looking dough and on a floury surface, he starts rolling it into ...

There’s new joint along Iloilo City’s premiere heritage showcase, JM Basa Street and it highlights the Chinese influence in Ilonggo food and food ways. Opened just a few days ago, the Tarzan Magic La Mien noodle house prides itself with it’s freshly made noodles. One can actually see how they are stretched, pulled and all the acts of noodle making. This discovery came to be when a foodie-friend La Beth of Skyscraper City-Iloilo (forum) had her noodle fill there and gave a thumbs-up for her order. So I immediately trooped days later and found myself having a bowl of their combo bowl having beef, pork, chicken and innards. It was almost like having a bowl of Lapaz batchoy if not for the bean sprouts and a spiced flavourful broth. The difference was in the noodles too, though I haven’t seen the actually noodle making, I came late – a friend just ordered for me. It comes in a deep bowl filled almost up the brim and almost overflowing with broth. Good thing the soup is good that unknowin...