Zamboanga Metropolis’s delicacies is simply as festive, colourful and numerous because the tradition of the area. Due to their location close to the Sulu Sea, you get a wide range of recent seafood. With Zamboanga’s wealthy historical past as a former Spanish settlement, Hispanic flavors and meals preparation have been infused into dishes.
The presence of ethnic tribes from the Sulu archipelago and the Malay peninsula, recognized for his or her use of unique spices, have added a singular contact to the delicacies that you may’t discover anyplace else within the nation.
From conventional Filipino and seafood dishes, regional specialties with “a contact of Spanish, American and Asian influences,” to ethnic delicacies, guests to Zamboanga Metropolis are actually in for a culinary deal with. Right here’s my decide of what and the place to eat in Zamboanga Metropolis from numerous visits to “Asia’s Latin Metropolis” through the years.
Observe: This text has been up to date from a go to to Zamboanga Metropolis in February 2023.
Alavar Seafood Restaurant
Established in 1978, Alavar Seafood Restaurant stays one of many prime homegrown eating places in Zamboanga Metropolis, well-liked with locals and guests alike. First-time guests are normally taken right here as this high quality eating restaurant serves heirloom recipes and Zamboangueño specialties like Curacha, a species of deep-sea crab discovered within the waters surrounding Zamboanga Metropolis.
The seafood dish is topped with the restaurant’s signature Alavar Sauce, a scrumptious mixture of coconut milk and spices that you’ll want to placed on all the things you eat. One of the best ways to eat curacha is together with your naked arms so you may pick all of the bits of meat hiding beneath the shell & savor each final little bit of the sticky, candy orange goodness out of your fingers.
You want to be in an enormous group to take pleasure in this (and break up the invoice) because the servings are good for sharing. As a fan of seafood, I’ve no complaints consuming crabs simply plain steamed, however there’s one thing concerning the sauce that makes this dish extra-special. Alavar additionally focuses on Spanish-inspired dishes together with Paella Valenciana and Paella Negra.
The Baked Imbao (clams) and inexperienced mango served with Bagon con gata, which mixes the staple fermented condiment with coconut milk, are each must-tries. The mango actually provides a special dimension to all of the the wealthy seafood dishes. Remember to attempt the refreshing drinks like Kamias Shake and Zamboanga White, a creamy lychee-based shake that’s very candy and refreshing.
TRAVEL TIP: Alavar Seafood Restaurant is among the pricier eating places within the metropolis and is finest for teams due to the family-style servings. For solo vacationers and people on a finances, a smaller department of Alavar at Paseo del Mar serves combo meals the place you will get smaller servings of curacha, grilled fish, baked clams, prawns with Alavar sauce and inasal/barbecue dishes.
- Tackle: Alavar Seafood Restaurant. 173 Don Alfaro Avenue, Tetuan, Zamboanga Metropolis. Additionally they have a smaller department at Paseo del Mar.
- Fb: Alavar Seafood Restaurant
- Contact quantity: (062) 992 4533
Vista del Mar
Vista del Mar is seaside resort with a two-story restaurant the place you may take pleasure in a wonderful view of the ocean and the breeze throughout your meal. Situated close to the Yakan Weaving Village, the resto serves heritage recipes utilizing substances plentiful within the area.
Their tackle Deep-Fried Curacha permits friends to crack the crabs open themselves by crushing them between two plates. Curacha is served with their very own signature seafood sauce.
Different must-tries right here embody the Baked imbao or clams, crispy dinuguan (topped with lechon kawali), cucumber lemonade and refreshing Ensalada de Chamba (Chamba Salad), a mixture of eggplant, mango, and salted egg that goes nice with seafood.
- Tackle: Vista del Mar. Higher Calarian Zamboanga Metropolis.
- Fb: Vista del Mar
- Contact quantity: (062) 991-1208
Hacienda de Palmeras
Hacienda de Palmeras is a homegrown restaurant that serves conventional Filipino delicacies in addition to Zamboangueño and Asian-inspired dishes. Their major specialty is the knickerbocker, a colourful and refreshing halo-halo like dessert of sliced fruits and gelatin topped with strawberry ice cream.
Hacienda de Palmeras additionally serves conventional Filipino and native specialties good for teams like crispy pata, seafood combine with oyster sauce, and sinigang.
Baked Imbao, a kind of mangrove clam, that’s normally topped with butter and garlic. The meat of the clam is of course candy. Nice for an appetizer.
Dennis Espresso Backyard
Moro delicacies of the Sulu Archipelago (which covers the provinces of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and the southern tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula and Palawan) is stuffed with wealthy and unique flavors.
For a style of Genuine Sulu meals and tradition, Dennis Espresso Backyard is a good selection. This restaurant, which originated in Jolo, Sulu in 1962, serves glorious Tausug dishes. Their Dulang (set meals good for five individuals) are served with rice, cucumber and sambal. Specialties embody the Hen Pianggang (hen marinated in selection spices), Beef Kulma (beef cubes in delicate curry paste), Tiula Itum (beef in broth of roasted coconut and spices), Utak-Utak (fried fish muffins)
Additionally they rejoice Sulu espresso tradition by pairing kahawa sug (Sulu’s finest espresso) with native pastries on small plates collectively known as Bangbang. This contains Jualan saing (deep fried bananas served with a tasty dip), Daral (moisture-rich crepe with candy coconut filling), Pulihmandi (purple rice balls rolled on coconut flakes), Panggi-Panggi (smooth and chewy flour rings) and apam (Sulu’s native pancake). Don’t go away with out attempting the pastil, hand pies with togue served with candy spicy sauce! This was so good.
- Tackle: San Jose Street, Baliwasan, Zamboanga Metropolis
- Fb: Dennis Espresso Backyard
- Contact quantity: +63 995 820 6642 | +63 62 957 1131
Bay Tal Mal
Bay Tal Mal, which originated within the Municipality of Maluso, Basilan Province serves Moro dishes ready in conventional means and served in cultural fashion. The title of the restaurant is Arabic for Bayt-ul Mal which interprets to Home of Wealth. It began in Zamboanga Metropolis as a espresso store in 1986 and is presently the one Halal-certified restaurant within the metropolis.
Their signature providing is the Latal or a plateful of Tausug dishes good for 2-3 folks. This contains specialties reminiscent of Tiyulah Itum, Beef Piyassak, Beef Kulma / Bay Tal Mal Beef Adobo, Hen Pianggang, Hen Kiyaliya, Kiyaliya Kapaya / Nangkah, Cucumber w/ Sambal, Calamares and Fried Fish.
The entire fried hen topped on Sambal rice is one other must-try!
- Fb: Bay Tal Mal
- Tackle: Mayor Jaldon St. Canelar, Zamboanga Metropolis (in addition they have a department in SM Zamboanga)
- Contact quantity: Name 0915 016 0448
Craft Kitchen Zamboanga
Craft Kitchen is a brand new restaurant transformed from an outdated heritage home in Zamboanga Metropolis. It’s positioned alongside the San Jose Street intersection close to the airport and Backyard Orchid Resort (throughout Dennis Espresso Backyard).
The restaurant, which was established in the course of the pandemic, serves a mixture of conventional Filipino, Asian and Western Fare like Beef with Brocolli, Crispy Tadyang, Chop Suey, and so forth. Except for the primary eating house set inside the floor flooring of a heritage home, there are a number of cozy nooks for eating, and plenty of IG-friendly picture spots for guests. The house is bike-friendly since there’s safe parking ang al fresco seating.
- Tackle: San Jose Street, Nook Baliwasan Chico Street, Zamboanga
- Fb: Craft Kitchen Zamboanga
- Contact quantity: 0966-3977628
Casa Velyn
Established in 2016, Casa Velyn is a family-run institution providing regional Filipino Delicacies and Spanish Impressed Dishes. The principle restaurant is positioned alongside Pasonanca Street (on the best way to the Pasonanca Tree Home and Park).
However in case you don’t have time for sightseeing, in addition they have a department within the newly opened SM Zamboanga (opened in 2021). Meals specialties right here embody paella, shrimp gambas, tinola, and extra.
Satti
Sati Ayam or Satti is a neighborhood favourite of barbecued meat much like the Malaysian satay. You’ll find this in locations like Andy’s Satti, Johnny’s Morning Solar Satti and Jimmy’s Satti, humble roadside eateries that ship huge on taste.
Satti is served with chunks of rice much like these ready inpuso (rice wrapped in coconut leaves minus the leaves). The rice has very high quality, chewy texture as if it’s been compacted, and you may’t distinguish between the person rice kernels. A thick spicy sauce is poured over the entire dish like soup or gravy.
This can be a nice meal in the event you’re on a finances since 3 sticks plus rice prices solely P25.00. Remember to order softdrinks or have a lot of water prepared because it’s fairly spicy.
Paseo del Mar
The entire space of Paseo del Mar is a seaside boulevard and out of doors meals park well-liked with locals and vacationers. You’ll find a number of small out of doors stalls right here serving a wide range of dishes at evening. This can be a nice spot for afternoon snacks, dinner and drinks. Bistro at Paseo del Mar serves pasta dishes, fusion meals and inexpensive platters appropriate for large teams.
Locals bask in road meals like isaw and tempura right here.
For many who gained’t be going to Hacienda de Palmeras, you will get smaller snack measurement servings of the Knickerbocker at Pinoy Patio (Palmeras).
Bar Code
Bar Code is a well-liked native hangout the place you may take pleasure in dwell music at evening, drinks and bar chow. Though they specialise in well-liked Filipino meals, in addition they have a couple of Tausug dishes like hen piangang, tiula itum soup and beef kulma.
They’ve two branches together with an out of doors restaurant at Paseo del Mar, the seaside boulevard.
Harley’s Meals + Craft Beer*
Harley’s is a motorcycle-themed pub that serves Asian Halal meals with a pub serving an array of native craft beer from Mindanao. They carry the identical variants of Fats Pauly’s Handcrafted Ales and Lagers from Iligan Metropolis together with Lumad Steam Lager, Diwata White Wheat Ale (which makes use of zest of native lime “Biasong” and crushed peppercorns) and Sultan espresso stout (infused with floor arabica from Bukidnon and Cotabato).
One distinctive brew on the menu was El Chonggo Blanco White Wheat Ale, a particular brew for Zamboangueños infused with a touch of cloves, oranges and bananas. We additionally go to attempt the seasonal specials: Guava Lambic and Malagos Beer (with Malagos chocolate from Davao). The value is affordable with a beer flight of 4 500ml glasses at simply Php 225.
Nation Hen Restaurant
Nation Hen Restaurant is among the older institutions within the metropolis, having been round for the reason that Nineteen Seventies. This homey family-style restaurant serves a wide range of American, Italian and Filipino dishes like thin-crust pizzas and crispy pata.
Their Spanish-Filipino specialties embody seafood paella and actually scrumptious callos.
- Tackle: KM 4 Pasonanca Street, Pasonanca, Zamboanga Metropolis
- Fb: Nation Hen Restaurant
- Contact quantity: (062) 991 1852
Tsokolate Cafe
For these in search of a homegrown espresso store, Tsokolate Restaurant is a captivating café that showcases some popular culture and classic music memorabilia. The cafe serves very inexpensive meals and has a cool vibe, making this place nice to hang around for afternoon snacks, desserts and occasional.
They’ve a couple of desktops and laptops for lease (P30/hour) for individuals who need to test mail however didn’t deliver devices. Breakfast meals begin at P50, brewed espresso is P28 and sizzling chocolate is P24. Lunch is served from 10am-2pm whereas grilled specialties are served from 4pm-6pm. Slices of muffins listed here are about P40-60 whereas cream puffs and eclairs are simply P8.50 every! Nice budget-friendly place.
- Tackle: #18 NS Valderosa St., Zamboanga Metropolis
- Contact quantity: (062) 992-5168
Seafood specialties
Except for the standard dine0in eating places, nothing beats having fun with seafood proper on the seaside. For those who’re visiting the Better Sta. Cruz Island, also referred to as the “Pink Sand Seashore” due to its pinkish coralline sand, prepare for a seafood overload of specialties like curacha, grilled squid, shrimps, fish and freshly harvested lato (seaweed).
For a singular deal with, attempt oko-oko, rice cooked in sea urchin, usually ready by the Sama Banguingui tribe.
For the extra adventurous, you may also attempt snails, domestically known as “chupa kulo” cooked in coconut milk and squash. The one technique to get the meat from the snails is to suck it out of 1 aspect of the shell’s opening. Some locals had been having a “chupa kulo” consuming contest once we had been on the island 🙂
For those who’re simply within the metropolis, you may nonetheless get recent seafood cooked the best way you need in Hai San Seafood Market and Restaurant, a dampa-style restaurant specializing largely in Chinese language dishes. They have a big selection of uncooked seafood like fish, crabs, shellfish, prawns, squid, shrimp, fish and shellfish that you may have cooked. They don’t have a set menu and costs range in response to the scale of the dish and the way it’s ready.
A number of guests to Zamboanga Metropolis purchase recent seafood to take dwelling as pasalubong. You possibly can purchase curacha on the moist market in Guiwan Flea market value about P450/kilo throughout my go to. One other factor you should buy on the market – lobster! However the bigger ones can set you again P1,000/kilo. You will have to purchase a styrofoam cooler (out there in markets) and must test it throughout your flight to move the seafood.
It’s also possible to purchase frozen packs of the Alavar sauce for P150 for 1/2 kilo (P300 per kilo) and jars of Bagon con Gata for P90 per jar.
TIP: For these primarily based in Manila who actually need Alavar Sauce, the merchandise (together with cooked curacha in sauce) are offered in Alavar Merchandise Manila within the Quezon Metropolis. Additionally they serve meals on the Salcedo market each Saturday in Makati from 7am to 2pm and Sunday on the Legazpi market in Makati.
Native Muslim delicacies
For those who’re visiting mosques, you will have an opportunity to attempt some Muslim delicacies that are usually served throughout particular events.
A few of these embody baulu mamon (2 variants of mini muffins; mild coloured ones are made out of flour & white sugar whereas the darker one is made out of browned rice flour & muscovado); pitis patani (glutinous rice cake with bucayo or caramelized coconut, and muscovado); kaling (deep-fried pretzel); panganan (deep-fried smooth pretzel made with browned corn flour); panyam or panyalam (deep-fried rice flour pancake, with muscovado and coconut milk).
Lokot-lokot are biscuit rolls made with fried strands of rice flour batter normally served throughout particular events such because the “Hariraya” or the feast of the Eid-il-Fitr, which celebrates the top of the fasting month of Ramadan. It’s also possible to purchase packaged merchandise of those as pasalubong.
A number of the snacks can be found from Dennis Espresso Backyard together with packs of Kahawa Sug or Sulu Espresso.
For extra data on Zamboanga Metropolis, go to www.zamboanga.gov.ph. Due to Journey Trilogy for the invite for the final competition!
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