#FoodTrip: Variety, affordability at Market! Market!

CHOICES. From Japanese to Filipino cuisine to comfort food, there's a wide variety to choose from in Market! Market! All photos by Carol Ramoran/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – A trip to the mall is not complete without a good meal – or two. Especially after walking for hours and shopping, you’ll need a filling meal to replenish your energy.

It’s a good thing that most malls in the metro have a good selection of restaurants and food chains where shoppers can dine after a long shopping day.

Bonifacio Global City is a place better known for bargains because of its indoor bazaar – Market! Market! Ayala Land opened this mall in 2003. However, not known to many is that it’s also a gastronomic hub filled with affordable food choices from numerous restaurants and food kiosks.

If you’re spending a day to shop in Market! Market!, here are our recommendations:

For Filipino food cravings: Oriang

FILIPINO FLAVOR. Oriang offers classic Filipino favorites

Considered as the new kid on the block, Oriang is a restaurant in the Fiesta Market area of the mall that offers classic Filipino dishes such as bulalo and sinigang.

It opened last January and is sandwiched between familiar restaurants like Gerry’s Grill and Seafood Island, but Oriang is already making a buzz in the area,

The restaurant, owned by the same people behind Cafe de Bonifacio in the Podium, is named after Andres Bonifacio’s wife, Gregoria de Jesus.

UNIQUE PRESENTATION. The Lumpiang Hubad in Pastry Cups can convert non-veggie lovers in an instant

Oriang’s operations director, Mok Olarte, said they want to keep Filipino food in its classic taste but they make it unique by adding their personal touch.

A BURST OF FLAVOR. The Binagoongang Bagnet, an Ilocano dish, goes perfectly with any type of rice

Olarte, who has been in the food business for years, said eating Filipino food is often an adventure.

“When you eat adobo from Laguna, it tastes different from the adobo from Ilocos,” he said. “There’s over 7,000 islands, and there’s just so much in so many versions. It makes Filipino food unique.”

21ST CENTURY PINOY. Oriang is modern with a touch of Filipino accents

Business hours: 11am-11pm, Sunday to Thursday; 11 am-12 midnight, Friday to Saturday

Phone: (02) 869 8967

Facebook page: facebook.com/OriangRestaurant

For a quick, hearty meal: Moshi Koshi

TURNING JAPANESE. Moshi Koshi serves noodles the way the Japanese like it - Fresh and Koshi

Koshi is the Japanese version of Italy’s “al dente.” Their three noodle varieties and their gyoza wrappers are made fresh in the store everyday.

Folks in Moshi Koshi, however, say that to enjoy the noodles in their Koshi-ness, you must eat them within minutes of being served – 5 minutes for Soba, 7 for Ramen, and 8 for Udon. Don’t worry – slurping is encouraged.

NOODLE BOSS. Left: Soba Tempura, Top: Udon Kara-age, Right: Shoyu Ramen

You are given the liberty to choose the type of noodle, the broth, and the toppings you want in your bowl.

KOSHI GYOZA. Moshi-Koshi's Gyoza wrappers are made from the same ingredients as their noodles, making them chewy and tasty

MODERN LOOK. People behind Moshi Koshi say the restaurant has been complimented for its non-traditional look. They are actually going for the modern diner look common in Tokyo nowadays

Business hours: 10am-11pm, daily

Phone: (02) 816 6744

Website: Moshi-Koshi.com

Facebook: facebook.com/Moshi-Koshi-Noodle-Boss

For affordable, fresh seafood dishes: Isdang Pulo

SOMETHING FISHY AND MORE. Isdang Pulo is located at the Fiesta Market area's food court

Every now and then, we find ourselves craving for seafood. Sure, there are many seafood restaurants in the metro, but not all serve fresh, well-cooked seafood at affordable prices too.

Isdang Pulo may just remind you of a better looking and tasting carinderia, with home-cooked, familiar meals right smack in the middle of a mall’s outdoor area.

BESTSELLER. Folks in Isdang Pulo say their customers keep coming back because of their Crab Omelette

NOT JUST SEAFOOD. Isdang Pulo also offers Crispy Lechon, Chicharon, and other fried treats

FILIPINO FAVORITES. Their Sinigang na Sugpo and Adobong Pusit are crowd favorites too

Business hours: 7am to 10pm, daily

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/IsdangPulo

For desserts (and more): Banapple

HOMEY. Stepping into Banapple makes you feel like you're in a country home

Stepping into any of Banapple‘s branches (which started at Katipunan in Quezon City) is like going inside a country home.

With its rustic feel and homey decor, Bannaple is a very relaxing place to fill your belly and forget about the busy world outside.

TENDER RIBS. The Hickory Smoked Barbecued Country Ribs boasts of Banapple's homemade hickory barbecue sauce

NOT YOUR REGULAR LASAGNA. Lasagna Roll-Ups in Banapple come with herbed cream smothered with meaty red sauce

Banapple’s branch in Market! Market! also has a small kiosk for its little brother – Sandwicheese. You can enjoy dishes from both restaurants.

CHEESY. Burgers, fries, and, of course, sandwiches are worth the extra exercise hours

All dishes in Sandwicheese are made with cheese-based sauces from Miradips which you can also purchase to bring home.

JUST RIGHT. The Chili and Cheese Nachos is a perfect appetizer

NOT IN THE MOOD FOR RICE? The Drippin' Roast Beef Sandwich can fill you up with its heavy cheese sauce

And, of course, a meal at Banapple is incomplete without dessert.

SWEET ENDINGS. The Apple Caramel Crumble Pie (L), Banapple's famous Banoffee Pie (T), and Blueberry Cheesecake (R).

Business hours: 8am-9pm, daily

Phone: (02) 519-5270

Website: BanappleKitchen.com

Facebook: facebook.com/Banapple, facebook.com/Sandwicheese

For coffee and people-watching: Cafe de Lipa

PROUDLY BATANGUEÑO. Cafe de Lipa has brewed coffee from Batangas famous for its distinct flavor and caffeine kick

Drinking coffee has become either a social or people-watching activity in Manila. Cafe de Lipa, situated at the corner of the mall facing Serendra, is a good location for both.

LOCAL FLAVOR. All coffee beans used in the store come from a coffee farm in Batangas. Their Iced Caramel Macchiato balances the strong coffee with just the right amount of sweetness

Cafe de Lipa may be considered a local and more affordable alternative to Starbucks.

EASY ON YOUR WALLET. At a time when good coffee can be synonymous to being pricey, Cafe de Lipa makes sure that their beverages are still affordable. Their famous brewed coffee (Barako Joe) which can be ordered hot or over ice sells for 50 pesos