Ababu Persian Kitchen Manila Branch

Don't fret too much about Ababu Persian Kitchen being closed at Xavierville Avenue. (Though yes, it's been closed for a long time because of renovation!)

Because it is true, there is another branch of Ababu (which we gladly searched for) near UST!

We have been going back and forth to the Katipunan branch for maybe two months now (twice a month) to check if it's already done. But we failed every time. So we finally decided to just go on and find that Manila Branch.

And we found it!

There are a few differences from the Katipunan branch - the Manila branch is smaller, but with that Manila charm (look at that lamp post), and for some reason, the garlic sauce is thicker and tastier here! Now maybe you want to disregard the distance and try it at Ababu in Sampaloc Manila.

Address:

1232 Gelinos St. Sampaloc Manila

Gelinos St

Sampaloc, Manila

Metro Manila

Show Map

Ox Brain, Ababu

Ox Brain, Php 60.00 (1.50 USD)

I know, I know. It looks too oily and messy. But those are part of the package. Brain, as we all know, is very high in cholesterol thus all this oil juices out when it is cooked and Ababu does not care to take out the oil when they serve you your plate of brain.

Ox brain is one of the food that I missed out when I was a lacto-ovo vegetarian for two years, along with Balut and Tocino.

Not many people eat ox brain, maybe because of its look, maybe because of its texture. But that makes you adventurous in food. Try everything at least once so you know which ones you like, which ones you don't and Ox brain is one to try.

Ox brain is actually beef brain, usually boiled then fried. It is best eaten with a wisp of calamansi juice, and since it is usually served at Persian Restaurants, garlic sauce is best with it too!

Ababu Branches:
- The original Ababu Branch was in Maginhawa when I was still in college (late 90s)
- Xavierville Avenue in Katipunan
- Dahlia Street in Fairview
- I heard there's one in Boracay too.
Ababu Menu

Lumpiang Excited, Gayuma ni Maria

Lumpiang Excited is Gayuma ni Maria's version of Lumpiang Ubod, with a twist -- the pink molo wrap, the crunchy ubod, and the sweet-milky sauce.

A yummy snack for Php 90.00 (2 USD).

Lumpiang Excited. I wonder why they call it that...

"Gayuma" is a Filipino term for "love potion" so "Gayuma ni Maria" means Maria's Love Potion. Most of the items in their menu are named naughtily. Like "Beats Sex Anyday", their popular chocolate cake,

Gayuma ni Maria's Menu

Located at:
123 V Luna ExtSikatuna Village, Quezon City(02) 441-4872

Nut Crusted Fish Fingers, Boho Sarapsody Bistro

A mixture of crunchy and nutty breading and soft fish fingers rolled into one, with yummy dressing and potato wedges on the side. Who wouldn't want to try this out? Very affordable at Php 200, good for 2-3 persons!

Drink it with Boho Sarapsody Bistro's ice cold beer for the perfect chill!

Boho Sarapsody Bistro is located at 272 Ermin Garcia, near corner Aurora Blvd., Quezon City.

Frozen Milk Tea, Cafe Xocolat

I remember when my mom makes Buko Salad, she uses 10 sacks of sugar and 20 trucks of condensed milk, then she freezes the salad in different containers and out comes the yummiest buko salad in the world -- not too sweet and ice cold.

It's because frozen food tends to lose some of its properties. If it's supposed to be sweet, put more than just the right amount of honey, or caramel, or sugar, or whatever you use to sweeten it before you freeze it.

Same goes with this Frozen Milk Tea. It tastes a lot less than the usual milk tea, because its frozen. So... you get the point. I hope they've improved their frozen milk tea because I am willing to try again :)

Cafe Xocolat Menu
Address: 172 B. Gonzales St., Loyola Heights, Quezon City
(632) 929-4180

Oyster Mushroom, Pizza Hut

Seasonal snack at Pizza Hut. I don't know why, though.

Deep fried oyster mushroom served with three types of dips - catsup, mustard and barbeque sauce. The breading is crispy while the mushroom is chewy.

I tried this at Pizza Hut Trinoma. I forgot the price though.

Pizza Hut Website
Locations

Tempura Tuna Sashimi Tartare, Teriyaki Boy

Tempura Tuna Sashimi Tartare is a mixture of crunchy spicy Japanese rice topping, salty and sour Japanese mayonnaise, and sweet tuna. Available at Teriyaki Boy (this one is from Gateway) at Php 145.00.

Related Article: Japanese Food

Sesame Crusted Seared Maguro, Teriyaki Boy

Teriyaki Boy is one of my favorite restaurants though I only eat a few dish from here. This is the first time I tried the Sesame Crusted Seared Maguro and it did not fail my expectations. It's fresh and yummy. Affordable at Php 155.00. I tried this in their branch in Gateway.

Check out Teriyaki Boy's menu.

Tocino and Milk Shake, Tapa King

Tocino Meal and Strawberry Ice Cream Shake may not be a usual combination but I really like sweets. Thus the sweet beverage matched to the sweet rice meal.

Prices: Tocilog P 110.00; Strawberry Ice Cream Shake P145.00

Tapa King Website
Locations

Spaghetti Shrimp Garlic and Mushrooms, Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut's Spaghetti Shrimp Garlic and Mushrooms from Trinoma. Prices are Php 159.00 for the regular size and Php 429.00 for family size.

I really like the bread on the side. But I would have preferred more garlic :)

Pizza Hut Website
Locations

Crunchy Tuna Gunkan, Teriyaki Boy

Php 120.00 for 4 pieces of Crunchy Tuna Gunkan from Teriyaki Boy, Gateway. Crunchy topping, yummy japanese mayonnaise and soft tuna wrapped in nori.

Teriyaki Boy Website
Locations