Imagine coming home to the smell of food you love and you see it waiting for you on the dining table after a long, tiring day—that would be quite the sight. Immediately, your fatigue would feel like going away. Especially when the meal is enjoyed with good company. That is what Taste of My Home is all about.
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It’s a hidden gem situated in the outskirts of Malate, Manila, right below Le Mirage condominiums. It’s difficult to spot with all the turns and corners of streets, but as they say: treasures aren’t easily found!
Mrs. Tess Cruz, the owner of Taste of My Home, enjoys cooking for her family and friends. She is also very active in social media, especially on Instagram where she posts the food she cooks. Her username is—as you may guess—Taste of My Home. People liked her food so much they encouraged her to put up a restaurant. And last June 2015, the idea turned into reality.
Now let’s take a look at their best-selling dishes:
Chicharon Bulaklak P195.00
For our appetizer, a well-known Filipino favorite called “Chicharon Bulaklak” was served. It’s crispy on the outside and has a nice texture in the inside. Don’t be fooled by its look! It’s pig intestines, but it’s still delicious nonetheless. Best paired with vinegar.
Seafood Rice P360 – Good for 5 pax
Seafood will always have a special place in the hearts of us Filipinos, and this one is definitely heaven in a bowl. The Seafood Rice is beautifully served—you can see all the seafood included in the dish (shrimp, squid, clams, and many more). The flavor of the rice is balanced despite having a lot of things going on visually. You can even eat rice alone without anything else. And with a serving so generous and a price so cheap, this one is a winner.
Kare-Kare P325.00
The Kare-Kare is definitely worth ordering because of its savory taste. The tenderness of the meat just slides off of the bone! For those who love veggies, this Kare-Kare dish is served with a big portion of vegetables.
Tess’ Crispy Pata P450.00
For the main course, the Crispy Pata is one of the best-sellers. Its skin is extremely crunchy and the meat is tender that you can easily cut in with your fork. Crispy Pata is usually all bones and little meat, but—believe me—this has more meat than bones.
Pansit Malabon – P400.00 Good for 5 pax
A classic dish that most Filipino love. It’s served with a lot of seafood and veggies, plus the pansit is not drowned in sauce. A must try when you visit this restaurant.
A fun fact: Taste of My Home has actually been selling Pansit Malabon since 1977. It’s a recipe passed down from generation to generation, so you can be sure that this family special is the real deal.
Pork Barbeque P155.00
Well-grilled, adequately glazed with barbeque sauce and a tender charred meat—we suggest you order a whole plate of this to yourself. Trust us.
Turon na Saging P45.00
Turon na Saging reminds us of our childhood and everything mom makes at home. This dish tasted okay but maybe reinventing it by adding ice cream or turning it into a crepe might have been more sweet-tooth satisfying?
Ginataang Monggo P50.00
What a surprise! Who knew you could make ginataan with monggo? It’s cooked differently from the usual ginataang mais. The dish’s texture was really nice and it has the right amount of sweetness. If you’re really full and you’re looking for a warm dessert, say no more.
But wait! There’s more! They understand that people nowadays are usually on-the-go. So here’s “Ulam To-Go”—pre-cooked meals that you can pop in the microwave and is ready to eat.
Taste of My Home also delivers party packages good for office events, birthday parties, gatherings, and celebrating occasions. If you want to give them the comfort and satisfaction of Filipino cuisine, all you have to do is place your order. Did I mention Christmas season is just around the corner?
Taste of My Home
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tasteofmyhome
Instagram: @tasteofmyhome
For Delivery: (02) 543 5159 (10% Delivery Charge, maximum of PHP 150, if outside Manila
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Thank you to JP Sium for co-authoring this article
