We arrived too unfashionably early during a get-together with my SO's friends in Metrowalk. We decided to grab dinner first and looked for a decent place. Bakahan at Manukan was practically empty and the cool air conditioning was so enticing, so we went in and ordered dinner.
PROS: We had the place all to ourselves and it was pretty huge. There are the common Pinoy furniture and fixtures like colorful paintings of farms and carabaos, plus the heavy wooden chairs with intricately carved details; Their bagoong rice was served with slivers of green mango on top and we were a bit apprehensive about that. Boy, were we wrong. The tangy mangoes really complemented the predominantly salty rice and it was quite a treat.
CONS: We ordered their ginataan with squash and string beans. The serving size was fine, but it was too creamy and milky for us. We would've preferred it more savory because its taste was closer to dessert when what we needed was ulam; What is it with those flies? Shoo.
TL;DR: Bakahan and Manukan is a sprawling dining space serving your Filipino favorites. read more