I went to Indonesia a couple times last year, and my several trips to the city's food streets have…read moreleft me with such a big craving for the trademark spices and preparations of Indonesian cookery. Although authentic Indonesian food is quite tricky to find in Manila, I find that Malaysian restaurants come close (but not quite, yet I can't be choosy). Fortunately, when talking about Malaysian food, I know a handful authentic ones that serve really good, cheap, Halal and affordable food options that remind me of my great days in Jakarta and its neighboring cities. One of such restaurants is Pamanganan Malaysian Restaurant, which is smack in the middle of the Muslim community in Quiapo. This place primarily serves Malaysian food, but they also have Halal versions of food items that non-Muslims usually consider as street food - Halal pizza, non-pork Siomai, etc. They also have Yakan regional cooking, which is rare here in Manila. The Yakans are one of the Muslim tribes in Mindanao, and Pamanganan offers home-style recipes that are really familiar to the Yakans. Anyway, if you are looking for Malaysian and Indonesian food, they have really good nasi goreng, which I always get since it is quintessentially Indonesian. I have also tried the martabak, which is also sold in Indonesia. The martabak is an Arabic crepe that is usually stuffed with savory fillings, but there are also sweet versions. The place quite a shabby yet cozy feel to it. I just wish they didn't spray the dining area with that chemical solution that smells like fabric conditioner (their idea of air freshener). They also advertise an iftar meal platter, which is a nourishing set of dishes that are to be eaten after a Muslim breaks his fast every sundown during Ramadan.

It is surprising how ignorant I am about Filipino Muslim/Moro food and culture despite having loads…read moreof friends who hail from the colorful and beautiful region of Muslim Mindanao. I have heard many stories about the rich culture down there, but I haven't gone there so I couldn't get a visual of what it looks like. Thankfully, halal food, especially Maranao regional cuisine is prevalent here in Metro Manila because of the large Maranao population in certain districts in the metro. I have had the privilege of sampling the best of Maranao cuisine at Mofara's, which is a small hole in the wall near Quiapo's Golden Mosque. A quick word about Maranao cuisine: the people of Lanao are resourceful freshwater fishermen, and most of their diet is fish and seafood, but they also have great beef dishes such as the Indonesian-inspired randang (rendang). Mofara's looks like your typical carinderia, but it is always spotless. There are no flies buzzing around, and dishes are cleared away immediately after a table is vacated. If you have a taste for fiery curries and spicy food, Maranao food should be next on your bucket list. Order Mofara's randang and be prepared to down cupfuls of ice water. I like spicy food but nothing prepared me for the heat of their randang, which was thick and very rich, making it a dangerously viscous vehicle for the spice, with the biting piquancy of the meat lingering like napalm in your throat. It's a good and refreshing shock to your system that gets the blood pumping. You can cool down with their herbal tilapya curry, which is also creamy but not as rich. The chicken papar, a Maranao specialty mustn't be missed. The tender chicken cooked in thick coconut milk and coconut flakes just hits the right buttons for me.

Any search on Halal restaurants in the Manila area would undoubtedly yield Moud on the top results,…read moreand for a good reason. The restaurant is actually quite shabby, and it has that really sketchy quality to it - it's storefront is quite rundown and a bit chaotic, and the place (as with the rest of the buildings in the area) has fallen into a wild sort of decay throughout the years. Looks can be deceiving, though, as in most cases. This Quiapo institution has Halal Filipino carinderia staples, but nobody really goes there for anything else but the star of the show - their roast chicken. The chicken is one of the best I've ever tried, hands down. The certified Halal roast chicken is flavorful up to the very last morsel. The first time I ordered a quarter chicken from Moud's, the serving that I got was even a bit lukewarm, but man, the meat was so flavorful and so mouthwatering that I just had to order another serving. The roast chicken is moist, tasty and tender. I'm guessing the chicken was marinated in a simple brine, but the flavor was quite robust .. The spicy dipping sauce is also good, with chunky bits of bell peppers and angry morsels of fiery siling labuyo. I once asked the owner what was in the sambal, but she kept mum and looked at me like I was a blathering idiot. The upstairs dining area is a bit dingy, and they don't even have plates (they serve the chicken in a styro pack) but for me, the flavor of the food is all that matters. Moud's doesn't need ambient music, either. If you go in the afternoon, you might catch the unmistakeable Muslim call to prayer (which is sweet music to my ears) from the mosque nearby. A sign in their dining area also advertises that they sell fresh dressed Halal chicken for P120/kilo.

When you hit the Muslim Quarter in Quiapo, it's easy to miss this place. Unless you really know…read morewhat you want to get, and that's their halal roast chicken. Considering its price (less than 250 pesos for a whole roast chicken), it is one of the softest, most tender and delicious roasted birds I have ever had the pleasure of stuffing into my mouth. The woman who owns it refuses to divulge the secret to the marinade, and with good reason! I came back last Sunday with my cousin just to let him try it. The chili sauce that comes with the chicken is also pretty good, I'm guessing it's made with sweet and sour sauce and mashed siling labuyo. The turo-turo offerings are kind of meh-looking, but you're not there for those things. You go there for the chicken. Inshallah, that's good.

I lived near Taft a couple years ago and I would usually find myself exploring all the nooks and…read morecrannies of nearby Malate to look for great places to eat. I went through a shawarma, kebab and hummus phase ,that's why I made it my mission then to go to all the Middle Eastern restaurants in the area. Al Hana looks quite gaudy and over-the-top from the outside, with its pink and blue neon lights screaming for attention. Inside, at least, you get skirted tables and nicely padded chairs. My first visit here was with my a friend who spent some time in Egypt, and she said that the food was great and it actually surpassed her expectations. I think that's good validation right there. Though my favorite Halal resto in the area is easily Shawarma Snack Center, I still eat here every now and then just to see if they still had their touch. Middle Eastern cuisine is ubiquitous in Manila, but if you are after authentic and diverse food options, you should check out Al Hana. The prices are surprisingly quite fair and reasonable and everything is worth the price. You should also try their falafel, which is served with a spicy harissa sauce The servings are huge, so make sure you ask for the serving suggestions first before you go "takaw mata" and order everything.

I was drawn to the yellows and golds in this eatery - the yellows of the many curry dishes, and the…read moregolds of the water pots. And indeed, these colors are fitting as Pagana Maranao is just across the Golden Mosque with its golden dome. I wonder if it's also a marketing strategy or just plain coincidence. Pagana Maranao means warm welcome, hospitailty, and festivity the Maranao way, and I did feel welcome in that eatery as a non-Muslim. The staff patiently explained to me each dish I pointed at and even gave me some suggestions. Finally I picked the fish curry with coconut shavings and it was quite good - definitely not like the usual curry home cooking I've experienced in Manila. Also, the coconut shavings added flavor and texture. The curry is also spicier, but you can really taste the curry here, unlike with some other curry dishes I've tried. The fish tasted fresh.

This place is absolutely amazing! We found it by accident when visiting from America several years…read moreago and keep returning. Their roti bread (kind of like Nan) is so amazing. As is their Beef Randang. Try their green mango juice too. One of our favorite restaurants in Manila. It is conveniently located at the Mall of Asia. Try it!

I was excited to try this small restaurant. I ordered roti and a vegetable dish. Shortly I got my…read morefood, I noticed one of the workers stood by the entrance door and began stroking an alley cat. I became very concerned about this event. Another employee did the same thing! Cats peruse the ground level at MOA, sewers, and they're filthy! The ground, and the alleys reek of human stench and pollution. I hope the owner sees this review and correct the employees practice of befriending and stroking alley cats. It made me nauseous on seeing this behavior!

Hands down my favorite place to eat in in Taft Avenue!…read more Ababu opened about a year ago and hasn't lost its momentum since, well at least for me. They serve Persian and Mediterranean foods which are two of my favorites! The best part? It's just a block away from my building so if you do visit, there's a possibility of you running into me there (don't forget to say hi!)! Ababu's food is very affordable but unlike most cheap eats, Ababu serves amazing food! Their Beef Kebab Rice Meal is my favorite! It consists of charbroiled ground beef with egg, corn, onions and tomatoes on rice. They also serve bottomless iced teas with the meals though I believe they use powdered iced tea. The only drawback is that the place can get really hot and a little smoky when they are cooking the meat and the poor air-conditioning sure doesn't help.

I was here the day it opened…read more I don't mean that in a general sense. I mean it quite literally. I was literally standing outside the glass door when this place first opened, and I was its first customer. I didn't plan for it to happen. I was just really hungry and lo and behold, there's a good-looking Persian restaurant opening just beside my building. So I stood outside and gave them the evil eye until they let me in and fed me. You can't go wrong with shawarma rice, and that proved true here. The best part though? Unlimited iced tea. Granted, it's probably just powedered iced tea, but who cares? It's cold and sweet and everything the doctor ordered.

I'm pretty sure these 5 stars aren't at all influenced by the fact that I've been super craving for…read moreIndian food these past 2 weeks, as Al-Shams has GREAT Middle Eastern/Indian/Pakistani food. And what's also great is that for us vegans/vegetarians, here's a place in BF Homes where there are very, very decent options. They have a vegetarian section in their menu. We got the Alo Palak and Malai Kofta. Alo Palak is a potato and spinach curry dish that, in my opinion, is spiced perfectly as the spinach and potato flavors are still able to stand out even with the curry sauce. The Malai Kofta did not disappoint as well, and it actually looks so adorable (sorry haha) with tiny onion slices on top of each ball, as if they are wearing hats! Anyway, the veggie balls are really tasty--though if you're particular with texture, these balls are quite on the soft side. I really enjoyed my meal! I loved it so much that I think if Al-Shams closed (life spans of restaurants in BF homes are very short), I would be really, really sad.