There is no doubt that when it comes to a good serving of bulalo, Tagaytay is the way to go.
As a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila, Tagaytay surely entices bulalo lovers with its delectable offering.
Property portal Lamudi even considers Tagaytay’s bulalo a perfect go-to food after a hectic and busy workweek.
However, you can surely find the similar goodness of Tagaytay bulalo beyond the scenic view of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake.
In fact, some places in Metro Manila already serve the same umami-tasting bulalo often seen in Tagaytay.
Some of these restaurants have the cheapest offerings without sacrificing the gastronomical roller coaster an authentic bulalo takes you.
Below are some bulalo places in Metro Manila worth checking out.
Try Ilonggo’s Own Take on Bulalo at Pat Pat’s Kansi in Makati
At the heart of Makati along Sampaloc Street in San Antonio Village is a little bulalo place called Pat Pat’s Kansi.
Located just below a traditional-looking house, this place has been serving steaming bowls of bulalo since 1999.
Kansi is the Ilongos’ version of bulalo soup. The secret behind its recipe is batuan, a common fruit found in the Visayas region.
Kansi’s broth is infused with a souring agent from batuan, giving the soup a kick of sourness that perfectly complements the taste of the meat.
Unlike the traditional bulalo, kansi is served as is, without any of the other garnishes and additional elements like potatoes and cabbages.
This Ilongo dish comes in two variants, one with laman (meat) and one with bulalo or bone marrow.
A bowl of Kansi-Laman costs Php125 while an order of Kansi-Bulalo costs Php145. Be sure to order a side dish of fresh lumpia and grilled pusit (squid) to pair your kansi.
Go Basic with Bulaluhan sa España in Manila
One of the go-to places for a hot serving of bulalo, Bulaluhan sa España goes rustic with its recipe.
It serves two kinds of bulalo, the sinigang na baboy–based one for only Php68 and the nilagang baka–based special bulalo for Php118.
It will surely feel like a guilty pleasure tearing the tender meat from the bone and slurping on the thick soup.
The fresh corn and cabbage add a little bit of something to its already succulent taste.
Add a little to the sin and order a serving of chicharon bulaklak for Php48.
This deep-fried delicacy made from pork intestines will surely give you the crunch you will be longing for after eating a bulalo.
Just remember to eat this in moderation as this is highly unhealthy especially in massive amounts.
It’s Never Too Late to Catch R&J Bulalohan and Tapsilogan
Imagine finishing your school or office work and your nose starts to smell something that was not there.
You realize you are craving for bulalo. You look at the clock and see it is already past 12 midnight. You would not want to go home unsatiated so you decided to check where the nearest bulalo house is.
Good thing, R&J Bulalohan and Tapsilogan in Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong City is open 24/7.
For the past 20 years or so, this carinderia-style bulalo house has stuck to the timeless Batangas bulalo recipe.
It has big servings of bulalo offered in two ways, one is the plain bulalo, which costs Php199 and the bulalo special for Php249.
You can try a small serving of the dish, which they call bulalito, for Php150.
Aside from bulalo, they serve a range of -silog dishes as well as other staple carinderia food.
You can also try their other specialties like the ensaladang bagnet, chicharong bulaklak, and daing na bangus.
Taste the Authentic Bulalo at Tapsi ni Vivian at Bulalohan
If there is a ranking of the best bulalo in Metro Manila, Tapsi ni Vivian at Bulalohan’s entry could be on the top tier.
It prides itself for offering the most bang for the buck. For Php225, you can enjoy a humongous serving of bulalo in a bowl the size of a basketball slashed in half.
What’s makes it more interesting aside from the taste is its presentation. Sometimes, the meat is enveloped in layers of vegetables with the bone towering on top.
Thanks to the vibrant color of the corn and string beans, the dish comes to life and fills your nostrils with a smell that makes your stomach growl.
Located in Project 3, Quezon City, Tapsi ni Vivian at Bulalohan serves its customers and patrons round-the-clock.
Aside from the -silog dishes, its salted egg dish with tomatoes, onions, and sliced mangoes is also a must-try.
Delight Yourself with Fresh Bulalo in Freska
Freska is known for its Ilonggo seafood. Across several of its branches, Freska found its niche in serving traditional Ilonggo dishes.
However, it is also popular for its Ilonggo beef bulalo. Its take on the dish involves incorporating pechay (Chinese cabbage) and leeks in a perfectly salty stew with a little kick of sourness.
The beef shank is almost flat and contains very little fat. A serving of this dish costs Php200.
Not all Freska branches offer their signature Ilonggo bulalo. One branch that has bulalo on its menu is the one in Market! Market! in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
loqman eedu says
I sometimes find myself waking at midnight hungry. Although it occurs on less occations now, having a trusted bulalo house like R&J Bulalohan and Tapsilogan open 24/7 is a good thing for people like me, even more useful for those who experience this more frequently than me. Thank you for a wonderful article