Angono Foodserye | Balaw-balaw is the Keeper of Exotic Culinary Gems
Thursday, December 29, 2016
This was part of the first Angono Food and Art Crawl media tour organized by the Tourism Office of Angono.
Founded by spouses Perdigon and Luzviminda Vocalan, Balaw-balaw Restaurant is one of the most visited sites in Angono. Offering traditional Filipino cuisine and the eponymous exotic dish similar to bagoong, this place also doubles as a museum housing works by Perdigon Vocalan and other local artists.
THE PLACE
Consistent to Angono's identity as the Art Capital, Balaw-balaw Restaurant also doubles as an art gallery displaying the works of the late Perdigon Vocalan. The dining area is festooned with papier-mache higante heads and sculptures, and exudes a Filipino fiesta atmosphere.
THE FOOD
For foodies looking for extraordinary grubs, there is balaw-balaw – a dish made from fermented shrimp and rice, similar to bagoong. Adobong uok, fried frog, and ginisang hantik, are also available at the restaurant.
Aside from this, new items on the menu like the addicting (so I've been told; I am allergic) Toasted Alamang (fermented shrimp), and Cream Dory Wrapped in Alagaw Leaves with Mango Sauce. Alagaw is an herbal plant popularly used to treat stomachache. There is also the savory Sizzling Tapang Kabayo (horse jerky), and the infamous Soup No. 5 (cow butt-and-balls soup) but this time it was creamy like sopas. Another addition to the menu, which I wasn't able to try because I'm allergic, is the Tahong with Buro (mussels with pickled rice). It has cheese in it and looked really yummy.
A must-try when in Balaw-balaw is Minaluto - a photogenic blend of rice, fried chicken, water spinach, crabs, fish, pork, salted eggs, squid, and Angono's prized kanduli - a fish caught in the town's side of Laguna Lake with a tasty and versatile meat.
For dessert, options such as halo-halo, and their take on the classic Pinoy meryenda turon are sure winners.
Aside from this, new items on the menu like the addicting (so I've been told; I am allergic) Toasted Alamang (fermented shrimp), and Cream Dory Wrapped in Alagaw Leaves with Mango Sauce. Alagaw is an herbal plant popularly used to treat stomachache. There is also the savory Sizzling Tapang Kabayo (horse jerky), and the infamous Soup No. 5 (cow butt-and-balls soup) but this time it was creamy like sopas. Another addition to the menu, which I wasn't able to try because I'm allergic, is the Tahong with Buro (mussels with pickled rice). It has cheese in it and looked really yummy.
A must-try when in Balaw-balaw is Minaluto - a photogenic blend of rice, fried chicken, water spinach, crabs, fish, pork, salted eggs, squid, and Angono's prized kanduli - a fish caught in the town's side of Laguna Lake with a tasty and versatile meat.
For dessert, options such as halo-halo, and their take on the classic Pinoy meryenda turon are sure winners.
THE SERVICE
The food may take a while before it is served, but you can choose to go on an impromptu art tour in Balaw-balaw's in-house gallery. The servers are friendly and are quick to cater to your water refill requests. Owner Luzviminda and her son Andre who mans the kitchen will sometimes come out to check up on you and your dining experience.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Angono wouldn't be complete without Balaw-balaw. This restaurant is one of the town's icons and will continue to be so.
Related Adventure: Rediscovering Great Eats at Kim Is Hungry
HOW TO GET THERE
There are jeepneys and commuter vans to Binangonan in Cubao Farmer’s Market (beside Telus), Robinsons Galleria, SM Megamall, Star Mall (Mandaluyong), and EDSA Central. One can also take the LRT Line 2 and alight at the Santolan Terminal where there is a van terminal to Binangonan. There are also jeepneys to Binangonan that pass by here, but if it's rush hour you can then take a jeep to Sta. Lucia Mall where there is a jeep terminal to Binangonan
Note: You must take a Binangonan-bound jeep since Angono-bound jeepneys pass through the town proper; Balaw-balaw is along the Hi-way route that Binangonan-bound jeeps ply.
Once on a jeepney with a "Binangonan/Double Hi-way" signboard, ask the driver to drop you off at Balaw-balaw. The restaurant will be tucked on a street corner on your left.
Note: You must take a Binangonan-bound jeep since Angono-bound jeepneys pass through the town proper; Balaw-balaw is along the Hi-way route that Binangonan-bound jeeps ply.
OTHER DETAILS
Services: Dine-in, Take-out
Parking: Street
Mode of Payment: Cash
Wi-Fi: None
Parking: Street
Mode of Payment: Cash
Wi-Fi: None
BALAW-BALAW RESTAURANT
16 Doña Justa Subd. Ph. I Angono, Rizal
Operating Hours: Mondays to Sundays - 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Contact Nos.: +63 2 651 0110; +63 2 295 2698; +63 923 714 4209
Facebook: /balaw-balaw
Operating Hours: Mondays to Sundays - 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Contact Nos.: +63 2 651 0110; +63 2 295 2698; +63 923 714 4209
Facebook: /balaw-balaw
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