Aside from being the home to our Iskos and Iskas, University of the Philippines Diliman is also a place for foodies of all sorts, no matter what their budget or cravings are. In fact, you wouldn't even have to go out of the campus to try out some of them as wherever you go, you surely will find something to munch on!
But if you want to go a bit further and fill your stomachs even more – if tapsilog and burgers and pastas still didn't satisfy you – there's also the famous Maginhawa, which is just a jeepney ride away from the campus.
We've scouted Taft, and we've dined in Katipunan. Now, we'll be giving you a roundup of some of the places to try around the UP campus and Maginhawa for one hell of a food trip. Don't worry about getting bigger though, you could always jog and sweat all the food out along the UP Academic Oval afterwards *wink wink*.
UP CAMPUS
Ask any UP student where to go for lunch when in UP, and they'll instantly point you to Rodic's Diner in UP Shopping Center. Having been in business since 1949, their Tapsilog is simply a classic and a must-try for anyone who's ever found themselves in UP. It's everything you ever loved and wanted from a tapa, fried rice, and fried egg combo – only better!
Aside from their classic Tapsilog, you may also choose from the other lutong bahay dishes available, like Pork Sinigang (P99), Kare-Kare (P99), and Caldereta (P99).
Also located in UP Shopping Center, Mashitta is the place to be if you're craving for Korean-Japanese food while on a budget. They serve Kimbap, Ramyeon, Rice Meals, and Udon in a huge portions and at an affordable price. If it's your first time dining there, you could try their OmuKatzu (P179), which is omurice paired with breaded pork and shrimp, and served on a hot plate.
Located along Area 2 (JP Laurel St.), these two stalls serve, you guessed it, ice scramble and siomai. For only P20, you already get a large cup of their famous Iskorambol, guaranteed to take you back to your childhood days. An additional P3 gets you to add whatever topping and syrup you want. That includes mallows, rice crispies, fruit loops, and more!
Whether it's for lunch or for merienda, the Iskomai is the perfect filling meal to have. For only P25, you already get 6 pieces of their Iskomai and you only need to add an extra P10 for a cup of rice, making it a complete meal!
Rambo's is a skate-themed restaurant located along Area 2 usually frequented by students and foodies alike for their famous Steakey Peralta (P155). Named after the famous skateboarder Stacy Peralta, this dish is basically T-Bone Steak, marinated in paprika and thyme, pan-grilled, and served with egg, garlic kangkong and mushroom, rice, and a cup of gravy.
It may seem a bit expensive compared to the other places in the area, but if you get steak that's half the size of your plate, we'd say it's still a pretty good steal for a really hungry and craving person!
Another crowd-favorite in the UP Campus is The Snack Shack where you could get really good burgers at budget-friendly prices. Depending on how hungry you are, you can choose from the Quarter Pounder (P80) or the Half-Pounder (P155), both of which come with a grilled patty that's 100% beef, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, cheese, and condiments. If you want to customize your burger, you may do so and add jalapeño, barbeque sauce, cream cheese, and garlic chips for only P25 per add-on. Extra cheese and extra veggies? You could also have it added to your burger for a small fee!
Owen's
For a quick pasta fix, look no further than Area 2's Owen's. For only P95, you already get to choose from the 11 kinds of pasta which they only cook as soon as you order. If it's your first time and you're unsure which to get, you may always ask the cook as to what he recommends. In our case, it's the Creamy Chicken Pesto which balances the herby and creamy flavors of the pesto and the white sauce they blend together.
You could also ask them to put some chili flake on your pasta if you want it a bit on the spicier side!
A UP food trip will never be complete without a visit to Mang Larry's Isawan. Choose from their different kinds of grilled skewers – Isaw baboy, Isaw manok, Goto, Tainga (Pig ears), Balun-Balunan (Chicken Gizzard), Atay (Liver), and more – all of which are priced from P6 to P10 per stick.
The classic isawan is currently along Balagtas Street, near Area 2 and Bahay ng Alumni. If it ends up relocating again, though, don't worry because the regulars and the Iskos can always help you find it again.
Arki Vickie
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Located near the Architecture Building, Arki Vickie is ,ore than your ordinary sari-sari store. They serve a mean Siomai Egg (P40 for 4 pieces), which may seem like your regular siomai until you take a bite inyo iy, revealing a whole quail that might just be all you need to fill you up for for the next period!
To pair with their Siomai Egg, make sure to get your hands on Ate Vickie's Pantea (P30), their version of the Pandan Milk Tea. Sweet and refreshing, it's the perfect drink to beat the heat while in UP.
Combining art and food in one hub is Art Circle Cafe in Bahay ng Alumni. If you're one who wants to enjoy good food, look at art, chill with friends, or review for an exam over a cup of coffee, you may do it here. They serve brunch food, rice meals, pasta, cakes, and more, as well as local and organic coffee which they source from Sagada, Kalinga, and Benguet.
If you want to go for the crowd-favorite, make sure to try their Lucban's Finest Longganisa (195) – available all day – and pair it with a cup of Sagada coffee (P60/cup; P100, good for 2 people).
MAGINHAWA
Ally's All-Day Breakfast Place
Ally's All Day Breakfast Place is where the breakfast food lovers could go any time of the day. Whether it's pancakes, waffles, or fried rice and eggs combo you're craving, you can most certainly find it here. For the first-timers, their Speculoos (P235: 1 piece; P285: 2 pieces) is a must-try. It's one or two pieces of waffles topped with cookie butter crumbs, walnuts, ice cream, and drizzled with cookie butter spread, and caramel syrup.
If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you may also create your own pancakes/waffles here. The price depends on what you put on your plate – from the base and base flavors to the toppings and sides you wish to add!
A staple Italian place in Maginhawa, Friulli Trattoria still remains to be one of the restaurants where you can get good pizza and pasta at an affordable price. Ranging only from P185 to P270, you already get a pizza that's big enough to share with your friends! If your feeling lost and confused because of the many kinds of pizza they have, try out their bestsellers: Viva Venezia (P225), Margherita (P195), and Tre Formaggi (P200).
For the pasta person, you can never go wrong with their Capellini ala Putanesca (P145), which is made of angel hair pasta, tomatoes, capers, anchovies, and olives. You can also try their Spaghetti con Il Tonoe Funglio (P125) which is a spaghetti in spicy white sauce, tuna, and mushrooms.
Caution Hot! Spicy Noodle House
If a comforting bowl of noodles is what you're craving for, Caution Hot! is where you go! Aside from their flavorful offerings, diners get to customize their own bowls, so they have the liberty of choosing everything – from the broth (Asam Laksa, Szechuan, or Pork Broth), noodles (Wheat or Egg Noodles), toppings (veggie, pork, beef, seafood), and even the burn level (first, second, third, or ultimate)! The prices vary depending on the toppings you prefer.
For the crowd-favorite, order their Beef – Szechuan – Egg Noodles (P205) and adjust the burn level depending on how spicy you want it. Have it with either the Kuchay Pork Dumplings (P120) and Pork Dumplings (P150) and you'll be leaving the place stuffed!
A hidden gem in Maginhawa, Leona is a homey restaurant that serves pizza, pasta, and rice meals in prices that won't hurt your wallets. While they offer pizzas that are familiar to the taste buds, you can also try their Good Morning Pizza (P330 for 10in; P500 for 14in), which is topped with sliced spicy sausages, sunny side up egg, basil, shiitake buttons, and oyster mushrooms.
When it comes to their pastas, diners also get to choose the size of their servings, depending on how hungry they are or if they're sharing it with friends. The Chicken and Pesto Pasta (P180 for solo; P370 for a platter) is a bestseller. It's spaghetti in pesto sauce with grilled chicken thigh fillet and served with parmesan cheese, basil, fried garlic, cayenne powder, and toasted bread.
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For unique burgers and good puns, head over to BeefX where you can choose and customize whatever goes into your burger. The standard Beef Bacon or Longganisa Burger would cost you P125, but if you want to upgrade it, you can add extra for a Pizza Bun (P80) with cheese and pepperoni on top or their Waffle Bun (P60).
Ordering their drinks is also an experience. Whether it's their Pink Potion with Feelings or Blue Potion with Emotion you want to try, you'll definitely be surprised as to how they will serve it to you. Make sure to bring some hugot with you while you're there, okay? We promise it will be put to good use!
To cap off your food trip in Maginhawa, make sure to drop by Up In the Clouds. Choose from a wide variety of unique ice cream flavors they have, and decide whether you want to have it in a Cloud Cup (P95) or a Cloud Cone (P110) – cloud, being a ring of the fluffiest cotton candy you'd see. Some of the flavors to choose from include Butterbeer, Avotella, Maple and Candied Bacon, Malted Milk, The Dark Side of The Forest, and more.
If you want to bring home your ice cream, though, you can have it ordered in a To-Go Cup (P110) or a Pint (P360).
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Did we miss your favorite place to eat at when in UP and Maginhawa? Share it with us in the comments and we might check it out next time!
