The countdown to Christmas has begun! 'Tis the season indeed to be hungry for all things festive, especially for good holiday-appropriate food. Craving for some fresh and hot bibingka? Then head to Manam Comfort Filipino, as their three different takes on the traditional rice cake will surely turn any grumpy grinch into a happy foodie.
If you're already a longstanding fan of Manam's Filipino food, you know well that it's one of those restaurants that will always have something for every kind of craving — their menu is ingeniously divided into two, Classic and Twist, so everyone can enjoy both a traditional take on a Filipino dish and a modern spin with their own signature touch on it. The same goes for their fluffy bibingkas, with three kinds for you to choose from.
For a classic and nostalgic merienda apt for the season, have Manam's Bibingkang Galapong of Salted Duck Egg topped with grated coconut, each bite warm and pillowy, punctuated with salty and sweet. Two twists are availablle should you crave for bibingka that's not quite the usual: there's Bibingka de Leche and Bibingkang Ube.
Imagine your classic bibingka topped with a layer of silky leche flan with salted egg, and at its bottom, a tease of leche flan syrup. This version is definitely for the total sweet tooth in you and best paired with coffee! The second twist takes ube jam and swirls it into the bibingka batter, giving the rice cake more depth in sweetness.
My favorite part about enjoying bibingka in Manam (or any dish there, actually) is that the food comes in three different sizes (small, medium, and large) so it could suit the number of guests and/or the size of one's appetite perfectly. This also means that yes, you can enjoy all three bibingka flavors in one go. 'Tis the season after all, remember?
The Dish: Bibingka in assorted flavors — Bibingkang Galapong of Salted Duck Egg (P85/P155/P195), Bibingka de Leche (P125/P240/P360), and Bibingkang Ube (P120/P230/P340)
Where to Find it: Manam Comfort Filipino, with branches located in BGC, Greenbelt 2, Fairview Terraces, and MOA. Like Manam on Facebook (/ManamPH) and follow on Instagram (@manamph) .
