We all have that one place. The spot that doesn’t just feed you, but completely resets your mood after a week’s load. For me, that place is Manam. It’s officially taken the crown as my absolute favorite spot for Filipino food, and honestly, no other restaurant even comes close to giving me that exact same feeling of total satisfaction.
They’re known as the home of “classics and twists, it is my go-to comfort food. The second the food hits the table, the background noise of the day just shuts off.
If you’ve ever seen their menu, there are dozens of incredible food to choose from, but I am completely a creature of habit. I don’t even bother looking at the menu anymore because my order is already the same . I always order the exact same three dishes – the House Crispy Sisig, Sinigang with pakwan at the Gising-gising..
My ride-or-die trio looks exactly like this every single time:
- House Crispy Sisig: It arrives at the table sizzling and loud, loaded with that perfect, addictive chicharon crunch. It’s smoky, savory, and hands-down the absolute gold standard for sisig.
- Sinigang with Pakwan: I know it sounds something on paper, but the way the sharp, sour broth balances out with the refreshing sweetness of the watermelon is pure genius. It feels like a warm hug on a rainy afternoon.
- Gising Gising: To round out the meal, these crisp, snappy greens swimming in a rich, velvety coconut cream are an absolute must. Plus, it has just enough subtle chili heat to give your palate the perfect little wake-up call.
Trying to eat at Manam without these three on the table just feels wrong. They are my ultimate culinary match.
There are many branch of Manam in Manila; I am happy that they have 1 branch in Cebu City, where I stay most of the time.
I promise you’ll love these 3.
