Give In To Calamba's 10 Gastronomic Persuasions

1. An elegantly competitive foodie treat at Ding Hao

The vibrant orange colored shrimp alongside a 100-year old sliced egg (century egg), chicken cuts, and a carrot rosette sends a quick message to the central point of the nervous system that causes the release of the fluid from the glands beneath your jaws, behind your ears and your tongue, signaling you that the vision at hand is something you should try. Ding Hao Chinese Cuisine is quite a famous restaurant on the National Highway, Lecheria, Calamba City. As part of the Chinese culture, which highlights family eating as the most common bonding activity, the choice of having a set meal or an a la carte option is offered in this fine dining restaurant.

Packaged meals good for 12, 15, or more persons are options you can take from the set package, if not, a la carte dishes start from PHP 130 (USD 2.61) for soups and up. This Chinese restaurant serves the famous Peking duck, sweet and sour dishes which could be either pork or fish, and its white and soft “pao” (this is like the dough used in siopao) which can be paired up with either a pork dish or the Peking duck meat. Quite a big treat for a budget-friendly meal. Try it at Ding Hao!

Ding Hao

Address: National Highway, Calamba

Website: Ding Hao

2. Simply tasty and cozy offerings at Tita Lettie's

This cozy, rustic place has always had the effect of a Filipino home. Tita Lettie’s Grill is actually a resto-bar located within the vicinity of the Doña Jovita Resort in Calamba. So basically, you can book a room in the resort, enjoy the amenities and get a mixture of the Thai and Filipino cuisine at Tita Lettie’s place. Specialties in the house include the famous bulalo (a soup consisting of marrow bones with cut corn cubs and healthy greens).

You can also have sisig which is more of an appetizer rather than a main course but some other people, most especially Filipinos, love to have it with rice as well. Of course, barbecue or satay is a common meal you’ll never miss in a Filipino restaurant. And you should be able to take that crunchy bite of the crispy pata to bring the house down!

Tita Lettie's Grill

Address: Km. 57 National Highway Bagong Kalsada, Calamba, Laguna 4027

Facebook: Tita Lettie’s Grill

3. Budget-friendly meals at Bonitos

A bar and restaurant is quite a common combination. But within the vicinity of a university, it is quite a comfort to know that away from the city and from the nerve-wracking intellectual undertakings, the comfort of a home recipe could ease your tension. Taking time to savor the sweet and sour taste of tomatoes, along with the softened sweet texture of potatoes, with the fresh tang of the carrots that complements the meat and the distinct smell of the herbs and spices, that have been infused in this slow cooked meal, better known as Kalderetang Batangas. It will take you to the heights of a gastronomic adventure in Calamba.

The wide array of entrees include not only the Filipino cuisine but also Italian. Get a taste of their Ravioli Lasagna and Penne al Telefono and a bite of their Grilled Chop or 5-Spice Pork Spareribs. This student-friendly restaurant and bar is a good pick for a sumptuous, budget-friendly, and hearty meal!

Bonitos Bar and Restaurant

Address: Oregano St. corner Lopez Ave., Demarses Subd, Brgy. Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines 4030

Facebook: Bonitos Bar and Restaurant

4. Fresh, raw and satisfying Japanese treats

A city by the bay can never miss out in offering the best fresh products from the sea, and from one of the best Japanese restaurants in town. Yakitori, Japanese Whiskey highballs, and tempura are staples you don’t want to miss having when you visit this place. You also need to try the super tasty Ebi Soba and Katsudon. Authentic Japanese experiences will never be the same again after a visit to Ippon Yari. So take that food trip down south in Calamba!

Ippon Yari Japanese Restaurant

Address: Santa Rosa-tagaytay Road, Santa Rosa, Laguna 1634

Facebook: Ippon Yari Japanese Restaurant

5. Eccentrically Yamato (Japanese)

Should you want to experience an unconventional side of Japanese aura, visit Ryuma. The colorful atmosphere which is decorated with various decorations will bring you a cuisine that is basically as exciting as its colors. Ryuma is famous for its noodle dishes. You should try having their Yakisoba, Tentamadon (which is a bestseller), Unidon and all other things on the menu that you cannot find in another Japanese restaurant.

Premium meals are between USD 2-4 that come with all the Japanese tea you can drink, and that is whether you would want it hot or cold. While you may have a desire for the perfect service, the variety of dishes on the menu and the taste that tickles your taste buds will always come out stronger. Do try it out and enjoy!

Ryuma

Address: Paseo De Sta. Rosa, 4026 Santa Rosa, Laguna

6. Romantically fused ambiance with elements of antiques, galleries and good food

A colonial Spanish home of an Illustrado (Spanish for learned) which collapsed in Batangas, was later on developed to offer one of the best Filipino cuisines in Calamba, along with some interesting gallery items. The classic collection rages from the primitive era to art nouveau, art deco, and neoclassic designs, depicting the values of Philippine arts and antiques.

But more on the food. The char-grilled aubergine mixed with tomatoes and ginger, with special spices and vinegar, then topped with bright green-colored spring onions results in the best Kilawing Talong or Puso ng Saging, or you can also try the pako (fiddle fern) salad. They also serve the best crispy pata, boneless bangus and a lot of your Filipino, vegetarian favorites. Should you want an afternoon delight, Sulyap’s cafe lattes, shakes and other fruit drinks are served, and a halo-halo is a must-try! Visit Sulyap Cafe!

Sulyap Gallery Cafe

Address: Cocoland Compound Brgy. Del Remedio, San Pablo City 4000

Facebook: Sulyap Gallery Cafe

7. Guilty pleasures of an Italian indulgence

Italian cuisine has stretched its influence in all sorts of places. And most of which that stands out is the pizza, but pasta is also part of that classic Italian menu. Parmesan-coated fried asparagus sticks served with pesto aioli (Parmesan asparagus sticks); moist and delish fresh out of the oven cookies, topped with ice cream and mallows (Pizzacookie); thinly sliced fresh salmon drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and lemon, served with arugula, parmesan, and grapes (Fresh Salmon Carpaccio); Mushroom Ravioli with Truffle Sauce (Mushroom Chicharon), and Vesuvius penne topped with tomato, cream, and pesto are just but a few of the tempting dishes in Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzeria’s menu!

If you want to satisfy the palate with amazing Italian food, head down to Nonna’s at Nuvali, Santa Rosa now!

Nonna's Pasta and Pizzeria

Address: GFF-1 Solenad 3, Nuvali, Santa Rosa, Laguna

Facebook: Nonna’s Pasta and Pizzeria

8. Hot and inviting cut-rate meals at TBS Blue Corner Sizzling Express

Sizzling hot dishes in a sizzling hot place come in different varieties. Liempo, sisig, squid and blue marlin plates are choices you will always want to have when you get to the “turo-turo” style restaurant (a place where you get to have your order by pointing your finger at the dish). Other famous dishes in the Philippines are also made available from as low as 2-4 USD.

You can have the sumptuous soups infused with the marrow of bone in that Bulalo soup, or have that crunchy tilapia with a 1L (33.9 ounce) bottle of a cool soda of your choice. Come and see what this place has for you and be satisfied with those sizzling hot meals in Calamba!

TBS Blue Corner Sizzling Express

Address: Paseo De Sta. Rosa ,Country Market Greenfield City, Santa Rosa, Laguna 4026

Facebook: TBS Blue Corner Sizzling Express

9. A purely delectable cut you can never resist

A fresh cut taken perpendicularly to the spine of the pig, which usually contains a rib or part of a vertebra, served as an individual portion, either grilled or fried, is the answer for gastronomic pleasures. This side of Calamba offers you four varieties of silog (“si” which refers to sinangag or fried rice and “log” which means itlog or egg). This is paired with a choice of tapa, tocino, bangus and their bestseller, porkchop. Porkchop here is plainly seasoned and deep fried. The part of the skin layer oozes with fat and blends well with the egg and the fried rice. Along with a cool drink, it is a great treat for the hungry passersby!

Tuding's Original Porkchop

Address: J. P. Rizal, 4027 Calamba, Lagunas

Facebook: Tuding’s Original Porkchop

Solid gastronomic satisfaction

From the world famous cuisine given with the Calamba touch of class, to the most opulent and most competitive original Filipino dishes, Calamba satiates your gastronomic desires with a blast.