Oodles of Noodles at Main St. Noodles

“Peace will come to the world when the people have enough noodles to eat.” – Momofuku Ando

The weather has gone haywire lately. Hot in the morning and cold in the afternoon. You may even see a bit of rain . . . scratch that. You may even see the streets flooded from a sudden downpour. Climate change? Anyone? Despite the bizarre weather we have been experiencing here in the Queen City of the South, there is always something to look forward to at the end of the day. One of these things is a nifty little noodle place in a newly-opened mall close to where I live, Main St. Noodles.

Noodles? Anyone?

A good friend of mine actually gave me a heads up about this place. Since their first branch was located two towns away, I opted to wait for them to open their second branch at the Ayala Malls Central Bloc. After the mall opened, it was the first place I looked for.

Noodles at Main St. Noodles

Main St. Noodles

Around a week ago, I went to the newly-opened mall at the Cebu IT Park to check out the place. It is a nice, no-frills noodle place where you can get a great-tasting bowl of noodles at an affordable price. While Main St. Noodles is similar to one of those food places situated in the middle of the hallway of a mall, it sent me back to memory lane during the time of the Yum Yum Tree at the old location of Rustan’s Supermarket along Mango Avenue. It had the same vibe as that place where we used to converge over the weekend way back then.

Main St. Noodles

But, enough of the past. Main St. Noodles has nine tables that can probably fit at least 18 diners at the same time. When I first visited the place, they had a Buy One, Get One promotion on their noodles. While I would have wanted to try two items on their menu, I was only able to taste the Hawaiian Beef Noodles since the free bowl should be the same type as the one you ordered. So, I had two bowls of their flavorsome beef noodle soup.  After my first sip of the soup, my taste buds went wild . . . somewhat exaggerated, but it was a festival of flavors. The beef was soft and succulent while the soup itself had so much flavor that I was able to quickly finish the two bowls I got.

Two bowls of Hawaiian Beef Soup

Interested in what the Main St. Noodles is all about? Well, continue reading and discover what the place has to offer.

Food

Main St. Noodles offers five noodle dishes: the Singaporean Seafood Laksa, Vietnamese Pho, Hawaiian Beef Soup, Japanese Miso Ramen, and the Chinese Chicken Soup. The first time I went there I had two bowls of the Hawaiian Beef Soup. And today, I tried their Chinese Chicken Soup. Both were quite delectable and appetizing. While I do eat noodles and try to create my own versions at home using my handy-dandy oven toaster, my creations were nowhere near the flavor offered by the noodles at Main St. Noodles. The ingredients tickled my taste buds and made me want to have some more. I may not be a noodle expert, but I loved both noodle dishes I tried at the place. Served in a large bowl, you can easily see that they really know their noodles.

Chinese Chicken Soup for the Soul

You also have the option of getting their French bread to pair with your noodles. But I opted to settle for the noodles so I can savor the taste of their noodles. I’ll probably go back and try their Singaporean Seafood Laksa, which is supposedly spicy. I’m not really a fan of spicy food, but I would want to try how far or how fast I can finish it. As for their drinks, they have Cucumber Lemonade and Iced Tea along with canned soft drinks and bottled water.

Hawaiian Beef Soup at Main St. Noodles

Price

Just as I said, the price is quite affordable taking into account the size of the serving. Their noodle prices range from PhP130 for the Chinese Chicken Noodle up to PhP165 for the Singaporean Seafood Laksa. 

Noodle Options at Main St. Noodles

On the other hand, their French bread is priced at PhP7 per piece or PhP30 for a basket. The Iced Tea and Cucumber Lemonade are priced at PhP45 each while their canned soft drinks cost PhP50 each. They also have a 500 mL bottled water, which is priced at PhP25 each.

Beverages and Other Menu Items

Location

Main St. Noodles is located at the fourth level of Ayala Malls Central Bloc at the Cebu IT Park. Since the mall is quite big, your point of reference is the chapel at the mall. The place is right in front of the chapel.

Getting There

If you are coming from Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on a Beep bus and get off at the first bus stop at the Cebu IT Park. Ayala Malls Central Bloc is located right across the bus stop, so you will not miss it. On the other hand, if you are coming from SM City Cebu, take a jeepney headed for Cebu IT Park. Tell the driver to let you off at Cebu IT Park, which should be the jeepney sop right across Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Ayala Malls Central Bloc is a short two-block walk from the jeepney stop.

Get this bowl of Chinese Chicken Soup at Main St. Noodles

If you are in the mood for oodles of noodles, you should check out Main St. Noodles and “Noodle Up Your Life.”

P.S. Another thing I noticed about the place is they encourage diners to clean as they go. This is quite admirable since we are so used to other people cleaning up for us. It would be a great teaching moment for parents who want their kids to become responsible adults in the future.

Teaching moment at Main St. Noodles

Wakaba Station - A Hole-In-The-Wall Place In The Middle Of The City

”Patience is the secret to good food.” - Gail Simmons

Facebook ads are really something. The algorithm is so accurate, you would think they are following everyone around. Why am I talking about Facebook marketing even though this is a blog about food? Well, this latest entry is actually related to the way Facebook sent an ad my way. While looking for a restaurant on Facebook, an ad about a place offering hamburger steak in Mabolo suddenly came my way. It piqued my interest so much that I decided to visit the place.

Wakaba Station

This post is actually about my fourth visit to the place. The first time I went there, it wasn’t able to find it since it did not have any sign back then (I later found that the place is closed on Sundays, which was the day I tried looking for it). On my second visit, I did not take any pictures of the place. My third visit was quite early and the place was still closed. But on my fourth visit, I was able to take pictures of the food I ordered at the Wakaba Station.

Wakaba Station

Wakaba Station

When you think about hole-in-the-wall places, Wakaba Station fits to a tee. As I mentioned above, I wasn’t able to find the place when I first went looking for it. Unlike many hole-in-the-wall places I’ve been to, the place looked like the ground floor of someone’s house. But places like these actually offer good food. And that is the reason people visit these places. You can easily see the menu board since it is positioned at the entrance. The order taker/cashier is also sitting close to the entrance. They have five tables in the dining area. Each table can fit four or five people. Judging from the look of the place, it may have been the living room, dining room, and kitchen of the owner of the house. It is also ventilated by the electric fans at the place.

Wakaba Station Dining Area

For those bringing cars, it may be advisable to park it at SM City Cebu and walk to the place. Their parking area is limited to roadside parking. But I’m not really sure if traffic enforcers will allow this. Anyway, walking from the mall is a good exercise for anyone wanting to eat good food. Wakaba Station is open from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM from Monday to Thursday and 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. The place is closed on Sundays.

Wakaba Station Dining Area

Food

The two times I was able to eat at the place, I ordered their hamburger steak since this was what piqued my interest in the first place. From a person who grew up loving the hamburger steak of Orange Brutus, I still liked the hamburger steak offering of Wakaba Station. But the place also offers other items on their menu. Their bestsellers are their Two-Piece Pork Chop (Mommy Betsy), Breaded Pork Chop, and Lechon Kawali. For chicken lovers, the place offers unlimited chicken wings. Shrimp lovers can try their Spicy Buttered Shrimp and Buttered Garlic Shrimp. If you are a silog fan, you may want to check out their Longganisa, Bangus, Spam, and Tocino (all are served with rice and egg). For sizzling dish lovers, the Sisig, Pork Chop with Gravy, and Burger Steak will be your obvious choices. These are also served with rice and egg.

Hamburger Steak at Wakaba Station

Whenever I eat, I try to order soup as much as possible. On my two visits, I ordered their Crab and Corn Soup, which was unlike the one you can buy at the supermarket since it had real crab and corn. Wakaba Station also offers Egg and Corn Soup as well as Cream of Mushroom Soup. Their menu board also shows some new items they are offering, including the Pork Chop with Cream Sauce (Kyla a la Cream Sauce), Kyle’s Chicken, Ysh Teriyaki Chicken Wings, Spicy BBQ Chicken Wings, and Pork Chop a la Pobre.

Crab and Corn Soup

Wakaba Station also offers Group or Bundle meals for groups of two, three, and four people. These bundles are ideal for people looking to eat at the place with family and friends. The place also offers party packs in case you want to order in bulk.

Hamburger Steak and Crab and Corn Soup

Price

The prices of their menu items are quite affordable. Their Pork offerings are between PhP95 for the Bread Pork Chop and PhP125 for the Pork Chop a la Pobre. The Chicken Wings are priced at PhP95 while the silog meals cost from PhP60 for the Longganisa up to PhP95 for the Spam. They also offer two budget meals priced at PhP50 each (served with egg and rice). Shrimp items are priced at PhP95 each while their soups cost PhP55 each.

Wakaba Station Menu Board

The sizzler menu items are priced at PhP95 for the Pork Chop with Gravy and PhP105 for the Sisig and Hamburger Steak. Bundle meals are priced at PhP199, PhP299, and PhP399 for the two-person, three-person, and four-person bundles, respectively. On the other hand, their party packs are priced between PhP150 for the eight-piece chicken pack and PhP600 for the Baked Zitti with White Sauce. Soft drinks cost PhP15 each while their shakes are priced at PhP50 each. They also offer an iced tea pitcher at PhP35. For unlimited chicken wing fans, their unlimited chicken wings are priced at PhP249 per person.

Rules For Unlimited Chicken Wings

Location

The Wakaba Station is located along C. Mina Street in Mabolo. It is the street right beside St. Joseph Patriarch Parish. The place is a few meters away from Mabolo Royal Hotel.

Priority Number

Getting to the Wakaba Station

If you are coming from SM City Cebu, good for you since it’s only a short walk away from the mall. You can walk towards Mabolo Parish Church and once you reach the church turn left until you reach Mabolo Royal Hotel is located. Turn right at C. Mina Street and follow it for several meters. Wakaba Station is on the left side of the road. On the other hand, if you are coming from Ayala Center Cebu, get on a jeepney headed for SM City Cebu. Tell the driver to let you off at the street right before Mabolo Parish Church (C. Borces Street). Follow the street until you reach the point where it intersects with C. Mina Street. Turn left until you reach Wakaba Station.

Want Some?

Wakaba Station is not your run-of-the-mill place since they offer items that are not usually offered in other restaurants at a reasonable price. In fact, I noticed they come up with new items to add to their menu every so often. If you are looking for a hole-in-the-wall place offering a variety of food items at a reasonable price in the middle of the city, then Wakaba Station is the place to go.

P.S.  Wakaba Station is also now available through Grab Food.

Rehashing Some Brews At Hashbrews Café Bistro

"Life's supposed to be an adventure, a surprise!" - Anton du Beke

I’ve been meaning to visit the place for a long time. I first noticed it when I was on my way to Cebu IT Park one evening. It looked like one of those American diner-type cafés in the 60s or 70s similar to the one we had here in Cebu back in the 90s. While I was able to have a bottle or two some time ago at the place, but I was really able to get the feel of the place. I finally got the chance one Friday evening, which is timely since I was craving a brew of a different kind.

Rehashing Some Brews At Hashbrews Café Bistro

Hashbrews Café Bistro

Hashbrews Café Bistro has been on my to-go-to list ever since I noticed it over a year ago. My curiosity was further piqued after I saw their Facebook Page. The pictures of their food, particularly their burgers had me salivating at the thought of taking a bite at them. My initial perception was an American diner-type of place. And when I first visited the place around a month ago, it had that diner vibe with the framed drawings and sculptures (not sure what you call them since I’m no artist). The bar also had a good inventory of drinks from whiskeys to rums and tequilas. But I’m more interested in their food, which was what attracted me to the place.

Hashbrews Café Bistro Coat of Arms

When I saw the pictures of their burgers posted on their Facebook Page, it not only piqued my interest, it also had me wanting to drop by the place. But as they say, fate had a different plan. When I got the chance to grab a bite at the place, I ordered something else . . . their Grilled Pork Belly with Rice.

Grilled Pork Belly with Rice

Food

While I was really looking forward to their burgers, their Grilled Pork Belly with Rice actually tasted great. In fact, I would have ordered an extra serving of rice if not for my so-called minimal-carb diet. But if I ate it at lunchtime I would likely order two extra servings of rice. So I guess fate was right to compel me (introvert mode activate) to ask for the house specialty rather than order the burgers, which I wanted in the first place. Aside from the burgers and Grilled Pork Chop, the place also offers a good variety of food items, including Beef with Onions, Beef with Broccoli, Fried Chicken (overheard someone saying this was good), Grilled Blue Marlin Steak, Sizzling Bangus, and everyone’s favorite, the Sizzling Sisig.

Grilled Pork Belly with Rice 

Appetizers while on a drinking binge aka pulutan, they Hashbrews offers Sauteed Hungarian Sausage and Mushrooms, Breaded Chicken Strips, Spring Rolls, and Bacon (who doesn’t love bacon?). The place also offers a good selection of soups and noodles, including the Chicken Mami, Cream of Chicken, Tinolang Isda, and Lomi, which I noted was served in a humongous bowl (I overheard the other table ordering this).

Interior of Hashbrews Café Bistro

If you are into vegetables, you may want to order the Ampalaya with Egg, Chao Pat Chin, or the Chopsuey. Their All-Day-Breakfast menu includes the Corned Beef, Beef Tapa, and Longaniza, all of which are served with two eggs and rice or bread. Pancake lovers will be keen on ordering their Classic Pancake with Butter and Maple Syrup or the Waffle with Bacon and Egg. For a taste of Italy, they also have the Spaghetti Bolognese, Creamy Pesto Pasta, and Carbonara. So Hashbrews offers everything for everybody.

Price

When it comes to prices, Hashbrews has a rather competitive price range. For their starters or appetizers, prices range from PhP99 for the Fried Pusit (Squid) Platter up to PhP205 for the Calamares. Their Main Courses have prices between PhP165 for the Sizzling Sisig and PhP450 for the Bagnet. The Soup and Noodles of the place have prices ranging from PhP135 for the Sweetcorn Soup up to PhP295 for the Sinigang Isda. Vegetable lovers can look forward to prices between PhP95 for the Ampalaya with Egg and PhP185 for the Chao Pat Chin. The price of the pasta at Hashbrews is from PhP165 for the Pasta Pomodoro up to PhP195 for the Spicy Danggit Pasta. Fruit Shakes are priced at PhP95 for the Banana Shake up to PhP145 for the Banana & Mango Shake, while sodas cost PhP55 each.

Menu of Hashbrews Café Bistro

If you want to have breakfast . . . in the evening, you can have them at PhP165 for the Corned Beef with rice and egg up to PhP175 for the Beef Tapa with rice and egg. Beer prices are between PhP50 for the Pale Pilsen and PhP75 for the Smirnoff Mule. And last but not the least, the price of their burgers and sandwiches are quite competitive from PhP125 for the Ham and Egg Sandwich up to PhP185 for their Hashbrew’s Cheese Burger.

Menu of Hashbrews Café Bistro

Location

Hashbrews Café Bistro is located on the ground floor of Northwinds Hotel along Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City. It’s a short walk away from the Cebu IT Park and close to some of the best restaurants the Lahug area has to offer.

Getting There

If you are coming from Ayala, you can get on a jeepney headed for Lahug (04M) and tell the driver to let you off at Northwinds Hotel. You can immediately see the place when you turn towards the hotel. You also have the option of getting on a Beep bus and get off at IT Park. You can ask any guard in the area to point you in the direction of the hotel. You can also ask the guard to point you to where Chikaan sa Cebu restaurant is located. You can either ride a jeepney or walk towards the place (it’s probably a five- to ten-minute walk away). The café bistro is right across the restaurant. If you are coming from SM City Cebu, you can get on a jeepney headed for the Cebu IT Park and tell the driver to let you off at Chikaan sa Cebu restaurant.

Interior of Hashbrews Café Bistro

While I was not able to take a bite off their burgers, Hashbrews is definitely one of the places I will not think twice of visiting on any given Friday night.

PS: The place has a live acoustic band playing on Friday and Saturday evenings. If you are overflowing with confidence in your bathroom voice, you can also ask if you can sing your heart’s out with the band.

See Ben Eat At Se Ben’s Lechon

“You can never put too much pork in your mouth as far as I'm concerned.” - Lewis Black

It was all a stroke of luck (and a hungry stomach) that I discovered this quaint, little store selling the heart-stopping delicacy from Cebu somewhere in Mabolo. I was supposed to visit a different hole-in-the-wall resto in the same area, but I shied away from the place since I noticed it was rather full. Since Manong’s Original Bacolod Chicken Inasal was still closed, I walked around the area looking for a place where I can feed myself. While walking around, an image of the pig in overalls on a window of one of the shops seemed to call out to me. With my stomach already grumbling, I went in to check out what they had to offer.

See Ben Eat At Se Ben’s Lechon

Se Ben’s Lechon

Se Ben’s Lechon is a hole-in-the-wall resto offering the world-famous Cebu lechon. The branch I visited opened recently, while its Gaisano Country Mall branch has been open for some time already. I wasn’t able to ask more about the place since I was already famished and needed something to eat. But based on their Facebook Page, they have been in the lechon business for over a decade. They have a branch at the food court of Gaisano Country Mall and this branch in Mabolo only opened in August 2019. Aside from offering lechon on a per-kilo basis, they also offer whole lechon orders.

Interior of Se Ben’s Lechon

Food

I’ve been to a lot of lechon places in the city and most of them offer something unique to their customers. And this place is one of those places. One thing I liked the most was their crispy lechon skin. The pictures I took do not do justice to the delicacy, but believe me or not, the lechon skin was indeed as crunchy as it gets. They gave me the option of getting the regular lechon or the lechon belly. Since I’m more of a belly person, I opted for the latter. They have a budget meal size for their lechon belly, but I opted to get the 1/4-kilo serving of the dish. They have the regular and spicy variants of the lechon belly. Similarly, their whole lechon also comes in the regular and spicy variants.

Crispy lechon skin at Se Ben's Lechon

Price

Se Ben’s Lechon offers per kilo price and whole lechon price for their products. The price of a 1/4-kilo order of their classic lechon is PhP155. A 1/4-kilo order of their regular boneless lechon is priced at PhP175. On the other hand, a 1/4-kilo order of their spicy boneless lechon costs PhP190. These orders are good for one to two persons.

Boneless lechon at Se Ben's Lechon

The prices of their classic whole lechon are between PhP5,500 for 15 persons and PhP8,500 for a lechon good for 30 to 40 persons. The price of the spicy variant of the lechon is from PhP6,000 for 15 persons up to PhP9,000 for 30 to 40 persons.

Lechon prices at Se Ben's Lechon

Their boneless lechon is available in family packs. The regular boneless lechon family pack costs between PhP2,200, which is good for 12 to 15 persons, and PhP3,600, which is good for 20 to 25 persons. In contrast, the price of the spicy boneless lechon family pack starts at PhP2,400, which is good for 12 to 15 persons, up to PhP3,800, which is good for 20 to 25 persons.

Lechon skin and boneless lechon at Se Ben's Lechon

I was not able to take note of the price of their other products since the hunger pangs got the better of me. After eating the 1/4-kilo order of their lechon belly, I was already getting ready to go home and take the afternoon off. But this gives me another reason to visit the place to get the prices of their other products.

Boneless lechon at Se Ben's Lechon

Location

The Se Ben’s Lechon branch I visited is located at GDN Arcade, Mabolo. It is located in the same area as Manong’s Original Bacolod Chicken Inasal. They also have a branch located at the food court of Gaisano Country Mall.

Boneless lechon with puso at Se Ben's Lechon

Getting There

From Ayala Center Cebu, you can get to Se Ben’s Lechon by getting on a jeepney headed for Mabolo. Tell the driver to let you off at Ngohiong Express across PLDT. You need to cross to the side of PLDT and get on a jeepney marked 03A. You can get off in front of the gasoline station next to the GAGFA building. Se Ben’s Lechon is located at the GND Arcade, which is right across the gasoline station. You also have the option of walking to Skyrise Alpha where QBE is located and get on a Beep bus headed for Mabolo. The GAGFA building is one of the stops of the Beep bus.

See Ben Eat At Se Ben’s Lechon

With the opening of Se Ben’s Lechon at the GDN Arcade, the Mabolo area is gradually cementing its position as one of the best foodie destinations of Cebu. The lechon belly of Se Ben’s Lechon ranks up there among the best inCebu, but their crispy lechon skin is probably the best I’ve tasted so far.

Bai Ron, Back Ribs Ta sa Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

“Good food is good food. It doesn't have to come with pretense.” - Christina Tosi

It’s been over a year since I last visited this blog. In fact, in four months it will be two years since I wrote something here. While I visited several hole-in-the-wall places here in Cebu, I haven’t really gotten to take pictures, let alone write about them. But my recent visit to a place I discovered recently encouraged me to write about it.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille actually opened around three years ago, but I only got to try the place when I decided to take a trip to uptown Cebu. Several food bloggers already wrote about the place in the past. And they all agree that the place offers great-tasting baby back ribs.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Food

Yes, there are already several restaurants in the Queen City of the South offering baby back ribs. But Byron’s is Bacolod’s Best, and it has made its way to Cebu. This place uses their own barbecue sauce. And it’s not your run-of-the-mill barbecue sauce, it’s their own concoction that easily tickles your taste buds. I ordered the Backribs Jr. and I was in for a treat. 

Backribs Jr.

The meat was suitably tender and succulent. I could just put my finger on the taste of the sauce since it was a festival of flavors that took my tongue on an amazing ride. I wanted to order the Backribs Regular, but I am supposedly on a self-imposed diet. Well, more of an intermittent eating diet or something. If you are planning to visit the place with your family or group of friends, you can order the Family Platter or the half slab or whole slab of backribs.

Backribs Jr. 

Aside from the baby back ribs, the place also offers Grilled BBQ Chicken, which is one of the staples in Bacolod similar to Manong’s. They also have the Grilled Sizzling Bangus and Pork BBQ. Another item on their menu that I want to try soon is the Porksteak. All these items come with one cup of rice. If you are not keen on eating rice, you may want to try their Backribs Burger (I should try this the next time I visit the place). And last but not the least, they also have their own version of the Sizzling Pork Sisig.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Price

The price of their meals is quite affordable, especially since the place is located in one of the malls in the city. The Backribs Jr. is priced at PhP99 while the Backribs Regular costs PhP175. On the other hand, the Half Slab of Backribs and Whole Slab of Backribs are priced at PhP598 and PhP1,188, respectively. Their family platter costs PhP1,288. Of all the rib meals, only the Family Platter comes with two liters of iced tea or lemon juice. Their Grilled BBQ Chicken and Grilled Sizzling Bangus are priced at PhP128 and PhP178, respectively. The Pork BBQ meal costs PhP128 while the Sizzling Pork Sisig is priced at PhP138. Their Backribs Burger and Porksteak are both priced at PhP128.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

For their drinks, a glass of either lemon juice or iced tea is priced at PhP45 while a pitcher costs PhP105. They also offer canned soft drinks at PhP55 each while their bottled water costs PhP25. If you want more rice, plain rice costs PhP20 while the garlic rice is priced at PhP25. On the other hand, if you want extra BBQ sauce, you can get it for PhP15.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Location

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille actually opened its first branch in Robinson’s Galleria at the North Reclamation Area. The branch I visited is located on the second floor of Robinson’s Cybergate Mall in Fuente Osmeña. It is just a few steps away from the Manga Café. So if you are looking for something sweet after chowing down on the baby back ribs, you may want to check out the Manga Café. It is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM or based on the mall hours.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Getting There

If you are coming from Ayala Center Cebu, you can get on a jeepney marked 14D or the one headed for Ramos St. You can tell the driver to let you off at the jeepney stop close to Robinson’s Cybergate. It will likely be at the intersection close to the National Labor Relations Commission office or Anita’s Bakeshop. Robinson’s Cybergate is just several steps away from the jeepney stop. Just ask the driver or your friendly sidewalk vendor to point which direction you should head for. Once you get to the mall, just go up to the second floor. Like what I said earlier, it is just a few steps away from the Manga Café.

Byron’s Back Ribs Grille

Cebuanos got acquainted with the baby back ribs after a homegrown restaurant offered this meat dish nearly two decades ago. Since then people have been lining up to taste the best ones offered in the Queen City of the South.  With the opening of Byron’s Backribs Grille, the rib gurus of Cebu should step on their rib game.

Mangga Mo Bay Sa Mangga Cafe

“When life gives you lemons, throw it back and say I said I wanted a mango!” - unknown

The Queen City of the South may be home to the world-famous Cebu lechon, but this little island in the middle of the archipelago also offers some of the best mangos in the world. In fact, this has become a major industry in the island. Sometime last year, a college friend of mine invited me to the opening of a new café on the second floor of Robinson’s Cybergate Mall. The café is unlike other cafes in the city since it offers products using mango as one of its ingredients.

Mangga Cafe in Cebu

Mangga Café

The Mangga Café is a small, cozy place offering food and products made from mangos. When I went there, there was no other customer. One side of the store had a long table and four seats for customers who may want to have a bite at the place. The products offered by the café are displayed on racks on the other side of the place. Quaint and cozy were the two words that came to mind when I first visited the place.

Have a bite at the Mangga Cafe in Cebu

Food

While a good number of their products are bread made from mango flour, they also offer cookies, malunggay bread sticks, energy bars, mango jam, cakes, and pastries. In addition, Mangga Café also has a selection of sandwiches for their customers to choose from. But, choosing a sandwich is more than just pointing at what you want. You basically build your own sandwich.

Racks of mango goodies waiting for you to buy

Building Your Own Sandwich

1. The first thing you do is choose the filling you want in the sandwich. Their filling selection includes the Margherita, BLT, Pesto Chicken, Humba, and Tuna Salad Melt.

Build your own sandwich at Mangga Cafe

• Margherita – is made of marinara sauce, basil leaves, and Mozzarella cheese
• BLT – is your basic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich
• Pesto Chicken – consists of seared chicken breast fillet, pesto sauce, and cheddar cheese
• Humba – is made of tender pork stew topped with a caramelized pineapple slice
• Tuna Salad Melt – consists of tuna, apples, mayonnaise, pickle relish, lettuce, and cheddar cheese

Margherita Sandwich using Whole Wheat Bread

2. You then choose the presentation of the sandwich. Your choices include the Tortilla Wrap, Whole Wheat Bread, Bagel, Focaccia, and Ciabatta.

Bread choices at Mangga Cafe

3. Wait for the sandwich to be assembled and viola, you have your sandwich

You can also order hot or cold drinks to quench your thirst after eating the sandwich. Hot drink options at the café include the Mango Mint Tea, Mango Ginger Tea, Mango Lemon Grass, Turmeric, and Calamansi, among others. On the other hand, their cold drink options include the Mango Minced Iced Tea, Mango Strawberry Iced Tea, Passion Fruit Drink, and Mango Juice in Can.

This sandwich goes well with a hot or cold drink

The bread options at Mangga Café include the Pesto Loaf, Ciabatta with mango flour, Focaccia with mango flour, and ensaymada. They also offer Tortilla Chips that you can dip in their Mango Jam. If you want to make your own bread at home, Mangga Café also sells all-natural, gluten-free, all-purpose Mango Flour. You can pair your bread with Mango Tea or Mango Coffee. Mangga Café also offers some cakes and pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth. Some of these delectable sweets include the Mango Tart, Mango Cheesecake, and the Mango Mousse.

A sandwich and drink combo is a perfect snack in the afternoon

Price

The prices of the products offered at the Mangga Café are friendly to your wallet. It is between PHP35 for the Ciabatta bread and PHP175 for their Go Healthy Bars. The sandwiches are priced at PHP99 for the Margherita and BLT while the Pesto Chicken, Humba, and Tuna Salad Melt are priced at PHP148 each. All their hot drinks cost PHP49 while their cold drinks are priced at PHP75 each.

Affordable goodies at Mangga Cafe

Location

Mangga Café is located on the second floor of Robinsons’ Cybergate Mall. It is situated close to the escalator. The place is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. You have the option of eating what you bought at the café or simply take them out and enjoy them at home.

Eat healthy at Mangga Cafe

Getting to Mangga Cafe

Getting to the Mangga Café is rather easy since it is located inside a major mall at the Fuente Osmeña area. You simply have to get on a jeepney headed for Fuente Osmeña and get off at the jeepney stop close to the mall. If you live in the Lahug, Guadalupe, or Talamban area, you can actually reach the mall after getting a free tour of the city. You can do this by waiting for the free shuttle service of Robinsons to Robinsons Galleria Mall. From the Robinsons Galleria Mall, you can get on another bus headed for Robinsons Cybergate.  Well, this is probably for people who have a lot of time in their hands since these buses normally have a schedule to follow.

Mango flour offers a healthy option for diners

The Mangga Café is just one of the innovations in the food landscape of Cebu. Aside from showing the ingenuity of Cebuanos, the café also reflects the current trend towards a healthier lifestyle.

Mango chips at Mangga Cafe

Mango jamming at Mangga Cafe

Malunggay breadsticks at Mangga Cafe

Mango cakes and pastries are also available at Mangga Cafe

Mango flour at Mangga Cafe

If you have any leads on other hole-in-the-wall places in the Queen City of the South, do give me a heads up so I can visit the place and promote it to the world.

Note: Prices may change without prior notice.