The Phenomenal Mama: Where to Eat in Baguio

When I think of Baguio, it's always about food, plenty of food. I am lucky that my childhood includes lots of memories about Baguio.

I grew up in Davao, where my Dad's family is based; but every summer we would visit our maternal relatives in Pampanga. Because of Pampanga's relative proximity to Baguio, my lola and her friends would often plan a trip to Baguio. Lola Luring would often bring us along wherever she visits her friend, Mang Esther. My sister, a cousin and I are the traveling companions of our Lola every summer. We would stay in Mang Esther's house for days, and we would stuff our tummies with ube and strawberry jam, lengua de gato, and fresh strawberries.

I think the cold weather in Baguio makes the food somehow tastes better. Don't you think so, too? I eat more every time I'm in Baguio. During my last visit this summer, we ate out at every meal. Allow me to share with you photos of some of the food we ate while we were in Baguio.

I'm warning you in advance that this post is heavy on photos, after all we were in Baguio for three days!:)

1. Hill Station

Smoked Paprika Roasted Salmon. served with wilted spinach and Cordillera rice.

Seafood Carbonara. Fresh seafood and fettuccine noodles in a light cream sauce.

Slow Roast Beef with Mashed Potatoes and vegetables

Moroccan Spiced Baby Back Ribs. Slow-roasted then charbroiled for that tender yet crucnhy texture on the outside.

Charbroiled cheeseburger on a whole wheat bun

Paella. One order is good for four persons.

Beef Salpicao

Lemon Meringue

2. Forest House

Forest House is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy good food with Baguio's cool weather.

The al fresco sitting area is perfect to enjoy the breezy weather and the good family style food.

Forest House Bouillabaisse is a medley of seafood cream soup, served in a bread bowl.

Korean Beef RibsTender portions of beef ribs on a delicious Korean sauce (P

345.00)

The Pancit Sotanghon is a family fave, and seems perfect with the cold Baguio weather.

Salpicado Australian. Marinated tenderloin beef cubes sautéed to perfection

served with garlic rice (P525.00)

Pork Steak with Mushroom. Marinated pork steak on the bed of fussili pasta topped with champignon and shitake sauce (P320.00)

Bagnet is the house specialty, and so we tried the Binagoongan Bagnet (P275.00)

3. Chaya Japanese Restaurant

Chaya is one of the Baguio restaurants that C insisted we visit. He had heard a lot of good reviews from friends.

It is best to come early before the lunch or dinner crowd, as the place can get very crowded during peak hours.

We later found out that our cousin-in-law's dad used to own the house before it was converted into a bed & breakfast/restaurant.

Salmon Sashimi

Calkifornia Maki

The Chaya Salad is a sprinkle of fruit over greens with a pomegranate dressing.

One order of Gyoza consists of 6 dumplings.

Agedashi Tofu. Fried silken tofu fried to perfection in a dashi soup base.

The Kani Salad comes with fresh greens, sesame dressing, crabsticks, cucmber and ebiko.

Yakitori Momo. Japanese style chicken BBQ.

Chashudon. Steamed rice topped with tenderly cooked pork in sweet soy sauce,

served with marinated egg.

Katsudon. Steamed rice topped with tonkatsu, thinly sliced onions, dashi soup, and seasoned egg.

Katsu Curry. Curry rice served with tonkatsu.

Beef Yakiniku served with salad with ponzu sauce.

Chahan. Japanese style fried rice

Ebi Tempura

As you can see, we ordered a lot. We definitely enjoyed our meal here. It was unpretentious home-cooked Japanese food at its finest.

They even give out the yummiest match ice cream with red bean paste.

4. Everything Nice

Everything Nice may look like a deesert palce, but we were pleasntly surprised to find out that they serve rice meals, as well. But since we visited right after dinner, we just sampled their desserts. We literally ordered a slice of everything on display. teehee!:)

My kids are all in unison that they loved the cassava cake the best! It's cheesy, gooey and yummy!

5. O' Mai Khan

If you are looking for an eat all you can that gives you your money's worth, then this is the place to go. The Mongolian buffet is only around P200, and that is for unlimited servings already. Sulit di ba? Whether you are a vegetarian or a meat lover, I'm sure you'll enjoy preparing your own dish.