The week after I got home from Thailand, I couldnāt stop thinking about Thai basil beef, so I had to recreate it. I needed my family to taste it too, because I refuse to walk around haunted by this flavor by myself. Hereās the version I made. The ingredients are easy to find in the Philippines, and somehow it tastes authentic and restaurant-levelā¦ at least if my taste buds arenāt lying, hahah.
Ingredients
400g ground beefĀ orĀ thinly sliced beef sirloin 1 medium onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 siling labuyo, chopped (or 2 tsp chili oil) 1 red bell pepper, thin strips (optional) 1 cup fresh basil (loose)
2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp fish sauce (patis) 1 tbsp oyster sauce 1Ā½ tsp brown sugar 2 tbsp water Lime or calamansi for finishing (just a squeeze)
Instructions
Mix sauce in a small bowl. Combine, soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar and water. Set aside.
At the start of the week, I went to a wet market and impulsively bought 500 grams of squid. I still don’t know what I’m going to cook with it. I told myself Iād probably just turn it into calamares. While scrolling online I came across Ojingeo Bokkeum and it looked delicious except that its spicy. And I amĀ notĀ built for spice. So I decided to tweak the recipe a little and make one with the ingredients I have at home.
While I’m cooking this dish I was a little worried that I will overcook the squid and make it rubbery because thickenning the sauce is kind of tricky as the squid was releasing water. Thankfully it turned out amazing though I’m not sure if it tasted close to the original lol. It tastes new to me but its so good paired with rice š„¹š
Ingredients
500 g squid 1 white onion, sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp sesame oil Sesame seeds, for garnish
For the sauce: 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp oyster sauce 2 tsp sugar 1 tsp chili oil Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat pan on medium-high. Add olive oil + sesame oil.
Yesterday I was really craving pasta and I wanted it fast! The problem isā¦ I only had pasta and some leftover tomato sauce in the fridge.
So, I did a quick Google search and found Pasta Al Pomodoro, and then I kinda justā¦ improvised. Used what I had and made my own version. It was so good that it ended up being the only thing I ate all day. I knew I had to save this recipe and share it with you so here it is!
Ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 medium white onion chopped 3 cups tomato sauce 1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper 2 tsp sugar 1 tsp dried oregano diced cheese (as much as you want) Pasta
Instructions
Heat olive oil over medium heat
Cook onion until soft
Add garlic and cook until fragrant
Pour in tomato sauce and stir
Add salt, pepper, sugar, dried oregano and cheese
Taste and adjust
Reduce heat to low
Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens
Trying new things especially food can be scary. But I wouldn’t have discovered this amazing food if I never took the risk. This is your sign to just go for it. Worst case? You donāt like it. Best case? You find your new favorite thing šš½ļø
1. Yu pin king clam noodles
I found this while grocery shopping, and it’s shining like a beacon, so I bought one for each flavor, and the Clam flavor is the one that I liked the most.
2. Ubeco’s Teriyaki fried rice
I’m still thinking about itā¦
3. Crab/seafood burger in Mosa
A very unique tasting burger lavettt!
4. Roasted pork in Lin Wo hK
It took me straight back to the one I had at Yingying.
5. Wai ying’s Deep Fried Wanton
10/10 The taste of shrimp is so unique
6. Chicken pot pie by diang eng chay
The crust was crumbly but its still so good!
6. Mary Grace’s mango Bene
I didn’t expect it to be good but its GOOD!!! š I don’t really like eating cakes and sweets but this one changed it for me.
Thereās this storm coming called Man Yi. Did that stop me from heading to Binondo? Nope. Iāve been here before, years ago, with a friend. We ate at Ying Ying Tea House, and something about it stayed with me. This time, I returned alone.
How to get there
LRT to Carriedo Station. Then a short walk toward Ongpin Street, brushing past Plaza Santa Cruz and its half-forgotten fountain. The kind of place you can tell used to be beautiful or still is, if you look at it long enough.
I checked into a nearby hotel before anything else. The room had soft light, a wide window view, and a king bed all to myself. Thereās something grounding about laying your things down and pausing before the hunt begins.
The Food Drift
My first stop is Oishi Kun. It was the nearest. Thereās a line for payment and a line for pickup. It was confusing at first cause I’m not sure where the line for which is which. But eventually, I walked away with a warm, milkyĀ bicho-bicho and let me tell you, and it was exactly what I needed. It was soft and sweet. Itās like when youāve been craving something but didnāt even know what, and then you taste it.
Next, I grabbed four pieces of Shanghai fried siopao just beside it, then headed over to Wai Ying. There was a crowd outside, and I panicked for a second. Turns out, they were just waiting to dine in. So, I asked the guard, and scored some fried wontons to go. I thought about getting an asado roll from Monteland, I can’t remember why I didn’t. Medium regret.
Then came Diao Eng Chay. I bought two boxes of chicken pot pie without asking the price. I only knew I wanted it. Some decisions are like that. I then spotted a long line at Vege Select so I skipped it for now. Their xiao long bao and tanghulu are officially on my ānext timeā list.
On my way back to the hotel, I realized I needed a drink. Luckily, I found this random convenience store with bottles on display outside. The entrance had those odd butcher strip curtains, which, now that Iām typing this, was kind of strange. I grabbed a strawberry-flavored juice with Chinese characters on it, Pocari Sweat, and a bottle of water. The cashier did some lightning-fast mental math, and Iām honestly impressed.
The Elevator Incident
When I returned, I entered the hotel elevator with two other strangers. We pressed our floors. Mine didnāt light up. Tried again. Nothing. The others noticed and suggested I press the floor above and switch elevators. I nodded, pretending not to feel weird about it.
The hallway was quiet in the wrong kind of way. I ended up on the 17th floor for no reason, half-laughing, half-spooked. The button finally worked on my third try. It felt like the building was teasing me.
Room, Food, Silence
Back in my room, I attempted a makeshift mukbang. But halfway through the Shanghai siopao, I was full. Favorites: fried wontons (with a hint of seafood) and the chicken pot pie. TheĀ bicho-bichoĀ didnāt survive the delay. I tried to save the bicho-bicho for later as dessert, but unfortunately it hardened. I didn’t read that it had to be consumed right a way.
And hereās the crazy part: someone I knew saw me in Binondo. Randomly. Out of everyone in Binondo, on a random stormy day. It reminded me how small the world gets when you leave your house.
Money Magnet Ring
Then the next morning, my ring went missing, the one I got for the pink diamond theory. I searched everywhere, panicked, and then ended up finding a random ring instead. Am I being played by a ghost? Did it want to exchange rings? I’ve searched it on google and found that itās a money magnet ring. Sounds cool, right? But also definitely cursed. So, I did the smart thing and left it behind. I also found my ring which is in my bag haha.
Ying Ying Tea House
For breakfast, I hit up Ying Ying Teahouse for breakfast, and guess what? I was feeling adventurous and ordered duck this time…Decided Iām still a lechon kawali girl.
Afterwards, I snapped some pics at the Chinatown arch and the mural before heading back to Carriedo Station. Miraculously, it wasnāt raining even if there’s another storm coming.
Not Quite a Wrap-Up
When I got to the mural, my paper bag completely gave out on me. I was literally hugging it. It would be nice to have someone with me that moment. Then I remembered I brought a tote bag! It fits perfectly. Crisis averted š.
At the LRT station, I was once again lost. I asked the woman next to me, but she had no idea either. She went to check at the booth. Eventually, I got to the right side and caught the train. Someone offered me a seat. I said thank you. I hope they heard me.
I really wish I had more time to hit up places like Ramada Hotel for its rooftop, Grand 1919 for coffee, Shin Ton Yong for its pork floss, Monteland for that asado roll, Vege Select for those xiao long bao and tanghulu, and take photos in Panciteria in El Filibusterismo. Not to mention Lan Zhou or San Guo Lamian. There’s still next time, right?
