It’s hard to snag a cab in Manila when it’s raining because drivers are afraid to get stuck in heavy traffic or flooded areas — and nowhere is this more true than in Manila’s Sampaloc area.
Luckily, an ES Villegas taxi stopped for us. The driver, Mang Benjie, even agreed to take us to his favorite carinderia on the corner of P. Noval and Loyola Streets, a 24-hour establishment owned by a taxi operator and known for its PHP30 budget meals.
At lunch time, KC Tapsilogan at Lugawan is teeming not just with taxi drivers but also with students and professionals who work nearby. Mang Benjie (watch the video above) swears it’s because of their affordable meals and delicious dishes.
According to the waitress, bestsellers are the tapsilog and sisig. They also sell pancit canton, bihon and palabok by the bilao.
WHAT WE GOT: Papaitan with two cups of rice and soda, PHP70.
WHAT WE THINK: The papaitan, an exotic dish from the Ilocanos made from — gulp — animal innards, was not too bitter for our taste buds. The waitress served us a generous portion and the hot soup suited the cold, rainy weather.
KC Tapsilogan at Lugawan is on the corner of P. Noval and Loyola Street, Sampaloc, Manila. Open daily 24 hours.
This story first appeared on Coconuts Manila.
WATCH MORE CARINDERIA CRAWL VIDEOS:
– Episode 1: KC Tapsilogan at Lugawan on P. Noval Street, Manila
– Episode 2: Menes Eatery on E. Remigio Street, Manila
– Episode 3: Juan Spoon Eatery on Edison Street, Makati
– Episode 4: 15th Avenue Carinderia in Cubao, Quezon City
– Episode 5: Carinderia crawl: Sizzling beef and mushrooms at McDOKS Sizzling
– Episode 6: Tocino and tortang talong at Honey’s Canteen on West Avenue
– Episode 7: Dinengdeng and lapu-lapu at Carol’s Eatery on Retiro Avenue, QC
– Episode 8- Pork sisig at Ilar’s Tapsilog in Manila
– Episode 9: Red Gate Eatery in Caloocan
– Episode 10: Bangsilog at Erlin’s Tapsilog in Manila
– Episode 11: Pork BBQ and liempo at B-B-Q Zone in Teacher’s Village
– Episode 12: Pancit batil patung in Kamuning, Quezon City
– Episode 13: Beef and chicken pita at Hijo d’Pita in Teacher’s Village
– Episode 14: Special bulalo at Bulaluhan sa España in Manila
– Episode 15: Kanto Freestyle Breakfast in Bo Kapitolyo, Pasig
– Episode 16: Mang Tootz in Sampaloc, Manila
– Episode 17: Juana’s Budbod and Coffee in Sampaloc, Manila
– Episode 18: Manang’s Food House at Ateneo de Manila
– Episode 19: Sizzling pork sisig at Aysee
– Episode 20: Bagnet-themed dishes at Bagneto
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