COCONUTS HOT SPOT — On street corners, plazas and parks around the world, street vendors are defining culinary heritage and landscape with their weird and wonderful eats. But while we would love to hop on planes just to taste the alluring street food offerings of our neighbouring countries, most of us don’t have bottomless bank accounts.
Fortunately for Pinoys, we’re getting the next best thing. Through food fairs and festivals, we get to experience international flavors without having to fly. In Quezon City, a new food park promises the same excitement, but without the time pressure.
Located inside 38 Autocare carwash in UP Village, Merkanto serves internationational street fare. Its food offerings include concepts from Morocco, Indonesia, India and Brazil. In the coming months, dishes from Spain and Vietnam will be added, and will be handled by third-party vendors.
The concept is the brainchild of chef Niño Laus and Isaac Bravo of Ninyo Fusion Cuisine. Their initiative is all about celebrating community and street food from around the globe. Current favorites include the Indonesian chicken satay (PHP50), fried bean balls Acaraje from Brazil (PHP50), and the flaky pancake Roti Paratha (PHP60).
Some may view this as a downside, but at Merkanto, you won’t actually get to eat on a street. Instead you can comfortably enjoy your meal inside a roofed open space that can seat up to 70 people.
They gave us a fair warning that they are still on soft opening, but we’re still very excited about their concept. We’re giving you a glimpse of what you can devour when you visit Merkanto. Here are some of their most mouth-watering fares. Merkanto International Street Food Fair is at the corner of Mayaman and Mahinhin Sts, UP Village, Quezon City, Facebook. Tue-Sun 5pm-12mn.
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