Orange, shell-shaped, with a smell that lingers in the air and stays at the tip of the nose is the infamous empanada of Cagayan.

      You can usually find it sold by street vendors. It’s made of one whole egg, shredded cabbage, and toge without the roots encased in a wrapper made of rice flour mixed with water and orange food color and is deep-fried in oil.

      The color is what attracts passersby. In a very affordable price of Php20.00, you can already have one. And if you want something more unique, you can try the ‘Special Empanada’, which has an additional longaniza, or in other places, they also offer tocino for only Php25.00.

      However, in my opinion, I didn’t like the toge without the roots that much. At first, it is okay but as I consume more, I start to unlike it and put it aside. The Sukang Ilocos, which is its usual partner, or sometimes Catsup makes the empanada more delicious. But I like the vinegar more.

      The empanada can be bigger than an adult hand or smaller. When compare to other vendors, there’s this one that has the wrapper tastier and with the evidence of salt in the ingredients and another quite watery in the inside and a lame taste of the wrapper, obviously without the taste of salt.

      So if you like the best empanada in Cagayan, best find the one that has the long line of people and make sure it’s what will make your first taste of Cagayan Empanada, worth the travel.

Yours truly,

Apple Cider

      Unlimited. Unlimited. Unlimited. WHO WOULDN'T WANT UNLIMITED?
      Here's unlimited plain lugaw for only Php7.00 located at Altura Ext., Sta. Mesa Manila, just a couple of footsteps away from Teresa street and PUP, Manila . Can you believe it? There's also unlimited ground pepper and fish sauce. And if you want it not plain, you can just add Php8.00 for one boiled egg.
      Unfortunately, due to too many students eating, fish sauce sometimes run out. And they only give one Calamansi for the rest of your meal. So it's kind of disappointing when you're trying to give your lugaw a nice taste and there's no seasoning to give it the taste. Inadequate, insufficient, call it whatever you want.
      However, you'll still enjoy eating because sometimes you'll just ignore the taste, knowing you just paid a small amount of money. And most of all, you will feel extremely full because of the unlimited rice in your stomach.
      So if you want a unique experience, paying small, go to this little unli lugaw place and have fun eating!

Yours truly,
Apple Cider

      Need affordable food? Here's Pao Tsin! You can choose from their best dumplings, dim sum, and wantons for only Php55.00. Actually, before, their meals are only priced at Php49.00 that you'll feel very lucky as you get the peso change.
      Still, the food is cheap for a nourishing meal. You can have your dumplings fried or steamed, depending on your preference. Try it now!

Yours truly,
Apple Cider