Disclaimer: All views expressed on this blog are my own based on my own experiences and do not represent of any entity with which I have been, are now or will be affiliated.

December 05, 2021
Batangas Philippines

My friends from Lipa Status and Batangas Republic were invited again to blog about another food spot in Batangas. Thanks to them I got to experience another food exploration.

Rolando’s Bulalo
Poblacion Padre Garcia
Price: Php 80-Php1,000

Filipinos love bulalo, a stew made from beef bone marrow. Rolando’s bulalo is cooked in a cauldron over a wood fire, and its deep flavour comes from the hours-long simmering of beef shanks and beef marrow bones. Food cooked over a wood fire has a unique flavour, and the cauldron’s thick wall retains and distributes heat more efficiently than that of a thin stainless steel pot. Since longer time is required to get the desired tenderness in the beef, I concur that a cauldron should be used. Where you are has a significant impact on the seasoning you use. Rolando’s basic ingredients are cabbage and beef, seasoned with salt, pepper, and fish sauce. One of the dishes I enjoyed was tulingan, a Filipino braised fish (bullet tuna), and I found the soup to be quite tasty and the beef shank to be so soft that it melted in my mouth, providing much-needed warmth on a cold day in Batangas. Batangas is known for its slow-cooked, soft, and tangy tulingan, which is traditionally prepared in a clay pot. Time is of the essence since the longer you braise the fish, the more flavorful it will be. I truly appreciate how inexpensive, visually pleasing, and delicious these recipes are. Burong mangga (pickled mango) and pinsec frito (Filipino deep fried wanton) were also available as an appetiser. Dessert was leche flan, while the main courses were fried porkchop, inihaw na liempo (barbecued pork), and pritong puil (deep fried pig’s tail). Leche flan, like crème Brulee, is a custard-like dessert made from eggs and milk and topped with caramel.

Having never tried tulingan or pinsec frito before, the experience was really enjoyable. The incorporation of Filipino flavours throughout everything was a nice touch. You may enjoy the outdoors and save money at the same time. Friends of mine planning a trip to Batangas may count on my recommendation of this place.

Love,
Maria, sometimes Niskie