We love eating out and we love sharing with you our recommendations. This month, we are starting a new series where we share our favorites from the past month. Here are our October Favorites.
October 2024 Favorites
We will keep our lists simple and recommend just 3 to five dishes per month. Maybe a bit more at times. The past month, our top 5 recommendations are:
CHEESE TTEOKBOKKI by Chung’s Kimchi,
KATSU CURRY by Nonki Japanese Restaurant,
SALMON HEAD ARANI by Nonki Japanese Restaurant,
MATCHA MILLE CREPE by andMatcha Cafe, and
MILO DINOSAUR by Kopi lah Roti.
Everything on our list this month are intentionally all Asian cuisine dishes.
Cheese Tteokbokki
First on our list is Cheese Ttteokbokki by Chung’s Kimchi.
Cheese Tteokbokki by Chung’s KimchiCheese Tteokbokki by Chung’s Kimchi
Most of the Tteokbokki dishes we have tried are one note, just spicy. The Cheese Tteokbokki by Chung’s Kimchi is savory and spicy, a little bit sour and sweet. It is super cheesy. There is a good balance of flavors. It also has a generous amount of odeng (fish cakes) and of course, melted cheese.
This is the perfect starter for a meal at our favorite Korean restaurant. It will delight diners who already love Korean cuisine and those who have not tried Korean food yet.
Chung’s Kimchi is located along Sobrecarey Street in Obrero.
Next on our list are two dishes by our favorite Japanese Restaurant, Nonki.
Pork Katsu CurrySalmon Head Arani
We love Nonki but this is the first time our Editor Ria has tried their Katsu Curry. You may choose pork or chicken. We tried the Pork Katsu Curry. The pork is exquisitely breaded and fried. It’s is crunchy and not greasy at all. The Katsu is well-seasoned. The curry sauce has the right balance of umami, spicy, salty, and sweet. The potatoes and carrots are nicely cooked, not mushy. It comes with rice and a side salad.
We also got to try their Salmon Head Arani. It was the owner’s birthday and he gave this complementary dish to every table that night. We all love it. The salmon is perfectly cooked and the sauce is salty and sweet. This is a good dish to be shared on the table.
Nonki Japanese Restaurant in Davao is located at Autoville Compound along Torres Street, in Poblacion.
Tsuru Japanese Restaurant has been in Davao for about 30 years. They are considered as one of the best food establishments in the city. If you plan to dine at Tsuru but do not know what to order, we got you. Here are our Tsuru Favorites.
Their menu offers familiar Japanese dishes and a few exciting innovative items. Ingredients are always fresh and of high quality.
Makimono
Start with one or two rolls from their Makimono Menu.
Crazy Maki
A sure crowd-pleaser is the Crazy Maki. It is made with sushi rice, kani, and Japanese mayo, all wrapped in nori. Then, covered in tenkasu (fried tempura batter bits) and topped with more kani.
Simple. Nothing is raw. It is lightly seasoned. And has crunchy elements. It is perfect for kids and adults.
Here are more favorites from their Makimono Menu.
Salmon Aburi MakiBonsai Roll Tempura Roll
We love the Salmon Aburi Roll. You are sure to love it, too. We also recommend the Bonsai Roll, and the Tokyo Tempura Roll.
Sukiyaki
If you are dining in a group of 2-4 persons, you will probably enjoy sharing Tsuru’s Sukiyaki.
Sukiyaki
Our Editor Ria highly recommends their Sukiyaki. It has generous slivers of beef, tofu, and veggies with noodles in a rich beef broth.
Also in Ria’s list of her Tsuru favorites is Mixed Seafood Teppanyaki.
Mixed Teppanyaki
Their Mixed Seafood Teppanyaki is a good option for diners who want to eat seafood but do not like them raw.
Madayaw! Welcome to Davao. Is it your first time in Davao? Or maybe you live here or have been here before but looking for the best food spots to try this Araw ng Dabaw weekend. We have our list of our Top Davao Restaurants that represent the best of Davao cuisine.
Our Top Davao Restaurants
Davao has a great abundance of fruits and vegetables, seafood, poultry, and other meats. And it is home to a mix of peoples, cultures, and cuisines. So for Araw ng Dabaw, we have chosen five establishments that we feel best represent local produce, cuisine, and our culture.
We carefully picked these restaurants based on how well they represent Davao cuisine and our fresh produce. And we took into account their consistency in terms of taste and service.
This is our list of recommendations, in no particular order.
Balik Bukid
Lito’s Grill
Yellow Fin
Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps
ArtisAna Comfort Food
Balik Bukid
Our first recommendation for Araw ng Dabaw is Balik Bukid Farm + Kitchen.
Pinakbet Kagikit Sinugba at EnsaladaTskolate Island
“Balik Bukid” translates to “back to the farm.” And that’s what a meal at Balik Bukid feels and tastes like. The restaurant has a buhay kubo feel with quirky elements made of upcycled materials. We won’t spoil them for you but we especially love their menu.
We never recommend based on aesthetics alone, so trust us when we say their dishes are superb. They create their dishes to highlight the produce from their farm. The availability of their menu items usually depends on the availability of ingredients from the farm and from their handpicked suppliers.
Balik Bukid features regional dishes from Mindanao and other parts of the Philippines. These include Sinuglaw, Kesong Puti, Sinaing, and Kagikit. And for those with a sweet tooth, end your meal with their homemade ice cream.
Our second recommendation is an underrated one: Lito’s Grill.
Imbao SoupGrilled SquidGrilled LiempoNative Chicken Barbeque by Litos Grill
Simple. Straightforward. No frills. Lito’s Grill is as homey as one can get. If you want good food prepared as your favorite tita would, Lito’s Grill is the place to visit.
There are many grill and barbeque restaurants in Davao. Many good ones, to be honest. But Lito’s Grill stands out for us for their consistency in delivering the same good quality over the years.
We recommend the Imbao Soup, the Native Chicken Barbeque, the Pork Belly in a Stick, and their much talked about Champorado.
They are located along Tulip Drive extension at the side of SM City Davao.
Yellow Fin Seafood
Next on our list is another Davao staple: Yellow Fin Seafood Restaurant.
Yellow Fin Seafood Restaurant has been around for several decades now and they still serve some of the best seafood dishes in Davao.
We recommend the Sizzling Seafood Platter, their Tuna Laing, and their Greaseless Fried Chicken. The last one is not seafood, but trust us. Their Fried Chicken is superb. Plus, their Halo-Halo is also really good.
Yellow Fin is also located along Quimpo Boulevard, beside Balik Bukid.
Boiling Crabs and Shrimps by Blue Posts
We cannot make a list of our top Davao restaurants without Boiling Crabs and Shrimps.
They are most popular for their fresh crabs and shrimps cooked with your choice of sauce. Butter Garlic and Sambal are our top choices. If you enjoy getting messy while feasting on crabs and shrimps, Boiling Crabs and Shrimps is worth every peso.
You must not miss out on their other offerings. We recommend the Pomelo Shrimp Salad and the Sinuglaw.
Boiling Crabs and Shrimps by Blue Posts is located along JP Laurel Avenue in Bajada and they have a branch at the Annex of SM City Davao.
ArtisAna Comfort Gourmet
Finally, we recommend ArtisAna Comfort Gourmet.
Beef ParesCrispy Pata Like No Other Pork BinagoonganChuni Cake
And for something more refined and elevated, we recommend ArtisAna Comfort Cuisine. They served a mix of Filipino and Spanish Cuisine. Local produce are greatly highlighted in their well-crafted dishes.
A little bit more pricey than our other recommendations, but worth every peso, as well. They have a more cozy, less frenetic ambiance compared to most other local restaurants.
They are finally coming back to Davao. The World’s Biggest Book Sale will be in town in time for your holiday shopping. Big Bad Wolf Davao 2023 is happening from December 15 to 23. And we have all the details here for you.
Big Bad Wolf Davao 2023
For it’s third iteration, BBW Davao 2023 will be held at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang. The organizers promise to bring over 2.5 million titles of different authors and genres. This is the last BBW event in the Philippines for 2023.
Most of the books during the events will be at low prices with exclusive discounts of up to 95%.
A new commercial center will soon rise in Maa. Introducing Limaria, a two-storey commercial building with 12 spaces for rent.
The building has a modern design. Leasable spaces each have a floor area of 41 to 56.45 square meters. The building comes with amenities such as ample parking spaces and 24/7 security.
Limaria Location
The building’s location is ideal for brands and businesses that hope to serve those who reside in the Maa area.
Limaria is conveniently located right outside Le Jardin. And it is near the University of Mindanao. Matina IT Park, S&R, NCCC Mall, and Juna Subdivision.
This development project is by the 5sisters Corporation and will be completed by January 2024.
Reserve Your Space
Interested in renting a space at Limaria? Contact Christina C at +63917-7222696 or Patricia C at +63917-7027586 for inquiries and pricing information.
Visit their site at Limaria.blog. Like the Limaria Official Facebook Page at fb.com/limaria.dvo and follow them on Instagram @limaria.dvo and on Twitter @limaria.dvo for updates and information. For inquiries, contact them at 5sistersdvo@gmail.com.
Overwhelmed by the many new food spots in Davao? Let us take you on a CT Drive Food Trip featuring some of our favorite spots and dishes.
About CT Drive
Carlos Villa-Abrille Drive (also CVA Drive, formerly Tulip Drive) used to be a quiet space with a few residences and a handful of establishments. With the opening of The Compound, CT Drive, and several other commercial spaces, CVA Drive is now bustling with activity and a must-visit place for foodies.
Located along the CVA Drive is CT Drive, a food, drinks, and lifestyle destination.
MADE SIMPLE Davao offers a vegetable-forward dining experience. They serve Small Plates and Dishes for Sharing, mostly vegan dishes. Seafood and chicken options are available. Made Simple is best experienced with an open appreciation for their vegetable-forward dishes.
First, start your meal with an appetizer. We love their Enoki. The mushroom is crisp and tasty. And the dipping sauce perfectly complements the mushroom.
Then, enjoy a salad. The Figs and Mushroom Salad is delicious and filling. Just the right balance of flavors and textures.
You can opt for the Pulpo or Gambas for your entree. But we prefer feasting on their Burnt Tomatoes with chevre. Or enjoy the mind-bending Mushroom Scallops served with Pesto Butter.
They also serve wine and cocktails. We love the Whiskey Sour and the Basil Margarita.
