Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Foodtruck Escapade 4: Truck Bun (The International Food Truck)

         We went to a food truck park for the first time last week for our thesis. We spent around two hours getting lost while trying to find the place. Good thing, we were able to go there and tried some of their stuff. I'm glad that I was able to experience such thing. It's a new trend that every foodie should try. 

        Soon enough, we found a number of food trucks parked along Capitol Commons, and out of all the food trucks there, Truck Bun caught my attention. It was giving off Manhattan-esque vibes and so I chose to try their food out.


Truck Bun's theme is to serve different cuisines from different countries in a bun way

The truck is relatively new. Having started just over the summer, the chef/owner wanted to allow local foodies to have an international food experience.



I ordered one of their bestsellers, the BBQ Pulled Pork Bun. It took just about 15 minutes for my order to get ready and from the picture below, let me tell you this: It's worth the wait!


  
The BBQ Pulled Pork Bun (P 175)

Here's what you get in every mouthful: flakes of slow-roasted pork in hickory barbecued pork shoulder, light and crisp breaded onion rings, soft sweet corn kernels and a triple cabbage coleslaw that blends all these wonderful flavors together. But don't take my word for it, try it for yourself!

Truck Bun's Food Choices
photo from Truck Bun
What are you waiting for! Visit them now at Capitol Commons.

Food Junky,
Flery Robles



For more details on Truck Bun's whereabouts, click here.

To know the schedules of the food truck park, click here.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Foodtruck Escapade 3: Jasper's House of Chicken

Last week, we went to Capitol Commons to try and see what's so special about these food trucks. Well, now I know why. Not only do they offer food that you don't normally see in restaurants, but also the idea of a literal picnic party makes it a whole lot cooler. 

Who doesn't love chicken, right? It's like one of the most wanted food in the universe. No matter how old you become you will always love chicken. So, when we were deciding where to eat, I quickly called dibs for Jasper's House of Chicken. 



I did my little research about Jasper's House of Chicken, because you will come to think, who is Jasper anyway? Well, Jasper is the son of the owner and the head chef Joseph Pe. When I fell in line to order, I saw how hands-on Chef Joseph is in their family business. 

Jasper's House of Chicken Menu
photo from JaspersHOC

I was gonna order Bacon, Mac and Cheese but I decided to order Jasper's Chicken instead, a must try signature dish. A juicy and crispy combination of  fried chicken fillet pieces. I am not a fan of barbecue sauce, but it blended so well with the slight salty taste of the chicken breading. I guess I am loving barbecue sauce now. It had sesame seeds on top to add a distinct aura and taste of THE Jasper's Chicken. (yes, capitalization is needed)

Jasper's Chicken (P120)


Chicken Karaage (P95)

I also ordered Chicken Karaage. It caught my attention because almost every customer ahead of me ordered this as well. So I followed my heart and ordered that too - a tub of bite sized chicken meat and chicken skin seasoned with barbeque powder (well, I am not a fan of barbecue sauce but I love barbecue powder, what weird taste buds I own). In every bite, there's a fight between chicken meat and skin. It comes with other flavors as well: Cayenne Hot Chili, Sour Cream and Wasabi. 

If you've always loved chicken, then you will love it even more. Everything is well blended, how juicy and tender every chicken slices are!



 I hope you go out and try it yourself. You will not be disappointed.

Also, you can close your mouth now, you're starting to drool.

Food Junky,
Agel Sy

For more details about the schedule of food truck park ph, click here


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Foodtruck Escapade 2: Hungry Rover

Food trucks are a new food trend here in the Philippines but it's not so much of a surprise that they are already popular with foodies.

I mean, it's fast food, Starbucks and just plain satisfaction rolled into trucks!
You order, they call out your name (the Starbucks part), you go get your food and enjoy it.

Last week, we went to Capitol Commons in Ortigas to experience what all the fuss is about. And I'll tell you, we were not disappointed.

Not only were there food trucks everywhere (this made it hard for us to decide which ones to choose), but there was also good music and good ambiance. Throw in good company and the venue was a complete haven. It was a picnic (literally).

When we split up to order, I quickly recognize this one food truck where people are lining up. So I go tell my friends that I'll "take" this one.  



HUNGRY ROVER


Boy, was I right (and a bit proud) of my decision.






The menu itself is overwhelming. I mean, I didn't know that food trucks serve Angus Beef. That's kinda like a fine restaurant stuff, right?






photo from hungry rover


I was gonna order some Fireballs (one of their best sellers, P200) but sadly, they were already sold out. :(
So I went with Angus Beef Tapa (P150). Don't let the price fool you, it's actually quite reasonable. It's Angus beef and you won't even have a problem with the serving size. All so sulit.



Angus Beef Tapa
The king of all Tapas

Can you look at that and tell me you don't want to try it?






It's so good without any exaggeration whatsoever. The beef melts in your mouth (I swear) with just the right seasoning! It's Tapantastic! (I knew I had to create a word to describe it eventually)


We are not done with our Hungry Rover escapade yet.

We got the chance to interview the guy behind Hungry Rover (who coincidentally is also the organizer of the event), Mr. Romeo Nacpil, Jr. 

MFJ: Where are the other foodtrucks located? 
Mr. Romeo Nacpil, Jr. : This is the first time we organized Food Truck Park PH here in Capitol Commons. We all belong to the Metro Manila Food Trucks Association of the Philippines. We're here Tuesdays to Sundays. Usually, Fridays we're complete, but today four food trucks have some events to attend to in La Union.

MFJ: When did you decide to collect all the food trucks and stay in one place? Why Capitol Commons?
Mr. Romeo Nacpil, Jr,: We want to promote food trucks and we want to stay away from food bazaars and night markets, there are so many food choices and the tendency is food trucks became an attraction to some. Separate industry from food bazaars.  It's like a joint project with Capitol Commons since, Capitol Commons is a big place and it's newly opened so we collaborated with them and they liked the Food Trucks concept. 

He was kind enough to give us another one of their best sellers, THE Turkey Pepper Steak, on the house. (P170)




Turkey Pepper Steak
A  forget-chicken-for-a-little-while-cause-I'm-awesome kinda bird





It pains me so much to look at it and... 

I just totally lost my train of thought.


Don't you just hate it when you order chicken or whatever poultry and it's just so dry you wanna throw it in a pond to hydrate it?

Well then you can leave the pond alone cause you'll have no problems with this turkey!

It's so tender and juicy and is seriously making me crave for it more right now. If you like it a bit peppery like I do, then there's no contest that you'll like this. The sauce has this balance of sweetness and tanginess that doesn't overwhelm the taste of the turkey itself. It's Yin and Yang. 


I'm no chef, but I know a good food when I taste it. And, dear readers, this is good food.




Food Junky
Marnelli Gaerlan




For more details on Hungry Rover's whereabouts, click here.

To know the schedules of the food truck park, click here.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Foodtruck Escapade 1: Shawarma Bros

We always look for some adventure. We always want to explore. We always want to try something new. And by saying new I mean the food truck industry.What are the possibilities that these food trucks will be a hit today? Simple formula; good food x relaxing ambiance x good company. That's what Food Truck Park PH offers; currently located at Capitol Commons somewhere in the busy streets of Ortigas. We visited and tried it ourselves because we're curious like that. And duh, because it's food, I mean who would wanna miss out on food, right? Definitely not us!

So when we got to Capitol Commons, there was a surplus of food trucks. We had to choose which food truck we shall invade. So I got my eye on SHAWARMA BROS




I ordered the Beef Shawarma Rice (tried not to drool while posting the pictures)



Ok. Now I'm hungry.


 This meal is only worth PHP150, you get your rice topped with beef shawarma topped with two (2) sauces of your choice. (I got the garlic sauce). Also you get fresh leak strips and tomato salsa as side dishes to match the shawarma rice.

The beef shawarma was very tender and the flavor just bursted in my mouth. A mix of flavors from the beef, the garlic sauce, the rice and the vegetable sidings. I got a hint of spiciness from the beef, the garlic sauce, the salsa and amazingly, from the yellow rice itself! I got the savory flavor of the beef lingering in the parts of my mouth, partner that with the fresh flavor of the leak, and I tell you, it's a match made in heaven!

This wonderful food experience was topped off with friendly guys in the food truck. I mean, look at that smile, doesn't he just make you wanna order and order non-stop? (He calls your name for your order. That is perfect.)



And also, we experienced the picnic style of eating at Capitol Commons; eating on picnic cloths laid down on fresh green grass, listening to indie singers and just enjoying our food.

If that doesn't complete a perfect food truck meal, then I dunno what will.


No, wait, maybe more food will make it more complete. Yes. Yes, that's right. More food.



Food Junky,
Eunick Nobe


Make sure to visit Shawarma Bros and other food trucks at Capitol Commons just around Ortigas!