May 25, 2016 – mmm-yoso

Thanks you for stopping by to see what and where mmm-yoso!!! is writing about today. Kirk is still having difficulty going online, Ed (from Yuma) is busy writing another post and Cathy has this post about some meals.

Everyone should have a handful (five or less) of true, close friends. One of mine is cc, who writes a most interesting blog about food with bits as well as posts of information (I'm always learning something from her) and is very involved in the Filipino Community in San Diego. She and I went on an epic one day road trip culminating in a book signing of "The Adobo Road", by Marvin Gapultos. The Adobo Road is one of my more used cookbooks.

I'm always wondering if I am cooking Filipino food correctly and will stop at one of many Filipino markets, food stands and restaurants when able. The closest to our home is in Mira Mesa.

The South East corner of the 15 at the Mira Mesa Boulevard; that mall was rebuilt/modernized in 2012. Manila Sunset is in the first part of the mall as you turn in off of Mira Mesa Boulevard (Trader Joe's anchors the second part).

Walk up, order and pay. You'll receive a table marker with simply the name of a colonial town (Vigan) or location ( Intramuros is the original Manila -a walled city- and you get there via a Rotonda - a roundabout): Something you can research on your phone while waiting for your order to be brought to you.

The interior is both beautiful with art and quirky, with shoes hanging off of an overhead electric wire just above a small 'hut' table area.

Many people think of lumpia as only being a fried item. There is such a thing as "Fresh Lumpia"– it's not fried, but a light crepe, wrapping sautéed mixed vegetables, topped with chopped hard boiled eggs and peanuts and covered in a slightly sweet (not crazy sweet) sauce ($3.25). I have had other versions, but like the Manila Sunset version best.

Here is what the 'Shanghai' Lumpia ($2.65 for six pieces) looks like. Each piece, approximately the size of your little finger, is freshly fried, filled with pork and vegetables finely minced. These are a good option if you want some protein (the larger fried lumpia are like the fresh-all vegetable filled). A longaniza and fried egg plate ($6.95). The longaniza here is unique (as are all Filipino longanizas, which vary the spices by region) and nicely garlic-y. Three large pieces, two scoops of rice and a bowl of vegetable soup accompanied the hard fried egg.

The pork inihaw plate ($6.45) also came with rice and soup. Charbroiled pork slices which were marinated in vinegar and garlic are the primary component- good tasting and tender. There is a grill in the back with a glass window where you can watch the char grilling happen; photos came out cloudy.

You can buy individual skewers of BBQ meat (beef, pork or chicken) for $2.05 each, or a plate which includes three skewers, rice and soup for $6.45. I do like the vegetable soup here. Every part of it, from broth to the leafy vegetables is just so flavorful.

A simple, dish, Pancit Malabon ( a rice noodle dish from originating in the City of Malabon) is known for its crab fat/fish sauce sauce ($4.15). This isn't a large dish, doesn't come with soup and those three shrimp you see are only half shrimp, but it is filled with flavor and just enough food. I wrote about Bibingka, a traditional filipino dessert, in a 2013 post (and probably in a few other posts) because I try it whenever I can find this traditional Christmas dessert. The version of Bibingka ($3.25) here is 'Royal' Bibingka- topped with cheese (which accounts for the dark colored top). A bit of savory in addition to the sweetness of the traditional rice flour, eggs, sugar and coconut milk baked in a banana leaf. This was served warm with raw coconut shavings on the side. So good.