VodkaRouge : My 5 Best Food Finds in Mercato Centrale (Manila,PH)

I've been wanting to visit Mercato Centrale the moment I came to know about it thru OAP. But since Banchetto is nearer to my place, I always skip visiting Mercato. Now that I am migrating overseas, I need atleast once to visit this famous Weekend Market. It was Sunday and my family were too lazy to go out. Equipped with my camera, I headed alone to Bonifacio Global City just in time for lunch to have the Mercato experience. I can't afford to miss this time.

I am used to this concept of weekend food market at night and it feels terribly hot going out at this hour (11am). I'm thankful that one part of the tent was enclosed and air conditioned.

The food hunt began.

1. Farm n Deli's Tinapa - My motive in going to Mercato is to get a bottle of Farm and Deli's Tinapa. I went gaga over it after I tasted it in UTT6.0 and I wanted to try it as a sauce in a pasta. My bes is coming over to our house later this noon and it's the perfect time to try it out for 'merienda'.

Farm n Deli - They also sell longganisa from different
provinces which actually taste good.

Barang's Tinapa Php250/bottle

2. Nutsyliscious - Next thing that caught my attention was the different kinds of nuts from Nutsyliscious. They let you taste each one. I bought the Macadamia nuts. Yummy.

Macadamia Nuts Php300 per pack

3. Pinakbest's Empanada - I tasted this Ilocos empanada during the UTT6.0 (Ultimate Test Taste) but I didn't find it so special. When I bought it in Mercato, I understood why I didn't enjoyed it the first time. The portion given in the UTT was very little and compared to the one sold in Mercato the filling was generous. It's really yummy. This one becomes my new favorite and I'm wishing to visit Ilocos one day to try out the authentic empanada.

Ilocos Empanada Php50 each

4. Balamban Liempo Cebu - Lechon, lechon. ahhh this sinful dish is a favourite of everyone. Who doesn't? Unless you are not a foodie. This one has a nice twist of herbs and nice flavors.

Lechon Liempo in Herbs - Php110 for half slab

5. Bale Dutung's Pan de Bagnet - The queue was long and I haven't eaten breakfast yet. I almost blacked out in the queue. Good thing that the lady behind me agreed to mark my spot so I can buy some water and get a quick bite from whatever I already bought. No wonder why the queue was so long that the staff serving the bagnet announced that only the next 10 customers from me will be served. They are sold out!