DAVAO City has a booming food scene. Personally, I think it was not how it was compared to the pre-pandemic years.
What makes it different now is the Davao market now has the willingness to try something new and explore new flavors. Over social media, through different mini bazaars, recommendations by friends, and accidental discoveries, I have tried different food from different restaurants, cafes, and stalls.
Definitely, there were hits and there were misses. But this column will only focus on the hits. I would not recommend anything to you that I have not tried or did not enjoy.
For the first column of “For my next meal,” here are five dishes I recommend you try in Davao City.
House of Sambal's Nasi Lemak
Definitely one of my favorite discoveries in the past year. House of Sambal’s Nasi Lemak is a filling serving of fried chicken and fragrant rice with sides of dilis, peanuts, cucumber, egg, and House of Sambal’s sambal sauce.
The fried chicken has been marinated and cooked in aromatics and spices. This makes for a very tasty and flavorful fried chicken. The rice is also delicious after being cooked in coconut milk and ginger.
House of Sambal is located at Project 587 in Juna Subd., Matina.
Benjarong's Khai Jiew (Thai omelette)
A very simple dish can be a memorable one if it is executed and prepared well. Benjarong’s Khai Jeaw (Thai omelette) is that dish.
I have been to Benjarong several times and have tried many of their dishes but it was this simple Thai omelette that made me a truly happy diner. Their Khai Jiew has been generously stuffed with onions, chili, spring onions, coriander, and oyster meat. It had crispy edges, just how I like my Thai omelettes. It was seasoned well and had a slight sweetness to it. This is best enjoyed with jasmine rice.
Benjarong is located at DusitD2 Hotel in Lanang.
Tuna Queen's Tuna Sisig
I do not eat pork sisig but I will have Tuna Queen’s Tuna Sisig. Tuna Queen was a gem I found in Maa thanks to my friends who dragged me here. And one of the dishes they have been wanting me to try was this. When I had it, the dish did not disappoint.
The Tuna Sisig arrived on our table on a sizzling plate. The aroma of the dish already had my mouth watering. Then, I took some and put the sisig on some rice on my spoon. Once I ate that spoonful, I was one happy diner. It was a delicious spoonful of salty, tangy, and spicy.
Tuna Queen is located at DBP Village in Maa.
495 Kitchen's Jumbowl
This is one filling dish that I love to order over and over again.
Jumbowl is a filling serving of chicken kebab and onions served on a bed of yellow rice and drizzled with 495 Kitchen’s garlic sauce. I just love how everything on this dish comes together to create one flavorful spoonful after another. The chicken is tender, the rice is well seasoned, and the garlic sauce binds them all together.
495 Kitchen is located along General Luna Extension.
atCurbSide's Brazo de Mercedes
A meal would not be complete without dessert.
For dessert, I am recommending this Brazo de Mercedes by atCurbSide. I genuinely think that this has to be one of the best Brazo de Mercedes in the city right now. It ticks all the boxes of what makes a good brazo – a soft meringue, a creamy custard, and sinfully sweet. But what I love about their brazo is my teeth do not hurt when I take a bite! Their brazo has just the right amount of sweetness for you to enjoy.
atCurbSide is located along Topaz St., Marfori
Happy eating around Davao! RJL