Filipinos like eating bagoong, a special sautΓ©ed shrimp paste. While most would mix their bagoong with green mangoes, pinakbet, kare-kare, lechon kawali and rice, others can eat it straight out from the jar! Whoa. π‘
How say you when you learn that a family has built a restaurant with “bagoong” as its main focus and huge inspiration? In this post, Aldous Calubad talks about his experience together with other foodies at the Bagoong Club, where people’s love shown for bagoong is nothing short of an understatement. β₯
Out of all the food tasting events I have ever attended, I was looking forward to this one the most and it did not disappoint one bit. Bagoong Club opened last January of 2008 to workers repairing the streets of Scout Lazcano. Because of that, the owners gave food to the workers so they would work faster on their part because they would lose customers that way.
The restaurant is owned by the Sevilla Siblings which consisted of 3 boys and 1 girl. The 3 brothers are the ones managing the restaurant, while the sister is their pastry chef. They decided to go with the bagoong theme because it was their childhood favorite and they are from Bulacan. Their mission is to bring Filipino cuisines globally just like what is happening now with Chinese and Japanese.
The trophies and pictures at Bagoong Club would tell you just how popular this restaurant is. The list of celebrities that come here to eat just keeps on getting longer as each day passes by. Their Sinigang na Bangus even won a So Pinoy award.
Do you want to franchise them? Good luck with that. Someone tried to do it but the branch closed down after 6 months because of the conduct shown by the franchisee.
Review of Bagoong Club (Quezon City)
Ambiance: β β β β β
Whenever you decide to dine at this restaurant, you will feel like you are in the comforts of your own home. That is exactly what they want to make you feel: Right at home.
Service: β β β β β
I was impressed with the service crew at Bagoong restaurant.Β When we arrived, someone was there to accompany us to our table. After that, they gave us the menu. After we ordered, they gave us the list of drinks and they even told us what their best sellers are.
Food: β β β β β
First, we were given a sample of the 7 types of Bagoong: Pag-ibig (sweet), Umaga (spicy), Buhay (with coconut milk), Asya (with pandan), Europa (with Basil), Special (with Crab Fat) and the basic one which is Lipunan. I must say my favorite one among them is Europa, but all of them are very good because I just love bagoong.
As usual, we found ourselves waiting for the latecomers but I kept on insisting that we stop waiting because we agreed on a certain time. They served appetizer first and they were Ubod, Pinakbet Pate with Talong Chips and Chicharon Bulaklak. I have to say that I adored all those appetizers but I was careful not to make my stomach full for the main course.
The soup dish came and it was one of their best sellers, Bulalo sa Mongo. You have to be missing half of your life if you have yet to try this soup! It was a Bagoong Club original, just like most of their dishes.
The main dishes arrived and all of them were great. They were Mula sa Puso, Binagoongang Baboy Mismo, Lumpiang Ubod sa Talong, Garlic Chicken Inasal and Ensaladang Cilantro Sa Ginulat Na Tilapia. The dishes are healthy, especially the Mula sa Puso. It was named that way because it is basically the heart of a banana. It actually tastes like pork sisig and we all thought it was, but it is actually not.
With every great story comes a happy ending and that is what we got with two lovely cakes namely Pastillas de Leche and Mango Cheesecake.Β We all had a hard time dividing the cakes into small pieces because all of us wanted a piece.
Price for Value: β β β ββ
My favorites Bulalo sa Monggo (P350), Chicharon Bulaklak (P250) and Bagoong Club Chicken Inasal (P350) can be expensive at first glance.Β However, you will find out all these dishes can satisfy the tummies of 2-3 people.
Bagoong Club (Tomas Morato area)
122 Scout Dr. Lazcano, Sacred Heart, Quezon City, Philippines
For inquiries call (02) 929-5450
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
It won’t be long before I come back to Bagoong Club. Such a hidden gem at Tomas Morato. I loved every dish that was served.
Hope they have a branch closer to my home (literally)! π
This is a place my mom will absolutely love! I like the concept of Bagoong Club and it has a unique name ha π
Yeah, I’m sure my family would also love this restaurant. Maybe next time we’ll go, when I already have a car to drive on my own.
I miss bagoong rice! It was one of the most delicious rice I’ve eaten. And I love bagoong! π
The last time I ate bagoong rice was when I was in Singapore pa. A friend of my aunt brought packets of easy-to-cook bagoong to be mixed with rice from the Philippines. The product is not sold in the market in Manila (only in the province) so we only got limited stocks.
Two thumbs up! A hidden gem indeed π Will definitely pay a visit again and again.
I just notice the price are steep but I think the ingenuity of their food makes for it.
Servings are great, too.
This post turned me back to my childhood memories with bagoong. what a mouthwatering menus they have there. Truly Filipino food.
Their food are best taken when you have been out of the country for so long and you are really craving for Filipino food. Aww, bagoong rice is love. π
I love Bagoong! Haha! And that binagoongang baboy is just mouth watering. Will try to visit the place this weekends.
I don’t know how other countries call the dish. In English, it’s Pork Sauteed in Shrimp Paste but I doubt a lot of restaurants serve this. I think mostly only carinderias and Filipino homes do.
omg, i want to eat on that place! perfect for family gathering and the fod is a plus coz it has seafood! what a happy family.
Every place that has friendly dishes for pesco vegetarians is good for me. π Hope you enjoy in your visit!