Food Porn: Filipino food in honor of the Pacman

I honestly didn't mean to go search for a decent Filipino restaurant in the OC on the same week of the Pacquiao v. Cotto fight (aka the Philippines v. Puerto Rico ). But since it happened in such synchronicity, I'm doing this post in honor of Pacman and to wish him good luck! The fight is this Saturday and I'm sure almost all the Filipino and Puerto Rican families have already ordered it on pay-per-view. I'm pretty sure there will be a party at my uncle's house which involves a lot of meat and a lot of beer. While I'm a big boxing fan, it's simply phenomenal seeing how Pacman is THE national hero of the Philippines. I mean, a life-size cut out of him was in a McDonald's when I was in Manila. That's super-celebrity right there. Despite all the political crap that happens and the poverty, I'm just happy to see the Pacman give Filipinos hope.

And onto food...

After being referred to this restaurant by a 2nd year grad, my friend Gus and I went on a mission to eat at this place. The Bay Area is full of Asian restaurants and I'm still getting used to the OC's utter lack of them...well decent ones anyway. But our mission was successful and we ate at a nice Filipino restaurant called Kabit Bahay (my neighbor) in Anaheim. It's the typical Mom and Pop cafeteria style restaurant--basically the only style of Filipino restaurant you encounter in the US, aside from the rare sit-down places like Gerry's Grill and Max's. Apparently there's a "fancy" Filipino restaurant somewhere in the Bay Area I have yet to find, but I digress...

I grew up culinarily spoiled. Like any Filipino, I think the food made at home is THE BEST FOOD EVER. However, it is my Papa, not my Mom (sorry, Mom) that is the super chef. This means that I am ridiculously picky when it comes to Filipino restaurants. I can honestly say that Kapit Bahay has great food. And I know I'll go there often and not simply because I have the sudden urge to eat Filipino food. Since I'm lazy to cook meat (aside from chicken) I unleashed my urges and ordered lechon (roast pig) and pork adobo. My brain didn't register that I ordered two heavy pork dishes until AFTER I uploaded the food photos on Facebook. Not that I regret it, but now I have the urge to jog.

Calamansi juice, lechon, and pork adobo. Heaven.

I can happily say that the food was not greasy--a flaw of many Filipino restaurants. The lechon was the way I like it--crispy outside, tender inside. And the skin was nice, crunchy, and edible. I've had a lot of lechon where the skin was overly fried so the thing was so thick that it could chip your tooth, but this lechon was crispy in a wonderful way. If you've never had lechon and you're not a vegetarian, you MUST try it. Anthony Bourdain made the Philippines #1 on his Hierarchy of Pork for a reason. The pork adobo was also amazing and had a good tartness to it. Adobo's an easy dish to make, but it's also easy to ruin if you add too much vinegar. Yes, I ate two "dry" dishes, which is very un-Filipino of me, but dammit, my carnivore instincts were screaming inside me. And seriously, Mang Tomas brand lechon sauce on rice counts as sabaw.

Giniling and bistek

Gus ordered giniling, which is ground meat (this one was pork) sauted with veggies. And he also had bistek, a Filipino version of beef steak, but the meat is marinated with soy sauce and calamansi (Filipino citrus) juice. Gus seemed to love since he ordered a 3rd cup of rice. I'm guessing the food was good on his end.

Definitely coming back to this place. The TV alone with nonstop Filipino Channel is reason enough. They were airing the Filipino version of Ugly Betty followed by a a dramedy about nuns--oh Filipino media how I both love and hate you. Now all I need is to find a place that makes sisig. The menu for Filipino cafeteria style joint like Kapit Bahay change everyday, so there's a glimmer of hope that the restaurant makes it.

WHERE ARE YOU?

Kapit Bahay is in a strip mall that contains a Ranch 99 Asian supermarket, Filipino bakery, a Ten Ren tea shop, a Thai restaurant, and a Chinese restaurant. Basically I'm coming back to this place not only for food, but also grocery. It's a relief to know that I can get my Asian fix without driving all the way to Irvine. I'm so happy to find this place. It will ease the homesickness.