Since I live and work in Makati, I started an ambitious project to document my food experiences in the city and turn it into an online food guide. The Makati Foodie is a long-term series about this project. Here are 3 food spots that I recently visited:

Barbecue at Panchita’s (Pio del Pilar)

A friend, who’s also an alumni of Don Bosco school in Makati, told me about this barbecue spot and its special dip.

Panchita’s is an institution in Makati. It started out at Pancho’s back in 1957 and renamed to Panchita’s in 1986. While they have other dishes, they are most known for their skewers, which are all priced at P20 (except for “dugo” or coagulated blood, which is P10).

Their barbecued items (pork and chicken/pig innards) are nicely smoky and rightly sweet. It’s nicely complimented with their signature dip, which is made of vinegar and chopped chillies. It’s sour, salty, and spicy. If there’s anything that could be improved, it’s the tenderness of the items. I find the isaw (intestines) chewy.

Address: A. Arnaiz Ave., Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati City (near Walter Mart Makati) | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 6AM-9PM

Indonesian Food at LSS Fastfood (Pio del Pilar)

LSS Fastfood is actually known for its Pancit Puti (literally white pancit), a stir-fried noodle dish made with white bihon (rice vermicelli noodles) and topped with shredded chicken and toasted garlic bits. It’s a simple yet comforting dish!

LSS Fastfood (Pancit Puti Single Order: P65)

But this carinderia (eatery) has a “hidden” menu of…drumroll…Indonesian food. (I don’t know what the drumroll is for; you already saw the heading! LOL.) Their menu is posted near the cashier. Coming from the entrance, you will most likely miss it.

The “Hidden” Indonesian Menu of LSS Fastfood

I was told that the owners were exposed to Indonesian cuisine abroad and brought back the recipes with them. So LSS serves close-to-authentic Indonesian food. I tried their Ayam Penyet (literally pressed or squeezed chicken), Mie Goreng (stir-fried noodles), and Nasi Goreng (fried rice).

Ayam Penyet (P135) — *Ayam Penyet* (P135)

The fried chicken of the ayam penyet is crispy, juicy, and tender. It’s also fragrant, reminding me of the food I tried in Malaysia (yes, this Indonesian dish reminds me of Malaysia). It’s nicely complimented with sambal (chili sauce or paste), which is really spicy, and fried tofu, which is crisp on the outside and soft in the inside.

Nasi Goreng Gila (P160) — *Nasi Goreng Gila* (P160)

Nasi goreng is Indonesia’s national dish. LSS serves different varieties but I got the Gila (crazy) one. It has a slightly sweet taste (maybe because they used kicapmanis or sweet soy sauce, which is a staple condiment in Indonesian cuisine). The cabbage and crackers give a nice crunch while the egg adds creaminess.

The mie goreng has more or less the same as the taste and textures as the nasi goreng. The difference is the noodles, which is nicely chewy.

Address: 7579 Dela Rosa St., Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati City | Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday, 7:30AM-8PM; Sunday, 7:30AM-1PM | Facebook

Sisig at Sisig sa Rada (Legaspi Village)

Scattered throughout the city’s business district are Metrochef stalls. These are food stalls located on the street, selling affordable dishes to feed the working force especially at lunchtimes. Originally, these stalls used to be jeepneys. Thus, they are also referred to Jolly Jeeps.

A popular stall is Sisig sa Rada. Located in Rada Street of Legaspi Village, this food spot serves a Filipino classic: Sisig.

To the uninitiated, sisig is traditionally a dish made of chopped pig ears/cheeks and chicken liver, mixed with onions and seasoned with calamansi and sili (chili). It started out as a bar food but is now accepted as a viand. It also evolved into different forms. Some have egg and mayonnaise on it while others use chicken and fish instead of pork. Some even fuse it with international cuisine, such as paella and tacos. (For more on sisig, check out my sisig crawl at its birthplace here.)

The sisig at Rada is a favorite among office workers in the area. I like the taste because it has a bit of smokiness and hint of spiciness due to the green chilies.

But it lacks the texture that I’m looking for in a sisig. It feels like a scrambled eggs with pork in it. Truth be told, it’s far from the ones I tried in Angeles City, Pampanga, which is the origin of the dish, and that’s expected.

Address: Rada St., Legazpi Village, Makati | Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30AM-8:30PM | Facebook

What Makati food spot should I try next? Comment them below!

Recent articles in the Makati Foodie series: Hoilday Specials at The Grid Food Market (Power Plant Mall)

Makati Foodie: Barbecue, Indonesian Food from a Carinderia, and Jolly Jeep Sisig

Barbecue at Panchita’s (Pio del Pilar)

Indonesian Food at LSS Fastfood (Pio del Pilar)

Sisig at Sisig sa Rada (Legaspi Village)