One of the more recent attractions to foodies these days are the food markets. From the late night kinds that pop up right next to the all-night offices, to the ones that open up on weekend mornings in the middle of the urban jungle, you'll find all sorts of weird and wonderful gastronomic options to sink your teeth into.
We went and tried out the Salcedo Market one weekend to see and sample some fine food. First up was Hachibi takoyaki. If you haven't already heard of the stuff, it's pretty much a ball of sliced veggies and a chunk of octopus wrapped up in some batter. This is the fried in a special griddle pan with many half-spherical dents in them (so they form a ball as you cook it). Chesca's tried this place before, and it was the very first thing she sought out. Being sort of a connoisseur when it comes to these things, she was excited at the prospect of some freshly made and authentic takoyaki in the morning. It's a good way to start the day :).
I've had the privilege of eating at Monster Burger before; it was definitely going to be what I was having today. They serve quarter and half pound burgers either in a sandwich or with rice. I, of course, went with the 150Php half pounder, everything on it except mayo. The cooking method is basically frying. I kind of prefer fried burgers to be honest, lots more juices as you eat. Too much of a good thing is bad though; fortunately Monster Burger drains out the excess oil as they fry up your order.
And who doesn't love a good sausage? We tried out Z's Hungarian sausage in ciabatta bread. They also fry up their protein on a more conventional-looking griddle. 130 smackers for the sandwich with pickle relish, onions and ketchup/mustard. It's a bit on the pricey side, but then again this is the middle of Makati; a lot more well-off peeps around these parts.
Hachibi's takoyaki has always been good, and today's purchase was certainly no exception. It's a little hot on the inside so you may want to let it cool unless you want to burn your tongue. Bonito flakes and lots of green onion give it some saltiness, and a healthy serving of Japanese style mayonnaise help round out the seafood flavor with some sweetness.
The sausage was nice too, it had that nice soft texture we look for. The toppings add saltiness and sweetness to it, and the mustard and onions give it a little extra kick. The ciabatta was a nice surprise, it really complements the sausage well. It's not as fluffy as a regular hotdog bun, so it allows you to really focus on the sausage flavor. It's also quite hefty, enough for a grown person to feel satiated.
The hamburger was gone in a flash (thus the lack of a close-up photo), because it was just too tasty. I really can't get over how Monster Burger does their patties. It has that strong beef flavor that just gets our mouths watering; the ketchup breaks it up with some sweet/sour notes, and the veggies give you some crunchy fiber. Although I do remember it being bigger. Or maybe I'm just wearing my rose-tinted glasses again.
Almost 400 Php for 3 items may be a bit pricey, but for the novelty factor and the opportunity to eat freshly prepared food, we think it's worth it. And the best part is that no two visits are the same: there's almost always going to be a new store selling something you haven't tried before. The variety and the atmosphere really lend a lot to these food markets, it really lets you reconnect to simpler times with simple food that is really good. It's a great way for entrepreneurs to get in business, and for people to sample their fine products. This is one trend we hope never fizzles out.
Salcedo Weekend Market
Jaime Velasquez Park at Salcedo Village, Makati
Sat: 7:00 am - 2:00 pm
https://www.facebook.com/SalcedoMarket
