Travel by Tastebuds: Where to find international cuisine at carinderia prices in Metro Manila

Hungry for travel but tight on the budget? Let your taste buds make the journey by visiting a carinderia that serves international cuisine. For the GMA News TV review show “Pop Talk,” host Tonipet Gaba, foodie actor Enzo Pineda, and Chef Jackie Laudico recently reviewed three carinderia-style joints in Metro Manila that serve Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai food at pocket-friendly prices: Mashitta Cuisine: Korean, Japanese Location: Shopping Center, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City Price Range: P200 per person With its tight interiors and fluorescent lighting, Mashitta won't strike you as a particularly special place to eat. But don't let first impressions fool you. Mashitta is a Korean-Japanese carinderia with dishes that are both authentic and affordable. In Korean, the word 'mashitta' means 'tasty,' and that's what this small eatery hopes to offer. Bulgogi, ramyun, kimbap, spicy squid, bibimbap — all your Korean favorites are here, plus some Japanese dishes like katsudon, California maki and teriyaki chicken. Despite this mix of cuisines, Mashitta's Korean offerings are still authentic. In fact, Chef Jackie Laudico of Bistro Filipino says Mashitta's spicy squid tastes just like the kind she normally has in upscale restaurants but at a much more affordable price. In fact, you can get five pieces of tempura at Mashitta for just P155, while more expensive restaurants would only give you three pieces for the same price. 'Pop Talk' host Tonipet Gaba enjoyed Mashitta's Jjampong, a Korean spicy seafood noodle soup, while actor Enzo Pineda liked their kimbab, which is available in 3 variants: Bulgogi Kimbab, Seafood Kimbab, and Kimchi Kimbab. While the restaurant is located within the campus, anyone can eat here since UP is an open campus. The downside? Service tends to be slow. The two waitresses double as cashiers and even help out in the kitchen. Avoid going here during lunchtime; merienda’s a safer bet. Little Store on the Hill Cuisine: Chinese Location: 2 Jose Abad Santos St., Little Baguio, San Juan City Price Range: P150 per head Anyone who’s been to Binondo can tell you the best Chinese food doesn’t have to be the most expensive. Little Store on the Hill in San Juan City brings that affordable authenticity to the metropolis. Little Store is chock-full of Chinese dishes both familiar and fresh to the casual diner — all, however, are authentic. Tea eggs and black chicken soup, anyone? The black chicken, also known as a silkie, is a breed of fowl whose meat and bones are black. American and European chefs won’t touch it, but in Asia, a black chicken is a gourmet ingredient prized for its tender meat and gamey flavor. A must-try is their fresh lumpia, a massive roll of vegetables in a sweet-smelling egg wrapper that is assembled only upon ordering. “Carinderia-style siya, pero ‘pag binigay sayo, masarap at malinis yung lasa,” says Chef Jackie. Enzo noted: “Turo-turo siya pero yung dishes, pang fine-dining.” After feasting, you can even take home a bit of China! Little Store on the Hill lives up to its name, selling Chinese snacks, ingredients for Chinese cooking, vegetables, traditional medicines and even frozen goods. It’s almost as if you’re in a Hong Kong market. If you’re looking for all-around authenticity, Little Store on the Hill is your best best. Kitchen Knight Cuisine: Korean, Thai, Japanese Location: 8893-D Sampaloc St., San Antonio Village, Makati City Price Range: P100 and below per head Website: http://kitchenknight.com/ Kitchen Knight started out as a late-night food delivery service, and has since expanded to offer dine-in services in a garage. Open until 2:00 AM, Kitchen Knight serves the night crowd—call center agents and friends relaxing after a night out. While Kitchen Knight’s approach to Thai, Korean and Japanese food is Filipinized, it’s still delicious. Tonipet and Chef Jackie agreed that Kitchen Knight’s coconut-based Pork Green Curry was great, with Tonipet saying, “They know their curry.” Mother and foodie Carol Caparas especially enjoyed the Tea with Popping Boba—the sago wasn’t the average chewy kind, but exploded fruit juice in your mouth. Some of their most popular dishes: Chapchae, or Korean stir-fried noodles topped with vegetables and beef; and Thai-style Spicy Seafood Basil. Of the three carinderias ‘Pop Talk’ visited, Kitchen Knight had the best prices--not a single item on their menu cost more than P100!