FUNdemic Food StrEAT Market in Manila

The pandemic has brought about a lot of challenges and changes, especially for the food industry. One of the most significant shifts was the move towards outdoor dining and street food. In Manila, this trend has given rise to a new street food market called FUNdemic Food StrEAT. It opened in Manila in the first quarter of 2022. It is created in response to the challenges faced by the food industry due to the pandemic, including restrictions on indoor dining and the need to implement social distancing measures. By offering an outdoor dining experience, FUNdemic Fo0od StrEAT provided a safe and fun way for people to enjoy food from different vendors while supporting local businesses.

THE STREET FOOD PARADISE

Located in the heart of Manila, FUNdemic Food StrEAT is a food park that offers a variety of delicious dishes from different food vendors open every day, from 5 PM – 12 AM. It is an excellent place to grab a quick bite with friends or family. One of the best things about this is the variety of cuisines available. You can find everything from Filipino street food to international dishes like Korean, Japanese, and Mexican. There’s something for everyone, and the prices are very reasonable. The Vendors put up their own recipes and small business to at least create a fun and somehow close-to-normal experience in street food dining. Basically, it is an al fresco experience and participants are local small entrepreneurs who would like to showcase their delicious foods. Moreover, the food park follows strict health protocols, so you can enjoy your food without worrying about your safety.

APPETIZER & STARTER (POTATOES AND CHEESY SCALLOPS)

As a starter, I went to the stall that offers different flavors of spiral potato, pairing them with the iced coffee I bought in another store for only Php 85 (medium). Spiral potatoes have flavors such as cheese, barbecue, sour cream, and salt. I like how it’s spiraled in a stick making the potatoes look less boring! You can choose a variety of flavors in one order as I did, I chose cheese and sour cream. For only Php 45, you can get this delicious and crispy appetizer here in FUNdemic Food StrEAT!

I also tried the only grilled scallops vendor in the market. They are selling grilled seafood such as mussels, baked prawns, and more! For only Php 125, I was able to have 10 pieces of delicious grilled cheesy scallops! It was very tender and savory and gave a generous amount of cheese! Very worth trying!

MAIN COURSE (GRILLED BARBECUE AND 1 DAY-OLD CHICK)

The most popular stall is the one that serves grilled food such as barbecue pork belly, bacon and cheese, Hungarian sausage, and other grilled meats. Of course, I tried them myself too! The smell of the grilling meat is enough to entice you to order from this stall. As you can see they serve huge portions of barbecue at a reasonable price, ranging from Php 85 – Php 200 per stick only. All of these have bell pepper and tomatoes each stick as well. I also enjoyed cooking them myself. Kudos to the nice ate (sister) for letting me cook our orders, and teaching us how to use the propane griller. It was a fun experience! I made considering getting one of these in the future for easy grilling! The Hungarian Sausage wrapped in bacon and Chicken Yakitori that I tried were delicious and very meaty. I would try these again!

Before we head back home, I passed by a stall that sells Filipino street foods such as kwek-kwek, kikiam, and fishballs. But one thing that caught my attention is their 1-day old chick! I have tried Balut but never this one so I gave it a shot. At first, I felt bad eating a baby chicken but the temptation and curiosity won over me! Sure thing it has a weird texture as I can feel a mixture of hard, soft, and chewy textures

RECOMMENDATIONS

For those who love Japanese food, there’s a stall that serves sushi rolls, katsu, and ramen. The sushi rolls are a favorite, and they are made fresh to order. If you’re looking for something more filling, try the katsu curry, which comes with a generous serving of rice and curry sauce. There’s also a stall that serves Korean food, such as bibimbap and Korean fried chicken. The bibimbap comes in a hot stone pot, which keeps the dish warm and crispy. Korean fried chicken is also a favorite, and it comes in different flavors, from soy garlic to spicy. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, there’s a stall that serves different kinds of desserts, such as churros, crepes, and waffles. The crepes are a must-try, and they come in different flavors, such as Nutella and banana, or strawberry and cream.

For dessert, I tried a few spoons of fully loaded ice cream they have here that you can buy for Php 109. it’s already good for sharing with 2-3 people! The place looks nicer and more romantic at night with the umbrella decorations, lights, and music. I definitely recommend you guys go here around dinner or afternoon snack. Parking may be hard in the area given the small space. So you might want to park in nearby establishments or consider commuting or using public transportation.

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