(MENAFN- The Peninsula) marivie alabanza |
The Peninsula
DOHA: Filipino food snacks are selling like hotcakes at the biggest culinary celebration - the 12th Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF).
As foodies flocked the Lusail Boulevard, it's hard not to miss the six Filipino restaurants which are among the more than 80 kiosks serving the most popular and delectable international cuisines. These restaurants are Qwentong Qalye, Filipino Street Food Atbp, FlaminGo, Filipino Hot Pack, Fudo, and Sari Sari.
What is the best-selling item of these Filipino restaurants? Grilled isaw (chicken intestines) and other Pinoy street food favourites!
Mary Kay Soria (second left) and friends enjoy Filipino street foods at the Qatar International Food Festival at Lusail Boulevard on Saturday, March 18.
'Qwentong Qalye restaurant opened in Najma only last November, and we made sure that we will participate in this year's edition of QIFF to introduce our dishes to all the guests,' owner and CEO Junipher Entena told The Peninsula.
'Isaw, for QR5 per stick, is the bestseller among members of the Filipino community, while Halo-halo (shaved ice with milk, sweetened beans, fruits, leche flan, and ice cream) is well-liked by both Filipinos and other nationalities,' said Entena.
Roma De Vera, who came with two friends, had been to nine QIFFs. She took an Uber from New Salata to Lusail on Saturday to eat her favourite isaw and tokneneng (deep-fried battered chicken eggs).
Roma De Vera and friends at the Qatar International Food Festival at Lusail Boulevard on Saturday, March 18.
'This is pure enjoyment. As we bite into this isaw while admiring the view of the waterfront, we feel transported to the Philippines,' she stated. 'Even though my Uber ride cost QR41, it was well worth it.'
At the next table, Mary Kay Soria ordered a slice of green mango with bagoong (shrimp paste) for QR12. 'Every bite of this Philippine mango transports me back to my childhood. We'll return tomorrow to try some more dishes 'said the Filipina nurse.
Carla Abdon and her family own and operate the Filipino Street Food Atbp restaurant in Qatar, which has been in operation for five years. Abdon told The Peninsula that she noticed more locals and other nationalities are attending this year's festival than the previous three editions in which their restaurant participated.
'But as usual, the support of the Filipino community is overwhelming. And surprisingly, there were Qataris who bought our products in the last few days.'
Abdon added: 'There were non-Filipino vloggers who tried balut (fertilized duck egg) as part of a challenge, but isaw and other street foods like fishball and kikiam remain the favourites.'
Eugene Espinoza, who has been living in Qatar for the past 12 years, attended the food festival with her 14-year-old daughter Evana. 'My daughter has been telling me she wants to eat isaw and other street foods, so I made a point of bringing her while I'm off work.'
'We enjoyed the food; it tasted exactly like how we make it at home. She was was also pleased with our journey from Al Sadd to Lusail as we took an Uber to Msheireb metro station and then took the train. I must say, this was a fantastic father-daughter bonding moment,' said Espinoza who works for the Ministry of Interior.
FlaminGo, a popular Filipino restaurant in its third year at QIFF, offers a wide range of Filipino dishes, from native delicacies like puto bumbong and bibingka to desserts like ice scramble and taho (tofu pudding).
'Taho for QR13 is sold out every day,' said Resty Wagan, the restaurant manager. 'The kiosk fee this year is higher, but our sales are quite good, so I believe this will be a successful participation for us.'
Wagan also stated that they particularly like the booth's design and material. 'The lighting has also improved. It's also nice that Baladiya comes by every day to inspect the cleanliness of the place and to see if all restaurants follow the protocol,' Wagan added.
'All of the foods served are nostalgic Filipino snacks from our childhood. I miss those days that's why I'm here. Isaw is easily my favourite,' said Filipina expat Aiza Astrami.
At around 11:30 pm, Tunisian Mehad Bouhgar arrived with his Filipino friends. 'I've been living here in Qatar for the past seven years but was only recently introduced to Tokneneng and Kwek Kwek (deep-fried battered quail eggs). I love eating them. They're my favourite Filipino street food next to Bulalo,' Bouhgar said.
If you're craving or want to try Filipino street foods and other Filipino dishes, visit QIFF at Lusail Boulevard only until Tuesday, March 21, from 4 pm to 11 pm.