METRO MANILA | Palawan’s Chao Long is now in Manila

Friday, July 18, 2014

Chao Long Noodles in Munoz, Quezon City

The sky looked heavy, the clouds about to burst. I was walking briskly along the sidewalks of Congressional Avenue, my mouth already watering. I was looking forward to a brimming plate of Tuguegarao’s pancit batil patong but got something else entirely. The Rapsatodits pancit batil patong place in Muñoz was closed at the moment.

French Bread in Munoz, Quezon City Chow Long Noodles in Munoz, Quezon City Toasted Siopao in Munoz, Quezon City

Down-spirited, I hurried back and crossed the street to the main avenue when my eye caught something, I looked again, unable to believe it—a small hole-in-the-wall right across the highway is selling one of Puerto Princesa’s most popular noodle soup, Chao Long.

I’ve tried this dish, usually at Bona’s and Rene’s Chao Long, during the few time I’ve visited Palawan’s capital—both of which are considered to have the best chaolong in Puerto Princesa. While it isn’t really my favorite, I decided to check this place and see if their chao long’s any good. Besides, their French bread and toasted siopao looked quite appetizing, it was more than enough reason to go in and order.

Bread & Bakers, the place is called. And yes, it is a bakery of sorts, offering crinkles, egg pies, and the usual baker fares. Jay, the owner, is a local from Puerto Princesa. He decided to add chao long (which he playfully re-spelled as chow long) and toasted siopaos to their menu just weeks prior; great timing, I thought to myself.

►PALAWAN: CORON VS. EL NIDO VS. PUERTO PRINCESA

I got to chat with him a bit after placing our orders, it turned out he’s related to a few of my friends in Puerto Princesa; his niece even owning Abuleighcious, one of the restaurants I’ve tried there a few years back. Small world, eh?

Chao Long Noodles in Munoz, Quezon City

After a few minutes my buddy arrived just in time for lunch.

We ordered two bowls of chao long (₱50.00 each) which comes with a plate of basil leaves, bean sprouts, and chili paste. Unfortunately their French bread (₱30.00), which comes with pork barbecue filling among others, was not available at the moment. They were kind enough to give us one without the stuffing though, plus points for them.

Toasted Siopao in Munoz, Quezon City

We were also curious with their toasted siopao, a delicacy more common in the Bicol Region than in Palawan. The buns looked like small glazed pandesals. The cost? A measly ₱9.00 per piece.

Toasted Siopao in Munoz, Quezon City

The toasted siopaos were stuffed with giniling-like meat and a few slices of hard-boiled egg. I guess this is the guisado version of a normal siopao. While the stuffing is not quite packed, it was enough to make the whole piece tasty. The buns were soft and not that heavy. I liked it.

Chao Long Noodles in Munoz, Quezon City

Then it was time for chao long. The Vietnamese-inspired noodle was served on regular-sized bowls and has that signature orangey achuete color. Its noodles, called ho phan, are made from rice. I can see not a few pieces of beef strips swimming along the steaming soup.

My mouth was starting to water once more.

Chao Long Noodles in Munoz, Quezon City

The first sip brought me back to Puerto Princesa City.

It tasted the same; no let me correct that, better than the chao longs I’ve tried in the city.

It still has that slightly sweet flavor I dislike before, but seemed quite right this time. The meat were super tender. The bean sprouts added a bit of crunch and texture, while the chili spelled more spunk to the soup. I held off on the basil leaves though, I generally don’t really like how they taste. The plain French bread was perfect for dunking into the bowl, crispy and soggy all at the same time.

The heavens finally gave, the rain poured. And I totally forgot about the missed pancit batil patong I was craving for.

 

UPDATE 2022


This branch of Bread & Bakers is now permanently closed. They have, however, another branch that opened nearby in Bansalangin, Project 7—that’s near SM City Annex in Quezon City. They still serve, toasted siopaos and bowls of chao long soup. Here’s a link for their location in Google Maps: 14.655617, 121.027095



Bread & Bakers CLOSED
Address: 282-C Roosevelt Ave., Muñoz, Quezon City
Contact Number: (0999) 902-6002
Opening Hours: 6:00AM to 10:00PM, Daily
GPS Coordinates Map: 14.650314, 121.018167

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30 comments

  1. I haven't been to Puerto Princesa City yet, but I think I'll drop by Bread & Bakers for Chao Long and French bread. :) That last photo on your post = drools!!!

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    1. Yes daan ka dyan Sumi! You won't regret it, ang mura pa :)

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  2. Yum! Kung hindi lang malayo sa akin ang QC, I would go there now. Chao long on a rainy day. =)

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    1. Mas malayong puntahan ang Puerto Princesa, dayo na Claire! :)

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  3. How do you get there from SM North? It looks like less than 1.5km as the crow flies. Pwede kayang lakarin EDSA-Bansalangin-Tanguile-MH del Pilar-Roosevelt?

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    1. Yes that is entirely possible, although it might take you 20 to 30 minutes to reach the place :)

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    2. Hi! from SM North, no need to go to Roosevelt Ave., we also serve Chaolong at our Bansalangin branch near Edsa. It's located after Baliwag, not further than the lotto outlet you'll see Bread&Bakers. Hope you;ll visit us soon! :)

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  4. I've tried Rene's Saigon in Palawan and liked it.. wonder how Bread and Bakers compares.. Super affordable! :)

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    Replies
    1. I've heard about Rene's Chao Long but haven't been able to try it out yet. Hopefully, on my next visit to Puerto Princesa :)

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  5. Hi! from SM North, no need to go to Roosevelt Ave., we also serve Chaolong at our Bansalangin branch near Edsa. It's located after Baliwag, not further than the lotto outlet you'll see Bread&Bakers. Hope you;ll visit us soon! :)

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  6. Im from Espanya Manila. How to get to BreadandBakers in Roosevelt? I appreciate
    your help

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  7. panu pumunta jan f galing ng waltermart munoz ? i want to have some toasted siopao for pasalubong.

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    1. How to get there, ride a Quiapo or Frisco-bound jeepney and alight after passing Banco de Oro at the left side of the road. :)

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  8. for authentic chaolong, it's should be either Vietnam or Puerto Princesa Palawan

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    1. Actually, the chao long in Vietnam is rice porridge, so for authentic chao long, Puerto Princesa talaga dapat :)

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  9. the chaolong noodles in palawan is white (rice noodles), unlike the one posted here seems mikki noodle... but i will try this when there's an opportunity...

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    Replies
    1. Yes, the miki is sourced from the local market as one of the staff told us

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  10. Grabeng miss na miss ko tong chaolong na to...matunton din kita...magwaze nalang ako. :-)

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    1. Hi, just use the GPS coordinates I posted above for its exact location :)

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  11. Meron b mlpit sa gateway cubao?

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    Replies
    1. As far as I know, wala pong chaolongan near Cubao

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  12. The best talaga ang chaolong. Sala sa lamig sala sa init hahanaphanapin mo lalo na kung malakas ang hang over mo.

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    Replies
    1. Indeed Ven! Ka-miss ang Chao Long ng Puerto Princesa!

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  13. meron pa po bang chaolong dito sa manila?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, there are still chao long restaurants here in Manila :)

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  14. Open pa b ung chaolong s may munos???????

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    Replies
    1. The last time I passed through the area, they're still open

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  15. Wala na ito, sarado na sila. 2 times lng ako nakakain dito.

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    Replies
    1. Hi there, they have a new branch at Project 7, in front of SM Annex

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