Ranao Halal Food

18-A Annapolis Carpark 2
(Between KFC and Yoshinoya)
Greenhills, San Juan City
0915 - 247 1667


Open: 10.30am -9pm (Daily)
10.30am - 4.15am (Ramadan Only)

Price Range: P

Another Muslim tribe from Southern Philippines is the Maranao, who are also known for their unique cooking style of halal cuisine, using flavors such a coconut, tumeric, and lemon grass in their cooking.

If you want to try Maranao style cooking then head on down to Ranao Halal Restaurant in Greenhills. A family run business, that serves up delicious meals in a canteen style turo-turo (point at what you want) restaurant that caters to the large number of Maranao traders in the area.

An array of tasty dishes are available such as various chicken or beef curries, fish dishes, grilled chicken and various fruits such as jackfruit (langka) or bamboo marinated in coconut milk. The combination of the mild coconut with the spicy curry is just delectable.

During Ramadan, special tables are set up selling pancit, lumpia, meat filled samosas, rice and other sweet treats much to the delight of Muslim traders and visitors. We just happened to visit half an hour before iftar and were fortunate enough to meet the owner Abdulghuffar Macabanlog, who gave verbal assurance that all meat used is halal. In fact, they have advertisments selling halal meat.

Hungry Muslims patrons buying last minute snacks before iftar

Prices are really cheap and a good way to be initated to Maranao cuisine. A single serving of rice costs P15 and curries range from P50-P60. During Ramadan, the opening hours are extended to 4.15am to, serving suhoor to devout worshippers in the prayer hall next door.

You must definitely give this a try. To get there, exit the Virra-Mall (V-Mall) and cross the road. Look for the corridor between KFC (on the right) and Yoshinoya (one the left), and follow the corridor which will lead you towards this restaurant and Muslim Prayer Hall.

Quiapo-Let's take a journey

Quiapo, home to the famous Catholic Church of Nazarene, is also the center of the Muslim Community in Manila. These two religions have lived side-by-side for years, with the Church of Nazerene and Golden Mosque lying on opposite sides of the Quezon Bridge. Good cohesion has existed here, and many visitors, regardless of religion frequent the streets of Quiapo everyday.

Back in the heyday, Quiapo was known as "Old Downtown" and once was a center for trade and commerce. Nowadays, however it is known for cheap electronics, pirated DVDs, fresh flowers, and vegetables, bicycle parts and native handicrafts for balikbayans.

So what images are conjured to mind when one thinks of the Muslim Town of Quiapo? Unfortunately, living up to the stereotypes are the numerous stalls selling pirated DVDs, and South Sea pearls, but look beyond this and you can have a real cultural and culinary adventure.

Lets take a walk around.....

Come on in!

On the doorstep, you are greeted by a newly erected arch proclaiming "Ahlan Wasahlan" meaning "Welcome" in the Arabic language.
As you enter, you can already start to see interesting art.

Spanish style floor tiles

Islamic Inspired Mosaic Tiles

The Golden Mosque is a few steps walk from the Arch (on Globo de Oro St.). Most of the Muslim neighborhood seems to be centered around the Mosque, where worshipers are invited to pray from 4am until midnight.




During the holy month of Ramadan, most of the Muslim Town comes to a standstill with most restaurants opening an hour or so short of iftar (sunset), in order to begin the festivities for the observant.

Dotted around the Mosque you will find numerous eateries, side-by-side with stalls selling Muslim fashion such as Abaya for women and headscarves, Islamic CDs, DVDs, prayer beads and other religious effects.



There are a plethora of halal restaurants to choose from. Most of the eateries/restaurants are carinderia style, some that we would walk straight past and some that tempt you with their colorful displays, and aromas bringing you tastes of Moro, Maranao and Pinoy cuisine.
(The famous Moud's Halal Roasted Chicken is in Quiapo!)

In most of these eateries, the style of service is turo-turo or point. where the food is already prepared and displayed in silver trays or chafing dishes. You just point at what takes your fancy and its served up for you. One can expect to pay anything from P30-P70 for a decent meal.

Spoiled for choice?

There are also a number of stores selling halal produce, rice, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Quiapo can be a taxing to get around with the constant hustle and bustle from the crowd, but its worth taking a look around, especially if you're in the mood for some delicious halal cuisine that's easy on the wallet.

Just another day in Quiapo.

Kabab Roll

Chicken Tikka

SM Mall of Asia

South Wing
Pasay City

(Located infront of Kenny Rogers in the South wing).

Pakistani halal fare offering kabab rolls, roti wraps, chicken bihari and other authentic Pakistani fare. There is an open grill and kababs are freshly made to order. The dipping sauce that comes with it is delicious and the portions are decent sized. All meat used is halal, infact the owner slaughters the animals himself (zabiha).
The booth in Mall of Asia has been open since August ’09, and offers seating.
Kabab roll offers free delivery to Makati areas on orders over P500 (Tel 514-2057/ 514-2059) and some other areas upon request depending on a large order.

You can also order groceries like basmati rice and halal meat (per kg) online directly from the website. Available are mutton/whole chicken/ beef or chicken qeema and even parts like lung/heart! Only deliver to certain parts of Manila.

Check out www.kababroll.net to view their delicious menu and order meat and rice.

Moud Halal Roasted Chicken

827 Globo de Oro St,
Quiapo, Manila
(02) 488-5006

Price Range: P

A hole-in-the-wall in the Muslim district of Quiapo. Famously known for its juicy rotisserie style chicken freshly roasted all day, Mouds also offers shawarmas, burgers and typical Maranao dishes at very affordable prices.

Touted as the best chicken in Manila, do not be deceived or put off by the hole-in-the wall style restaurant- you will not find chicken as delicious as this with a delicious price tag to match.
A piece of chicken will set you back P60- try it with one of the 3 styles of rice- kabsa, java or plain for an extra P10.

Mouds is not only popular among the locals but also has a following all around Manila. During Ramadan, tents are set up outside selling noodles, pancit (a steal at P20 for a generous serving), fried chicken, samosas (P10 each!) and other sweet treats at very affordable prices!

The Observants buying last minute snacks before iftar!

Choose from yummy delights from food tent during Ramadan (only!)

The restaurant sign can be easy to miss, but ask anyone and they will point you in the right direction- it is just a few steps from the Golden Mosque, or you'll notice it by the roasted chicken outside. Modest seating is available over 2 floors. Condiments like hot sauce, calamansi and chillis are provided free of charge.

Read reviews about Moud’s here:
http://chefjundi.wordpress.com/2008/04/27/al-moud-restaurant-in-quiapo/
http://kap42no.multiply.com/journal/item/13/Treasures_of_Quiapo

Bijan Specialty Foodshop

GF, RSG-5 Lifestyle Center
Greenhills, San Juan City
(02) 723 – 4264 / 3604
Cell: 0922 – 844 – 4423

This gem of a store has everything you need if you are planning on cooking up a tasty Persian storm! Sells everything from dried fruits, nuts and seed, pickled vegetable (torshi), traditional Iranian spices, olives, foul, saffron, Lavash bread even traditional Persian sweets.


There is a freezer section for halal chicken, beef, and lamb which is of very good quality and clean. There are different cuts of meat and poultry- beef cubes, ground beef/lamb, lamb ribs/leg of lamb, whole chicken, breast/drumsticks and chicken sausages. Prices start at P150 per kilo.



Be careful not to miss this treasure-trove- its easy to miss! Its nestled between Chowking and Kenny Rogers in the Lifestyle Center.

For map of Greenhills click here :http://www.greenhills.com.ph/mallmap.asp

Maharlika Halal Meat Market

The Blue Mosque - Worth a visit!

Here you can find muslim butchers and get fresh slaughtered meat, mostly beef, goat and chicken. On occasions you can get lamb/sheep.The market area is very near to the Blue Mosque. The prices here are more reasonable then in the city, and you will get fresh meat and whatever cut you like, also minced/ground is available.

How to get to Maharlika

Taxi: Tell the driver your going to the main street in Maharlika Village (muslim village), near to The Blue Mosque. When you drop off ask or look around for butcher shops, there are many there so feel free to ask around what they have available and what the prices are.

Jeepney: Depending on where in Manila you will go from, ask someone who is familiar with your area and if they know how to go to Maharlika. Otherwise please send me an email and tell me where you are located and I could give you more detailed description on how you can travel there the best way.

Note: From Maharlika you can try and find a taxi, but it might be difficult. If you are not lucky in getting a taxi, you can take a tri-cycle from the main street, and tell them to bring you to the jeepney terminal. From there you can take a jeepney to wherever is best for you, they go to all parts of Manila.

Assad Mini Mart Grocery Stores

Manila
1268-IJK Midtown Hotel Executive Homes
United Nation Avenue
Paco, Manila
(632) 5261349 / 5265034

Makati
Eurocrest Building
Jupiter Street, Bel-Air Village
Makati City

Open 10am - 7pm

This is a Middle Eastern/Indian shop, and carries all kinds of spices, rice, lentils, halal products of different sorts, frozen (fresh) meat - whole chicken, goat, mutton kheema and on occasion beef and lamb. Also available are different teas, coffees, henna color (hands and hair), soaps, etc.

The prices vary, reasonable spices in big quantities but somewhat pricey meat. Chicken ranges from P150 - P250 per pack, one pack (500g) mutton P275.

Shawarma Snack Center 2

484 Salas St., Ermita, Manila
(02) 521- 2121

Open Lunch-6am

Price Range: PP-PPP

Across the road from its original counterpart, is the higher-end Shawarma Snack Center 2. Now in business for 4 years, SSC2 offers higher-end dishes with a wider variety of Middle Eastern dishes in a more authentic setting. More seating is available here, indoors, outdoors, downstairs, upstairs or on the patio or balcony. SSC2 also carries some groceries and serve desert.

A mixed grill including hot fluffy pieces of ‘khubz’ (bread), salad, humus, motabel, good for five people costs P1,200. Prices are higher than SCC1. Both restaurants will have a 10% service charge for dining-in.


Read reviews about the SSC:
http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2006/12/shawarma_center.html
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/sim/sim/view/20071104-98704/Arabian_bites
http://thetheoreticalcook.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html

Shawarma Snack Center

485 Salas St.,
Ermita, Manila
(02) 525- 4541

Open 24 Hours

Price Range: P-PP

Touted to be the best “hole-in-the-wall” authentic Middle Eastern restaurant in Manila, the original Sharwarma Snack Center or SSC as it is known, is continually bustling. Owned by a Jordanian and his Filipina wife, SSC is a veteran of Middle Eastern restaurants having been in business for over 25 years, and its success is evident from the constant stream of customers, both local and foreigners.

Famous for their prized shawarmas (your choice of chicken or beef), the menu is typical Middle Eastern Cuisine, with items such as mixed grills, kebabs, middle eastern stews and typical Lebanese mezze such as humus, motabal or baba ganoush, and foul medames. Prices are affordable and the serving sizes are decent.

Seating is available either non-air-conditioned open to the street, or indoors with air-conditioning. SSC also sell a modest selection of groceries such as canned olives, humus, foul beans, halal hot dogs, bread and even the house chilli-sauce!

A Halal certificate and is on display and verbal assurance was given that the meat is halal. The servers also wear buttons proudly stating they only serve halal meat. The meat supplier is Al-Amin Halal Meat Products.

SSC is open 24 hours a day, and even has special offers – 3 shawarmas for P100 between 2-6am!!

A Muslims Guide to Manila, Philippines

As-Salaamaalaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuhu

Dear brothers and sisters

This is a blog for muslims near and far staying in Metro Manila, and is in need of some essential information in regards to food, clothes, mosques and so on. This website should then be a good place to get started on your islamic journey into Manila, inshaAllah.

Should you have any comments, questions or want to add/correct information on this blog please feel free to contact me on:

halalmanila@yahoo.co.uk

We would love to hear from you

Fee Amaan Ilah