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.

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.