Good food doesn’t need to be expensive. Ten of the Philippines’ top food bloggers share their favorite spots around Metro Manila where you can get your fill of good food without breaking the bank.
Read More: 10 Best-Tasting Meals Under P200 in Makati
Where should you go to satisfy your ramen craving? Where’s the best place to go for a dimsum run without spending more than 50 pesos? Let these foodies point the way to your next food adventure this weekend!
Abby of Manila Spoon[1]
Will you tell us a little something about the blog and how it started?
My blog is Manila Spoon (manilaspoon.com) named after the city I was born in. When I came to the US about 11 years ago as a newly married bride, I barely knew how to cook and had to learn from scratch through trial and error. Cooking was a necessity at first as there was no maid to help me cook and I had to feed my husband and myself! Thereafter, hubby, who loves Asian food, enjoyed the dishes I prepared and other people also asked me for my recipes and so my love affair with cooking began. It was then that I decided to compile some of my tried and tested recipes online in the form of a blog for convenient access (no more recipes in scraps of paper lying around and getting lost) and for easy sharing with friends. Manila Spoon was established in the summer of 2012 and with nearly 400 published recipes I continue to update it on a bi-weekly basis. Thee blog features both Filipino and international cuisine specifically showcasing dishes from the many countries hubby and I have traveled to.
As a well-known food blogger, if you were to share your favorite cheap/budget eat spot around Metro Manila, what would it be and what makes you come back to it?
I am not sure if this is really cheap but I consider this restaurant to be value for money so it's worth what you pay for. I refer to Racks - the restaurant famous for ribs. Hubby and I never fail to eat at Racks whenever we go home and we do so at least a few times. The ribs they serve - especially the boneless ones - are perfectly seasoned and melt-in-your-mouth tender! Totally and highly recommended for any ribs lover out there!
Richie of The Pickiest Eater[2]
Will you tell us a little something about the blog and how it started?
My blog started because of my wife's love for taking pictures of our food trips. We would often get into fights because no matter how many times she would remind me not to touch the food yet, she would find a bit in her pork chop just when she was about to take a picture of it.
After watching an episode of Man V Food, I felt like I found my calling: Food Blogging. Rina's reaction was, "How can you be a food blogger when you're The Pickiest Eater In The World?"... A light bulb flashed in my head, and the rest is history!
As a well-known food blogger, if you were to share your favorite cheap/budget eat spot around Metro Manila, what would it be and what makes you come back to it?
I've always been a fan of pork BBQ, and when I was in college, I was introduced to the wonder of Aling Nene's Barbeque. Something that I still get cravings for till this very day. Back in the day, I could buy two sticks and rice for around P50 bucks, and I was good to go! It's a bit more expensive now, but at around P37 bucks per stick, I still find it rather reasonable, and worth the trip back to Vito Cruz!
Mhel and Ken of Certified Foodies[3]
Will you tell us a little something about the blog and how it started?
Certified Foodies started in 2010 as a recipe blog. More than anything else, we love home-cooked meals. Our nanay is the main inspiration behind our blog. She really enjoys when she prepares her hearty dishes for us, like her Kare-kare, and that love for food was passed on to us.
Our main intention when we started our blog was to share our recipes and to encourage people to get in their kitchens and cook. But since we also love dining out and discovering new restaurants, we decided to also share our own restaurant reviews on the blog. We have a knack for finding food places wherein you can enjoy a scrumptious meal without breaking the bank.
As a well-known food blogger, if you were to share your favorite cheap/budget eat spot around Metro Manila, what would it be and what makes you come back to it?
We'd have to say World Chicken and Mr. Choi Kitchen. They're the top food places we always go back to. It's not only because of their budget-friendly menu, but also because of the big servings and the flavors of their dishes that we seem to always crave for in spite of all the wonderful food we've been enjoying at other restaurants/places.
If you happen to visit our hometown, Malabon City, we highly recommend you drop by Ozen, a Japanese hole-in-the-wall that serves the best Takoyaki we've ever had! And, of course, you simply must try the well-loved Pancit Malabon from Nanay's.
Michy of Dekaphobe[4]
Will you tell us a little something about the blog and how it started?
My blog started back in 2011 as an avenue to share the places I've been to, the food I love and random ideas. It transitioned to a food and travel blog because I really enjoy discovering new places and I do love to eat!
As a well-known food blogger, if you were to share your favorite cheap eat spot around Metro Manila, what would it be and what makes you come back to it?
Steak-Off Grill in Marikina! It is freakishly affordable no-frills place for grilled steaks. As long as the taste and quality of the food is consistent (and delicious), I'll always come back.
Jill Bantang of The Food Scout[5]
Will you tell us a little something about the blog and how it started?
The Food Scout is a food, travel & lifestyle blog. Expect my blog posts to be full of my colorful life, specifically about my mouthwatering adventures as I travel around this crazy planet.
The blog started in 2010 when my parents encouraged me not to jump into the corporate world straight from college at the age of 19. Before I became part of the finance world, my parents rewarded me with several travels and one was a trip to India. From exploring India's extraordinary culture and food, my passion to write and take photos stirred up. That was the start of an idea to keep a digital journal of all my food and travel adventures. Thus, The Food Scout was born.
As a well-known food blogger, if you were to share your favorite cheap eat spot around Metro Manila, what would it be and what makes you come back to it?
For fast food, I love Jollibee's Chicken! If I need an emergency fast satisfying meal, I run to the nearest Jollibee. When I was a college student, I love Singangag Express' Tapsilog. Shredded beef that's tasty, filling and meets a student's budget. Another cheap spot I love is World Chicken, available in Glorietta food court. They serve chicken platters to cure the hunger. A party plate of boneless chicken in various sauces and side dishes like pasta, salad or rice that complements the tender meat. Amber's Spaghetti (solo) answers my pinoy spaghetti craving. And lastly, Ersao taiwanese snacks is a classic on my list.
I also go for Frankie's chicken wings! It's for the win!
Frances of Franny Wanny[6]
Will you tell us a little something about the blog and how it started?
Frannywanny.com is a food and travel blog which was created back in 2007. Now on its 8th year, the blog continues to dish out the newest and yummiest food discoveries in Manila and in Singapore. It also talks about different travel destinations and a complete tip for travellers on where to eat, what to do and what to see.
As a well-known food blogger, if you were to share your favorite cheap eat spot around Metro Manila, what would it be and what makes you come back to it?
It would be:
1) Uncle Moe's Shawarma: for the best kebab rice in the metro
2) Rub Ribs: really reasonably priced ribs platter that you can share with your date, your family or with friends!
3) Pan de Amerikana: this one was a surprising discovery -- real good Filipino food for a really cheap price
Berylle of It's Beryllicious[7]
Will you tell us a little something about the blog and how it started?
ItsBeryllicious (named after me) is a personal blog that shares about my passions in life- food, travel and basically all things that I love. It started as an online journal to document the places I've been to, restaurants I've dined in, and new things I continuously discover. Now, it has opened opportunities for me to meet great people who share that same passion, and learn things that I may not be able to know if not for this blog.
As a well-known food blogger, if you were to share your favorite cheap eat spot around Metro Manila, what would it be and what makes you come back to it?
Being the frugal foodie that I am, it is always a challenge to find budget-friendly places to eat around the metro. There may be some eating hotspots within universities (Taft, Maginhawa, Katipunan, UST area) that offer student-friendly prices, but I always come back to Banawe for their dimsum promos. The Dimsum Avenue is just the perfect place to be for some late night dimsum fix- Siomai, Hakao, Chicken Feet, Beancurd Rolls, Fish Head, Sharksfin Dumplings, and more! You can enjoy a wide selection of dimsum favorites for as low as P48!
Sumi of The Purple Doll[8]
Will you tell us a little something about the blog and how it started?
The Purple Doll actually started as a personal blog back in 2011. But because of my love for food and eating out, it has grown into more of a food and lifestyle blog. And I have no regrets! :)
As a well-known food blogger, if you were to share your favorite cheap/budget eat spot around Metro Manila, what would it be and what makes you come back to it?
I don't really consider myself as a "well-known" food blogger just yet, but I love sharing places to grab good food from with my readers. One of my current favorites at the moment is Moshi Koshi Noodle Boss which has branches in SM North EDSA The Annex, Market! Market!, SM Fairview and Two E-Com Center. They serve ramen, soba and udon, along with other comforting Japanese dishes, with prices that are very competitive. I wouldn't say they offer "cheap" food, but "great value" for P200 to P300, and sometimes even under P200!
My go-to order at Moshi Koshi Noodle Boss have always been their Yakiudon (P170) made from really firm yet enjoyably chewy rice noodles. It's fairly inexpensive, a good fill for a heavier snack, and tastes great!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
It's no secret that we love food. Some of us love food as much as we love writing, hence the many amazing food bloggers in the Pinoy blogosphere. This list does compile some of the most amazing ones, and here are a couple more that foodies out there should take a gander at.
Clarisse of The Tummy Train[9]
Clarisse has a flair for making you drool for food with the help of her talents in photography. Her blog points you to new and exciting restaurants not just here in the Philippines but also overseas. But you don’t have to leave your home to try the food that she puts on her blog. She also posts recipes accompanied with her mouth-watering pictures of the dishes that you just have to try on your own.
Yedy of Yedylicious[10]
Yedylicious helps you discover new restaurants around Metro Manila and alerts you of new food finds. Helming this blog is Yedy Calaguas, a foodie and photographer who takes you along with her on a gastronomical journey. Follow her blog for giveaways that she features quite frequently.
So now you know where to find affordable grilled steaks and where to take your whole barkada the next time you’re craving for ribs. Follow these bloggers for more tips on where to eat next without spending a lot! For more money-saving tips, keep checking out MoneyMax.ph’s blog and like MoneyMax on Facebook!
People who read this also liked:
- 10 Best Affordable Buffet Restaurants in Makati
- Brunch? Five Restaurants that serve Cocktails
- 10 Pinoy Travelers Share Their Budget Secrets
- Korean BBQ Restaurants in Metro Manila for Your Cheap Unlimited Samgyupsal Fix
Sources:
- [1] Manila Spoon
- [2] The Pickiest Eater
- [3] Certified Foodies
- [4] Dekaphobe
- [5] The Food Scout
- [6] Frannyway
- [7] Itsberrylicious
- [8] The Purple Doll
- [9] The Tummy Train
- [10] Yedylicious
Back to Blog 
