A Budget-friendly Filipino Meal at Cora’s Tapsilog

First and foremost, let me tell you that I really had a tough time thinking of what restaurant and meal to feature for my initial food review. That’s why I’ve decided to share with you “My Five Favorite Places to Dine In” first. And to start with, here’s my take on Cora’s Tapsilog in Tondo, Manila.

Cora's Tapsilog | Tondo, Manila
Photo by Aki Libo-on

Cora’s Tapsilog: What You Need to Know

Based on what I’ve read on the Internet, there are more than five branches of Cora’s Tapsilog in Metro Manila; and their most-visited places are near LRT-1 Abad Santos station, Aurora Boulevard, and in Tondo, Manila. In fact, there are two branches in Tondo, Manila, and one of them is near my place. Isn’t it cool?

Cora's Tapsilog | Tondo, Manila
Photo by Aki Libo-on

This diner is meant to cater students from nearby schools as well as neighboring residents since it is usually in a residential area. It looks like your typical hole-in-the-wall karinderya, which means that the rich kids and the laking aircon won’t be able to tolerate the place. After all, it is an open space that welcomes pollution and flies. But if you’re like me who usually don’t mind a restaurant’s sanitation issues, you are going to enjoy the Tapsilog here.

Tapa + Sinangag + Itlog

Tapsilog, a famous Filipino dish, is a combination of TApa (dried beef), SInangag (fried rice) and itLOG (egg). While Adobo is a well-known Philippine cuisine, Tapsilog is the most-loved breakfast by Filipinos.

But what makes Cora’s Tapsilog’s signature dish unique, which I love most about them, is that the tapa is not sweet and oily compared to other restaurants that offer the same meal. It is also thin, tender and cut into tiny pieces instead of chunks, which makes it easy for me to chew. Not to mention that I find sweetened meat—any meant—a bit weird.

Cora's Tapsilog - PHP 40.00 | Mountain Dew - PHP 15.00
Photo by Aki Libo-on

Their fried rice is also cooked just the way I like it. It is pan-fried sans the oil, green peas and carrot bits that you see on Yangchow Rice. It is also quite loose since it’s NFA rice (I’m not complaining, though). As for the complementary sunny side up; well, we have our own preference about it. I like mine half-cooked actually, but it’s okay even if it’s not. They’re still sunny side ups anyway. The entire meal is served with free soup, which I guess is Nilagang Buto-Buto.

As of this writing, Cora’s Tapsilog price their signature meal at PHP 40.00 while their Mountain Dew costs PHP 15.00 per bottle. Not bad for a budget-friendly, all-time favorite Filipino food. What’s cool about this place is that they’re open 24/7! So if you’re craving for something homemade and very Filipino anytime of the day, Cora’s Tapsilog is definitely a must-visit.

Cora's Tapsilog

(02) 492 5807

85 Jacinto Street

Tondo, Manila