Sunday, November 18, 2007
SATURDAY MORNING AT SALCEDO MARKET
While Manila's street foods climb the greasy pole of respectability by gradually invading the malls' food courts with their cute franchised kiosks, the fancy packaged foodstuffs and nouvelle cuisine craved by those from the tony Makati enclaves, on the other hand, have taken to the street.
I knew about the Salcedo Market for quite some time now when a cousin invited me to join her one Saturday morning. She claimed it would somehow remind me of Manhattan's Union Square weekend farm market. However, at that time, I preferred checking out Manila's wet markets than spend time in a place reminiscent of New York. Don't get me wrong, I love New York, but I wanted a more typical Manila experience.
I finally did go to Salcedo Market for the first time yesterday. A writer from San Francisco's Philippine News asked me to take some photographs of some Fil-Ams she's writing an article about who came back home to become entrepreneurs. And according to these guys, Salcedo Market happens to be a profitable outlet for their products.
I'm glad I went. It proved to be a wonderful mouth-watering experience even though the prices are not any lower than I had expected. Be that as it may, the mix of offerings are simply delightful. The Vietnamese fresh rolls, lasagna, baked pastries and bread pudding from Bacolod that I got to taste were of fine quality and truly scrumptious. Most definitely I intend to return to try the others.
posted by Señor Enrique at 9:16 AM
32 Comments:
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NOYPETES said... Dinala mo ako sa Salcedo Market with your photographs! Naramdaman ko rin yung aura ng vendors at fiesta ng palengke. Lively ang mga kulay. There is a weekly farmers market here in Westwood near UCLA every Thursday at 4pm. Lots of fresh organic gulay, asian veggies and this is where I normally get my malunggay leaves. I like shopping at farmer's market. A lot of small farmers here in California are into the organic produce business now and they have formed a cooperative to market their products.
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Photo Cache said...
If you did not go, there would be no pictures to share with us. Must be a wonderful experience. I have always loved outdoor markets. How much are the orchids?
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Sidney said...
Looks very yummy !
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Señor Enrique said...
Pete, may Tia Isabel had a malunggay tree in her yard and some barrio folks would come in the late afternoon to buy some for 25 centavos a bunch -- that was when I was a kid.
One of the guys I was supposed to take a picture of, the writer decided to do it instead at his farm in Tagaytay -- organic veggies is his specialty! So, one of these daysI might get to go to the farm and do a pictorial :)
Sam as in Manhattan's Union Square weekend market, lots of organic produce from Upstate New York.
Thanks, Pete!-
Señor Enrique said...
Not exactly sure about their prices, Photo Cache but I'm guessing from 300-350 peso range. I love those but I just don't have the green thumb to nurture them :(
Thanks, I'm glad I went, too!-
Señor Enrique said...
That's an understatement, Sidney. Put it this way, Salcedo Market is not the place to be if you're in a strict diet regimen ... hehehe.
By the way, this market also features this French guy with his delectable collection of fine cuisine. Torture! Hahaha!-
jon go said...
wow eric! lucky you! i've always wanted to go there but couldn't because i still have work on saturdays.. i hope one day i'll find a way to get there.. :)
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Ang Kuwago said...
I was there too! Sayang, if I had known how you look like, we could have had coffee or something!
I was at the opening day of Salcedo Village Weekend Market a few years ago, and would regularly go there every weekend. We used to live in Salcedo Village before moving to Subic Bay.
I used to get my week's worth of organic veggies, My Goodness! cookies and herbs from Gil Carandang there.
Each time I am in Manila on a Saturday, I make it a point to drop by.-
TOW Blog said...
wonderful entry and photos, eric!
i have always wanted to go but never got the time when i was in manila.
saturdays lang kasi diba?
best,
minotte-
Señor Enrique said...
Hello Minotte!
Yes, unfortunately, it is only on Saturdays; however, I heard that on Sundays, in the neighboring Legazpi Village, a similar market day is held on Sundays. I will need to verify this first, though.
Many thanks!-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Kuwago!
Ay sayang nga! I could have also introduced you to the writer; you may have wanted to be included in her feature, but hey, there's always another time :)
The market as you know is still going strong since its opening a few years ago. And plenty of organic produce, indeed. I wish I could have made some purchase, but I had my camera gear; also had many appointments that entire day.
Trust all is well and that business is good in Subic :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Hayaan mo, Jon, maybe soon you'll be able to take even the morning off one Saturday just to enjoy Salcedo Market. I think the best time to get there is as early as possible so it isn't too hot and the merchandise is still plentiful. Seven in the morning is ideal.
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ScroochChronicles said...
Sayang, I was planning to go pa naman last Saturday!!
One of the stalls there sells some great Korean food. The noodles are simply to die for. And there's a woman who sells the best porkloin ham. Yummy with pandesal or simply for making "papak".
Tama ka, it's best to go early so you can get good parking :)-
Señor Enrique said...
I don't know but I just have this uncanny feeling that had you gone last Saturday, Scrooch, you'd probably be able to pick me out from the entire crowd.
Sayang ... you would've approached me to say hello and I could've asked to tag along and check out ang mga suki mo ... hehehe.-
Watergirl said...
The Sunday market in Legaspi Village is smaller and less crowded than Salcedo. I like to go to Salcedo for a few things (goat's milk, the french stall's dishes, gil's stall of herbs), and to meet friends who fancy an al fresco brunch. Legaspi has it's attractions too, try the vegetarian lugaw of Mara Pardo de Tavera.
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mgaputonimimi said...
ang ganda.. kakaibang market..
rare food pa ung tinitinda.-
Señor Enrique said...
Kakaiba nga ito, Mimi, at malinis ang mga paligiran ... hehehe.
Madami ding mga prutas at mga organic produce.
Nakaka-aliw talaga!-
Señor Enrique said...
I can see this place as an ideal venue for groups of friends to meet for brunch and savor some fine foods, MTan. Lovely way to spend an early Saturday morning.
But for entertaining balikbayan friends or colleagues from New York, I'd skip this place and take them to dampa which has moved along Macapagal Avenue :)-
reyd said...
I'll check Salcedo market the next time I go back home. I seems like a very nice place to walk around and shop and eat also. :D
They should have more of that kind of market, or more like a farmer's market here but hopefully those kotong cops and rawdy vendors selling some rip-off merchandise should stay away. That's what I don't like in Divisoria. Maraming magulo at mangloloko na mga tindero. From selling bad produce or items to short-changing customers. But what can I do?, sa Divisoria ang aming main business at duon ko nalaman ang mga style ng negosyo.-
Señor Enrique said...
And did you notice that I rarely feature Divisoria, Reyd? That is because, for the most part, I find it too crowded and quite a challenge to navigate, especially when on my own.
It is indeed disheartening that there remains to be a number of unscrupulous vendors/merchants in our markets. I've had my share of unpleasant experiencess with these characters.
But nonetheless, in retrospect, most of those who engaged in such kind of business dealings tend to be a very unhappy and miserable lot. Karma, I guess.
Yes, there ought to be more cooperative farmers' markets around the city :)-
JayAshKal said...
This will definitely go in my list of places to go and visit.
Being a non-Manileno (while I was born in PGH), I have not heard or been in this open market.
Thanks for the experience of seeing the market thru your pictorial.
Mario-
Señor Enrique said...
A fun and filling place this is, Mario. You'll have a good time spending the Saturday morning here, I'm sure. So many delish stuff to to taste :)
Thanks, too, Mario!-
said... hi senor enrique! ej and i were there in salcedo market that day too! sad we didn't cross paths that day. it was our first time to visit too. the P150 paella i had was lovely, and ej was able to try the spinach lasagna of that french guy. hope to see you soon! :)
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Señor Enrique said...
Yes, the offerings of that French guy was quite popular I noticed, Pi. Now, P150 for a paella doesn't sound too bad, and I bet it was delish.
We ate ours over at the nearby Coffee Bean but we had to pay P120 each for a small bottle of mineral bottle so we could occupy a table.
Perhaps, another time we'll all get a chance to meet and enjoy a plateful of delectable food :)-
Ang Kuwago said...
Senor Enrique,
Heaven has continued to bless me. Thanks for asking.
mtan,
Did you say vegetarian?! My cup of lugaw! :-)
Kuwago-
Señor Enrique said...
Wonderful Kuwago!
I am one of those who celebrate other people's continued success. It proves that the universe has infinite blessings for everyone :)
Cheers!-
Liza on Maui said...
hhmmm this is making me HOMESICK...
Thanks for the photos :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Perhaps, a balikbayan vacation is in the offing, Liza? Hehehe!
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said...
Ginutom ako sa katitingin sa mga pagkaing Pinoy. Great shots!
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Señor Enrique said...
Ay naku, Bert, if ever you get a chance, check this market out kasi talagang maraming masasarap na makakain dito :)
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Liza on Maui said...
Oh I WISH I can go there and do a balikbayan visit...
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Señor Enrique said...
Just believe YOU CAN, Liza!
And before you know it, you'll be boarding that plane to take you back home :)
