Bringing the native taste of Ilonggo food to the forefront, Mang Inasal House promises to its diners a taste of the authentic Inasal chicken – and here’s our food review for the newest Inasal-inspired restaurant in town located at Salam St. Navy Gate opposite Abu Dhabi Municipality and ADNIC.
Food
We were initially served with a Sinigang soup that will really amp up your appetite with that kick of sourness with a tinge of spice with it. We were tempted to ask for rice already since it would pair up with the soup alone.
After that, the Inasal chicken was served – with an initial appearance, the chicken glistens as it’s freshly taken from the grill to your plate and its aroma is already inviting for you to grab a bite. Mang Inasal House has their plastic gloves by their tables to let you eat with your hands which just added to the Pinoy experience.
Upon tasting the Inasal chicken on its own, both the chicken meat and skin were so juicy with a hint of sweetness. Mang Inasal House Operations Manager Alain Balgos attributes the taste to a recipe long known to Ilonggo natives. “Ako bilang katutubong Ilonggo, alam namin ang timpla. Ang Ilonggo mahilig sa matamis yan kaya yun yung lasa ng Inasal namin, may tamis,” explains Balgos.
Another treat was that they offer one piece of the Filipino Calamansi with each order of Inasal chicken paired with the red chili – mix that up with their soy sauce and add the much-loved chicken oil to your rice and boom – you have a meal that will have you asking for several cups of rice in one sitting!
We were also served their Beef Pares, Beef Nilaga, and Beef Sisig – all of which stood on their own merit. The Beef Pares’ soup was very rich with the taste of beef that has been tenderized. The Beef Nilaga will remind of your mother’s or lola’s cooking back home since it has a very homely feel to each sip and bite. The Beef Sisig reminded us of the classic carinderia-styled Sisig served on a sizzling plate that you can immediately mix with the egg. Each of these viands will definitely have you asking for even more rice.
Verdict
With the authentic taste of Ilo-ilo’s finest Inasal at pocket-friendly prices, you’ll have yourself coming back over and over again to experience the best taste of Filipino food at a home away from home. “Masaya kami at kahit ito pa lang sa Abu Dhabi ang branch ay dinadayo na ng mga ng mga Pinoy na galing mula sa iba’t ibang Emirate ng UAE. Ang Mang Inasal House ay para sa lahat ng ating mga Filipinos dito sa UAE, especially sa mga Ilonggo para masabi natin sa kanila na ito ang tunay na Inasal na ang timpla ay galing talaga sa Ilo-ilo,” said Balgos.
Mang Inasal House is currently located at Salam St. Navy Gate opposite Abu Dhabi Municipality and ADNIC. They also have plans to expand and open 4 more branches in Abu Dhabi, 2 of which will be located at Al Falah and Al Mariah Mall as well as 2 in Dubai which they plan to open at Rigga and Satwa before the end of 2018. Sharjah will also have its own branch soon.
