Cabalen is one of the most familiar names in the world of restaurants in the country. Whenever we hear, ” Cabalen”, you will automatically think about ” local cuisine” and “buffet”. For the past 30 years, Cabalen has kept their ground as one of the top names in the industry.
A restaurant known for their Kare-Kare as well as other Kampampangan dishes, Cabalen adds more cuisine choices for Ilonggos. I asked what does, ” Cabmen” mean? And a few Google searches, I learned it means ” town mate” – “balen” means, ” town” while “ka” means ” mate” or “fellow“, just like the word, kabayan. Thus, the restaurant offers family-friendly dining venue for all types of occasions and dishes that everyone will love.
When it comes to gastronomy, the Kapampangans takes the lead and they are known to be good cooks. Yesterday, Cabalen formally opens their 28th store in Iloilo bringing more dining options in a city known for gastronomy and flavor. Cabalen is another addition to the various restaurants opening their doors to the local market.
The ambiance is homey, drawing inspirations from local homes in the Philippines or those elegant heritage homes in the country. Thus, everyone feels at home with the company of good friends and family.
At the far end is their function room, for Ilonggos to host their special occasions and intimate events.
What’s in the menu?
Proud to be the Home of the Best Kare-kare, Cabalen offers a complete set of menu from starters to desserts.
When you say, Kapampangan, I look for one of my favourite dishes – sisig – which was invented in Pampanga.
Plenty of options like chicken and bangus. I still go for the original and tofu.
Cabalen is famous for their signature dishes like Dinuguan, Caldereta and Lechon Paksiw.
I’m hungry just writing this post.
Still on your 2017 New Year’s resolution? Cabalen also offers low-calorie choices like their own salad station.
If you want to skip meat, my personal choice is their Lumpia Hubad. Tokwa’t Baboy as well as Crispy KangKong won’t hurt your diet regimen too.
Their dessert table ranging from local sweets to foreign like the chocolate fondue.
Kapampangan Cuisine
I love discovering cuisines from other regions of the country and I found a taste ( literally and figuratively) at Cabalen. I only learned that they call Arroz de Valenciana ( a local take on Paella) as “brenghi“.
Here is Sampelot– Kapampangan’s version of “Ginataan” or what we call in Cebu as ” Binignit”.
Tibok Mais for me is a hybrid of sapin-sapin and maja.
Ilonggo Dishes
Though Cabalen is a restaurant known for Kapampangan dishes, I overheard from the owner while taking photos that they also want to focus on Ilonggo food. True because it is not easy to cook Ilonggo dishes at home these days.
One of them is Bagongon. Bagongon is type of snail ( that grows mostly in fishponds) and Cabalen’s alternative to their famous snail dish which is another authentic Kapampangan.
My dad will be happy to dine at Cabalen in SM City Iloilo. Whenever we visits Iloilo, off we go to the local market to look for bagongon and he patiently cooks and prepares them. I’m not into “exotic” food but I love bagongon. I just wonder how I can suck the snails with class while dining at Cabalen.
Another Ilonggo favorite is Tambo – young bamboo shoots.
Aren’t you not salivating yet? This newest restaurant in Iloilo is located at the 2nd floor of SM Iloilo ( Cinema Level). For Cabalen Iloilo price tag and contact information, here it is:
Kids 4-feet and below get 50% discount while kids 3feet and below can eat for free. Now that’s a new addition to the list of family restaurants in Iloilo.
If you are looking for where to eat in Iloilo, check out this new restaurant in Iloilo.
Thanks for reading!
