3 REASONS WHY I LOVE PUTO PAO

Puto Pao

My Puto Pao Chronicles

Some people say that puto pao is an acquired taste – what with the usual puto being filled with a nice meaty asado. For the uninitiated, it may be a surprise because the flavorful sweetness of the puto batter is accentuated by the additional flavors of the filling, sometimes contrasting, but otherwise reaching a pinnacle of taste that’s temptingly filling and delicious.

This snack item brings me back to so many places – places that seem to be highlights of my life’s journey. It brings me back to my favorite vacation places – sometimes near the beach, sometimes up in the mountains. It even brings me back to the bumpy bus rides when I travel alone or with my family going around town hopping around Negros occidental. And what seems to be the common thing in all of these? Why, the presence of puto pao – almost always ubiquitous, tasty and a favorite standby pabaon by my family and friends. And it always seems to involve two of my favorite friends, who were about my age and had the same hobbies as I did.

It was a steady presence in my travels. Wherever it took me, I would pack in in my backpack. Well, my friends and family knew that I loved to nibble as the trip progressed. Heck, sometimes, even if the bus still hasn’t left the terminal, I’d be halfway through my collective stash and if I am with friends we would be swapping snacks but never, ever our Puto Paos. Why do you say? My puto pao is my own little slice of heaven.

3 Reasons Why I love Puto Pao

1. Puto Pao is made of rice. It is really filling and it can sustain me all throughout the long travel.
2. It has a meaty filling. This snack item is a complete meal on its own.  I really didn’t care as long as there’s meat in it. One of my favorite travel buddies preferred a puto pao filled with more sauce at the center almost syrupy. And he’d be busy drinking it with hot choco. Well, it rocked his boat, so who was I to complain?
3. This snack item is too handy as a meal. I won’t be needing a spoon and a fork. On long bus travel for example where we would stop to eat at an eatery. We would be contented just to have our Puto Pao rather than eating on a place that we are not sure of. Oh, please don’t get us wrong. We were not picky eaters. We just have sensitive stomachs.

Perhaps, it was a stretch to say that we really didn’t swap our Puto Paos because we did sample each other’s Puto Paos every once in a while. You know, I take a bite out of my friends baon he bought from a different vendor, and he takes a small nibble of mine – a tit for tat kind of thing that the two of us shared. Hey, we were really close friends and best travel buddies so it really wasn’t awkward at all.

As years went by, well, we drifted apart as he has to work in other places to pursue his career of being a nurse. But every time we would come together during holidays, well, we’d usually be found under our favorite tree, catching up on how our lives have been going, toting our beverage bottles in one hand and sharing the ubiquitous puto pao, but this time from my favorite source.

Where to Buy the Original Puto Pao

My favorite store selling the most authentic Puto Pao is Quan Delicacies in Bacolod City.

Just for a short trivia, Quan Delicacies originates from this amazing snack item. The brain behind this snack item was Agnes Cuenca, she developed this during the times where flour was very expensive. Puto Pao won the Bulawan Award by the Association of Negros Producers.

Click here, to know more about Quan Delicacies

YOU CAN GET THIS ORIGINAL PUTO PAO IN THE FOLLOWING QUAN OUTLETS:

Bacolod Branches:
MC Metroplex – Northdrive – (34) 433-9987
La Salle Avenue (034) 707-1982
Gaisano City (034) 707-8440
Phoenix Gas Station, San Sebastian
Robinsons Supermarket (034) 476-1518
SM Food Court – 213-9149
San Juan – (034) 704-1253
Talisay Branch:
Super Metro, The District North Point (034) 702-3466
Manila Branch:
1797 Dian St, Palanan. Makati (02) 833-5843

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