PHILIPPINES

7 DELICIOUS HOUSE SPECIALTIES | TITA BETH’S PANCIT MALABON HAUS

I remember when I was still residing in Manila we used to celebrate birthdays, family gatherings and other special occasions with Pancit Malabon, sapin-sapin, and kare-kare on the table. When I moved back to Bacolod, I thought it would take some time before I could enjoy again the taste of these Tagalog specialties. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait that long. It was actually Tito Toto, my Mama’s youngest brother who was vacationing from Oman, who told me about Tita Beth’s Pancit Malabon Haus as he was brought there by his friends for dinner. He told me that it was a nice, simple place that serves good food. It is also conveniently located just beside the old Rolling Hills along Lacson St., Mandalagan, Bacolod City. Since then I have been a satisfied customer of this place.

During my recent visit, I was able to meet the owners who pleasantly welcomed me and shared with me their success story. Mernilo and Elizabeth Sales are both from Manila (Bulacan Province). In 1991, Tito Mer visited Bacolod on a business trip and fell in love with the place– less traffic, less pollution, kind people. This made them decide to relocate to Bacolod with their children. Tito Mer later on got employed on a cargo ship as a chief cook while Tita Beth worked in a bank. A few years before retirement, Tito Mer thought of putting up a business that they were both interested in. And so the food business was opened on May 22, 2010.

They also decided that pancit malabon, kare-kare, nilaga and Japanese rice meals would be on top of their menu since Bacolod is already known for its own specialty dishes like KBL (kadios baboy langka, cansi, and pancit molo). I asked, why Pancit Malabon? “Coming from Manila, I noticed that pancit malabon places are doing very well. If you visit Quezon City or in Better Living (Paranaque City), ‘yung pancit malabon talaga ang nagtatagal. Hanggang ngayon nandyan pa rin.” Tito Mer said. He also mentioned that he was influenced by a Japanese chef during his stint as chief cook for 13 years in a cargo ship which is the reason why Tito Mer also incorporated Japanese cuisine in his menu. Ooops, you may think it’s expensive? Well, not at all. The bento mixed tempura box is very affordable. “Our place may be small pero kung quality ng pagkain ang usapan, lalaban ako.” Tito Mer proudly said.

Customers won’t be intimidated when they dine at Tita Beth’s because of the simplicity of the place. Plastic chairs and tables are used in the non-aircon area. They also have an air-conditioned function room that can seat 24 people for meetings and small occasions.

Here are the Top 7 delicious meals that you can share with your loved ones:

The Pancit Malabon is one of the top seller and must-try offering of Tita Beth’s Pancit Malabon Haus

1.) Pancit Malabon– thick white rice noodles in flavorful sauce topped with pork bits, squid, egg slices, shrimps, cabbage and garnished with crushed chicharon. The sauce has a shrimpy taste that blends very well with the noodles and toppings. You may order this in bilao sizes- small (good for 5 persons)-P350, (medium) good for 15 persons- P600 (large) good for 25 persons- P1,030.

2.) Kare-Kare– my favorite at Tita Beth’s. Beef knuckles in peanut sauce with eggplant and pechay. It is served with savory bagoong (shrimp paste) P90.

3.) Bento Mixed Tempura– with 3 pieces shrimps and veggies plus sidings of sautéed vegetables, miso soup, and rice. Wow! Everything is yummy and affordable. This only at P135.

Tita Beth’s Pancit Malabon Haus lip smucking crispy pata

4.) Crispy Pata– Who’s craving? Pork leg seasoned, boiled and deep fried until the skin turns super crispy. Small-P320 Medium-400 Large-450.

5.) Lechon Kawali- marinated pork liempo, seasoned and deep fried. Perfect as a viand and goes well with beer too!

6.) Sizzling Squid– sliced juicy squid in garlicky sauce and onions topped with sliced chilis. Another great companion for a beer or just for an appetizer.

Sapin-Sapin by Tita Beth’s Pancit Malabon Haus

7. Sapin-Sapin– I missed this and Tita Beth’s cooked it just right! Not too sweet and not too sticky. Sapin-sapin is made of ground malagkit rice, corn bits and carefully prepared and layered in different colors then topped with toasted latik. This is one of their best sellers.

If you are not a pancit lover, don’t worry this eatery has more to offer. Aside from Japanese bento meals, they also serve pork barbecue, daing na bangus with rice, sizzling bulalo steak with gravy, chicken inasal and I should mention that the dinuguan is a must try! It tastes so good, just like my Lola’s home cooked dinuguan.

The author with the owners of Tita Beth’s Pancit Malabon Haus, Mernilo and Elizabeth Sales

They also accept orders for food not included in their menu (upon request) like pasta, salad, and other dishes. Opens daily at 10:00am-10:30pm. For orders, you may call (034) 435-2833/ 476-0107. 