Food
WRAPPING THINGS up with a bang! The final article for this year’s JSEC Challenge Roundup delves into dishes anchored in Western cuisine. Whether drawn from rustic European hearths or bustling American diners, these stalls carry stories of heritage and adaptation. Here, we savor the essence of Western culinary craftsmanship, highlighting dishes that balance nostalgia with novelty and simplicity with sophistication.
Hestia: Golden Pumpkin Firebowl (Php 140)
Hestia brings the heart of Greek comfort food to life, offering soulful dishes that embrace warmth, tradition, and nourishment. Its Golden Pumpkin Firebowl is a testament to the beauty of simplicity. The first spoonful unfurls like a slow sunrise of rich and velvety golden purée, carrying a light sweetness that lingers on the palate. Cradled in a sourdough bowl, the soup seeps into the bread’s embrace, allowing its silkiness to meld with the bread’s gentle bite. The result is a perfect harmony between the tangy flavor of the sourdough and the soup’s delicately mild essence.
While Hestia excels in the warmth of a home-cooked meal, an extra peppery kick can enhance the soup’s flavor and depth. As the soup seeps into the bread bowl, it brings an inviting experience, but risks becoming overly dense from absorbing too much broth. Still, for those craving a soulful and affordable meal that lingers on the tongue and remains in the memory, this Firebowl offers the quiet glow of a well-fed hearth.
4/5 🎃🎃🎃🎃/🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
KAHLO: FRIDA FISH (Php 150)
Drawing inspiration from the iconic painter Frida Kahlo and the rich culture and influence of Mexico, KAHLO is a wonderful surprise of simple yet perfected flavors. Their offering of tapas (small bites) is great for those who need a quick fix of something delicious. The signature FRIDA FISH, their take on a fish taco, looks unassuming at first glance but packs a punch. The fish tastes fresh and savory with a rich umami flavor, while also neutralizing the distinct fishy aftertaste that one might expect.
The batter is also well-seasoned, providing a nice crunch that complements the tenderness of the fish. The cabbage toppings add an interesting texture to the meal, while the lemon juice and white sauce add an extra zesty kick to an already delicious snack. Biting down on this dish was satisfying, and though it doesn’t break new ground, it is still so worth it.
4/5 🐟🐟🐟🐟/🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟
Krunch’d: Japanese Style Waffle Sandwich with O.G Gravy (Php 120)
Krunch’d fuses classic comfort food and dials up the crunch, promising bold flavors and textures that make every bite an indulgence. Their Japanese-Style Waffle Sandwich with O.G Gravy reimagines timeless treats with the playful contrast of crispness and richness. The golden waffle—light yet well-pressed—lends a delicate sweetness that harmonizes with the boldly seasoned fried chicken, coated in a batter with hints of garlic and pepper, along with subtle undertones of mirin and soy from the marinade.
Crisp lettuce and fresh tomato add a refreshing counterpoint, cutting through the richness like a cool breeze on a sweltering day. However, the chicken leans slightly dry, lacking the juicy tenderness that would make each bite truly satisfying. Nonetheless, the O.G Gravy is its saving grace—an umami-laden sauce that attempts to salvage the dish by adding moisture. Yet, even its savory intensity struggles to compensate for the dryness of the chicken, leaving the overall experience underwhelming and disjointed.
2/5 🧇🧇/🧇🧇🧇🧇🧇
La Cantina Grano: Beef Barbacoa (Php 200)
La Cantina Grano (The Grain Canteen) stands out as one of this year’s more elaborate stalls, with distinct branding that emphasizes its Mexican inspiration and mirrors the plentiful options that come with its build-your-own-bowl concept. Their most popular combination, the Beef Barbacoa with Red Rice and Sweet Potato Fries, looks enticing at first, but ultimately leaves much to be desired.
The Red Rice feels a bit bland and unfresh, evident through its clumpy texture and faint seasoning. The Beef Barbacoa, despite being smoky and tender, has flavors overwhelming to the tongue, with nothing to mellow out its intensity. Exacerbating this clash is the similarly overpowering chipotle sauce added on top. While the Sweet Potato Fries provide a small spark, the pieces are not crispy enough and fail to balance out the intensity of the plate. In the end, this set simply lacks harmony, and buyers may need to look at the other combinations if they seek a better experience.
1/5 🌾/🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾
The White House: The Washington Grill (Php 130)
The Washington Grill packs a quarter-pounder punch that makes for a hearty pick-me-up snack, but it may not be your best bet if you prefer a savory burger. Sweetness dominates every bite with the dish’s caramelized onions, lettuce, and its signature sauce. As the flavor unfolds, however, the onions add a satisfying crunch but ultimately overpower the expected beefy depth.
Unfortunately, the so-called signature sauce is barely noticeable, leaving the dish without the extra layer of flavor that could have tied everything together. Add in a long wait time and the burger loses its just-grilled freshness. While it is a decent snack, it is not a standout that it aims to be.
2/5 🍔🍔/🍔🍔🍔🍔🍔
Wagwan: Jerk Chicken with Rice and Beans (Php 140)
The Jerk Chicken with Rice and Beans that Wagwan offers is an unexpected yet satisfying pairing, presenting a more accessible take on authentic Jamaican flavors that delivers a comforting and well-balanced meal. The Caribbean-style roast chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender, though its spices lack the bold kick expected from typical Jamaican cuisine. As a result, the overall flavor profile feels more approachable but less true to its roots.
The rice offers a rich, meaty taste but falls short in texture. Surprisingly though, the beans add depth and contrast to the overall consistency of the meal. Completing the plate, the fried sweet plantains on the side serve as the perfect palate cleanser, as their caramelized sweetness is balanced by a pinch of salt, making for a cohesive meal. While it may not be the first choice for a quick value meal, it offers a unique indulgence that feels a bit more special without stretching the budget too much.
3/5 🍗🍗🍗/🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗
