Food
MADEATS CO. is their name and innovation is their game. This restaurant group has proven to be at the forefront of the digital food and beverage (F&B) industry by being one of the first known cloud kitchens in the Philippines. Moreover, MadEats Co. has also joined the modernization of local cuisine by reinventing traditional Filipino dishes.
MadEats Co. was born during the latter part of 2020 with the future of the F&B industry in mind—a future where online deliveries become at par with the physical dining experience. With its six brands and counting, MadEats Co.’s future in the food business is bright. Vantage Magazine tries out their bestsellers Crispy Pork Sinigang Fried Nice, Pinoy Spaghetti Fried Nice, and Sticky Champorado Rolls to see how MadEats Co. breathes new life into well-loved classics.
One of the most notable food concepts under MadEats’ belt is Fried Nice—a Filipino-themed brand that focuses on modernizing beloved Pinoy staples such as kare-kare, sinigang, and sisig. Fried Nice’s decision to showcase reinvented Filipino meals in their bill of fare is an interesting one, especially with the ongoing issue on the dangers of over-modifying traditional dishes. MadEats’ Fried Nice manages to combine Filipino classics together into mouth watering meals that bring out the best of the traditional recipes.
Their Crispy Pork Sinigang Fried Nice stands out among all their meals due to all its eye-catching colors and textures. The meal meshes two distinct textures together: The crispiness of the triple-fried pork belly contrasts with the chewiness of the sticky sinigang rice. The green mango ensalada on the side gives the dish its sour taste and packs quite a punch during your first bite. It’s a soup-less take on the crowd-favorite sinigang, and this new form is perfect for those who want a filling meal on the go without the threat of spillage that you would expect from your regular sinigang soup.
First the sour, now the sweet. Their Pinoy Spaghetti Fried Nice consists of sweet spaghetti sauce that was thoroughly mixed into the rice and fried along with a generous amount of ground beef bits. Topped off with sliced hotdogs and grated cheese, this meal reminds one of all the spaghetti served during children’s birthday parties. The only distinct change made by the dish is its switch from the usual noodles to rice.
However, when considering cultural significance, the original sweet spaghetti recipe wins over the Pinoy Spaghetti Fried Nice. This is mainly due to the fact that noodles are traditionally used to wish birthday celebrants a longer life.
Lastly, Fried Nice’s Sticky Champorado Rolls serve as an interesting dessert to close the meal. It may look burnt at first, but don’t let looks deceive you. These crispy caramelized rolls are equal parts crunchy and soft. The turon-like dessert greets you with its smooth and creamy chocolate champorado interior, while the exterior is sugary sweet. The sweet condensed milk dip accompanying the snack gives a milky touch. Its appearance barely resembles the usual champorado in a bowl, but the rolls still similarly serve as a great pick-me-up no matter what time of the day.
These three dishes pay homage to the original recipes all while giving it a unique twist that’s sure to pique the interest of one’s taste buds. It’s commendable that their reinvention of Filipino meals stay true to the original by using the chief ingredients of each viand, instead of doing a complete overhaul of these Filipino classics. Ultimately, their current lineup makes us more excited for what the brand will whip up next.
