Pancit Batil Patong – Bustillos, Manila

Where in the world are we heading for lunch? - grumpy me

We endured the mid-afternoon heat and conquered the wilderness of downtown Manila just to have lunch. I hate surprises, but this pancit batil patong lunch rendezvous was a pleasant one.

We had some errands around the area, and as expected, my buddy checked for panciterias that serve our fave pancit dish in the world a few days before we went there. We have this love affair with Cagayan’s Pancit Batil Patong that we tried a few years ago during our Tuguegarao trip. We also did a weekend trip there last year just to savor the legit pancit. And in between those trips, we would dream about having our favorite pancit here in the metro, thus; the constant search for the ones that would come as close to what we had in Tuguegarao was inevitable.

We were quite unfamiliar with the area of Bustillos in Manila so it took us quite a while to finally reach his new panciteria find (I have no idea on how he found out about this new happy place). It was like a treasure hunt of some sort with some prized gems waiting for us at the end (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Metro Manila). 

Cagayan's Best Pancit Batil Patong

Cagayan’s Best has been serving Pancit Batil Patong for two years now. It wasn’t an easy road for them though; according to Ms. Merly, the owner, business has been going up and down for so long after they established their own name with quite a number of following.

As soon as we’re settled, we checked out the menu on a huge tarp outside, we preferred to endure the summer heat of June (apparently, summer has been extended) on the outside dining area. There are three or four standard sizes to choose from in most of panciterias we’ve been to. The toppings and servings usually vary as you go up the price ladder.

They have Regular (60 Pesos), Special (70 Pesos) and Super Special (80 Pesos) options; the differences on these were explained to us by our host (sizes and toppings). Of course, we usually order the best of the best so we went for two orders of their Super Special pancit which is loaded with carabeef and liver meat.

While waiting for our happy food to arrive, we cheerily chatted with the owner and learned that almost all of their ingredients for the pancit (noodles, carabeef, liver meat, soy sauce and more) are regularly transported from Tuguegarao – spell legit.

We also noticed that they have Chicha-Rabao for 60 Pesos (Cagayan’s local chicharon made out of carabao skin) and Alcala Sweets’ milk candy that are also brought regularly from Cagayan.

You have to try this!

After the waiting game was over, our lovely pancit arrived and boy it was really huge!

The hefty serving was a feast. We were drooling while taking snaps of it. The smell was perfectly comparable to the legit ones. We couldn’t wait some more and sampled it right away. And it was good, really good. It felt like we were transported back on our pancit gigs in Tuguegarao.

It was huge

The overloaded toppings of carabeef and fried liver meat bits were tasty; not maanggo like what we had in a panciteria in Kamuning. The julienned veggies were crunchy and the poached egg (patong) was buried inside. The egg drop soup (batil) was perfect. No carajay or fried pork bits was found – the most legit way of serving it, according to the owner (who owns Cherry’s Panciteria in Tuguegarao, circa 1977).

Everything was exquisitely done and served with love. You could truly feel its authenticity, especially if you’ve tried the original ones. This has to be one of the best pancit batil patong in Metro Manila (tied in first place with Jib’s Panciteria in Paco,Manila).

The best so far

It was as if we’re not contented yet on our first visit that we went back two days after with some of our friends for another round of pancit showdown. This time, me and my buddy opted to try out something new.

We ordered two of their silog meals, still, inspired from Cagayan. We had Carabeef Silog for 45 pesos (fried carabeef, fried rice and fried egg) and Longga Silog for 40 pesos (carabeef sausage, fried rice and egg). And both were equally yummy. 

Carabeef Silog

Longga Silog

To finish it off, we ordered another round of Super Special pancit and Chicha-Rabao (hot and spicy).

Burp

And truly, it is one of the most legit pancit batil patong places in the metro. Me thinking of going back there again this weekend. Hmmm…

Cagayan’s Best Pancit Batil Patong

SDRC Building, 1318 G.Tuazon Street,

Sampaloc, Manila (in front the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses)

Contact Number: (+63) 926.773.7303

Open Hours: Everyday | 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.