Food Tripping in Balanga Bataan

Last Saturday I was with my family in Bataan. Whatever came into my mind was something only moms understand. Just wanted to have feel good moments with the kids. I suddenly thought that I need to tag them along while they’re still happy being with us – their parents. You see I am investing happy thoughts with my kids. Thoughts that will make them smile every time they look back when they become adults. We left the house at 25 minutes past 10 in the morning. Bringing nothing but ourselves and a little cash. Our mission: food tripping; destination: Aling Mely’s Sampalukan. By the way, early on we were oriented by my husband not to expect a classy restaurant. After all, Sampalukan is a carinderia type of eating place with good food. My husband has been talking about this carinderia for so long. This was introduced to him by his officemates from the East. After an hour and a half we finally reached the place. Thanks to the convenience of SCTEX. I was not at all surprised with the place but I was surprised to see an almost empty food showcase (escaparate). My grumbling stomach has no time for joke. Besides, we didn’t travel more than an hour for nothing.Thanks to the male cook (who I think can read minds) who was all agog in telling me that they only cook what we order. The next thing I knew was our food was being prepared excitedly by the chefs with no toque, using their literally blazing built-in stove. By the way, they use rice hull for fuel. This I think gave our food an inexplicable taste. My husband advised me to go to the Pamilihan ng Bayan ng Balanga which is very near Aling Mely’s while food is being prepared. I thought of spending his hard earned money for pasalubong back home. I really didn’t have a hard time spending my husband’s hard earned money, though, since I only have enough. However, for a moment my head was in a state of confusion trying to decide what to buy. Will I buy boneless tinapang bangus, tinapang tilapia, or bataan tuyo? Well, the woman in me decided to buy all.
The food we ordered was ready to be devoured when we got back from the market. Picture this laid on the wooden table – Sinampalukang ulo ng Tanigue, Hinalabos na Sugpo, Igat (eel) na niluto sa toyo, and inihaw na liyempo. Believe me, I could hardly get up from my seat after enjoying the feast. As for the children, it was such an experience…incomparable, unforgettable…