During my stay in General Santos City last November for the Soccsksargen Blogfest 2.0 as one of the speakers, I had the chance to try their famous pastel that is located at the East Roxas Avenue near the mayor’s office. Named as Pastel ng Masa, it’s an eatery or commonly known as carederia that offers local dishes on a very affordable price.
One of the famous southern dishes they offer is the Chicken Pastel. It is a white steamed rice topped with chicken shreds that tasted as adobo and wrapped in banana leaves that gives that sweet and appetizing aroma. Per order it only cost Php 10, while for Php 20 you can get it with hardboiled egg or for a full budget meal for Php 30 you chicken pastel goes with a warm bowl of chicken tinola soup where you can taste that sweet ginger and lemon grass taste and the broth of native chicken plus a bottle of 8ml Coca Cola (Coke Sakto).
They also have this Lato/Seaweed Salad (Ar-arusep in Ilocano) but it doesn’t have a grape-like feature but more on the branch-like but it has the same taste. It is goes with chopped red bulb onions and cucumber dressed with freshly squeezed calamansi juice and salt. An order of it only cost Php 10.
And finally, for dessert – Bukayo or caramelized coconut shreds wrap on a soft flour tortillas. It is best served hot and perfect with warm coffee. It only cost Php 10 each.
The eatery reminds of my college days where I eat at school canteen with that kind of ambiance. Spacious and open area that has posters of budget meals on the wall but with the Pastel ng Masa I love their curtains that really offers a regional touch that is truly Mindanaoan that has a touch of Islamic culture. All dishes served at the eatery are Halal certified.
