CULINARY EXPLOSION TikTok and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls’ food festival collaboration at Eastwood Central Plaza

By JAMES SAM

From house favorites such as Purefoods’ Tender Juicy Hotdogs to unconventional concoctions like Tipsy Cream’s alcohol-infused artisan ice cream, TikTok and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls paired up for an unforgettable culinary festival.

#TasteTheWorld, hosted from July 14 to 16 at the Eastwood Central Plaza, featured a diverse range of food and drink stalls offering delectable delights from all around the world.

Furthermore, top food content creators and local eateries using the campaign hashtag, #FoodFestOnTikTok, were able to showcase their innovative food items and recipes on the leading short-form mobile video platform. This collaboration between TikTok and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls enabled the cultivation of culinary creativity and gastronomic delights to find a stage both online and on the ground.

ROASTED LECHON A fully roasted pig on display at RIXS Lechon Baboy House’s stall

Starting with food options close to the heart, visitors flocked to Filipino favorites such as Grilln’s chicken isaw, baticulon, and pork barbecue and Serenitea’s renowned milk tea assortments.

One standout stall that garnered plenty of attention was The Sandwich Guy, which lured everyone in with its grilled hexagonal sandwiches, the world’s first. RIXS Lechon Baboy also drew the sight and smell of visitors, displaying a fully roasted pig as they offered pork dishes of varying serving portions. At #TasteTheWorld, these local businesses were given the opportunity to introduce themselves to food lovers and aficionados.

FIRST OF ITS KIND The Sandwich Guys’ world’s first grilled hexagonal sandwich

The culinary festival also branched out by offering international food and drinks. L’or Espresso displayed a vast selection of coffee capsules and instant mixes. It is a French brand with tastes and aromas hailing from countries such as Colombia, India, and Papua New Guinea. US-based chains such as Domino’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken were also made available. Toward the higher end, Gloria Maris offered Cantonese dim sum alongside the Singapore-based Western cuisine of Aston’s.
On Sunday, July 16, the festival ended with a bang, honoring of TikTok’s top 10 food destinations highlighted by the use of the hashtag #FoodFestOnTikTok. These are the 10 winners.

Kuya Ronnie’s
Popular for its Kanto-style fried chicken and pork chop, Kuya Ronnie’s was the first to be recognized as one of TikTok’s top food destinations. Based in Ermita, Manila, the food stall is known for selling out within hours of its opening at 10 in the morning, a sure sign of its popularity and tastiness.

Ekhikaia Seafood Restaurant
A restaurant famous for its seafood buffet, Ekhikaia Seafood Restaurant found a spot within the top 10 with its unfathomably large assortment of shrimp, fish, oysters, crawfish, and more. This seafood paradise is based in Laoag City, open every day, except Tuesday.

Miau Café
With a perfect combination of food and affection, the Cebu-based eatery captured hearts on TikTok with its cat-filled café. A cup of coffee paired with good food, such as beef salpicao and chicken pesto, is only made better at Miau Café with the addition of feline playtime.

Mendokoro Ramenba BGC
An authentic Japanese restaurant in Taguig, Mendokoro Ramenba BGC has been serving Filipinos for over 10 years. The restaurant, open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., features a spacious dining area, an open kitchen, and delicious award-winning ramen.

Wang Pau Samgyupsal
This restaurant features an unlimited Korean barbecue grill and bar with choices of premium pork, chicken, beef, and shrimp. Within its three branches in Manila, Wang Pau Samgyupsal boasts of high-quality meats at budget-friendly prices.

Seoul Sky 100 Revolving Restaurant
One of the more unique recipients of TikTok’s top food destinations award is a restaurant offering a 360-degree view of the Metro Manila skyline. Located at Eastwood City, it serves deliciously crafted Korean dishes on set menus or a la carte servings.

Poison Coffee & Doughnuts
Comprised of uniquely flavored doughnuts and excellent-tasting coffee, this local coffee shop offers traditional favorites in new fashion. Located in Makati, its menu consists of food items such as the garam masala doughnut, champorado doughnut, hazelnut blue cheese doughnut, and more.

Mang Larry’s Isawan
This well-regarded Filipino street food vendor cracked the top three of TikTok’s top food destinations. Known for its isaw manok and isaw baboy, Mang Larry’s Isawan can be found within the University of the Philippines Dilliman in Quezon City.

Emriz Bulalohan at Tapsihan
Second to the last is a restaurant famous for its small but cozy location, affordable prices, and highly-touted bulalo. Emriz Bulalohan at Tapsihan in Mandaluyong is a small canteen that serves a vast assortment of Filipino favorites.
Premier The Samgyupsal
Topping TikTok’s top food destinations is Premier The Samgyupsal, an immensely popular restaurant with branches in Taguig, Marikina, Makati, Parañaque, and Metro Manila. At this restaurant offering high-quality unlimited Korean barbecue and shabu-shabu, food lovers are spoiled for choice with unlimited side dishes and servings of pork, chicken, and beef.