Mangan - Gateway Mall 2 — Restaurant in Quezon City

Last night, I had dinner with a friend at Mangan and ordered Pinakbet with Lechon Kawali, Sisig ni Mely, two servings of Java rice, and two ripe mango shakes. Overall, the experience had its highs and lows.

Highlights:

The ripe mango shake was unexpectedly delightful and is definitely a must-try.

The Java rice was generously portioned, with its orangey hue suggesting it was cooked with oil, as evidenced by some oil residue in the bowl. The flavor was familiar, reminiscent of rice cooked with chicken adobo and annatto seeds (atsuete). While it tasted good, the slight oiliness might not appeal to everyone.

The service was excellent—servers were attentive, polite, and proactive in refilling water without being called. The restaurant’s ambiance and ceiling design were also commendable.

Areas for Improvement:

The Pinakbet with Lechon Kawali was visually appealing and portioned for three people. However, the bitter taste of the ampalaya and the undercooked squash detracted from the dish. The middle part of the squash was especially tough and slightly sour, making it unenjoyable.

The Sisig ni Mely was okay, but the texture fell short of expectations. It was too soft, feeling almost as if it had been boiled instead of cooked in the traditional way. It lacked the crispy or sizzling quality that many diners, including myself, typically prefer. While the flavor was good, the soft-boiled texture was unappetizing, and I found it hard to enjoy the dish overall.

In summary, while the mango shake, attentive service, and pleasant ambiance stood out, some dishes, particularly the Pinakbet and Sisig, could use improvement. A crispier version of their Sisig and better preparation of the vegetables in the Pinakbet would elevate the dining experience. I look forward to returning and hope these changes are considered. The pricing of the food is reasonable and aligns well with the portion sizes offered.

We were seated at a corner table. However, there was a fly occasionally hovering around when the food was served. Thankfully, it eventually went away...

Wouldn't recommend: Ang nagustuhan lang namin is ung service, it was impeccable, that’s why we are giving them 2 stars.

They gave us a cancelled order from another table so hindi mainit ung food 😅

We ordered their meal set: Karekare- una mong malalasahan is ung msg 😅 Hindi toasted ung peanuts, so bland ung lasa ng sauce. Sisig- it was okay, medyo salty but nothing a little bit of calamansi can’t fix. Pinakbet- undercooked ung veggies. Crispy hito- we dont eat hito, they were nice enough to replace it with inihaw na bangus. The fish was okay, but not something you’ll come back for. Again, hindi mainit ung food soooo 🤷🏻‍♀️ Leche Flan- Its literally milk gelatin with runny sugar liquid. Its too runny to be called syrup.

Toilet: There were pee stains everywhere, didn't use it. We opted to use the mall’s public restroom

Ambiance: it’s your typical filipino diner atmosphere. Like Kuya J’s, Aristocrat, or Razon’s, very franchisable.

Service: maganda ung service nila, accommodating ung managers and servers. They are kind and patient, ung katabi naming table pinagsabihan ung server nila pero di nya pinatulan si lolo, very commendable.

Final thoughts: Kapampangan kami, so we thought the place would be good, we were severely...

Mangan restaurant holds a special place in the hearts of many for its classic Filipino Kapampangan dishes, a cuisine known for its rich flavors and hearty servings. With decades of history behind it, Mangan has earned its reputation as a go-to spot for authentic Filipino fare. The prices are fair, making it accessible to a wide range of diners.

While the taste of the dishes may not necessarily stand out as spectacular, they deliver on the comforting familiarity that many seek in traditional Filipino cooking. However, where Mangan could improve is in the speed of service. Faster service would enhance the overall dining experience, especially during peak hours when patrons are eager to savor their favorite dishes without waiting too long.

Despite this, the staff at Mangan shines with their friendly demeanor and delivered service well even though they made a mistake in one of our orders they gave it away for free.

In summary, Mangan restaurant offers a reliable option for those craving classic Filipino Kapampangan cuisine at reasonable prices. While there's room for improvement in terms of service speed, the friendly staff and comforting ambiance make it a worthwhile destination for a taste of...