Bulaluhan sa España: One of Manila's Best-Kept Secrets

Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Recently, I was able to take part in GMA News TV's POP Talk as one of the reviewers for the "Basta driver, food lover" episode which aired yesterday. Although I'm usually out and about when scouring for food spots, I have never gone food tripping in España yet, so I'm very fortunate to have discovered a humble eatery in the area, Bulaluhan sa España.
Bulaluhan sa España

I honestly didn't plan on blogging about the driver-recommended carinderias we've visited for the episode. However, Bulaluhan sa España really stood out among the eateries we've tried out. And since I got to take decent photos even while shooting, I guess I don't really have enough reasons why I shouldn't share about this yummy bulalo place which garnered a perfect score of 9 POP points from all three of us, POP Talk reviewers.

Bulaluhan sa España Pop Talk

Although the two other eateries featured on the episode were well-maintained and clean enough, Bulaluhan sa España was the most spacious and conducive when it comes to ambiance. It has both an outdoor and indoor dining area, the latter being brightly-lit with cream-colored walls. Maaliwalas as I call it. Ventilation is also good. Plus, they have a television and not just one, but two clean comfort rooms. We also got to check their kitchen and cookware, and I'm very impressed at how organized and clean they were.

Bulaluhan sa España Special Bulalo P118

Being named after bulalo, of course we didn't miss trying out their ever-famous Filipino dish. They offered 2 kinds of bulalo -- Regular (P68) which is sinigang na baboy-based, and Special (P118) which is nilagang baka-based. We ordered the special one which was served in just a few minutes time. And after my first spoonful, I was sold! The broth alone was very flavorful, and the beef was so tender and succulent that it literally falls off the bone. The vegetables and corn were cooked nicely, far from being withered. The bone marrow on the other hand, was my favorite part as it was so tasty and so sinful.

Bulaluhan sa España Chicharon Bulaklak P48

Another item we got to try was the Chicharon Bulaklak (P48) which is deep-fried pork intestines. As you can see on the photo, the plate was already almost empty before I even got to snap a shot. That's how good it was. In short, mabenta! And although I know how highly unhealthy this crunchy delicacy is, I can't help but eat a piece after another.

Bulaluhan sa España Sisig P60

We also had an order of Sisig (P60) which is generally one of my most favorite Filipino dishes. However, compared to the first two items we had, this one fell below expectation. My fellow reviewer, Kuya Boni, found this sisig dish a little bland. If only this was a little more salty, it would have been quite good as I liked how chewy and slightly crispy it was to the bite. Oh, and I think I would very much appreciate it if this came as sizzling sisig.

Bulaluhan sa España Liempo P48 per serving

After the so-so sisig, our dining experience had a nice rebound with this Liempo (P48) which was really tender, juicy and oh-so-flavorful. It had a nice sweet, savory and smoky flavor which left all of us oohing and ahhing at every bite. Kuya Tonipet and Alyssa even ordered several servings for take out. Now, doesn't that speak of how good this grilled liempo dish was? Take note however, this liempo in the photo is not the actual serving.

Bulaluhan sa España Hito

The last item we had was the Inihaw na Hito. Although I forgot how much a single serving (one piece) of this dish costs, I can guarantee that it's still very affordable at around a hundred pesos, more or less. Honestly, I'm quite picky when it comes to grilled fish items 'cause most of the time, people tend to overcook them. However, I'm really impressed at how soft and moist this smoky and flavorful catfish dish was.

THE VERDICT

Aside from the exposure and the experience, I'm very thankful to POP Talk for introducing me to Bulaluhan sa España which really left me impressed. Aside from its specialty, the bulalo, their other dishes were also worth more than their price. For a humble eatery, Bulaluhan sa España's dining space and even its kitchen, is clean and well-maintained. The owners and servers were also very friendly and helpful. And oh, haven't I mentioned that Bulaluhan sa España is open 24/7? So with good food, great prices, and a clean restaurant, I stand by my verdict.. Pop na pop!

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 5/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Bulaluhan sa España, Manila
2166 España Cor. Josefina St.,
Sampaloc, Manila
Philippines
(02) 781-7353

51 comments:

  1. i love bulalo! is it better than leslie's? looks really tasty =)



    whatwouldemdo.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi sis, I can't really tell yet 'cause I haven't tried Leslie's pa. I'll make sure to try it when I go to Tagaytay though :)

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    2. Had a very BAAAD experience in your restaurant. expecting that bulalo had a "nilaga" taste but it turns out that it takes like sinigang na baboy. sana po sinabi nyo nalang na sinigang na baboy, hindi regular bulalo. I've always been your regular customer for 5years. but now, i will never go to your restaurant again.

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    3. Hi Charles, I'm in no way connected to Bulaluhan sa Espana. I just blogged about my experience after trying it out. Anyway, so sad to hear about your experience. I'm not sure if they tell it directly, pero the Regular order nga makes use of "sinignang" as base. It's the Special serving that uses "nilaga".

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  2. It was very near our school but we haven't tried it. Bummer.


    http://www.dekaphobe.com/

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    1. Sayang naman. Maybe you can try it out when you visit your school next time? :)

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  3. My husband and I ate there last night, and I can say that their bulalo is tasteful. I also notice they used an expensive rice because of the smell and taste.But unlike the picture of the bulalo you have posted there is no corn but only one leaf of petchay:( The liempo is good too... and the chicharong bulaklak is already sold out last night.

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    1. Aww.. Maybe they've also ran out of corn? From what I know, dishes at Bulaluhan sa España always get sold out very easily.

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  4. This restaurant is a favorite of pop talk so we're really intrigued about it. This was featured as one of the best bulaluhan and now driver's favorite. Plus, I love chicharon bulalak. Their pricing is so cheap we wanna go there asap. hahah

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    1. I think it's not in Pop Talk this was first featured, but in "Ang Pinaka" if I'm not mistaken :)

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  5. Watched that show last tuesday... sarap ng food trip nyo!!!

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  6. Try namin to. Ang lapit samin! =)

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  7. Sana mapadpad ako dito one time. FM loves Bulalo. :)

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  8. isa lang masasabi ko: ANG MURA!!!

    I'll tell my husband about this.. bulalo fanatic un eh haha

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  9. Yes, I agree.. it's super affordable talaga! So drooling at the sisig and the bulalo!! I miss Filipino food so badly!

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  10. I was craving for all the food I saw on the pictures.You are lucky to be one of the reviewers of Pop Talk.The food looks good and also affordable.

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  11. Ooohhhh... it looks yummy! And affordable. Can't believe the price is much cheaper than the other carinderias! :))

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  12. I don't like this post, it makes me hungry for bulalo and fish, and liempo. Now i feel like i want to go home and explore those delicious, heavenly food again! That place is worthy to be visited because of how appetizing their foods are!

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  13. OMG! you made my stomach and tongue crave for this delectable comfort food. i this this so bad :(

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  14. Oh wow! Congrats for being on GMA TV's Pop Talk :-)
    Bulalo,liempo,sisig,chicharon bulaklak everything looks delish!

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  15. I miss these kind of food! The bulalu hmmmmm good for cold days! And of course those fish inihaw my goodness! Grrrrrr lol

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  16. Oh boy the foods are yummy can I have some?

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  17. the foods are delish :-) Soup is what I need this chilly day here in New York :-)

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  18. where in espana is this located? a must try eatery when I get to visit UST!

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    1. I don't know any landmarks near the place, but exact address is at the bottom of the post ;) Go visit it Kim! Their bulalo is really good and very affordable.

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    2. not familiar with the address, though. but anyway, will fnd and visit this. been craving for bulalo since my first taste of myrna's. have you tried their version?

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  19. I already heard this Bulaluhan sa Espana, but, I haven't tried it myself. My father loves bulalo and I'll tell him to visit this place.

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  20. Wow, looking at the pictures makes me really hungry. I miss those foodies :-)

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  21. yummm ang sarap naman....can i have some????

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  22. Bulalo yum! I usually go for the regular as sinigang + gnawing at the bone completes my meal for me. Btw, that fish dish.. I think it is catfish (hito) rather than Tilapia from how it looks. :)

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    1. Oh my, you're so right! Thank you for pointing that out, I actually though what we had was really tilapia.. haha.. But since you've mentioned it, I was reminded that we actually had hito! Thank you!!! :)

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  23. Bulalo for the win!!!

    Never tried the grilled hito and I don't know why I can't seem to digest chicharon bulaklak.

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  24. hi sumi, can i date you there? =)

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  25. I'd be more interested if you ever choose to visit them again randomly para makita kung ano ang quality ng food nila and cleanliness on an average day. Just to see kung consistent ang food and service quality kahit walang tv crew.

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  26. Waaaah !!!! Nadadaanan ko lang sya, yun pala yun. Hmm curious masarap pala foods nila dun. Im gonna try na pag nagpunta ulit ako Tayuman. Thanks for sharing. :)))

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  27. I also like sabaw, speacially BULALO! that's Kuya Tonipet on the pic:) Haven't been there...hope to dine there someday :)

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  28. Bulalo is the best dish to eat this cold december day.

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  29. Bulalo is the best dish to eat this cold december day.

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  30. wow! bulalo! my favorite definitely im gonaa find this place!

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  31. the best dish anytime. wanna try this one :D

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  32. love their sisig so much!! rapsa!!

    carla venice relayo
    cahris_relayo@yahoo.com

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  33. masarap yang bulalo lalo na't BER MOnth na nayon,. wanna try that kaya lang maxadong malayo sa amin,.

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  34. gusto kong itry yung sisig nila, gusto kong malaman kung kasing sarap ba ng sisig dito sa pampanga,.

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  35. ang layo ng location,. kapag nakaluwas kami ng manila, aayain ko mga anak ko dyan,.

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  36. lived in the Sampaloc area for ten years in my student days and this is tops

    btw, when resto owners know you're coming or gonna be reviewed, it's not surprising to see clean CRs and kitchens and great presentation...it's a given

    try to go there without the tv crew and you'll know what I mean :)

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  37. Will definitely try their ever popular bulalo and the chicharon bulaklak. The hito looks good too, mmm?

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  38. Excellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! keep rocking. pregnenolona y dhea

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