Ama’s Recipe Has Arguably the Best Kiampong in the City
I’m not exactly an expert when it comes to traditional Chinese cuisine, but I just had arguably the best Kiampong in the city. The community quarantine in Metro Manila has forced most foodies like me to rely on food delivery apps and small home-based sellers for our foodie adventures during the past few months. While dining at hotels and restaurants is an activity I sorely miss, there’s nothing more satisfying than having a quality home-cooked meal prepared with love and attention. That is the feeling I got when I tried the elegant Kiampong from Ama’s Recipe.
Ama means grandmother in Hokkien, the language spoken by the Filipino-Chinese community in the country. I’m a Filipina, but I do have a lot of Filipino-Chinese friends, including my fiancé who is a Fil-Chi himself. That is why I have also been exposed to some of their traditional cuisine like the kiampong. Ama’s Recipe is a small home-based enterprise which started operations just this month. Run by young entrepeneur Alexis Nicole Sze, they specialize in serving the secret-recipe kiampong lovingly served by their grandmother throughout the years. One of my friends recommended that I give it a try, and I was pleasantly surprised with my order which arrived a few days ago.
My delivery came in still hot and fresh. Ama’s Recipe only has a limited menu, but it’s really their unique kiampong that has everyone talking about them. It’s not the usual kiampong that I have experienced before from my other friends and family, but it packs a lot more flavors and ingredients that truly makes it extra special.
An order of Ama’s Signature Kiampong (P250) is already good for 2-3 persons. Kiampong is a traditional dish found in Filipino Chinese families which is usually prepared by the grandmothers and older generations. It is essentially a casserole dish or a type of fried rice which comes with various ingredients, making it a complete meal by itself.
Ama’s Signature Kiampong is quite different because it is prepared with a twist of fresh and healthy ingredients. Inside this rice dish, you will find tofu, carrots, spring onions, adobo peanuts, and meat. The combination is quite unique, especially the addition of carrots and tofu which gives it a different texture. I really love the explosion of flavors with every bite. It’s honestly the best kiampong I have ever tasted!
Ama’s Recipe also offers Tea Eggs (P150-6 pcs) which are best paired with the kiampong. Also called marble eggs because of their color and look, these are boiled in Chinese tea leaves with sauces and spices, giving it a savory taste. It adds another dimension to the already delicious kiampong. My fiancé says that this really brings back memories of his own grandmother’s cooking which he truly misses.
They also offer their Adobo Peanuts (P200-300 grams) separately if you want to add more toppings to the kiampong like I do, or just to munch on them as a snack. These are much better than the streetside peanuts being sold outside and I’m sure they are also healthier.
Now I understand why Alexis and her family feel that they should share this recipe with the rest of the community. Her ama’s unconditional love for her grandchildren makes her kiampong truly special. Ama’s Recipe delivers their signature dishes only during the weekends, so it’s better to book your orders early. You can contact them on Facebook and Instagram for your deliveries which can be done through Grab or Lalamove and will be charged to the buyer. I’m definitely ordering their signature kiampong again soon.
Chez: It was like, second to the last day of my work (?), and Kenneth decided to accompany me to do some work errands. I always wanted to try Sincerity, since they’re famous for their Sincerity Fried Chicken. So of course, we had to try that! Besides that we also tried their Kiampong Special and Cha Bihon. The Fried Chicken, is nevertheless, tasty and packed with flavor! No wonder they’re really famous for that. The restaurant will definitely give you the traditional style Chinese Restaurant vibes (sharing tables with strangers, masusungit na servers) and besides that, those classic and lovely Chinese ceramic plates will add more feel to your experience.
Ken: After a 2 hours commute and walk to find this cafe, I must say that its sincerity is authentic (I just hope the servers have sincerity as well, LOL) For the place, it is okay and a little bit small though the cafe is in full blast and even tables are being shared at that time because of the unexpected numbers of customers or as just Chez said it is a Chinese Restaurant Vibe. As for the food, we tried their Sincerity Fried Chicken & Kiampong is so delicious then we added Cha Bihon as well but it’s not that tasty. It’s my first time in a Chinese Restaurant and will definitely try more Chinese restaurant soon!
Pag ang problema pinroblema mo ay sir mamomroblema ka talaga, hanapan na Lang natin ng solusyon 😁 so pag gutom kain #Maki #Kiampong #Aaronsfudtography https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx9d5KeHa9m/?igshid=120u7mnope8xg
I learned something on Sunday. #Oysterpancake and I are enemies 😡 Though, #kikiam and #kiampong are 👌 (at Chuan Kee) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqWvw1ql75J1j8dp2lBkIExV5BtwnSP6clgsAY0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8xjwt6wkojaq
" Caloocan City : Overview of Community Affairs Issue No.3 A Publication of the Caloocan City Government Oct.2016 " Tony's Carinderia We Would Like To Thanks to all Staff and Members of the Publisher of the Caloocan City Magazine for Including us as One of the Oldest Restaurant on Caloocan Again From Tony's Family Thank You So Much!!.. LoVe 💕 LoVe 💕Love 💕 #soupnumber5 #gokong #lengua #kiampong #litid #adobongribs (at Caloocan)
" Caloocan City : Overview of Community Affairs Issue No.3 A Publication of the Caloocan City Government Oct.2016 " Tony's Carinderia We Would Like To Thanks to all Staff and Members of the Publisher of the Caloocan City Magazine for Including us as One of the Oldest Restaurant on Caloocan Again From Tony's Family Thank You So Much!!.. LoVe 💕 LoVe 💕Love 💕 #soupnumber5 #gokong #lengua #kiampong #litid #adobongribs (at Jollibee 9th Ave)
