Rice Monster

The long and short (grain) of it, really, is that Filipinos are actually Rice Monsters in disguise. Juice.ph lists the most popular sites for your rice cravings!

It’s been said before – Filipinos love their rice. We love it sticky, dry; in cakes, soup, noodles, and even juice. Maybe it’s because Filipino ulam is always so saucy. It would be unimaginable to serve adobo without rice. In the same way, the culture in the Philippines dictates that bread is for sandwiches only and does not serve as a substitute, one of the only customs we've rejected from the colonial West. The long and short (grain) of it, really, is that we are our very own Rice Monsters.Juice.ph lists the most popular sites for everything rice - restaurants that serve it in unlimited quantities and those that make you take it home in a little box - just for the Rice-zilla in you. 

*The Rice-to-Ulam Ratio is based on serving size, not taste and quality.
The ratings are based on 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest.

Take-Out Rice Meals

1. Box O' Rice

This little nook offers a variety of rice toppings in the P70 price range, friendly to students along Katipunan Avenue. Featuring some pseudo-international toppings, the food is still served Filipino style with plenty of rice, some ulam, and enough sauce coating the leftover rice to keep you eating until the bottom. They deliver, too, so take down that number!

Rice-to-Ulam Ratio: 5:3
“Subo” Factor: 5/5
Must-Order: Mongolian Rice (vegetables, chicken, squid) and Beef Salpicao (sirloin cubes, garlic, mushrooms)

2. CANNAN Bistro

Graduating from school canteens and bazaars, the CANNAN Bistro now has an alumni of once-hungry customers forever satisfied with their menu of flavorful, home-style cooked meals. The chic,  two-storey restaurant (located above Copylandia, beside Bo's Coffee along Katipunan Ave.) is available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery services, so that you can have your rice fix when you need it (and more: don't forget to check their chef's weekly specials that feature side dishes and desserts, like a fried spaghetti dish!). The tasteful ambiance requires around P100 per meal.

Rice-to-Ulam Ratio: 5:5
"Subo" Factor: 5/5
Must-Order: SPAM Rice (comfort food) and Alipusta (aligue-pusit rice for you!)

3. RBX (Rice In A Box)

This is affordable fast food for the quick-but-big eater. Prices range from P40-P60 per rice topping meal. The food has a touch of Chinese to it, which makes sense knowing that the first branch was in Chinatown. They now have various kiosks and stalls located around the Metro, like in Farmer's Plaza in Cubao, Harrison Plaza in Pasay, "Hepa-lane" in R. Papa Street in Manila, and Binondo itself.

Rice-to-Ulam Ratio: 5:5
"Subo" Factor: 4/5
Must-Order: Seafood Bagoong Chowfan (that's right!) and Beef Terriyaki

4. Singkit

Sometimes what's better than Chinese food is Filipinized Chinese food! Singkit on Makati Ave. provides for just that kind of craving, with prices that range from P80 for dumplings and P120 rice toppings. Some dishes can serve up to 8 people, perfect for office lunches to-go.

Rice-to-Ulam Ratio: 5:3
"Subo" Factor: 3/5
Must-Order: Sweet and Sour Pork

5. Binalot

This is the way Filipinos used to do it; so, even if you're in your office barong or high heels, dig in. Wrapped in (biodegradable!) banana leaves, these meals pack a Pinoy flavor – with a side of salted egg and tomato – in their fast food for less than P100. Find your nearest Binalot stall or store here!

Rice-to-Ulam Ratio: 5:4
"Subo" Factor: 5/5
Must-Order: Fiesta Adobo and Anytime Inihaw na Baboy

All-You-Can-Eat Rice

It seems there's something about these Visayan grilled recipes that make them go perfectly with rice. Two big boys in the inasal industry make the choice for unlimited rice a true battle for the tummy and the taste buds!

1. Mang Inasal

With branches everywhere in the Metro and nationwide, Mang Inasal put unlimited rice on the map of hungry Filipinos. The recipe isn't actually your authentic inasal, but, hey, Jollibee's sweet spaghetti isn't Italian either. So, don't complain for a meal that's less than P100! Click here for their menu.

Rice-to-Ulam Ratio: 5:5
"Subo" Factor: 4/5
Must-Order: Paa with Rice

2. Chic-Boy

For P99, you get unlimited rice and a choice of juicy, well-cooked ulam to fill you up. And this is one lunch favorite that can actually boast of getting pretty close to that authentic Visayan barbeque flavor. There's also a nice bottle of chicken oil at each table to make your rice experience even more flavorful and genuinely Illongo. Click here for their menu.

Rice-to-Ulam Ratio: 5:5
"Subo" Factor: 5/5
Must-Order: Cebu Lechon Manok and Chicken Inasal

You might also want to check out these Dining articles:

Beer Belly
Anytime, Anywhere: ANDOK'S!!!
Quirky Pinoy Food Faves!
Cheapskate Food Date: Quezon City