When asked, “Which restaurant do you recommend in Baguio? I almost always get the answer, “Good Taste Restaurant”. The name of the restaurant expresses their confidence, doesn’t it? So, let me introduce a very famous restaurant that you should try at least once when you come to Baguio!
Location of Goodtaste Restaurant
Goodtaste Restaurant is located in the center of the city, just a 5-minute walk from Burnham Park, and has a rating of 4.4 Stars (9740) on Google Maps, which shows its popularity. It is the most well-known restaurant in Baguio. It is open 24 hours a day.
The entire building in the photo above, from the first to the fifth floor, is occupied by Good Taste Restaurant, which has an area larger than a Japanese family restaurant, and can accommodate more than 500 customers.
Although the restaurant is of such a scale, the line waiting for a table extends outside during lunch and dinner hours. This is true on both weekdays and holidays, and there is never a time when I did not see a line. So when you visit, try to avoid the peak hours and arrive somewhat early to avoid waiting in line.
Restaurant interior and menu
Goodtaste Restaurant’s menu is of the “Filipino-Chinese” genre. Basically, the menu features dishes that are familiar to Filipinos, but the flavors are Chinese-like and match the Japanese palate. The menu is easy to understand with pictures as shown below.
The secret of the restaurant’s popularity is that it is inexpensive despite its generous portions. You will almost never feel that you have had enough after eating here. They serve surprisingly large portions. Basically, it is common to order mainly from the platter menu and share the food.
The Combo Meals shown above is a one-plate dish. In addition to the platter menu, there are also set menus that can be completed by one person, so small groups of people can visit without worry.
There is also a full drink and dessert menu.
There is also a morning menu available early in the morning from 5:00 to 10:00. It includes a drink, and the contents are gutsy.
The restaurant is spacious, but always crowded with people. Seating is determined by the number of customers, so if you are given a card, show it to the staff upon entering the restaurant and sit in your assigned seat.
One of the unique features of this restaurant is that there are several catering robots in operation, which can be seen in Japanese family restaurants. I never expected to see such a sight in the mountain town of Baguio. They are fulfilling their duties as an important labor force in the Philippines. Perhaps it is because of my imagination, but they seem to be working with more satisfaction than in Japan.
ComboMeals !
Good Taste Fried Rice 190 peso
I ordered this menu item, which has a recommendation mark and the name of the restaurant. The appearance says it all, and it’s still delicious. This half-fried chicken seems to be the signature dish of the restaurant. The vegetables are also seasoned like those at a Japanese Chinese restaurant, which is somewhat reassuring.
Below is the menu my friend had.
Fried Rice with Beef 170 peso
Fish, Shrimp Tofu Rice 200 peso
The platter menu is also available!
Buttered Chicken 280 peso
Birds Nest Soup 230 peso
Fried Rice 70 peso
This chicken was recommended by a local teacher. There were two sizes, but this is the regular size, not the large size. The rich texture of the chicken was delicious, and it was not too sticky, so I was able to finish it easily. This is a must-try on your first visit to the restaurant.
Breakfast menu!
Almusal1 170 peso
(Fried Chicken, Corned Beef, Garlic Rice and Egg w/ iced tea)
I was alone at the time of my visit, and I was placed at a sharing table. The taste is still very good, but it may be heavy in the morning because of the strong flavors and the lack of vegetables. If you want a hearty breakfast, I recommend this menu.
Summary
In this article, we have introduced the most well-known and recommended restaurant in Baguio. Since there are many articles about this restaurant in Japanese, I had to put off introducing it. I have been to the restaurant, and I can see how popular it is.
As an added bonus, below is one of the desserts, “Buko Pandan Salad” 100peso (about 260 yen) Buko means coconut, right?
One of the teachers recommended it, so I tried it and was surprised by its unbelievably intense sweetness. It was like eating a cake with whipped cream, and the coconut had a crunchy texture inside, and while it was delicious, it was so sweet that it made me thirsty.
This is a must-try for those with a sweet tooth, so please give it a try when you visit this restaurant!