After all the hustle and bustle of the past few weeks and consecutive days of working late, our family decided to take a breather and celebrate victories by having a gastronomic feast at Bagoong Club. With its exciting menu, homey ambiance and proximity, this restaurant has been our go-to place when it comes to having Filipino comfort food.

Having a wide variety of menu, every visit seems like an adventure trying out new flavors and discovering new favorites. Although Bagoong Club is famous for its signature dishes featuring their trademark condiment, the bagoong (or shrimp paste), which I think you really have to give a try, I would like to introduce a few more dishes that will surely please your palate should you decide to give Bagoong Club a well-deserved visit. 

Every meal comes with a complimentary treat of singkamas/turnips paired with a sampling of two of their bagoong varieties: Bagoong Pag-ibig (sweet) and Bagoong Umaga (chili).

The towering Ukoy was one of their best-selling appetizers that it’s hard to see any dining table without one. But for those allergic to shrimp (like me), better try the Tinapa Roll, which in itself is a delectable surprise.

Another dish which unexpectedly caught my heart is the Laing Espesyal. Their version of stewed taro leaves in coconut milk is tender but really flavorful that one serving might not be enough, most especially when it’s paired with the Bagnet Bicol Express.

I found it fascinating how Bagoong Club came up with Bagnet Bicol Express, which is a unique fusion of Ilocano and Bicolano flavors. 

Another wonderful discovery I loved is their Crispy Hito. No hint of bagoong in it but the crispy batter on the outside really complemented the soft fish meat inside. Two thumbs up!

Of course, every visit will not be complete without ordering their signature Pancit Inasal. Their unique offering of a combination of two famous Filipino favorites – pancit and inasal – never fails to capture any palate. 

Their Traditional Kare-kare is already flavorful even without bagoong, but hey, bagoong always makes dishes better, so why not?

 

If you’re an adventurous foodie willing to give any dish a try, have a plate of Mula Sa Puso, which is a sisig made up of banana blossoms, and paired up with a savory dip of pig brain and mayonnaise. This dish seems to be a perfect reminder that things are better when the brain and the heart are in sync.

Any gastronomic feast is best capped off with a satisfying dessert and from among Bagoong Club’s offerings, what got me more enticed was their Maja, Mais at Turon, which is a combination of the all-time favorite maja con mais inside a crisp sugar-coated spring roll. 

Bagoong Club may be famous for its signature bagoong-infused dishes but I realized that other dishes offered in the menu can also keep up with the expectations. Servings are generous and reasonably priced between P150.00 - P500.00 but the ingenuity of flavors and the satisfaction can be worth more than what you paid for. 

Have you tried Bagoong Club Davao? Share your favorites in the comment section below. 

BAGOONG CLUB
123 University Ave. cor Talisay St. Juna Subd. Davao City
(082) 298 - 5968
Opens 10 am - 10 pm
https://www.facebook.com/bcdvo/

Despite the evolving food scene in Davao and the growing number of restaurants and food themes to choose from, it’s undeniable that our palates would still crave for the familiar taste of traditional Filipino dishes that truly remind us of home. Good to know that Bagoong Club, a new restaurant emerging at the south part of the city, offers great Filipono comfort food and a warm homey ambiance to welcome families and groups looking for unique home-cooked dishes to celebrate with.

What used to be an ancestral residence along University has been creatively converted into an inviting gastronomic destination. It’s laid back interiors and interesting decorative pieces bring such a nostalgic feeling that sort of reminds of special traditional family celebrations. 

Their menu has a wide array of dishes to choose from – which includes the common Filipino dishes like Kare-kare and Binagoongan. Just seeing the names of dishes with bagoong was already enough to stimulate my intense appetite and craving for the famous condiment. However, not all dishes on the menu are infused with bagoong so it’s safe to say that even those who are allergic to bagoong still have a lot of options. Dishes are prepared as soon as it is ordered so make sure you’re fine with 15-20 minutes of waiting time. No need to worry though, as a complimentary treat of singkamas (turnips) served with two kinds of bagoong – the Bagoong Pag-ibig (sweet version) and the Bagoong Umaga (spicy version) makes the waiting time more exciting.

One fascinating thing with Bagoong Club was how they creatively innovated classic Filipino favorites like the Ukoy, which was commonly served as a round fritter. But in Bagoong Club, their version was a tower of goodness made out of sweet potato, carrots, crispy shrimps and beans, that’s not greasy at all. 

Ukoy Php 265.00

Street food fanatics will surely be delighted to see their favorites at Bagoong Club, but prepared in the most sanitary way possible. No need to be wary of indulging in street food. 

Isaw  Php 145.00

Bagoong lovers will truly enjoy these flavorful bagoong-infused traditional dishes to their heart's (and tummy's) content. These dishes just had the right tinge of saltiness that doesn't disappoint.

Bagoong Rice Php 190.00

Club Binagoongan Special Php 290.00 

Traditional Kare-kare Php 490.00

Of course, almost all traditional Filipino restaurants definitely serve these classic favorites:

Crispy Pata Php 530.00

Crispy Pork Dinuguan 

Unlike the usual Dinuguan, Bagoong Club’s version has crispy pork meat in it. Not only was it flavorful, but the crispy texture of the pork meat added a different feel to the usual version.

The following dishes are what I considered to be heart-captivating for me that's worth coming back to Bagoong Club for over and over again. Not only that these dishes stood out because of their uniqueness, these are also flavorful and surprisingly incredible. Whoever thought of whipping out such dishes must have been a culinary genius!

From among the dishes served to us, the Mula Sa Puso was my most favorite. Behind the clever name was actually a sisig of banana blossoms. Still not believing it? This dish may be far away from the usual kind of sisig but it tastes similar. Plus the dip made out of mayonnaise and pig brain was a perfect match. The dip makes the flavor pop out, you'd crave for more.

Mula sa Puso Php 180.00

Another surprising dish that stole the scene was this Pancit Inasal. Imagine two Filipino favorites - Inasal and Pancit - in one dish will surely blow you away. Two familiar flavors make a very good combination that it's already tummy-filling in itself.

Pancit Inasal Php 280.00

Another unique but sumptuous dish that's a best-seller as well is the Bulalo sa Monggo. This bone-marrow soup with monggo is so packed with flavor that it makes an exquisite impression.   

Desserts and fresh fruit shakes are also available. Of course, any meal would not be complete without desserts and thirst-quenching drinks to complete your satiety.

Dishes are usually priced at P150.00 to P500.00 but it's quite reasonable considering that one serving could generously feed at least 2-3 persons. Service is commendable although it might take some time before food is served since most dishes are prepared as you order. The place is usually jam-packed, regardless of whether it is lunch or dinner, most especially during special occasions so be sure to make reservations ahead. 

Have you tried Bagoong Club? Tell us what you think!

BAGOONG CLUB

123 University Ave. cor Talisay St.
Juna Subd. Davao City
(082) 298 - 5968
Opens 10 am - 10 pm
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bagoong-Club-Davao/1216589611784796