A Surprise Food Stop in Pateros: Trying Chinese and Filipino Dishes at Paezeta

We were walking around Pateros one afternoon to run some errands when we stumbled upon this small restaurant called Paezeta. We don’t really go to Pateros often, only when we have to, so seeing this restaurant was definitely new to us. Lately, I’ve been enjoying Chinese food, so when we saw their sign saying they serve Chinese and Filipino dishes, we got curious. Next thing we knew, we were already walking inside.

It was around 4:00 PM. Since we hadn’t eaten any snack yet, we decided to just have an early dinner before heading out again to finish our errands.

When we entered, the staff told us we could choose any table since there were plenty of vacant ones. We picked a spot near an electric fan because it was so hot that day. They do have air-conditioning, but the heat was just extra intense, so the fan helped a lot.

_{our table}

They handed us the menu right away. At first, we thought ordering was done at the counter because they had the menu flashing on their TV, something like what we usually see in fast-food places. Good thing they gave us actual menus because we almost walked straight to the counter to order 😂

_{Paezeta menu}

Since it was an early dinner, we ordered something filling but still reasonable. We went with bulalo, sweet and sour pork, and of course, dimsum, specifically siomai. Whenever I try a Chinese restaurant for the first time, I always order sweet and sour pork and some kind of dimsum, usually hakaw but they don't have it at the time. If those are good, there’s a high chance I’ll come back 😁

For drinks, we ordered Coke and coffee. The coffee turned out to be a 3-in-1 sachet, and they just give you hot water to mix it yourself. Nothing fancy, but it’s fine if you’re not too picky. They’re not a coffee shop anyway, so I didn’t really expect anything special.

While waiting for our food, we took some time to look around and take a few photos. The ambiance was actually nice. Bright, clean, and simple. The place felt cozy, especially because the seats had foam cushions, which made sitting there pretty comfortable. It wasn’t crowded at all, probably because it was still early in the afternoon.

_{inside Paezeta}

I also noticed that they decorated their counter with Christmas decorations, which made the place feel festive. Small detail, but it added a nice touch and made the restaurant feel more welcoming.

After just a few minutes, our food arrived and that’s always a plus for me. I appreciate places that don’t make you wait forever, especially when you’re already hungry.

_{rice, bulalo, sweet & sour pork, and siomai}

The bulalo. It was served really hot, which I loved! The soup was comforting and packed with a lot of vegetables. We ordered just a single serving but it was already good for two people. If you want something warm and filling, I suggest you order this.

_{Paezeta's bulalo}

Now for the Chinese dishes. The sweet and sour pork did not disappoint. It leaned more toward the sour side. The flavors blended really well and the pork was cooked nicely. It was crunchy too which I really loved! Bonus points for the plating too! It looked really appetizing when it arrived. This dish alone made me feel confident that we made the right decision to eat here.

_{Paezeta's sweet and sour pork}

As for the siomai, it was good! Nothing super special but definitely not bad. It was served hot which I really appreciate! Who likes a cold siomai, right?

_{Paezeta's siomai}

And yes, the 3-in-1 coffee was exactly what we expected, basic but okay.

In total, we spent ₱740 (12.59 USD) for the bulalo, two cups of rice, sweet and sour pork, siomai, Coke, and coffee. For the amount of food we got, the taste, and the overall experience, I’d say it was worth it. The food was satisfying, the place was clean and comfortable, and the service was quick.

If we ever find ourselves in Pateros again, I’d definitely come back to try their other dishes 💛