I never expected a Pakistani Restaurant exists in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Philippines, for most goods and products come from the locale. Tasting Pakistani food for the first time was so exciting.
After hearing from my best friend about it, we traveled to Fil N Pak, which is the name of the restaurant.
The restaurant is the only Pakistani food business in the locality, and it is so accessible since it lies on the highway near the Manolo Fortich Public Market.
On the topmost part of the restaurant, there was a sign that said, “Authentic Pakistani Cuisine.”
Upon arriving at the restaurant, the owner, who is a Pakistani, warmly welcomed us at the entrance. Afterward, we entered inside and found the most comfortable table.
As soon as I entered the place, I was amazed by its simple and elegant interior. Although the space was not so spacious, I felt comfortable dining in, and it is unique in the municipality.
The first things that caught my attention were the interior decorations and arrangements.
I have captured everything found inside the restaurant.
The tables and utensils were well arranged. All around the walls, there was a display of the menu.
The inside decorations were all organized and pleasing, as there was a harmony of colors and a blend of the right taste.
Although it is a Pakistani Restaurant, there were Filipino foods available.
Some Filipino foods offered at the restaurant are chicken sopas, beef Paris, bulalo, Lomi, tapsilog, spring roll, a batch of pancit palabok, and chicken cordon blue.
But in most of the corners of the walls, Pakistani cuisines were printed and designed.
Here are the displays of the Pakistani cuisines found all around the corners of the food store.
After I had explored the whole place, I settled down, and the owner handed me the menu. So, we opened the Menu.
When we opened the menu, we were given many choices by the owner. The cuisines were affordable. Some dishes were not available but were soon to be served at the restaurant.
Since it is lunch, so we need to find something that would satisfy our cravings. We were all smiling while thinking about what to order.
It took us for a while to order food since we did not know what we should call it since it was our very first time dining at a Pakistani restaurant.
We found out they offered food starters, Pakistani barbeque, Pakistani Snacks, main courses, side dishes, Lassi drinks, and desserts.
Suddenly, we finally decided to order the Biryani in beef and chicken, Beef Seekh Kabab, Cheese Paratha, and Lassi drinks in Mango and Rocky Road flavors.
After fifteen minutes, the starter food that was first served at the table by the waitress was the Cheese Paratha.
Cheese paratha is a taste of unleavened flatbread from whole wheat filled with cheese stuffing.
The cheese flatbread has butter on top of it. It was so delicious. After eating it, I felt complete.
Meanwhile, the Biryani in two flavors was served with a smile by the waitress at the table.
One dish was Beef Biryani. Beef biryani combines mixed rice and spices with steamed beef slices.
It was spicy and delicious. It was prepared at the restaurant using Indian spices, special Pakistani rice, and other ingredients.
The second dish was the Chicken Biryani. It is also delicious, but the only difference with the other biryani is the steamed chicken is topping.
Between the chicken biryani and beef biryani, I love the beef flavor more.
Then, the Beef Seekh Kabab. It is a Pakistani cuisine made from fried ground beef and many ingredients.
The Beef Seekh Kabab, or simply kebab, comes with a pitta. Pitta is flat white bread made from wheat flour. It has a neutral taste, and it best blends with Kebab.
Finally, the dessert drinks we ordered are the Lassi drinks in two flavors. We have tasted the Mango Lassi and the Rocky road Lassi.
What I liked about the lassi drinks is that they were less sweet, unlike other desserts. It sounded suitable to my tastebuds, and I could also taste a mixture of yogurt on it.
While waiting for other customers, the owner sat near our table playing videos. But there were moments when he went closer to us to suggest foods for our lunch.
What is also good about this restaurant is the free lassi drinks. They were offered by the owner for free in small glasses. They were so tasty.
Foods taste best, especially when shared with loved ones. It was a wonderful day. I have eaten foods I have not tried before, and I was delighted.
We left full, and it was a sumptuous lunch at an authentic Pakistani restaurant in the Philippines.
Perhaps we went home with bright faces and happy hearts. It was a great feeling to taste foreign cuisines we had never tasted before. My heart was whole, and I wish to come back soon to try other foods. Moreover, my meal will not be complete without my favorite Mango Lassi.
Disclaimer: All texts and pictures are my own unless otherwise stated.