Cabalen

Cabalen will always have a special place in my heart. This is my Dad's favorite place. At first, I thought the food and the ambiance here isn't good. But when my Dad convinced me to try it, a sudden thought came to my mind - I should have listened and tried this place before. Their Kare kare is the best, of course!

334 pesos for a lunch buffet is sulit. Especially if you came in as early as 11am. So much Variety of food from viands to desserts and appetizer. Friendly crews aa well.

The Alabang Town Center branch of Cabalen was officially re-launched on October 26, 2017. 

A bigger and more illuminated restaurant space awaits Cabalen patrons and mallgoers. The mirror-laden walls amidst the open dining areas create an illusion of wider spaces.  The chandeliers hanging from ceiling gives Cabalen that added touch of elegance. 


And to kick off the occassion, a priest offiated the restaurant blessing. A ribbon cutting ceremony shortly followed next. 


Haven for excellent Filipino food

Steamed, boiled, fried, grilled or broiled, Cabalen buffet spread items are infinitely delicious. 

They offer beef bulalo at the soup station. The salad station offers varied concoctions and one side allows patrons to make their own using  garden-fresh veggies that includes chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, watercress, onions, and parsley with one's choice of  salad dressing.  They also have soft tortillas for you to wrap them in.


There is okoy, crispy kang-kong, crunchy crablets plus a variety of vegetable tempura to perk up one's appetite.


There are steamed vegetables like eggplant, ampalaya, okra etc. which goes well with grilled seafood (fishes, crabs) and meat skewers (chicken, pork).  The  Kapampangan burong hipon (shrimp with fermented rice) or  burong aligue (crab fat with fermented rice) that  gives texture to these dishes, completing the degustation experience. 

Sisig lovers may choose from Tofu, Pork, Chicken and Bangus Sisig variants which they serve in small iron skillets upon order.

They have Tofu, Pork, Chicken and Bangus Sisig which they serve in small iron skillets upon order
Those craving for Lechon Kawali will love the deep-fried, crispy pork cheek that’s halfway  chewy and tender!  These moist,  crispy  meat cracklings were done just right.  Whether in minced or cutlet forms, biting into it was heavenly!  


Cabalen serves its main dishes in large woks. Viands include Chicken Adobo, Ginataang Langka (jackfruit in coconut milk), Ginataang Kuhol (golden apple snails are cooked in coconut milk),  Dinuguan (pork stew) Kare-Kare (tripe cooked in peanut sauce), Beef Caldereta, Pinakbet (sauteed mixed vegetables), Beringhe (Pampanga's version of paella), and Pancit Puti.

I had several servings of  my favorite Kare-Kare with their in-house bagoong. My daughter helped herself with her favorite Dinuguan and Caldereta. Surprisingly, she loved Ginataang Kuhol after trying it for the first time.  Coconut milk seems to bring those brash savory notes that she loves. She had two bowls that were gone too soon!


At the dessert table, there were fresh fruits (banana, dalandan, pineapple, watermelon) biko, guinatan, minatamis na saba and hibok-hibok to satisfy one's sweet cravings. I went in for sliced fruits  and a serving of Guinatan to cap my meal. My daughter had her marshmallows dipped in the chocolate fondue. 

Halo-Halo lovers would love their Guinumis  selection.  It  is a DIY beverage that allows one to mix up ice desserts from minatamis na saba, sago, gulaman, toasted pinipig, white and brown beans. Bottles of sugar syrup, fresh milk and coconut milk are made available  on the side to make that perfect Guinumis concoction based on one's preferences.

I recommend Cabalen to all-you-can-eat enthusiasts

Cabalen is a brightly-lit, family buffet restaurant that specializes in traditional home-cooked Kapampangan cuisine. They’re over 28 years old now and still delivers timeless, tried and tested, quality Kapampangan home-cooking. Home of the best Kare Kare and Dinuguan, as per Jessica Soho’s competition for Best Kare Kare won by Cabalen owner Maritel Nivera, Cabalen consistently offers what they’re fans want: meticulous, slow-cooked process to ensure rich flavors, crispy, and juicy results. [Read More]

Quite reasonable price for a buffet. However, the choices of food is a bit common and familiar. They should offer a new twist for Filipino dishes.