It’s always a nice surprise to discover new ways of preparing the standard fares that we have gotten used to over the years.  Some of the dishes that come to mind are the Fried Corned Beef and Sinigang na Corned Beef, Steamed Kangkong and Crispy Kangkong, or Ice Cream and Fried Ice cream.  This week, my fresh foodie find is the Toasted Siopao.

The steamed siopao has been around for as long as I can remember.  When I was little, I would always go for the Asado Siopao but I also came to appreciate the Bola-Bola Siopao as I grew older.  My favorite ones are those that are from Emerald Garden Restaurant and Kowloon Restaurant.  A few days ago, my brother-in-law introduced me to the toasted version of this snack.  The Toasted Siopao looks like the Monay Bread sold in local bakeries except that they are rounder and smaller.  It is a softer and sweeter version of the monay with asado filling and a bit of egg in the middle.  I would rather have some more filling in it but at less than ten pesos apiece I couldn’t ask for more.  Eat them while they’re warm to fully enjoy it.  You don’t have to worry about it getting cold because if it does you simply have to pop it in the toaster.

This version of the Asado Siopao has been available in bakeries of Bicol Region for some time now.  I’ve heard about the toasted Siopao of Naga City, Bicol in the past but I never got to try it.  Curious foodies in Quezon City need not travel all the way to Bicol for these goodies.  There is a Toasted Siopao Bakery in Madasalin St. Diliman Quezon City  that can satisfy both the cravings and curiosity of a Siopao lover.