Conching’s Embraces the Authentic

(San Diego) – A friend excitedly brought us to Conching’s Cafe when I visited San Diego a few weeks ago. Yes, he’s clamoring about this place – that Filipinos flock to Conching’s regularly, especially on weekends.  I don’t even need to be convinced to come to a Filipino restaurant.  I will come whole-heartedly. I’d like to see and taste their rendition of Pinoy food – to find out if they give appropriate respect and justice to our beloved cuisine.  Sadly, too many Filipino restaurants in the US are embarrassment, in terms of taste and presentation of their dishes.  But I see some promising light at Conching’s based on what I hear so far.

So we arrived. The place has a mom-and-pop feel which reminds me of those “turo-turo” (small inexpensive eateries) outside schools or beside parking lots in Manila. In short, the place is not fancy. This makes me deduce that the primary reason why people come here is the food.

And there was a line but the service was pretty fast. We picked a few dishes from an array of steaming serving trays lined up along the stainless counter. We were pretty hungry so we ordered quite a lot of food for a supposedly quick and light lunch.

Pinakbet (mixed vegetables including eggplant, squash, bitter melon, and long beans sautéed in shrimp fry (bagoong)) and Pork Menudo (sautéed pork with garlic, onions, tomatoes, diced potatoes, peas, carrots, and bell peppers, seasoned with ground pepper and soy sauce)

Pancit Palabok (rice noodles topped with shrimp, crushed garlic, chicharron bits, and slices of hard-boiled egg), Sisig (citrus marinated crispy pork tossed will scallions and onions), Pork Tocino (sweet cured pork) and Fresh Lumpia (fresh spring roll made with a thin rice paper roll, filled with vegetables)

Popular Filipino desserts: maja con mais, leche flan, biko and Magnolia ice cream

The quality and taste of food is true to what I hear from its loyal patron. It’s just like eating back home in Manila –no fuss authentic home-cooked Filipino dishes. Aling Conching  delivered spot-on rendition of dishes I grow up loving.

If I just knew that there is buffet version of Conching’s food on the 2^nd floor of the building, I should have gone up and tasted more food. I just found out on my way back to the car. Too late. But this is something to look forward to the next time I visit San Diego.

See you again Aling Conching.