Cycle 5 – Item 191

15 (Tue) July 2014

Umm … Chicken Gumbo

2.5

at Gumbo

(Robinsons Place)

-Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines-

with AW, JG

Try Every Restaurant in Robinsons Place (64) (see also TERRP)

Gumbo is an American dish.  From Louisiana, of Cajun and/or Creole origin.  Consists of chicken and/or mixed shellfish, with aromatics in a thickened stock (e.g., roux, okra, or filé (ground sassafras)).  The name of the dish is believed to be derived from “quingombo” (the Bantu word for okra) or “kombo” (the Choctaw word for sassafras).

Gumbo is an American restaurant chain.  5 locations scattered around Metro Manila, of course all in malls.  Specializes in Cajun/Creole cuisine, including gumbo and jambalaya, as well as more mainstream fare.

The food was okay.  Surprisingly, this was my first experience with gumbo, so I have no frame of reference, but the one here seemed tasty enough, like chicken in gravy, a bit spicy.

With Typhoon Glenda projected to hit Manila sometime around dawn, in which case the streets might flood and the water/power might crash, I stocked up on the essentials, enough to last a couple weeks, though maybe I should’ve acquired more bourbon.  Bring on the zombies.

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN PHILIPPINES)