Written By: Dessa Joi Peralta, Madison Roe Rabuco, and Alliah Zsarnett Dela Cruz

Wandering through Baguio City, you may wonder where you may find a “home away from home” type of feast and flavor. Look no further because Bhudz Hangout Resto may be right up your alley or even doorstep if you opt for an all-around delivery service that serves Nueva Ecija’s specials hot and homely!

Wondering where to find them? They’re located at #3 First Road (Josefa Llanes Escoda) cor. Naguilian Road, Quezon Hill, Baguio City, where an inviting setup of tables, colorful graffiti, and lighting awaits you. Stepping inside, the vast space highlights its versatility — a homely restaurant in the morning, where the essence of the freshest of ingredients soars out beyond the kitchen, and an events center at night where gigs and banters are enjoyed, as well as your musical freedom rejoiced!

Where Did It All Begin?

Before the excitement blossoming at Bhudz Hangout Resto, it began with a ladle, a clay pot, and a passion for cooking.

Liezl Sia was taught by her grandmother what she needed to know to ensure that each dish she makes is hearty, healthy, and made from scratch—even with their secret sauce. And with this knowledge, she wants to showcase the beauty of Nueva Ecija through their home-cooked meals. Thus, Bhudz Hangout Resto was born in Baguio City, a cool place with abundant opportunities!

Relishing Grandma’s Comforting Recipes

Wanting to know what authentic Nueva Ecijan cuisine may be, we tasted some of their exquisite dishes so you can find out more!

Tinumis: A Filipino Classic

Tinumis is a pork blood stew dish similar to Dinuguan, originating in Nueva Ecija. It is a classic beloved dish known for its distinct flavor. The dish consists of pork slices, pork blood, and tamarind leaves, which serve as a souring agent to counteract the rusting iron taste of the pork blood, unlike Dinuguan, which uses white vinegar.

Tinumis has a savory and unique taste, with the tamarind leaves adding a zesty and slightly sweet contrast. The rich, earthy pork blood and savory pork create a flavor explosion, while the sauce has a rich and thick texture. It’s a flavorful and adventurous Filipino classic dish, perfect when paired with steamed rice as a main course or dipping the puto into the Tinumis as a snack.

Pork Sisig, Where Meat Meets The Side

Presented in a sizzling plate with a runny yolked egg, I bet that this Nueva Ecijan version of a pork sisig would surely get you feeling enveloped with your mama’s cooking (just as how it did to me with my first bite)!

Diving into the pork sisig with its special sauce, I cannot stop eating! It was hearty, reasonably tangy, and perfectly paired with rice. And most of all, it’s braces-proof since its meat was cooked well and sliced evenly.

I also got to pair it with gising-gising, also known as ginataang sigarilyas, one of Nueva Ecija’s specialties. It was my first time to taste it, so, for a first-timer, I can assure you that the nutty aroma of the coconut milk will instantly greet you. Tasting, it has a light kick that can awaken you with just a spoonful, so it balances the flavors of the sisig.

Kare-Kare: Cooked with Nueva Ecija’s Nutty Nature 

And speaking of nutty aromas, dive into kare-kare, where the thick, savory peanut sauce maximizes the tamarind, from the sprout to the leaves! 

But first, let’s talk about the plating because it is Instagram-worthy! The saucy, not brothy, peanut sauce was first spread throughout the clay plate, with the bagnet, a Filipino deep-fried pork belly, placed at the center. As the vegetables gently cradle the meat, you’ll want to take a picture before taking a bite. 

But don’t stare at it too long and grab a big bite because its taste is as great as it looks! The rich peanut sauce meets the crispy bagnet, thinly sliced and fried eggplants, and beautifully blanched pechay with string beans. We usually pair every viand with rice, so buy two bowls of rice before anything else, and you’ll thank me later. Get some of the sinampalukan broth, and you’ll have the best of both worlds!

Comforting Sourness of Tamarind in Sinampalukan

As someone who grew up just a few miles from Nueva Ecija, I’m no stranger to sinampalukan. This dish was a regular feature on our family table, prepared by my grandmother.

This simple viand simmered with tamarind puree, slices of chicken, and fresh tamarind leaves— sends a soothing sourness from your mouth to your throat, urging you to scoop up more rice. What I love most is how pure it tastes. The consistency of the soup tells you that no shortcuts or preservatives were used—just real, natural ingredients that let the flavors speak for themselves.

Hangout Resto’s authentic sinampalukan is a little taste of home that can bring comfort, especially when I feel far away from it.

Relish Nueva Ecija’s Flavors, Stay for the Music

Food has a way of reminding us of places we want to return to. Hangout Resto‘s lineup of dishes carried Nueva Ecija’s culinary traditions, which brought anyone and everyone closer to that longing. 

Nightlife in Hangout Resto was best accompanied by a cold drink in hand and a plate of their signature dishes on the table. Pair the tangy sinampalukan, bold pork sisig, or other viand on their menu with your favorite beverage, and you have a great combination of good food and a calm atmosphere, which can make any day a night to remember. 

Beyond that, the restaurant is also a venue for local music. Bands from Manila and the city perform, and it transforms into a lively mosh pit, making it an excellent place for alt enjoyers. Other times, there are acoustic gigs to raise funds with the young artist guild expressing their talents. If you are an artist thinking of going live, reach out to Hangout Resto at least one month in advance. Note that the venue is free so long as the restaurant’s beers accompany the tickets. Hangout Resto is always open to supporting local artists.

If you’re after food, music, and good company, Hangout Resto is the place to experience it all.