Cabalen

Cabalen is a Philippine buffet restaurant chain primarily serving traditional Filipino entrees heavy on influences from the Pampanga region of Central Luzon, ranging from Filipino, Thai, and even Japanese cuisines.[2] However, most of the meals are from Kapampangan cuisine. Most of the restaurants are located in Metro Manila with one restaurant located on Cebu and single international unit in the United States. Some of the locations are franchised operations. Many locations are situated within shopping malls.

Cabalen
TypePrivate
IndustryRestaurant
Founded1986 (1986) in Quezon City, Philippines
FoundersMaritel Nievera
HeadquartersQuezon City, Philippines
Number of locations
37 (36 local, 1 overseas)[1]
Area served
Key people
Maritel Nievera (President)
ProductsFilipino cuisine
Asian cuisine
Websitecabalen.ph/cabalen
Buffet featuring Gatang Kuhol (snails), Kare-kare and other Filipino delicacies.

History

Cabalen, which literally translates to "a fellow Kapampangan", is a group of casual - fine dining restaurants known for authentic Kapampangan dishes and different Filipino specialties, originating from Pampanga,[2] such as Gatang Kohol (snails in coconut milk), betuteng tugak (stuffed frog), kamaru (crickets), adobong pugo (quail) and balut[2] (developing bird embryo).[3][4][5] These factors contributed to the eventual birth of Cabalen, the Kapampangan specialty restaurants.[2]

Cabalen family started in 1974 in San Fernando, Pampanga as a small Bahay Pasalubong Restaurant selling specialty food dishes, then grew into a restaurant called "Ituro Mo, Iluto Ko". In 1986, the first Cabalen Eat-all-you-Can, Eat-all-you-Want Restaurant was opened on West Avenue in Quezon City[6] that led to the expansion to more outlets.[7]

The first location outside of Luzon was opened in Cebu City on the island of Cebu in August 2009. This location also serves local Cebuano dishes.[8]

In September 2010, Cabalen began to provide the Asian Buffet in addition to the Filipino Buffet at their three largest locations in the shopping malls at Glorietta, TriNoma, and SM Mall of Asia, all located in Metro Manila.[9]

A few famous customers include Gloria M. Arroyo,[10] Joseph Estrada,[10] Panfilo Lacson,[10] Sharon Cuneta,[10] Imelda Marcos, Kris Aquino,[10] Raul Roco,[10] Boots Anson-Roa,[10] Claudine Barretto,[10] and Butz Aquino.[10] Cabalen has also catered to many official functions in locations such as the Malacañang Palace.[11]

Fare

Typical dishes include bopis (lungs), Gatang Kohol (snails in coconut milk), Ensalata Ampalaya (a bitter gourd with garlic and ginger), and laing (a root vegetable in coconut milk).[5] There is also pork, beef, and fish stews, as well as Chinese influenced fried lumpia, pinakbet (vegetables), and adobo (traditional barbeque).[12][13] Cabalen is also known for purveying delicacies such as betuteng tugak (stuffed frog), kamaru (crickets), adobong pugo (quail) and balut[2] (developing bird embryo).[3][4][5]

Branch locations

Cabalen has a total of 17 branches in the Philippines and 1 branch internationally, in the United States. It is not so commonly known that there are two types of Cabalen restaurants, the All-Filipino Buffet (which has 15 locations) and the Asian Buffet (which has 3 locations).

In May 2013, the first and only overseas location was opened in San Bruno, California, in the United States.[14]

See also

References
  1. "Cabalen". Cabalen. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
  2. Alano, Ching M. (November 24, 2016). "Maritel Nievera's Cabalen: Cooking up 30 years of delicious memories". philstar.com. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  3. "Cabalen serves exotic food daily". Headline Gitnang Luzon. November 9, 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-12-03.
  4. "Being a woman was an advantage". Philippine Star. February 27, 2012.
  5. Dalton, D. (2007). The Philippines: Edition en langue anglaise. Rough Guide Travel Guides Series. Rough Guides Limited. p. 112. ISBN 978-1-84353-806-6. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  6. Bartolome, Armando (July 18, 2014). "Meet the woman who founded Cabalen restaurant". ABS-CBN Corporation.
  7. "About Us". Cabalen. Archived from the original on 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  8. "Cabalen celebrates Sinulog at SM Cebu". Philippine Star. January 14, 2010.
  9. "Cabalen offers a Filipino-Asian P392 buffet at Glorietta 3, TriNoma and SM Mall of Asia". Philippine Star. September 30, 2010.
  10. Flores, Wilson Lee (November 27, 2002). "Irene Martel-Francisco & Maritel Nievera share their recipes for success". Philippine Star.
  11. "Catering". Cabalen. Archived from the original on 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  12. "About Us". Cabalen USA. Archived from the original on 2016-11-25. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  13. Frankham, R. (2014). Bite Size World: Eating my way Around the Planet. Mereo Books. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-86151-184-3. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  14. "Cabalen goes international with new branch in California". Philippine Star. May 11, 2013.
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