by Lori Baltazar
Bacolod chicken inasal
Teaching 4-year old Boo how to recognize the letters of the alphabet is an exercise in culinary creativity. Simply because she is my daughter and judging from our frequent arguments over who gets the last siopao, it’s obvious that she’s inherited the family “nobility”: an unabiding love for food.
Not content to teach her that “A” is for apple and “B” is for boy, I’ve come up with different foods to refer to each letter of the alphabet. Thus, “A” is for ampalaya (bitter melon, a vegetable I love to loathe); “B” is for Boo (the only non-food reference in our culinary alphabet); “C” is for chocolate, and so on.
My little foodie in training has three favorite letters in the alphabet: KFC (and I know that I don’t have to tell you what they stand for.) For Boo, when it comes to food, chicken is tops, preferably fried. Speaking of this fine, feathered fowl, there’s another kind of chicken that she likes.
JT’s Manukan is a roadside stall in Quezon City. Like other food stalls of its kind, the unique flavor and deliciousness of its food comes from the fact that one, it’s by the roadside; and two, the food’s just so damn good that the people keep on coming. The fact that it’s always full, even at odd hours of the early morning, only adds to its appeal. There’s just no better advertisement for a restaurant than a full house.
JT stands for the owner’s initials: Joel Torre, stellar Filipino actor. While his movie star heyday may have been several years ago, the man has found second stardom in his unassuming roadside eatery. This ain’t no fancy dig, surely: diners sit on monobloc tables and chairs while eating off of banana leaves, and there are withering movie posters of the owner’s past films tacked haphazardly on the walls.
Nonexistent ambience aside, I love it here. JT’s specialty is the grilled chicken inasal (skewered) done the way Ilonggos have been cooking it for generations. Story goes that Joel Torre went to Bacolod and ate at every manukan (grilled chicken place) looking for the best chicken inasal. When he and his culinary cohorts found it, they pirated the chef and brought him back to Manila. Sneaky, eh? The result is JT’s Manukan.
the smoky goodness of the grill
Every part of the chicken is utilized ”“ from the breasts, wings, thighs, gizzards, heart, bottom, and of course the liver (P45-P80), which is paté-smooth and unctuous. Ordering by body part is how it’s done here and the servers won’t bat an eyelash when two to three cups of rice per person is ordered. For those not feeling particularly “chicken” today, there are spareribs (P95), boneless bangus (milkfish P120), and the batchoy (pork soup with offal) which I’m told is hearty-good.
“… just 5,000 more chickens to go…”
The chicken’s succulence is in the secret marinade. I’m told that at JT’s the chickens are marinated in a large drum before being grilled. Then they’re skewered onto barbeque sticks and put on the heat. As I watch the flames lick the meat, a combination of vinegar, calamansi (native lemon) and smoke tickles my nostrils. Like a faucet being opened, my mouth begins to salivate. While the chicken is being cooked, it’s basted with atchuete (annatto) oil, which lends to it an appetizingly yellow sheen.
calamansi and sili
the art of concocting sauce
garlic rice ”“ I’ll have three, please
This chicken is eaten with a make-your-own special sauce made from sinamak (native Ilonggo vinegar), toyo (soy sauce), calamansi, and sili (red finger chilies.) Once the eating begins, forks and spoons are abandoned in favor of fingers. There’s plenty of dousing, chomping, and tiny groans of pleasure. The chicken is tender, its juices exuding with every bite, the flavor a mixture of sour, a whisper of sweet, and the union of heat and smoke. This is primal, back to basics food.
eating Bacolod chicken inasal
If you’re brave enough, order some of the chicken oil, a gleamingly evil orange liquid made from the rendered chicken fat colored with atchuete. Whether you dip your chicken in it, spoon it over your rice, or spoon it in by the mouthful (as I do), it’s J-T: Just Titillating. Maybe I’ll put those into Boo’s alphabet when she’s older.
glorious chicken oil — be macho and eat this
JT’s Manukan
#4 Granada corner Valencia St.
Ortigas Ave. Extension, Quezon City
+632 721-9026
The Courtyard Building
#26 Sgt. Esguerra St.
South Triangle, Quezon City
+632 928-8085
Citywalk I ”“ Icon Tower
Cybermall, Eastwood, Quezon City
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Just one of many reasons why I always look forward to vacations in Manila. This entry is so JT- jolly/joyously tempting! Thanks for the info and the mouth-watering pics!
I love their chicken oil!! I’ll be macho and eat!! 🙂
I wonder if the chicken in Eastwood tastes the same without the usok and alikabok…
Huhuhu… I miss Chicken Inasal dearly! I made some for the fourth of July weekend but they did not come close to what I get in Manila. And I know it’s because I don’t have the authentic ingredients.
Hay…. Will get my fill next time. And maybe I’ll buy lots so I can just freeze them and bring them over.
Thanks for the write-up, Lori!
Malou <-- still compiling a list of must-visit diners for you here in New Jersey
It’s exactly a 7 minute walk from my place, although if I have a major inasal craving there’s a cucina bacolod less than a 100 meters from my front door. But I do drop by JT on my way home. And I do get a side order of chicken oil!!! 😀
This is has been my list for some time now but I have not been able to try it. Hopefully, when I’m back in Manila next month I will make sure that I visit JT’s.
Hi Lori! I love chicken insal, though I haven’t tried dinning at JT’s Manukan.When I went to davao a month ago…there’s this resto called Mang Insal, they have really good chicken inasal there too…but my favorite still is Chicken bacolod…maybe because its where I’ve tried my first chicken inasal way back in College =)
great pics! mouth-watering. saraaaaaaaaaaaaap!
I love JT’s! I didn’t know they have a branch in Eastwood! Thanks for the tip! We always go to the one in Valencia and end up swinging by Ferino’s Bibingka after a hearty meal in JT’s.
Yum-my!
Hi Lori…heard of JT’s yummy chicken inasal so many times but have not been able to try it cos we live so far…my hubby and i will surely venture out of alabang for that famous and cheap JT’s chicken inasal…thank you!!
Hi Lori!!! I just looooovvveeee their spare ribs!!!! We usually have them cater in our house and the liempo/spare ribs is always a hit! Their chicken drumstick is also good! But the champ is really their spare ribs!!!
Hey Lori! 🙂 Much has been said about the chicken inasal, but I have to agree with Olivia – the ribs are just finger-lickin yummy!
JT’s seems to be the great equalizer of sorts. you get people from all walks of life coming in. whether getting off a jeepney or a fancy car, people just go for the good, simple food. JT seems to have stumbled upon something preciously universal here… i always order the baticolon(gizzards), grilled till crispy!
The photos look great. It’s been a while since I last ate there. Judging from the photos, mukhang malaki na ang improvement. There used to be a lot of cockroaches in the area. But still I’d eat despite the bugs. The chickeeen is to darn good to pass up.
JT Manukan, here we come!
Can’t wait to taste those chicken! Yummy!
another reason to go out of our way and “passby” QC.
My boyfriend and I were a product of a “set-up” and during that time when we were first forced to hang out with each other, we feasted on chicken hearts, gizzards, and intestines with a few rounds of beer in JT’s in Sgt. Esguerra.
It’s almost been a year since then, and we’ve always made an effort to go back as much as we can, even celebrating Valentine’s Day last February there. We love everything about the chickens. 🙂
Hi Mila. Didn’t know we’re neighbors. I walk to JT’s sometimes to meet friends there. I’ve seen the posters of cucina bacolod but I haven’t tried it yet although it’s just around the corner from where I live.
Lori, JT’s ambience is not nonexistent, it’s actually quite authentic I think- it’s what you call roadside ambience. Heheh.
your caption about the rice…”i’ll have 3 pls” – was funny!
awesome pictures Lori! have you switched to an SLR?
the lighting is spectacular. reminds me of that poster- boulevard of broken dreams.
You sound like your ready to try the thai carinderia Soms wich is right outside your village. 😉 text me if you wantto know the details.
hi lori…it’s my first time here, very nice blog & photos.
those chilis remain me of indonesian hot chili, i guess they’re the same. and the chicken looks awesome!
I’m from Bacolod, now based elsewhere, and seeing your pictures makes me so so so so so homesick! I can almost taste that inasal.
You got it right, the chicken oil is meant to be sloshed on rice and enjoyed with no reservations whatsoever.
Everytime I pass by JT’s on my way home from work, I am amazed at the number of diners still in there–even at the wee hours of the morning! (They’re doing O.T. too–Over Tsibog!)
Of the two Ilonggos I had the pleasure of eating with, they both swear to the authenticity of the taste of the Chicken Inasal, so the story of the “pirated” chef must be true!
I truly enjoy a hot meal eaten al fresco and all the more when there’s spicy Sinamak! YUUUM…
chicken inasal is not complete without that atsuete oil!!!! delish! i just love your photos. thanks to your blog, I feel the Philippines isn’t too far away, even if I’m halfway around the world.
As a proud Bacolodnon I can attest to the authenticity of JT’s. Mang Inasal and Chicken Bacolod pretty much can’t compare. And my fellow Bacolodnons who care enough about our chicken will pretty much agree. Apart from eating in a Bacolodnon household, JT’s is one of the few places in Metro Manila that serves our inasal that makes you feel close to home.
And I also confirm the story of the inasal cook being pirated from Bacolod.
Although a lot of us will also agree that the best place in the universe to have inasal is at the Manukan Country back home in Bacolod City.
The original JT’s is just a little further drive past Greenhills on the right side of the road.
It’s pretty much like Pink’s Hotdogs in Los Angeles where you can catch a celebrity or two or three either with Ilonggo roots or otherwise.
And you can sometimes catch Joel there.
And I’d like to finally add that Joel’s career is still doing fine on television and as a great actor for a lot of great films made outside the commercial film industry like Bayaning 3rd World, Batang Westside and Ebolusyon.
here’s something for dear Boo…
B is for…
bread… banana… barbecue… beans… bibingka… broccoli(yecch)… bagel… beets… biscuit… butter… broth… basil… (daddy’s) beer… berries… brownies… & bake & baker & baking & bakery of course!! hihi
Bless Boo!
Lori, I’ve heard of JT Manukan countless times from my brother. There’s nothing like a blog with both text and photos to make one salivate, curious and then head over to JT Manukan. Thank you for this feature. I will finally get to try this much talked about chicken inasal.
We decided to have dinner at JT’s the other night, and the place was packed. Not surprising since it was payday Friday.
Just when my boyfriend and I were considering finding another place to dine in, one of the tambays at the sari-sari store beside JT’s stood up, walked over to us, and said, “dun, merong pang-dalawa.”
When I turned to thank him, I realized it was Joel Torre himself.
Hey Chris, a friendly wave from a neighbor!
Inasal was on my mind all weekend so I gave in and got 4 (pechos)! While it’s best hot, other permutations include shredding it for a salad, chicken sandwich, roll it up in a tortilla with homemade guacamole, and finally, cooked with an egg and potatoes for a tortilla. I’m starting to sprout feathers.
we used to eat on JT during 15 and 30 (hehehe payday) well… seriously i love their Calamansi juice (must try!) and my always order (hindi nagsasawa) ang pecho part at isa at kalahating rice pag ginanahan pa mag bulalo pa kami ng mga officemates ko
My bf and I were very much encouraged to try out JT’s Sgt.Esguerra because of your mouth-watering and too good to be true pictures! Now I have a new favorite inasal joint! You’re a breath of fresh air to us bored Manila diners, Lori!:)
After our hearty late lunch, we were still feeling a bit piggy from our chicken meal that we trooped to the nearby D’ Cafe by Danica Sotto for a quick sugar fix. Their cakes were very rich and enticing! Deserves a feature on your blog, Lori! Talk about a very lazy and full Monday afternoon!;p
where is this exactly in Eastwood? I work in Cybermall but I don’t see it here
wow a must try for me…
same question… where exactly in eastwood? 😀
Is that the same as chicken inasal from Bacolod Chicken Inasal? I like their food there.
Hello po! I’ve been to Bacolod Chicken Inasal and sarap nga nung chicken inasal nila. I’m just wondering if its the same as chicken inasal of JT’s?
I don’t think so Gary. They maybe look the same but it’s actually with the way they prepare it. Btw, I like inasal from BCI too.
I’m curious of the taste of his chicken inasal.
Are there any branches of JT Chicken Inasal in the heart of Manila or Makati ?
If there such, please inform me of the location. Thanks. More power!
hello idol., once a week po tlaga dumadaan ko sa valencia para lang sa jt inasal nyo ang sarap po talaga ng lasa. Gusto ko rin pong mag simula ng maliit na business sa lugar. na ang chicken inasal nyo ang ilalagay ko, meron po ba kayong franchise? Sana po mabigyan nyo ko ng advice 2ngkol d2. salamat po n more power sau IDOL:)
went to jt’s last night. got to try the much talked about chicken.
well, it was good, but not spectacular.
but i love the humble ambiance. the smoke,
the karsada atmosphere.
and cherry the waitress” i just love her.
so accommodating and friendly, aside from the food the atmosphere.” cherry is one hell reason, why i would comeback.
look for this charming waitress, and you would know what i mean….
I am a Filipino teacher here in VA, USA I just want to know if you have JT’S in Makati. I am planning to eat there when I go home to the Philippines. Can you email me the address?
Thanks.
Gloria, you can find their newly opened resto at the road where Zuelig used to be on the left hand side heading for buendia. don’t take the loop. It’s that road that leads straight on to Tordesillas. Hope that helps!!
Ive heard so much about JT Manukan. This site with mouth watering photos definitely convinced me to go ask my family to join me see it for ourselves. Thanks for this post. I love Chicken Inasal.
i want to franchise, is it possible? hope to hear from you…
pwede bang mag franchise sa jt’s manukan?????
do u franchise & how much?
thank you.
i love the chicken inasal jt is one of the best i taste i wonthering if i can get the franchise? thank you…
JT’S MANUKAN, I LOVE UR INASAL, TASTE IS SO GOOD…
Hi SIr/Madam,
Im Neil Sarmiento ask ko lng po kong mgkano po ang franchise nyo d2 sa Unit nyo. Please send me some quotation for this po ha..
Slamat po
Neil Sarmiento