If you are like me, whose definition of an ordinary day is waking up with your sense of inner carnivore creating a havoc to your cravings asking for some adventurous no non-sense meaty food tripping, Balkan Yugoslavian Home Cooking along Perea St. in Makati City can be your salvation.
A spot which specializes in Yugoslavian Home Cooking can be a tad daunting to some who is unfamiliar to such. But fret not, because once a forkful of mean meaty goodness hit your palate, dude, you’re on a roll.
While the menu consists mostly of meat, vegetables were also thrown in for a good measure. Read on and see for yourself what we have feasted on during our recent dinner at Balkan. Notice how it can be downright hardcore in terms of meaty dishes, but believe me when I say that dining at Balkan isn’t heart attack waiting to happen. In fact, it’ll show that dishes like these are worthy to live for.
Owned by Marko Batricevic, a Serbian and a former varsity basketball player of the De La Salle Green Archers, Balkan has built quite a number of followers already since its first branch in San Juan was put up. Patrons and diners continue to increase in numbers as Balkan's second branch located along Perea St. in Legaspi Village, Makati rocked the city with its authentic Yugoslavian dishes. This only goes to show that Yugoslavian dishes may be hard to pronounce, but very easy to love.
I have been to their San Juan branch for quite a number of times already. Although the first branch is more accessible to me due to its proximity to where I reside, but Balkan in Makati is also worthy to visit. For one, Balkan in Makati is noticeably spacious. Second, its menu has more options.
Chicken Batak (Php290) |
A bite on the tenderness of perfectly grilled boneless chicken topped with melted mozzarella may give you a different high you can only get from Balkan's Chicken Batak. The sweet savory taste of the marinade that seeped through every shred of the chicken was given a new dimension by the distinct taste of the mozzarella in all its glorious melting creaminess.
Cevapcici Platter (Php280) |
Known as Yugoslavian sausages, Cevapcici is ground beef with Serbian spices molded into sausage links. A piece may look small but each screams meaty flavor you would long for carbohydrates to go with it. Good thing that diners are given an option to enjoy their Cevapcici in a platter which comes with fries or on a bun, for Cevapcici Burger.
Pljeskavica is a traditional Serbian burger made of grilled meat and Serbian spices served with fresh lettuce, tomato, onions, and fries on the side. First time I have tried Pljeskavica in Balkan, I already fell in love with it as it remains to be one of the meatiest burgers I have had.
Pljeskavica (Php200) |
Balkan's House Specialty is Jagnjetina. Baked lamb that is downright tender it literally fall off its bone. The distinct taste of the lamb is there but the spices they used tone it down a little so it does not overpowers.
Jagnjetina (Php700) / Stuffed Pljeskavica (Php320) |
Stuffed Pljeskavica is an option if you want your Pljeskavica experience turn into a notch higher. Stuffed with melted mozzarella cheese, it can be served on a bed of hot Jasmine rice or French fries.
Butkice is one of Balkan's awesome dishes in which name I am not really crazy about, but its taste is a different story. I've had Pork knuckles cooked in a clay pot before but nothing comes close to the one that Balakan serves. I cannot count how many "This is so good!" I have uttered before finishing my fair share of Butkice. It was so tender it melts in your mouth leaving only the flavor that you would long to experiencing again and again.
Butkice (Php650) |
This grilled red pepper soaked in olive oil and sprinkled with garlic is off the menu. Despite my love and hate relationship with pepper, I found this dish impressive in such a way that the distinct taste of the pepper does not overpower the entirety of the dish.
Way back when I last visited Balkan in San Juan, they still used the usual burger bun on some dishes which calls for it. Good thing that they are now baking their own bread which I find really satisfying. While it went perfectly well with the burgers, the bread also resonates with the goodness of their classic beef stew they call in Yugoslavia, Goulash. Made with chunks of beef and tortellini pasta in a thick and heartwarming soup, Goulash can be a meal in itself.
Freshly Baked Bread / Goulash (Php250) |
Another dish that is cooked in a clay pot is Sarma. Pickeld cabbage rolls stuffed with beef, rice, and spices on a bed of creamy mashed potato. It may look light but this dish is guaranteed to be filling and satisfying.
Sarma (Php260) / Sopska Salata (Php200) |
Meaty dishes may have the crown at Balkan, but like what I have mentioned, they also do serve vegetables for those who wants to strike a balance. Sopska is the only salad available on their menu as of yet, but it will surely satisfy diners. Combination of lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, olives, and feta cheese as the menu described this salad, but the one they serve us was noticeably packed with shredded mozzarella as well, so it's a big plus.
Dessert is one distinction that Balakan in Makati has, as compare to their branch in San Juan. I am not sure if they are already serving dessert in San Juan, but the last time I went there, they still don't have it in their menu. Palacinke is simply a traditional Serbian crepe. Balkan offers two options; one is filled with nutella, while the other is filled with orange marmalade.
Palacinke (Php120) |
Balkan Yugoslavian Home Cooking is a carnivores haven but a balancing act played by some vegetables thrown in is noticeable. Serving portion are meant to be for sharing as dictated by their tradition. No need to be a hardcore adventurous to have the gut to try this spot because dishes are all friendly to the palate.
I've said this before in my previous Balkan post, and I will say it again just for the record. If one is dying to try Yugoslavian dishes, Balkan is the perfect place to visit for a beautiful introduction to such.
Balkan, Yugoslavian Home Cooking
G/F Mariposa Building, 109 Perea St.,
Legaspi Village, Makati City
Philippines
Contact nos.: 846-0744 / 0917-5474188
G/F Mariposa Building, 109 Perea St.,
Legaspi Village, Makati City
Philippines
Contact nos.: 846-0744 / 0917-5474188
YedyLicious on Facebook
Hmm, Mediterranean food. I want to try! :)
ReplyDeleteoh try it michy! I would love to know your thoughts about Yugoslavian cuisine :)
DeleteHEllo Yedi! I am still curious about the Balkan culture and food. All I know is that male were skirts in the Balkan region. But reading your wonderful feature is giving me an idea. It has invaded the Philipines na pala and it is something unusual.
ReplyDeleteEdmaration, etc
Thanks! If invading means bringing and introducing their wonderful traditional food, then it's a good thing :)
DeleteGreat to know that they now have a second branch, awesome food!
ReplyDeleteI'm crossing my fingers for more branches in the future :)
DeleteIt was my first time to try Yugoslavian cuisine at Balkan! :D Love everything that was served, but my fave was the Chicken Batak.. ^^
ReplyDeleteLovely food no? :)
Deleteoh wow! Balkan is definitely a must-try! Would love to try it, especially since the prices aren't that expensive. It wouldn't hurt to splurge a little once in a while. =)
ReplyDeleteI agree, and it's well worth the money you'll be spending since everything is yummy :)
Deletei wanted to visit their san juan branch. but now that i read their makati branch has more menu options, i think I'll visit their makati branch instead :) Everything looks interestingly delicious! :)
ReplyDeleteIf you're into homey kind of resto, their San Juan branch is very much fitting. They also have items on their menu that are not available at their Makati branch. But if you're going with a big group, I suggest you visit the one in Makati instead :)
DeleteOhh.. I see.. Now i think i should try both haha! :) btw, it was nice to see you yesterday! Sayang wasn't able to chat with you though :( hope to see you again next time :)
DeleteHI Berylle, it was nice to see you too :) We didn't get to chat because we're always seated far from each other and as Spanky aptly puts it, I am not snob, i'm just painfully shy in person ^-^ Hope to see you again soon Beryll :)
DeleteHehe me too :) see you again soon :)
DeleteThe foods look savory and pricey as well.
ReplyDeleteI never tried any of these Yugoslavian dishes but they
seem to invite my taste buds.
HI Marri, everything is well worth the price since everything is delicious :) I hope you get to try them :)
DeleteOh I am definitely going here to try out these mouthwatering dishes!:)
ReplyDeleteGreat! I would love to hear your thoughts in Yugoslavian food Blanca :)
DeleteI've been to Balkan already and their food is really a must try!
ReplyDeleteGood to know you love their offerings :)
DeleteA friend has been pimping Balkan to me for the longest time. I never got around to trying it though since I rarely go to San Juan. I'm not sure how to pronounce the food hehe.
ReplyDeleteThey have one in Makati now :) I agree, the food carries names that are so hard to pronounce, but easy to love :)
DeleteI'm not familiar with balkan yugoslavian cooking but from the looks of it, it's similar to greek or persian. will try this if and when we go to makati or san juan. thanks for the recommendation. =)
ReplyDeleteRC Gweniful
Of all of the blogs I read, dito ako pinaka-napatigtig sa food! :)) Grr, I frequent Perea St but I've never noticed this resto! So sad! Is it near Blue Water Spa?
ReplyDeleteGrilled red pepper? I think this is so challenging and a real must-try. First time I heard of a Yugoslavian resto. Hope to visit them one of these days.
ReplyDeleteI live in San Juan City but never tried this...more reason to love the city I live in since I was born. Great post!
ReplyDeleteYum! the pictures makes me hungry! I love the grilled boneless chicken
ReplyDelete