The vibrant and exotic flavors of ube reign supreme in bustling Metro Manila. This humble root, a purple yam indigenous to the Philippines, is a staple in local cuisine. Ube’s rich and earthy undertones create a captivating blend that lends itself beautifully to both desserts and savory dishes.
Here are some of the best ube creations in the city. Every bite of these treats celebrates Filipino flavor.
Ube Langka Roll
Conrad Manila’s Bru Coffee Bar
Bru Coffee Bar’s ube langka roll beckons to those seeking exemplary Filipino pastry craftsmanship. This seasonal delicacy uses locally sourced ingredients and boasts a soft, decadent texture that marries the rich tastes of ube and jackfruit. The addition of ripe mangoes from Guimaras imparts a refined sweetness, offering a tropical masterpiece that displays the dedication of Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Conrad Manila’s bakers to the freshest and finest ingredients.
Ube Macapuno Danish
Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila’s Bake House
At Four-Star Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila’s Bake House, this pastry is crafted with precision. The ube and macapuno (the soft coconut meat) are delicately enveloped in Danish pastry and topped with white chocolate shards and macapuno strings for added sweetness. Bake House elevates the culinary experience further by ensuring that its baked goodies are free from trans fat, artificial dyes and flavorings. This sweet symphony transcends the ordinary.
Ube Banana Loaf and Ube Ensaymada
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila‘s Café Pronto
A delightful duo of ube-infused creations awaits at Five-Star Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Café Pronto. The ube banana loaf’s dense texture is elevated by an ube halaya (or jam) filling, creating a heavenly blend of purple yam and banana.
Meanwhile, the ube ensaymada, a sweet brioche stuffed with ube and topped with buttercream and grated cheese, exemplifies a perfect, indulgent Filipino pastry.
Ube Ensaymada
Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila’s Galette
The Four-Star Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila presents the ube ensaymada at Le Bar’s Galette. This cherished crowd favorite uses locally sourced ingredients to pay homage to Filipino-French bistronomy with tradition and taste. The combination reflects the French love for pastries, beautifully melded with the Filipino essence.
Ube Waffles with Buttermilk Chicken and Salted Egg Custard Sauce
The Fat Seed Café + Roastery
For a more savory take on ube flavor, The Fat Seed Café cooks up purple jam waffles crowned with a juicy piece of buttermilk chicken and drizzled with salted egg custard sauce. The medley of textures will tantalize your taste buds and is available for dine-in, pickup or delivery.
Ube Cheesecake
City of Dream Manila’s Café Society
Experience the fusion of Japanese techniques and Filipino flavors in the heart of Café Society, a casual spot in the City of Dreams luxury resort that also houses properties such as Five-Star Nüwa Manila. The decadent ube cheesecake flaunts a heavenly light and cloud-like texture, complemented by a uniquely delicate taste.
Ube Tiramisu
The Pastry Company
The classic Italian dessert gets a Filipino twist at this bakery. This upscale take on tiramisu swaps coffee liqueur for the delicious ube cream liqueur from cocktail specialist Kalel Demetrio’s Agimat bar.
Ube Pancakes and Waffles
Scout’s Honor
Start your day with a dreamy breakfast of soft, fluffy ube pancakes and waffles. The purple delights, infused with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked ube, are a visual and flavorful feast. Choose from Scout’s whipped butter options — vanilla, coffee or ube — for an extra rich layer.
Ube Champorado
Providore
Providore’s ube champorado is a delightful Filipino fusion. The restaurant infuses traditional champorado — a sweet chocolate rice porridge — with a vibrant ube and a surprising, rich contrast from the salty fried fish topping. The dish’s bold sweet and savory notes leave a lasting impression.
Ube Poppits
Sebastian’s
Try ube as a frozen treat. These poppits are bite-sized nuggets of velvety ube ice cream coated in purple-colored white chocolate. Just the right balance of creaminess and sweetness, these little pops of joy showcase Sebastian’s creative mastery.
Ube Queso Bibingka
Workshop
Workshop transforms a Filipino favorite. It reinvents traditional bibingka (rice cake) with luscious ube halaya (housemade ube jam) and a generous layer of melted cheese, creating a compelling blend of sweet and savory. It’s a dish that honors tradition while embracing innovation.
Ube Halaya Ice Cream
Karabella Dairy
Karabella Dairy serves pure indulgence with its ube halaya ice cream. This locally made treat is crafted with all-natural ingredients and fresh carabao milk. The ice cream’s distinct milky, grassy richness blended with purple yam celebrates Filipino flavors with every scoop.
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