A Long time ago, Puerto
Princesa City became a sanctuary for Vietnamese people who sail away through
seas from their homeland to avoid the unbearable war, some of it landed in the shore
land of Palawan to its capital. It became their shelter for many years, and in
return they introduce to the Palawenyos their famous cuisine, the French Bread Sandwich
and the Chaolong. In early 90’sit became a huge cottage industry in the City that
no major intersection you can’t find a Chaolong house.
Chao-long has its two
variety, the Pork (Buto-Buto) noodles and Beef Stew that is commercially
available. It is fascinating because of
its ingredients that most Filipinos find it uncommon for noodles, like the rice
strands noodles, monggo sprouts, carrots, eucalyptos leaves, and its unique
soup and seasonings. Chaolong somehow became a staple food for Palawenyo’s and
a relief after hard drinking session.
There are attempts in
the past to some businessman to bring Chaolong in Manila, but due to its
logistics background they never last.
But not anymore this
time, Palawenyo IT consultant turn entrepreneur Jay Lowell Payuyo is determine
to make Chaolong unanimous in Manila, to make it big in the coming years as
such like delicacies of other provinces that make it to other Cities and to another
Cities in the country.
Payuyo who ran a 7 year
old laundry shop in Quezon City has a dream of becoming a baker, and he made
that realization January of this 2014 when he open Bread & Bakers, who
offer a numerous kind of bread from pastries to cake of different occasion.
Until this April when somebody is looking for a French bread and together with
his two brothers they coined an idea of why not offer Chaolong, aside from the
said bread. Slowly they just try it in their home wherein they usually do every
time they have guest or an occasion to celebrate, and to their surprise it
became an instant hit for Palawenyos base in Metro Manila that misses the said
noodles. From one branch they have 3 branches as of now, the original in
Roosevelt, one in University of Sto.Tomas and in Project 7 in Quezon City.
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| Jay Lowell Payuyo |
Payuyo admit that
producing Chaolong in Manila is not easy, he have to find suppliers in the
metro that can sustain the operation, it’s a work in progress he said but so
far not only the Palawenyos are liking it, even locals of QC are now loving the
said rice noodles.
The original formula of
Chaolong is maintain in every bowl they serve, however as a resident critique
of their product, they try to do some innovations about its taste, with some
spices to sustain the authentic style of cooking it. He proudly say that the
Chaolong they serve is an MSG free, meaning no Vetsin is added to which some
Chaolong in Puerto Princesa is known for.
Bread & Bakers is
now the new rendezvous place of Palawenyos
in Manila, aside from Chaolong they were able to reconnect with their
roots and meet friends whom they never meet for quite some times. Payuyo
welcome that idea and he’s happy also seeing his fellowmen from same island who
share the passion he have about this gift from Vietnamese people.
Bread & Baker is
open from 6 in the morning up to 10 in the evening. Exact address is at 282
Roosevelt Avenue, Quezon City. Proj 7 branch is at Bansalangin St in Veterans
Village, just a walking distance from SM North EDSA. City. The UST branch is located at Delos
Reyes st near Eloisa St Manila. For inquiries you can contact them at Tel. No.
416-9058.
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