Food Trip 115 - Tupig

I was riding a jeepney towards Manila when I saw in front of Santo Domingo church in Quezon City a couple selling tupig. After several passengers alighted in front of the said church, I was contemplating whether I’ll take pictures of the couple selling tupig or not.  And before the jeepney driver could fully accelerate the jeepney, I decided to go for it.  I quickly stepped down from the jeepney.

Tupig is a local delicacy made of sticky rice, mature (niyog) and young (buko) coconut meat strips, and brown sugar.  The young coconut meat strips provide a better taste compared with just the plain sticky rice.  Whereas, the mature coconut meat strips produce coconut oil in order to prevent the mixture to forcefully stick to the banana leaves when cooked. In some instances, nuts can be added.  Likewise, a vanilla flavor can make it even more enticing.

The couple have charcoal burners and they simply line up the wrapped raw tupig over the burner and turn them over occasionally in order to evenly cook them.  One piece of tupig costs five pesos and when I tasted one, it was totally different from the tupig which my friends would bring home as pasalubong.  Since it is freshly prepared, it is tastier and somewhat heavy on the stomach.  The lady vendor, Ms. Marissa Fernandez, added that their tupig could last for three days or even longer if it is refrigerated.  

For the Lenten season, they are selling in front of Santo Domingo church because of the heavy turnouts of parishioners.  During ordinary days, they are selling in front of the Trinoma Mall along EDSA near the MRT station.  On a lean day, their estimated daily sales is four thousand pesos and could reach as high as seven thousand pesos for a busy day.  Furthermore, Ms. Marissa has been in the business for 30 years and this is the source of their livelihood which enable the couple to support their three children and send them to school.

For orders, you can reach her on this number - 09076010888.  She resides in Fairview and deliveries are free within the Quezon City or nearby areas for a minimum order of 200 pesos only.  They are also willing to deliver in other areas with an additional transportation charge.  You can make your orders a day before.