Just before we head off to CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC), we managed to drop by Naga City and taste some of the best food this city has to offer. I’m talking about Bob Marlin and this is also about one of the best Crispy Pata I’ve ever tasted!
We were just famished coming all the way from Caramoan when we arrived in Naga City. Bob Marlin is said to be one of the must-try restaurants in this side of Bicol and their Crispy Pata is said to be one of the best. Without further ado, we had an order of it, together with some other food on their menu.
Let’s start this culinary adventure with the Salmon Belly Sigang (or Sinigang as we call it in Manila). It comes in a big clay pot and it is meant to be shared. At first glance, all you see is the soup and the salmon belly but if you mix it you’ll find all the typical Sinigang ingredients at the bottom. It tastes like how a good Sinigang should be but the salmon belly makes it interesting.
Let’s now go with their Kare-Kare. This one is really good and it comes with their local version of bagoong (shrimp paste) which isn’t as salty as we have in Manila. The sauce is thick and tasty, and you can actually eat it without the bagoong.
Their Sisig is just a dream—it’s really one of their best dishes in my opinion. It comes in on a sizzling plate with an egg on top. Before I knew it, it’s all gone! Perfect match with beer or over rice!
The highlight of our lunch, the famous Crispy Pata. By all means, everything that I’ve heard is true—this is just one of the best Crispy Pata dishes I’ve ever tasted anywhere! I’m lost for words on how to describe it, but it is just really good! The skin, the meat, everything! Don’t dare have it if you’re on a diet because you might just throw that away once you start eating that crispy skin! 😀
We also ordered their version of Bicol Express (₱99) but it was all gone before I got a chance to snap a shot of it! But in case you have a creative imagination, I could describe it as being closer to Binagoongan of Manila with sili (chili) all over. Their meat is more on the shredded side rather than sliced so it does look a bit different than the Bicol Express we grew accustomed to in Manila. Nonetheless, it’s really good with rice because of its spiciness.
Travel Tip: Their Bicol Express and Laing are also available frozen (₱199 each) for those who want to bring them home to Manila. Just make sure to place them in a leak-proof container or plastic bag as the one they came in easily spills, especially as it thaws.
Overall, I loved everything that we tried in Bob Marlin. Everything tasted great and while the portions may vary, it’s enough for sharing. I highly recommend this place when you find yourself in Naga City, and I really recommend their Crispy Pata. My next favorites would be the Sisig and of course Bicol Express.
For more information about Bob Marlin, visit www.bobmarlin.ph.
* * *
Bicol Express Chronicles:
Related:
runningpinoy 