12 Well-Loved Dishes at Calle Real in Tanza, Cavite

Calle Real is one iconic restaurant in the old poblacion area of Tanza, Cavite province. It is at least 1 hour drive from Cavite City and one bus ride from PITX in Parañaque City in Metro Manila.

Calle Real is an art deco style architecture ancestral house built in the 1920’s. The house was then converted into a restaurant and venue place. Currently the restaurant had 4 branches within Tanza and Cavite province.The town is also known for notable historical events and Kaibigan Bakery.

ancestral house converted into a restaurant

Calle Real specializes on Spanish, Filipino, heirloom and contemporary dishes.

newspaper feature

It used to have a pastry restaurant on the second floor but the proprietors decided to focus their attention to the main restaurant.

signage and parking area

interior

The restaurant had a sitting capacity of between 70 to 80 with a special function room which can handle at least 100 person.

12 Well-Loved Dishes at Calle Real

The group was fortunate to met the proprietor of the restaurant. Although i met her several times before.

12.) Crunchy Pork Binagoongan – Deep fried pork cooked in bagoong paste ( Php 245 per order).

11.) Crispy Pata – The deep fried crispy pata comes with a dipping sauce with a combination of soy and vinegar with chopped chilies and onion.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uRgqiS659DkiJMJx9

10.) Tokwa Sisig– The tofu sisig had a combination of fried tofu, chopped cucumber and chopped onions. ( Php 160 per serving)

9.) Cheesy Beef Kaldereta– Another nice dish to try at the place is their version of beef kaldereta with bell pepper, carrots and well seasoned. The meat of the beef is tender and topped with cheese. Ideal for sharing between 2 to 3 persons. (Php 245 per order)

8.) Pork Sisig– This is another favorite dish at the restaurant. This is best paired with rice.

7.) Callos – Another nice dish, with with sliced olives, chorizo, garbanzos and chopped tomatoes. (Php 245 per order)

6.) Breaded Fried Chicken– Another well -loved dish which can be shared between 2 persons. This had a nice dipping sauce.

5.) Chicken Teriyaki with vegetables and rice- ala carte meal which can be ordered anytime of the day. (Php 140 per order)

4.) Calandracas/ Kalandracas – This is an heirloom dish which had sotanghon noodles, banana blossom, string beans,chopped eggplant or any vegetables seasoned with the famous patis de Tanza. Commonly served during funeral wakes in the province of Cavite.

Vegetables used in the noodle dish were normally given by visitors attending the wake. ( Php 170 per order) Can be shared between 3 to 5 persons.

3.) Sotanghon Negra- The sotanghon noodles dish is cooked with squid ink, squid, pork meat, carrots, cabbage, sugar peas/ chitsaro and topped with fried garlic.  (Php 260 per order) can be shared between 3 to 5 persons) Php 1,500 bilao ( 10 to 15 persons)

The town is in the coastal area of Cavite and squid is one of the popular seafood produce.

2.) Paella Jambalaya– The paella jambalaya consist of generous topping of mussels/ tahong,  green peas, chorizo, sugar pea/ chitsaro, bell pepper and hard boiled eggs.  ( Php 290 serves 2-4people, Php 950 serves 5 to 10 people, Php 1,150 serves 10 to 15 people) .

1.) Paella Negra – The paella had squid ink with toppings of bell pepper, squid,  pork meat, chorizo, sugar peas/ chitsaro. ( Php 320 serves 2 to 4 people, Php 1,050 serves 5 to 10 people, Php 1,600 serves 10 to 15 people). This is another well-loved dish of the restaurant.

The restaurant also have dishes good for small group and ala carte meals.  Other highly recommended dishes that are worth ordering are Pollo Frito, Lengua Con Cetas, Chicken ala Pastel.

Desserts

Churros with Chocolate

Another popular desserts of the restaurant was S’Mores with Skillet cost Php 120 per order and Churros at Php 60 and comes with thick chocolate.

group

Note: prices quoted are by the restaurant during the time of the visit.

Calle Real Restaurant

Address: 8 Sta. Cruz Street Brgy. Poblacion 2, Tanza, Cavite 4108

Branches: Puregold, Tanza / The Square, Lancaster/ Robinson- General Trias

Landline: (046) 505 2836

Operations: Daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Kaibigan Bakery : Traditional Sopas de Tanza Biscuits

Kaibigan Bakery is a well-known institution within the town of Tanza, Cavite.  I took time to visit the Public Market ( Pamilihang Bayan ) since my aunts were craving of an authentic native biscuits from the town. Kaibigan mean ” friend” in the Tagalog language.

lenguas, camachile and sopas de Tanza biscuit for sale in local market

I first tasted this biscuit more a decade ago, when we visited the public market. This is one of the best food souvenir ( pasalubongs ) from the town. The retail price for the biscuit in plastic container is Php 180.00 but they would give small discounts to bulk orders.

This biscuit is called ” Sopas de Tanza” which was featured in many television shows. This is best paired with coffee , chocolate or tea.

The biscuits are baked in pugon using local wood, Hence enhancing the taste.  The bakery also makes different kinds of biscuits like camachile, gurgurya, lengua de gato among others.

One of the famous clientele of this bakery are the Aguinaldo’s, Abaya and Viratas. This was also served to foreign dignitaries whenever they are in Cavite.

Kaibigan bakery was founded in 1920 but some say that the recipe was over 100 years ago. The recipe was already with the family making the biscuit for at least 40 years before the bakery was established.

Dr. Jose Rizal was given some sopas biscuits , when a friend from Santa Cruz de Malabon ( present day Tanza) gave him.

There were different theories behind the name of this biscuit, One of the the more popular one was said that one of the bakers originate from the Visayan region. SOPAS means biscuit in the Visayan language.

Another theory is that it looks like sopas or pasta . Another one is that some locals would dip the biscuit in coffees or hot chocolate, This would like pasta floating, hence the name.

Kaibigan Bakery

Address: Biwas, Tanza , Cavite

Contact : (046)505-6461 / 0999-923-5323