'Pop Talk' host Tonipet Gaba shares his favorite comfort food

As the host of the long-running food and lifestyle show Pop Talk, Tonipet Gaba has sampled almost all kinds of food one could probably think of.

Street food, home-cooked favorites, food trends, gourmet creations - you name it, Tonipet for sure knows many of them by heart and taste.

But Tonipet, like all of us, has his own set of comfort food to run to when he wants to have a simple yet hearty meal.

By definition, comfort food is a dish that we enjoy eating and make us feel happy every time we consume it.

Usually, these are dishes that we grew up eating and elicits pleasant and wonderful memories.

For Tonipet, that would be kare-kare, leche flan, and munggo - three go-to dishes that hold a special place in his heart.

“Lumaki ako sa kare-kare, sa restaurant ng aking mga kamag-anak. Ewan ko, pinapapak ko kahit 'yong sabaw nun, 'yong peanut stew nito, hinihigop ko 'yon kahit na walang kanin,” Tonipet told GMA Lifestyle in a recent chat.

Tonipet belongs to the Ongpauco clan or better known as the family behind the famous Barrio Fiesta chain of restaurants.

He recalled spending every family occasion and special milestones in the restaurant growing up.

“Binyag namin, graduation ko, kasal ng nanay at tatay ko [at] mga tito at tita ko, anniversary ng lolo't lola ko, lahat ng special occasions. Lumaki ako dun, e. Alam mo 'yon 'di ba, 'pag may nostalgia at malakas 'yong sentimental value lalo't malapit sa puso mo.”

That same sentimentality applies to his love for munggo or mung bean. It's an unusual choice but a dish dear to Tonipet's heart.

“Ang munggo na niluluto na lola, my Lola Rosita Ongpauco, napakasarap at napakahusay. Very Kapampangan, e,” explained Tonipet.

“Tsaka 'yong munggo na 'yon versatile. Puwede siyang ulam tsaka halimbawa maglaga ka lang ng munggo then lagyan mo ng condensed milk tsaka konting asukal, aba'y dessert na 'yon!

“Tapos puwede mong gawing iced munggo, nakakatuwa. 'Yon ang mga childhood favorites ko hanggang ngayon.”

Catch Pop Talk every Saturday on its new time slot at 9:50 p.m. on GTV.

For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.