This nondescript Taiwanese restaurant in Banawe is among the Michelin Selection

For the first time, the Philippines has been included in the Michelin Guide. It features more than 70 restaurants in its selection, 25 Bib awardees and the highly coveted stars given to only 9 restaurants.

In February, Michelin said its inspectors had already started eating their way across Manila and Cebu "'to shine a spotlight on the Philippines' most talented chefs."

It correctly landed on Fong Wei Wu, a nondescript restaurant in Quezon City's Banawe district.

Fong Wei Wu serves Taiwanese cuisine done turo-turo style. As in the food spread is displayed in a stainless steel counter and you point to what you like. Then you take your seat at any of the modest tables and chairs and leave the 2-storey air-conditioned restaurant happy and full.

According to frequent diner Jaia Yap, "I immediately sensed it was something special from the hands-on owners to its cosy and ‘clean’ setup." 

"Our usual order is the Black Pepper Egg Fried Rice, which I think is a relatively safe choice for newcomers who might have unacquainted palates. It has toppings of sweet pork floss that might stand in as a viand on its own," he added, saying the tofu dishes at Fong Wei Wu "are light yet packs a lot of flavor."

On the website, the Michelin Guide recommends the fried bihon aka "rice noodles stir-fried with pork and cabbage are topped with flavorsome minced pork to create a harmony of soy umami and vegetable sweetness."

Describing Fong Wei Wu as a "cosy family-run spot [that] serves home-style Taiwanese food," the prestigious guide gave the spotlight to the restaurant's "Taiwanese female chef who specially selects Taiwanese condiments such as soy sauce to recreate authentic Taiwanese flavors.' 

It also said the food spread of about "15-20 dishes" changes every day.

For Yap, a meal can cost about P350-450 per person. It's "no BS prices" he says. 

Fong Wei Wu. 82 Banawe corner Samat Streets, Quezon City. +63917 7713456.  

— LA, GMA Integrated News