If you are like me, whose definition of an ordinary day is waking up with your sense of inner carnivore creating a havoc to your cravings asking for some adventurous no non-sense meaty food tripping, Balkan Yugoslavian Home Cooking along Perea St. in Makati City can be your salvation.
A spot which specializes in Yugoslavian Home Cooking can be a tad daunting to some who is unfamiliar to such. But fret not, because once a forkful of mean meaty goodness hit your palate, dude, you’re on a roll.
While the menu consists mostly of meat, vegetables were also thrown in for a good measure. Read on and see for yourself what we have feasted on during our recent dinner at Balkan. Notice how it can be downright hardcore in terms of meaty dishes, but believe me when I say that dining at Balkan isn’t heart attack waiting to happen. In fact, it’ll show that dishes like these are worthy to live for.
Owned by Marko Batricevic, a Serbian and a former varsity basketball player of the De La Salle Green Archers, Balkan has built quite a number of followers already since its first branch in San Juan was put up. Patrons and diners continue to increase in numbers as Balkan's second branch located along Perea St. in Legaspi Village, Makati rocked the city with its authentic Yugoslavian dishes. This only goes to show that Yugoslavian dishes may be hard to pronounce, but very easy to love.
I have been to their San Juan branch for quite a number of times already. Although the first branch is more accessible to me due to its proximity to where I reside, but Balkan in Makati is also worthy to visit. For one, Balkan in Makati is noticeably spacious. Second, its menu has more options.
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| Chicken Batak (Php290) |
A bite on the tenderness of perfectly grilled boneless chicken topped with melted mozzarella may give you a different high you can only get from Balkan's Chicken Batak. The sweet savory taste of the marinade that seeped through every shred of the chicken was given a new dimension by the distinct taste of the mozzarella in all its glorious melting creaminess.
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| Cevapcici Platter (Php280) |
Known as Yugoslavian sausages, Cevapcici is ground beef with Serbian spices molded into sausage links. A piece may look small but each screams meaty flavor you would long for carbohydrates to go with it. Good thing that diners are given an option to enjoy their Cevapcici in a platter which comes with fries or on a bun, for Cevapcici Burger.
Pljeskavica is a traditional Serbian burger made of grilled meat and Serbian spices served with fresh lettuce, tomato, onions, and fries on the side. First time I have tried Pljeskavica in Balkan, I already fell in love with it as it remains to be one of the meatiest burgers I have had.
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| Pljeskavica (Php200) |
Balkan's House Specialty is Jagnjetina. Baked lamb that is downright tender it literally fall off its bone. The distinct taste of the lamb is there but the spices they used tone it down a little so it does not overpowers.
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| Jagnjetina (Php700) / Stuffed Pljeskavica (Php320) |
Stuffed Pljeskavica is an option if you want your Pljeskavica experience turn into a notch higher. Stuffed with melted mozzarella cheese, it can be served on a bed of hot Jasmine rice or French fries.
Butkice is one of Balkan's awesome dishes in which name I am not really crazy about, but its taste is a different story. I've had Pork knuckles cooked in a clay pot before but nothing comes close to the one that Balakan serves. I cannot count how many "This is so good!" I have uttered before finishing my fair share of Butkice. It was so tender it melts in your mouth leaving only the flavor that you would long to experiencing again and again.
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| Butkice (Php650) |
This grilled red pepper soaked in olive oil and sprinkled with garlic is off the menu. Despite my love and hate relationship with pepper, I found this dish impressive in such a way that the distinct taste of the pepper does not overpower the entirety of the dish.
Way back when I last visited Balkan in San Juan, they still used the usual burger bun on some dishes which calls for it. Good thing that they are now baking their own bread which I find really satisfying. While it went perfectly well with the burgers, the bread also resonates with the goodness of their classic beef stew they call in Yugoslavia, Goulash. Made with chunks of beef and tortellini pasta in a thick and heartwarming soup, Goulash can be a meal in itself.
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| Freshly Baked Bread / Goulash (Php250) |
Another dish that is cooked in a clay pot is Sarma. Pickeld cabbage rolls stuffed with beef, rice, and spices on a bed of creamy mashed potato. It may look light but this dish is guaranteed to be filling and satisfying.
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| Sarma (Php260) / Sopska Salata (Php200) |
Meaty dishes may have the crown at Balkan, but like what I have mentioned, they also do serve vegetables for those who wants to strike a balance. Sopska is the only salad available on their menu as of yet, but it will surely satisfy diners. Combination of lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, onions, olives, and feta cheese as the menu described this salad, but the one they serve us was noticeably packed with shredded mozzarella as well, so it's a big plus.
Dessert is one distinction that Balakan in Makati has, as compare to their branch in San Juan. I am not sure if they are already serving dessert in San Juan, but the last time I went there, they still don't have it in their menu. Palacinke is simply a traditional Serbian crepe. Balkan offers two options; one is filled with nutella, while the other is filled with orange marmalade.
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| Palacinke (Php120) |
Balkan Yugoslavian Home Cooking is a carnivores haven but a balancing act played by some vegetables thrown in is noticeable. Serving portion are meant to be for sharing as dictated by their tradition. No need to be a hardcore adventurous to have the gut to try this spot because dishes are all friendly to the palate.
I've said this before in my previous Balkan post, and I will say it again just for the record. If one is dying to try Yugoslavian dishes, Balkan is the perfect place to visit for a beautiful introduction to such.
Balkan, Yugoslavian Home Cooking
G/F Mariposa Building, 109 Perea St.,
Legaspi Village, Makati City
Philippines
Contact nos.: 846-0744 / 0917-5474188
G/F Mariposa Building, 109 Perea St.,
Legaspi Village, Makati City
Philippines
Contact nos.: 846-0744 / 0917-5474188
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