If you have been reading this blog for quite a while now, you would probably have an idea how much I love seafood. I have co-authored a book, a restaurant guide published by Hinge Inquirer way back, and my section of the food was all about seafood. Given a choice between meat and seafood, I always pick seafood in a heartbeat.
Given this, I am excited to write about and share with you a recent discovery, Belly Jaw's Seafood and More and its sister business Cheatday Frozen Meat and Seafood Supply.
This blog post is part of my Quarantine Eats Series - a collection of food I enjoyed via home food delivery services during this time of quarantine. Since like most of you, I am pretty much a hermit these days working from home and not leaving the house unless necessary. As a food blogger, I thrive on home food delivery these days especially when time and energy does not permit me to slave away in my kitchen.
That is why now more than ever, I am grateful to food businesses that delivers their offerings at the comfort of ones' home. Recent browsing on Facebook in search for home food delivery led me to the pages of Cheatday and Belly Jaw's.
Basically, Cheatday is the business to call if you are in search for frozen meat such as longganisa, tapa, siomai, etc. and variety of seafood such as tuna panga, tuna belly, scallops, shrimps, lobster, and more. They are currently supplying frozen goods to some restaurants and bars in the metro. Aside from the owners' hardwork, they take pride on their repeat customers because it goes to show how good their products are.
And from Cheatday, Belly Jaw's sprung due to pandemic. The owners thought that since restaurants are close, food supplies in the market aren't as accessible as it used to, they decided to offer their delicious home cooked dishes online. Of course, the emphasis is on seafood but as they go along, they started offering meat dishes such as their newest offering, the Chinese Style Pork Asado.
We have tried their frozen Tuna Panga which we cooked into Sinigang and dare I say we all fell in love with it. But since your home girl don't have all the time in the world, it was the Belly Jaw's that really captured my attention. Ready made home cooked but restaurant-quality meal, what's not to love? I later learned that these dishes were prepared and cooked by chef Ralph, a former employee at Henann Resort in Boracay.
One time, when my cravings for seafood was loud enough I couldn't quite ignore, I decided it's time to give Belly Jaw's a try. Orders can be placed via their Facebook Page but delivery are done during weekends only.
First on the table was their Shrimp Stir Fried Noodles (Php300 per tray) which serving is good for 4-5 pax already. This is basically a marriage between noodles and bean sprout stir-fried into a medley of flavors made special with the addition of big plump shrimps.
The distinct flavor of bean sprout was very apparent on this one that those who have aversion might find it off putting after couple of bite. But as you go along, you'll be greeted with savory flavor interesting enough you wouldn't be able to put your fork down. The shrimps are of course the icing on the proverbial cake - plump, juicy, and flavorful it is almost illegal to stop with just one. But there are other dishes to enjoy.
Next was the Grilled Scallops (Php400).
While I normally favor baked cheesy ones, these grilled variant was not without its own charm. It was grilled perfectly that the flesh was tender with little bit of its juice to treat your palate in every bite.
Then there's the Cheesy Buttered Shrimp (Php250) which plump and juicy shrimps were gloriously flavored with butter and cheese.
Coupled with sweet corn, this dish was a meal in itself but the buttery-savory sauce brought about by the cheese and butter concoction was way too precious not to enjoy with a cup or two of steamed rice. A legit rice thief, as my Korean friends would call it.
Another shrimp dish that I enjoyed which leaned on the Asian flavor side of the spectrum was the Shrimp in Light Soy Sauce (Php250).
To leave the name giving credit on the light soy sauce it was cooked with was a disservice to the beautiful flavor combination of the Asian herbs and spices that lend this dish its palatable flavor. I love how every bite would jump from one taste to another - at first it was gingery, another and the green onion and garlic will step up making you aware of its presence, then the distinct flavor of shrimp reminding you of a beautiful summer will tied up everything together until you're ready to take that mouthful of bite again.
Then comes the apple of my eye, my favorite among the lot. Maybe because it has a little bit of everything, but then again maybe because it's just downright delicious.
This Spicy Mixed Seafood (Php250 per tub) was placed in a tub but it's glorious beauty presented itself when I transferred it into a much bigger container. It was an eye candy - a combination of delicious seafood with corn is always an eye candy. The only thing missing was perhaps some quartered boiled potatoes and it will probably sent me into filming a Mukbang for my YouTube channel to rival those who have done the same broadcast for seafood boil which I always envy.
In terms of flavor, this Mixed Spicy Seafood was perfect. One of the few dishes I had this year which I adore thus far. Also a rice thief, but can also be a perfect beer match. And if you are seafood-crazy like me, you would know that it can be eaten on its own - with barehands.
Tuna belly is one of Belly Jaw's main product so it is imperative to try their Sinagang sa Miso Tuna Belly (Php250) and you one couldn't go wrong with it. The thick cut of tuna belly was a treat in itself. But the beautiful balance of savory, fruity-sour flavor of this sinigang sa miso was what made this dish really shine.
Another main product was the Grilled Tuna Panga (Php50 per 100grams) I know most of us are under the impression that Tuna Panga could only yield too few tuna meat to enjoy. But trust me, this one is packed with meat underneath even I, a food enthusiast with a big appetite find it way too hefty to finish in one go. Well worth the price, I must say.
Just like some of the aforementioned dishes here, this grilled tuna panga can be eaten as viand and can also be enjoyed as a perfect grilled match. Take note that they sell frozen Tuna Panga as well, so if so inclined, you may stock up at home and cook it to your liking once cravings hit you.
There are other dishes available at Belly Jaw's and it is good to know that they are continuously expanding their menu. Recently, they have launched their Chinese Style Pork Asado and I believe they also have Lechon Paksiw now as well. The price point, as you can see is very affordable. I paid around Php1,000 plus only and already we had a feast. They deliver door to door and they are also open for meet ups.
Truth be told, I wouldn't be wasting my time writing about Belly Jaw's and Cheatday had I not been impressed with their offerings. Everything I have tried was downright delicious and filling not to mention very affordable. I am still looking forward to my future weekends which I will be spending feasting on some delicious seafood and meat from Belly Jaw's and Cheatday, and may I suggest, dear readers that you give them a try too.
Belly Jaw's Seafood and More
Restaurant-quality Food at the Comfort of your Own Home
Contact No.: Ms. NJ Espiritu 0939-3604469
Facebook: @BellyJawsSM
Cheatday Frozen Meat and Seafood Supply
Supplier of Tuna Panga and Belly
Contact No.: Ms. Erica San Juan 0917-357-8058
Facebook: @eatscheatday
