Forget Your Usual: Try a Different Take on Bulalo at This Tagaytay Restaurant

Klara's Bulalo Kafe
Mahogany Ave., Tagaytay City
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/klaraskafe/
Operating hours: Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Fridays to Sundays, 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.

(SPOT.ph) If there’s one place known to have comforting and great-tasting Filipino eats, it’s Tagaytay City. The place is teeming with both established and mom-and-pop shops that offer your favorites. In fact, you might even have your go-to spot—and be willing to fight for it!—whenever you decide to drive up on a weekend. It’s also the place to go if you’re in the mood for a mean bowl of bulalo regardless of the weather.

Now, you might be thinking, “It’s just bulalo, it’s going to be the same regardless of which restaurant I’ll go to.” That may be the case—if you’ve already gotten a taste of it beforehand. But if you’re a virgin, er, bulalo virgin, your first time slurping that broth really matters. Should you be planning a trip to Tagaytay in the near future, you might want to make a stop at Klara’s Bulalo Kafe where you can familiarize—or reacquaint—yourself with their clean take on the simple stew.

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Check out this Tagaytay restaurant's take on the bulalo:

By clean, we not only mean the establishment itself but the quality of the fare it serves. Bulalo, while warm and comforting, is sometimes thought of as a once-in-a-while treat due to its high-fat content. The restaurant's take on the dish, aptly called Klara's Special Bulalo (P595) utilizes grass-fed cows from local farmers as well as organic vegetables. For those unaware, grass-fed beef is leaner and features less cholesterol and saturated fat compared to grain-fed beef, which makes it a great for individuals that want to enjoy the dish sans guilty feelings.

Now, most establishments take a "shortcut" by cooking the beef with a pressure cooker—it is faster, after all—but at Klara's, the saying "patience is a virtue" rings true. They stew their beef in a slow cooker to ensure that melt-in-your-mouth bite. 

Those that want to try a different approach to the classic Tagaytay fare can opt to order Klara's Sizzling Bulalo (P555) which has generous chunks of tender beef, drizzled with gravy and mushrooms. A complete 180-degree turn in terms of visuals from its soupy counterpart, but equally delicious. 

Of course, other classic dishes shine at this hidden Tagaytay gem. The Spanish-inspired Beef Salpicao (P395) which has a generous heaping of garlic, is cooked medium to medium well and comes with jus that's best drizzled over plain rice (a pro tip, if we do say so ourselves). The Kare-Kare Ox Tail (P595), on the other hand, has a sweet and not-so-salty flavor profile. Like the other dishes found on the menu, the meat has been slow-cooked to give it a juicer, tender approach, you know, the type that falls off the bone easily and leaves you wanting bite after bite.

As the saying goes, "No Filipino meal is complete without rice." Order yourself a serving or two of Bagoong Rice (P265) which has a nice balance of salty and umami flavors and complements most, if not all, of the dishes found on the menu. Of course, you'll need a cool and refreshing drink to help you wash things down. Treat yourself to Sago't Gulaman (P125), which at Klara's, has a slightly sweet base—perfect to break up all the flavors you've just experienced—and a generous portion of the chewy jelly.

Being a family-owned establishment, Klara's is the type of spot you'll go to after spending a long day exploring Tagaytay. With a lot of parking spaces (a very important thing to consider!) and ample booths and tables perfect for big groups looking to relax, unwind, and slurp on some hearty soup. Now, who's up for a road trip?

Also read: Up for a Road Trip? Say "Hello" to This Minimalist Café in Tagaytay