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Rainy Day Craving: Where Manila's Top Chefs + Influencers Go For a Warm Bowl
Classics and fresh discoveries you'd want to try this wet weather season.
Published on Sep 10, 2025
(SPOT.ph) We all have our own rainy day cravings, and hot bowls of soups or congee are no doubt the most popular: with their ability to bring literal warmth and offer that figurative hug—thanks to their familiar, comforting flavors. And this being September, rainy day stretches are longer and all the more frequent, inspiring us to ask some of Manila's top chefs and gourmands to share their own wet weather cravings—just in case you're looking to try a new soup to add to your personal rotation. What came out of it is an interesting, if surprising, lineup of classics and fresh discoveries even we are now raring to try.
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The Tori King Rich Soup Ramen at Ramen Keisuke Tori King. Photo from Ramen Keisuke Tori King Instagram.
Mico Cruz, content creator
"I really love the Tori King Ramen with Rich Broth from Ramen Keisuke Tori King in BGC. It’s honestly a contender for the best Paitan Ramen in Manila, and it’s funny how not a lot of people know about it! The broth is flavorful and decadent, and I think the novelty in it lies in the huge fall-off-the-bone chicken quarter served atop your noodles."
"I really love the Tori King Ramen with Rich Broth from Ramen Keisuke Tori King in BGC. It’s honestly a contender for the best Paitan Ramen in Manila, and it’s funny how not a lot of people know about it! The broth is flavorful and decadent, and I think the novelty in it lies in the huge fall-off-the-bone chicken quarter served atop your noodles."
For more Ramen Keisuke, clicke here.
Franco Saycon, co-partner, Medusa
“Ooohh, I’m very partial to Pho! I looove the Beef Pho of Pho Hoa and I order it piping hot with extra brisket, veggies, meatballs and lime/lemon wedges. Siyempre drizzled with a lot of sriracha!”
Franco Saycon, co-partner, Medusa
“Ooohh, I’m very partial to Pho! I looove the Beef Pho of Pho Hoa and I order it piping hot with extra brisket, veggies, meatballs and lime/lemon wedges. Siyempre drizzled with a lot of sriracha!”
For Pho Hoa branches near you, click here.
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A spicy-looking vermicelli soup at Sichu Malatang. Photo from Sichu Malatang Instagram.
Philbert Dy, food writer and film critic
“Some sort of Mala tang. The place I go to the most is Souper Hot in Cubao, though I also like Sichu Malatang, and I guess Caution Hot counts. I get the hottest versions, and in Souper Hot and Sichu I load up on mushrooms and vegetables. Very sustaining, and it heats me up inside.”
“Some sort of Mala tang. The place I go to the most is Souper Hot in Cubao, though I also like Sichu Malatang, and I guess Caution Hot counts. I get the hottest versions, and in Souper Hot and Sichu I load up on mushrooms and vegetables. Very sustaining, and it heats me up inside.”
Read more about Souper Hot Malatang here.
From Kevin David, chef at Idalia
“Soup is vast for me. It can be ramen or fideo. I do get my fix from Sichu Malatang. I get it dry and around level 3 on spice. I load it up with a lot of leafy greens, beef, squid and pigs ears. If the balls don’t look too processed I’ll throw a few in there and can’t forget the egg. More protein the better. [I go] usually when I’m just hungry or craving for comfort food…I go to Podium so after Sichu Malatang I go to meat fresh to cool off with the grass jelly shaved iced. Now that’s how you have a strong meal.”
From Kevin David, chef at Idalia
“Soup is vast for me. It can be ramen or fideo. I do get my fix from Sichu Malatang. I get it dry and around level 3 on spice. I load it up with a lot of leafy greens, beef, squid and pigs ears. If the balls don’t look too processed I’ll throw a few in there and can’t forget the egg. More protein the better. [I go] usually when I’m just hungry or craving for comfort food…I go to Podium so after Sichu Malatang I go to meat fresh to cool off with the grass jelly shaved iced. Now that’s how you have a strong meal.”
For Sichu Malatang branches, visit their Facebook page.
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Before the broth: the elements of the beef pho at Makati's DiCoFi. Photo from DiCoFi Instagram.
Angelo Comsti, chef at Offbeat
“I’m not a big fan of ramen as I find it too rich and I always feel lazy and heavy after wolfing down one. My go-to when it comes to rainy day comfort food bowls is pho which is much fresher and lighter. For this, I head to DiCoFi located just a few hundred meters away from my Makati pad. Run by a Vietnamese, the humble shack has the usual suspects—banh mi (which I like too) and the fresh rolls—but the chicken pho in particular hits the spot.”
“I’m not a big fan of ramen as I find it too rich and I always feel lazy and heavy after wolfing down one. My go-to when it comes to rainy day comfort food bowls is pho which is much fresher and lighter. For this, I head to DiCoFi located just a few hundred meters away from my Makati pad. Run by a Vietnamese, the humble shack has the usual suspects—banh mi (which I like too) and the fresh rolls—but the chicken pho in particular hits the spot.”
DiCoFi is in Valero Plaza Condominium, Salcedo Village, Makati City.
Pat Go, chef of Your Local
“Laksa at Eat Fresh Hong Kong Famous Street Food. I remember having this every late night with my wife when I used to live near San Juan. It was a very comforting dish especially during rainy days. I love how spicy and creamy it is. It was surely a great meal every time we had it. I love having it with a glass of Almond Jelly drink!”
“Laksa at Eat Fresh Hong Kong Famous Street Food. I remember having this every late night with my wife when I used to live near San Juan. It was a very comforting dish especially during rainy days. I love how spicy and creamy it is. It was surely a great meal every time we had it. I love having it with a glass of Almond Jelly drink!”
Look for Eat Fresh Hong Kong Famous Street Food here.
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Only in Bacolod: the iconic cansi at Sharyn's.
Ramon “Chin-Chin” Uy Jr., restaurateur of Lanai by Fresh Start, founder of Slow Food Negros
“Cansi for me! A savory sour soup made with beef shank, marrow soured with batuan and colored with asuete, cooked for hours. It’s famous in Bacolod and recognized as one of the best street foods dish in Asia! I usually order mine from Sharyn’s in Bacolod. They’ve been making it since the 1980s. I can’t resist ordering their crispy cansi too! Cansi brings warmth with that distinct sourness you get from the batuan, which is truly comforting. I find myself craving it on gloomy, rainy days and it just lifts up your mood.”
“Cansi for me! A savory sour soup made with beef shank, marrow soured with batuan and colored with asuete, cooked for hours. It’s famous in Bacolod and recognized as one of the best street foods dish in Asia! I usually order mine from Sharyn’s in Bacolod. They’ve been making it since the 1980s. I can’t resist ordering their crispy cansi too! Cansi brings warmth with that distinct sourness you get from the batuan, which is truly comforting. I find myself craving it on gloomy, rainy days and it just lifts up your mood.”
Sharyn's is located at C-58 Capitol Shopping Center, Narra Ave, Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City
Francis Tolentino, chef of Taupe
“Rainy days always make me crave mami and siopao from our family’s favorite old noodle house in Banawe, Quezon City—Ma Mon Luk. When I was little, we would often eat there with my grandparents since it was their go-to spot. Every now and then, I still order from them, and the taste of their noodles remains just as I remember from the very first time.”
Francis Tolentino, chef of Taupe
“Rainy days always make me crave mami and siopao from our family’s favorite old noodle house in Banawe, Quezon City—Ma Mon Luk. When I was little, we would often eat there with my grandparents since it was their go-to spot. Every now and then, I still order from them, and the taste of their noodles remains just as I remember from the very first time.”
Visit the official Ma Mon Luk Facebook page for branches.
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Pepper Teehankee, food writer
“Rainy days remind me of my childhood. Rainy days back then meant no school, so no school would be a visit to my grandma's house to eat. She usually prepared warm, Chinoy dishes for us. Nowadays, nostalgia takes me to @jencooksph to order congee when it rains. I love chicken arroz caldo but I'd enjoy something different too, so I tend to order her minced beef congee. It's hearty, comforting, and delicious! One can hardly even feel the rice as it it so soft mixed with minced beef and topped with century egg.
“Her other comforting dish for a rainy day is her silken egg. Light, tasty, and very addictive! These silky soft steamed egg mixture is topped with delicious sauteed mushrooms. These are enjoyable and comforting dishes for inclement weather.”
“Rainy days remind me of my childhood. Rainy days back then meant no school, so no school would be a visit to my grandma's house to eat. She usually prepared warm, Chinoy dishes for us. Nowadays, nostalgia takes me to @jencooksph to order congee when it rains. I love chicken arroz caldo but I'd enjoy something different too, so I tend to order her minced beef congee. It's hearty, comforting, and delicious! One can hardly even feel the rice as it it so soft mixed with minced beef and topped with century egg.
“Her other comforting dish for a rainy day is her silken egg. Light, tasty, and very addictive! These silky soft steamed egg mixture is topped with delicious sauteed mushrooms. These are enjoyable and comforting dishes for inclement weather.”
Order from JenCooks here.
Charles Montañez, chef of Mamacita
“Rainy days always make me crave the bold, spicy flavors of mala. I usually find myself at a hot pot or malatang spot. My go-to places? Gongfu in Makati for hotpot, and Sichu Malatang for malatang! Aside from the usual meats and seafood, they’ve got a wide selection of dumplings, balls, broths, and noodles. so you know I’m eating my heart out… for at least two hours.”
Charles Montañez, chef of Mamacita
“Rainy days always make me crave the bold, spicy flavors of mala. I usually find myself at a hot pot or malatang spot. My go-to places? Gongfu in Makati for hotpot, and Sichu Malatang for malatang! Aside from the usual meats and seafood, they’ve got a wide selection of dumplings, balls, broths, and noodles. so you know I’m eating my heart out… for at least two hours.”
Gongfu Hotpot is in 223 Nicanor Garcia Street, Makati City
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Jacque de Borja, queen at Jacque and Matcha
“Hot and Sour Soup from Gloria Maris, China Blue, Din Tai Fung, or from any Chinese restaurant to be honest. I love contrasting flavors and anything sour, so this is perfect. It’s warm and chunky too.”
“Hot and Sour Soup from Gloria Maris, China Blue, Din Tai Fung, or from any Chinese restaurant to be honest. I love contrasting flavors and anything sour, so this is perfect. It’s warm and chunky too.”
Gloria Maris is located in Missouri Street, Greenhills, San Juan and at Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao. China Blue is located at the Conrad Manila, Pasay City. For Din Tai Fung locations, click here.
If you're up for more recommendations...
...here are a few more, this time from the Spot.ph staff. For Eat + Drink editor Patricia Baes, it's the Kansi at JT's Manukan, and Korean soups too, especially Yukgaejang wherever its available. For section editor Bea Faicol, it's the Pho at Pho Hoa and congee or wonton at North Park, "with lots of sriracha or chili garlic." When she's around the Ortigas area, however, she'll make a trip to Masil for the jiggae (kimchi and doenjang). For Spot associate editor Michiko Manalang, it's Mann Hann's Hototai but at home "its sinigang in a mug with mashed gabi." Finally for Managing Editor Georgia Uy, it's 1) Goodah's Lomi Batangas: I'm not Batangueña and I will venture to say it's not the most authentic, but it's delicious, hearty, and just hits the right spot especially when it's rainy or just late at night — they're always open for delivery. 2) Gogodak's sundubu jjiggae is the same; every time I order it, it always tastes a little different — maybe spicier or sweeter, but it always captures the essence of what comfort soups should be for me: generous with the protein, well-balanced with veggies, and goes really really well with rice." Keep warm and happy slurping, from the Spot staff!
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