We emerged from the forest of Subic Bay, trying to apply—and failing hard—the survival tips given by the Aeta guides as a prelude to the JEST Camp Hunger Games. Our stomachs on the other hand have a different Hunger Games in mind, what it wanted was lunch, a pretty heavy one. Good thing JEST Camp has prepared just the right one for us, a boodle fight at their Kawayan Kitchen.

HOW KAWAYAN KITCHEN COOKS THEIR MEALS

During our two-day stay at Subic’s JEST Camp, most of our meals were cooked using buho or bamboos. The camp practices what it preaches, almost all of dishes—including our rice—were prepared using the method the Aetas demonstrated to us the first day we arrived.

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KAWAYAN KITCHEN’S MODERN RESTAURANT

Aptly dubbed Kawayan Kitchen, it is located on a two-storey modern building overlooking the blue waters of Subic Bay. The lower floor is open-aired while the upper lever is air-conditioned. They also have a satellite restaurant near JEST Camp’s aviary, but we mainly ate at this place.

► CHECK OUT: SUBIC FOOD TRIP

INIHAW NA LIEMPO

We’ve had a total of four meals during our overnight stay at JEST Camp and we were able to try out their inihaw na liempo (Php185.00), grilled chicken, grilled prawns (Php295.00 / 250 grams), and their sinampalukang manok luto sa buho (Php180.00).

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SINAMPALUKANG MANOK – LUTO SA BUHO

Their liempo and shrimp were good but I liked their sinampalukan the best. The dish is slow-cooked inside a bamboo shaft—veggies, chicken, spices and all, before being served on a clay pot. It was the perfect pair for their kanin luto sa buho (Php180.00) or bamboo-steamed rice.

► BOOK DISCOUNTED SUBIC TOURS

GRILLED PRAWNS

KANIN – LUTO SA BUHO

Kawayan Kitchen’s prices seemed on the expensive side, but once you see their servings, you’d understand why. Every dish is good for sharing, including the rice. Plus, and more importantly, their food is quite flavorful; it has that smoky, woody tang that can only be achieved using their bamboo cooking method.

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BREADED FISH FILLET FOR DINNER

HOTTOSILOG FOR BREAKFAST

Since we stayed overnight at JEST Camp’s Barracks, we were also able to try out their dinner and breakfast offerings.

While our dinner was mostly the same grilled stuff and sinampalukan, it was supplemented by plates of fish fillet which I absolutely love. And for breakfast, everyone had a set meal of coffee, rice, tocino, fried egg, and hotdogs; not a bad way to start the day. Now we’re definitely ready for JEST Camp’s Hunger Games!

JEST Camp Kawayan Kitchen
Address: Upper Mau, Cubi-Triboa, Freeport Zone, Subic, Zambales
Contact Number: (047) 252-1489 | (0917) 531-0993
Email: adventure@jestcamp.com | Facebook
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Daily
GPS Coordinates Map: 14.791979, 120.294341