One after another, plates and bowls of hot steaming dishes clinked on the glass surface of our table. Soft music piped in across Rosenda’s Cabanatuan’s spacious dining hall. And the only patrons that night, us. Despite what our tummies were saying, we looked on with watering mouths.

ROSENDA’S DYNAMIC FACADE IN CABANATUAN CITY

We absolutely have not recovered from our supposed snack at NYOrK, and less than half an hour later, we were facing another dining table once again. That huge round table, reminiscent of my grandma’s—complete with a spinning lazy susan tray in the middle.

► SEE: NUEVA ECIJA FOOD TRIP

ROSENDA CABANATUAN’S ECLECTIC INTERIORS

The motif inside Rosenda’s Cabanatuan is eclectic. Chinese-inspired paintings hang side by side with traditional Filipino carvings; a replica of a bahay na bato’s colorful Mondrianesque capiz window is even present. At the center, dining pieces made of wood and glass stand—typical of Chinese restaurants I’ve visited before.

► CHECK FOR CHEAP HOTEL RATES IN CABANATUAN

CHINESE AND FILIPINO DISHES GOES HEAD TO HEAD AT ROSENDA’S RESTAURANT

Our dinner fare, however, weren’t all that Chinese. Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet (Php160.00) went plate to plate with Sizzling Pork Sisig (Php155.00), a Seafood Casserole (Php235 pesos) with Sinigang na Tadyang ng Baka sa Gabi. There’s even a plate of Gising-Gising (Php145.00) which looks more like your typical Chinese chop seuy than the chopped string beans I was accustomed to.

I THINK I WOULD NEED A CUP OF RICE FOR THIS ONE

We looked on with delight but we’re totally in a quandary as to how we would consume, let alone, finish everything. My shirt already looked one size too small for me after our previous food binges around Cabanatuan City.

But heck, as a foodstagramer’s adage goes, we live to eat. So eat we will.

ROSANDA’S SEAFOOD PANCIT CANTON ROCKS!

I brushed aside my steamed rice, we have enough of those at home, and spent my time concentrating on Rosenda’s Seafood Pancit Canton (Php300.00 medium bilao). And I made the right decision. While the other dishes were pretty okay, their noodles, topped with carrots, cabbages, mushroom, portions of shrimps and squids, was the bomb. The thick sauce mixed well with everything made it one of the best pancit canton I’ve ever tried.

And after thirty minutes, my shirt became even tighter.

~ Big thanks to Microtel Cabanatuan (0927) 804-2929 for this Cabanatuan food tour

Rosenda’s Restaurant
Address: 247 Maharlika Highway, Brgy. Dicarma, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
Contact Number: (044) 940-7326
Email: rosendas_ph@yahoo.com.ph | Facebook
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM Daily
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.488649, 120.974800