Cabalen

Philippine restaurant chain

Cabalen

Company type| Private
Industry| Restaurant
Founded| 1986; 38 years ago (1986) in Quezon City, Philippines
Founders| Maritel Nievera
Headquarters| Quezon City, Philippines

Number of locations

| 37 (36 local, 1 overseas)[1]

Area served

* Philippines (Metro Manila, Luzon, Cebu)
* United States

Key people

| Maritel Nievera (President)
Products| Filipino cuisine
Asian cuisine
Website| cabalen.ph/cabalen
Buffet featuring Gatang Kuhol (snails), Kare-kare and other Filipino delicacies.

Cabalen is a Philippine buffet restaurant chain primarily serving traditional Filipino entrees heavy on influences from the Pampanga region of Central Luzon, as well as dishes from Filipino, Thai, and Japanese cuisines.[2] However, most of the meals are from Kapampangan cuisine. Most of the chain's restaurants are located in Metro Manila, with one restaurant located in Cebu province and a single unit in the United States. Some of the locations are franchised operations. Many locations are situated within shopping malls.

## History

[edit]

Cabalen, which literally translates to "a fellow Kapampangan", is a group of casual - fine dining restaurants known for authentic Kapampangan dishes and different Filipino specialties, originating from Pampanga,[2] such as Gatang Kohol (snails in coconut milk), betuteng tugak (stuffed frog), kamaru (crickets), adobong pugo (quail) and balut[2] (developing bird embryo).[3][4][5] These factors contributed to the eventual birth of Cabalen, the Kapampangan specialty restaurants.[2]

Cabalen family started in 1974 in San Fernando, Pampanga as a small Bahay Pasalubong Restaurant selling specialty food dishes, then grew into a restaurant called "Ituro Mo, Iluto Ko". In 1986, the first Cabalen Eat-all-you-Can, Eat-all-you-Want Restaurant was opened on West Avenue in Quezon City[6] that led to the expansion to more outlets.[7]

The first location outside of Luzon was opened in Cebu City on the island of Cebu in August 2009. This location also serves local Cebuano dishes.[8]

In September 2010, Cabalen began to provide the Asian Buffet in addition to the Filipino Buffet at their three largest locations in the shopping malls at Glorietta, TriNoma, and SM Mall of Asia, all located in Metro Manila.[9]

A few famous customers include Gloria M. Arroyo,[10] Joseph Estrada,[10] Panfilo Lacson,[10] Sharon Cuneta,[10] Imelda Marcos, Kris Aquino,[10] Raul Roco,[10] Boots Anson-Roa,[10] Claudine Barretto,[10] and Butz Aquino.[10] Cabalen has also catered to many official functions in locations such as the Malacañang Palace.[11]

## Fare

[edit]

Typical dishes include bopis (lungs), Gatang Kohol (snails in coconut milk), Ensalata Ampalaya (a bitter gourd with garlic and ginger), and laing (a root vegetable in coconut milk).[5] There is also pork, beef, and fish stews, as well as Chinese influenced fried lumpia, pinakbet (vegetables), and adobo (traditional barbeque).[12][13] Cabalen is also known for purveying delicacies such as betuteng tugak (stuffed frog), kamaru (crickets), adobong pugo (quail) and balut[2] (developing bird embryo).[3][4][5]

## Branch locations

[edit]

Cabalen has a total of 17 branches in the Philippines and 1 branch internationally, in the United States. It is not so commonly known that there are two types of Cabalen restaurants, the All-Filipino Buffet (which has 15 locations) and the Asian Buffet (which has 3 locations).

In May 2013, the first and only overseas location was opened in San Bruno, California, in the United States.[14]

## See also

[edit]

* Food portal
* Companies portal
* Philippines portal

* List of buffet restaurants
* List of companies of the Philippines
* List of Philippine restaurant chains

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Cabalen". Cabalen. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
2. ^ a b c d e Alano, Ching M. (November 24, 2016). "Maritel Nievera's Cabalen: Cooking up 30 years of delicious memories". philstar.com. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
3. ^ a b "Cabalen serves exotic food daily". Headline Gitnang Luzon. November 9, 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-12-03.
4. ^ a b "Being a woman was an advantage". Philippine Star. February 27, 2012.
5. ^ a b c Dalton, D. (2007). The Philippines: Edition en langue anglaise. Rough Guide Travel Guides Series. Rough Guides Limited. p. 112\. ISBN 978-1-84353-806-6. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
6. ^ Bartolome, Armando (July 18, 2014). "Meet the woman who founded Cabalen restaurant". ABS-CBN Corporation.
7. ^ "About Us". Cabalen. Archived from the original on 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
8. ^ "Cabalen celebrates Sinulog at SM Cebu". Philippine Star. January 14, 2010.
9. ^ "Cabalen offers a Filipino-Asian P392 buffet at Glorietta 3, TriNoma and SM Mall of Asia". Philippine Star. September 30, 2010.
10. ^ a b c d e f g h i Flores, Wilson Lee (November 27, 2002). "Irene Martel-Francisco & Maritel Nievera share their recipes for success". Philippine Star.
11. ^ "Catering". Cabalen. Archived from the original on 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
12. ^ "About Us". Cabalen USA. Archived from the original on 2016-11-25. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
13. ^ Frankham, R. (2014). Bite Size World: Eating my way Around the Planet. Mereo Books. p. 16\. ISBN 978-1-86151-184-3. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
14. ^ "Cabalen goes international with new branch in California". Philippine Star. May 11, 2013.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Media related to Cabalen at Wikimedia Commons

* v
* t
* e

Filipino cuisine

Main dishes|

* Adobo
* Afritada
* Asado
* matua
* pork
* Balbacua
* Balut
* Bicol express/Sinilihan
* Binagoongan
* kangkong
* Binalot
* Bistek
* Biyaring
* Bola-bola
* Bopis
* Burong isda
* Burong mangga
* Carne norte guisado
* Chicken galantina/Relyenong manok
* Chicken pastel/Pastel de pollo
* Chori burger
* Coconut burger
* Curacha
* Alavar
* Decho
* Dinakdakan/Warek-Warek
* Dinengdeng
* Dinuguan
* Embutido
* Escabeche
* Estofado
* Everlasting
* Giniling
* Ginisang kangkóng
* Goto
* Halabós
* Hamonado
* Hardinera
* Humbà
* Igado
* Inasal
* Inihaw/Filipino barbecue
* Inubaran
* Isaw
* Kaldereta
* Kare-kare
* Kilawin
* Kinilnat
* Kinilaw
* Kulawo
* Laing/Pinangat
* Inulukan
* Linapay/Tinamuk
* Tinumok
* Lechon
* baboy
* baka
* manok
* Lengua estofado
* Lengua pastel
* Lengua Sevillana
* Linagpang
* Linarang
* Linat-an
* Lumlom
* Mechado
* Menudo/Ginamay
* Waknatoy
* Morcón
* Nilagang saging
* Paklay
* Papaitan
* Pares
* Pares kanto
* Pata tim
* Piaparan
* Picadillo
* Pinais
* Pinapaitan
* Pinakbet
* Pinangat na isda
* Pinatisan
* Pininyahang hipon
* Pininyahang manok
* Pinsec frito
* Piyanggang manok
* Piutu
* Poqui poqui
* Proben
* Pudpod
* Putsero
* Rendang
* Ropa vieja
* Sarsa na uyang
* Satti
* Sinanglay
* Sinantolan
* Siomai
* Tamale
* Talunan
* Tapa
* Tinapa
* Tinapayan
* Tinola
* Tuslob buwa

| Fried dishes|

* Bagnet
* Calamares
* Camaron rebosado
* Carne frita
* Chicharon
* Crispy kangkóng
* Crispy pata
* Crispy tadyang ng baka
* Daing
* Fish balls
* Kikiam
* Lechon kawali
* Nilasing na hipon
* Okoy
* Pudpod
* Sisig
* Tapa
* Tocino
* Tokneneng
* Kwek kwek
* Tokwa’t baboy
* Torta
* carne norte
* kalabasa
* sardinas
* talong

|

Rice dishes|

* Aligue fried rice
* Arroz a la cubana
* Arroz valenciana
* Arroz caldo
* Bagoong fried rice
* Balao-balao
* Java rice
* Junay
* Kiampong
* Kuning
* Lugaw
* Morisqueta tostada
* Oko-oko
* Paelya
* Bringhe
* Nasing biringyi
* Pastil
* Pusô/Tamu
* Silog
* Sinangág
* Sinigapuna

Soups|

* Batchoy Tagalog/Batsoy
* Binakol
* Bulalo
* Cansi
* Ginataan
* ampalaya
* hipon
* isda
* kalabasa
* kuhol
* labong
* langka
* manok
* sugpo
* ubod
* Ginisang munggo
* Gising-gising
* Kadyos, baboy, kag langka
* Kadyos, manok, kag ubad
* Kinamatisang manok (Sarciadong manok)
* Nilaga
* Paksiw
* Inun-unan
* Pinikpikan
* Sarsiado
* Sinabawang corned beef
* Sinabawang gulay
* Sinampalukan
* Sinigang
* Sorol
* Soup Number Five
* Suam na mais
* Tiyula itum

Noodles and pasta|

* Balbacua con misua
* Batchoy
* Batchoy Tagalog
* Filipino spaghetti
* Kinalas
* Macaroni salad
* Maki mi
* Odong
* Pancit
* bihon
* buko
* canton
* choca
* estacion
* lomi
* luglug
* Malabon
* mami
* miki
* Molo
* palabok
* sotanghon
* Pares mami
* Sinigáng sa misô
* Sopa de fideo
* Sopas

Sausages|

* Longganisa
* Alaminos
* Baguio
* Cabanatuan/Batutay
* Calumpit
* Chicken
* Fish
* Guagua/Candaba
* Guinobatan
* Longganisang dugo
* Lucban
* Pampanga
* Tuguegarao
* Vigan
* Chorizo
* de Bilbao
* de Cebu
* de Macao
* Negrense
* pudpud
* Pinuneg

Lumpia and turón|

* Daral
* Dinamita
* Lumpia
* adobo
* gulay
* hubad
* isda
* keso
* labong
* prito
* sariwa
* Shanghai
* singkamas
* togue
* ubod
* Vegetarian lumpia
* Ngohiong
* Turón

Breads, cakes,
and pastries|

* Alfajor
* Asado roll
* Banada
* Banana cake
* Bicho
* Binangkal
* Biscocho
* Kinihad
* Brazo de Mercedes
* Buko pandan cake
* Buko pie
* Buñuelo
* Churro
* Crema de Fruta
* Egg pie
* Empanada
* Ensaymada
* Flan cake
* Food for the gods
* Hopia
* Inipit
* Kumukunsi
* Mamón
* Broas
* Puto mamón
* Taisan
* tostado
* Mango cake
* Mango float
* Napoleones
* Ohaldre
* Pan de coco
* Pan de monggo
* Pan de monja/Monáy
* Putok
* Pan de regla
* Pan de siosa/Pan de leche
* Pandesal
* Pastel de Camiguín
* Pianono
* Piaya
* Pilipit
* Pinagong
* Polvorón
* Sans rival
* Señorita bread/Spanish bread
* Shakoy
* Shing-a-ling
* Silvana
* Siopao
* Ube cake
* Ube cheesecake
* Waffle dog
* Yema cake

| Biscuits/cookies|

* Aparon
* Apas
* Barquillos
* Barquiron
* Camachile cookies
* Caycay
* Galletas
* de bato
* de patatas/Egg cracklets
* del Carmen
* pesquera
* Gorgoria
* Half-moon cookie
* Jacobina
* Lengua de gato
* Linga
* Masa podrida
* Otap
* Paciencia
* Paborita
* Puto seco
* Roscas
* Rosquillo
* Ube crinkles
* Ugoy-ugoy
* Uraró/Arrowroot cookies

|

Desserts|

* Ampaw
* Banana cue
* Baye baye
* Binagol
* Binaki
* Buko salad
* Buko halo
* Buko melon
* Buko pandan
* Camote cue
* Camote halaya
* Cascaron
* Cassava cake
* Pitsi-pitsî
* Champóy
* Coconut macaroon
* Cornick
* Daral
* Dodol
* Duman
* Ginanggang
* Kalamay
* Kiamoy
* Leche flan
* Lokot-lokot
* Maja blanca
* Maruya
* Masareal
* Membrilyo
* Minatamis na saging
* Nilupak/Nilusak
* Pinipig
* Pritong saging
* Salukara
* Taho
* Tamales
* Tibok-tibok
* Tocino de cielo
* Turón
* Turrón de casúy
* Turrón de pili
* Ube
* halaya
* macapuno

| Candies and confections|

* Pastillas
* Balikucha
* Belekoy
* Coconut toffee
* Peanut Brittle
* Panocha mani
* Sampalok candy
* Yema

|

Chips and crackers|

* Banana chips
* Kabkab/Cassava cracker
* Kropek
* Kiping
* Pinasugbo/Consilva

Frozen desserts|

* Avocado and milk in ice/Abukado lamaw
* Guinomis
* Halo-halo
* Ice buko
* Ice scramble
* Knickerbocker
* Maíz con hielo
* Queso ice cream
* Saba con hielo
* Sili ice cream
* Sorbetes
* Ube ice cream

Kakanin (ricecakes)|

* Bibingka
* Bibingkoy
* Binakle
* Biko
* Espasol
* Kutsinta
* Mache
* Masi
* Moche
* Morón
* Palitaw
* Panyalam
* Putli mandi
* Puto
* Puto bumbong
* Puto maya
* Sapin-sapin
* Sayongsong
* Suman
* Tikoy
* Tupig

Soup desserts|

* Bilo-bilo
* Binatog
* Binignit
* Champorado
* Ginataan
* mais
* munggo/Lelot balatong
* saba
* Lamaw

Condiments
and ingredients|

* Agre dulce/sweet and sour sauce
* Achuete
* Asín tibuok
* Atchara
* Bagoong
* alamang
* monamon
* terong
* Banana ketchup
* Biasong
* Bukayo
* Burô/tapay
* Calamansi
* Dayap
* Dayok
* Dungon
* Galapóng
* Gamet
* Gatâ
* Giniling
* Gulaman
* Gusô
* Kakang gatâ
* Kamias
* Kaong
* Kasubha
* Keso de bola
* Kesong puti
* Labóng
* Landang
* Latik
* Latô
* Lemongrass
* Liver spread/Lechon sauce
* Luyang dilaw
* Macapuno
* Minatamís na báo
* Muscovado
* Nata de coco
* Nata de piña
* Pakô
* Palapa
* Pandan
* Panutsa
* Patis
* Pili nut
* Saba banana
* Sago
* Sakurab/Sibujing
* Siling haba
* Siling labuyo
* Taba ng talangka
* Tabon-tabon
* Toyomansi
* Toyo, suka, at sili
* Túltul
* Ube
* Ubad
* Ubod
* Vinegar
* cane
* coconut
* kaong palm
* nipa palm
* spiced

Beverages|

| Non-alcoholic|

* Avocado milkshake
* Calamansi juice
* Coffee
* Barako
* Benguet
* Sagada
* Sulu
* Salabat
* Samalamig
* Buko pandan drink
* Sago at gulaman
* Tsokolate
* Tubho tea

|

Alcoholic|

* Agkud
* Anisado
* Bahalina
* Bais
* Basi
* Bignay wine
* Byais
* Dubado
* Duhat wine
* Intus
* Kabarawan
* Kinutil
* Laksoy/Dalisay de nipa/Barik
* Lambanog/Dalisay de coco
* Mallorca
* Palek
* Pangasi
* Tapuy/Baya
* Tubâ
* Tuhak
* Tunggang

* Food portal
* See also:
* Philippine condiments
* Filipino Chinese cuisine
* Kamayan
* Kapampangan cuisine
* List of restaurant chains in the Philippines

* v
* t
* e

Fast food and fast casual restaurant chains in the United States

* Burger chains
* Chicken chains
* Coffeehouse chains
* Doughnut chains
* Hot dog chains
* Pizza chains
* Sandwich chains
* Seafood chains

Asian|

* Manchu Wok
* Panda Express
* Pei Wei Asian Diner
* P. F. Chang's
* Pick Up Stix
* Sarku Japan
* Yoshinoya

Baked goods|

* 85°C Bakery Cafe
* Au Bon Pain
* Auntie Anne's
* Boudin Bakery
* Bruegger's
* The Cheesecake Factory
* Cinnabon
* Corner Bakery Cafe
* Crumbl Cookies
* Daylight Donuts
* Donut King
* Duck Donuts
* Einstein Bros.
* Five Daughters Bakery
* Great American Cookies
* Honey Dew Donuts
* Insomnia Cookies
* Krispy Kreme
* Mochinut
* Mrs. Fields
* Panera Bread
* Paris Baguette
* Pretzelmaker/Pretzel Time
* Red Ribbon
* Shipley Do-Nuts
* Tim Hortons
* Wetzel's
* Winchell's

Barbecue|

* Dickey's
* L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
* Logan's Roadhouse
* Mission BBQ
* Morton's The Steakhouse
* Outback Steakhouse
* Saltgrass Steak House
* Texas Roadhouse

Beverages|

* Bambū
* Biggby Coffee
* Caribou
* Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
* Coffee Beanery
* Dunkin'
* Dunn Bros
* Dutch Bros.
* Gloria Jean's
* It's Boba Time
* Jamba Juice
* Juice It Up!
* Kung Fu Tea
* Orange Julius
* Peet's
* Planet Smoothie
* Robeks
* Smoothie King
* Starbucks
* Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Breakfast|

* Black Bear
* Cracker Barrel
* Denny's
* Golden Corral
* IHOP
* The Original Pancake House
* Waffle House

Chicken|

* Bojangles'
* Bonchon Chicken
* Boston Market
* Brown's Chicken & Pasta
* Buffalo Wild Wings
* Bush's Chicken
* Chester's
* Chick-fil-A
* Chicken Express
* Chicken Salad Chick
* Church's/Texas Chicken
* Dave's Hot Chicken
* El Pollo Loco
* Golden Chick
* Golden Skillet
* Guthrie's
* Hartz Chicken
* Hooters
* Jollibee
* KFC
* Krispy Krunchy
* Kyochon
* Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken
* Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken
* Mrs. Winner's
* Pollo Tropical
* Popeyes
* Raising Cane's
* Roy Rogers
* Slim Chickens
* Wingstop
* WingStreet
* Zaxby's

Frozen
desserts|

* Baskin-Robbins
* Ben & Jerry's
* Braum's
* Bruster's
* Carvel
* Cold Stone Creamery
* Dairy Queen
* Dippin' Dots
* Fosters Freeze
* Friendly's
* Graeter's
* Häagen-Dazs
* Handel's
* La Michoacana
* MaggieMoo's
* Marble Slab
* Menchie's
* Oberweis
* Orange Leaf
* Pinkberry
* Popbar
* Red Mango
* Rita's
* Sweet Frog
* Tastee-Freez
* TCBY
* Tropical Sno
* Tutti Frutti
* Yogen Früz
* Yogurtland

Hamburgers|

* A&W
* Applebee's
* Arctic Circle
* Back Yard
* Big Boy
* BurgerFi
* Burgerim
* Burger King
* Burgerville
* Carl's Jr.
* Checkers/Rally's
* Cook Out
* Cheeburger Cheeburger
* Culver's
* Fatburger
* Five Guys
* Ford's Garage
* Freddy's
* Fuddruckers
* Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard
* The Habit
* Hardee's
* Hwy 55
* In-N-Out
* Jack's
* Jack in the Box
* Johnny Rockets
* Kewpee
* Krystal
* McDonald's
* Mooyah
* Nation's
* Original Hamburger Stand
* Red Robin
* Roy Rogers
* Ruby Tuesday
* Shake Shack
* Smashburger
* Sonic
* Spangles
* Steak 'n Shake
* Wayback
* Wendy's
* Whataburger
* White Castle

Hot dogs|

* Hot Dog on a Stick
* Nathan's Famous
* Portillo's
* Wienerschnitzel

Mexican / Tex-Mex|

* Baja Fresh
* Cafe Rio
* Chevys
* Chili's
* Chipotle
* Del Taco
* El Torito
* Fuzzy's
* Green/Red Burrito
* Guzman y Gomez
* La Salsa
* Moe's
* On the Border
* Pancheros
* Qdoba
* Roberto's
* Rubio's
* Salsarita's
* Taco Bell
* Taco Bueno
* Taco Cabana
* Taco John's
* Taco Mayo
* TacoTime
* Tijuana Flats
* Torchy's Tacos

Pizza / Italian|

* &pizza
* Blaze Pizza
* Domino's
* Fazoli's
* Little Caesars
* MOD Pizza
* Mountain Mike's
* Olive Garden
* Papa Gino's
* Papa John's
* Pie Five
* Pizza Hut
* Pizza Patrón
* Round Table Pizza
* Sbarro
* Shakey's Pizza
* Straw Hat Pizza

Salads|

* Salad and Go
* Saladworks
* Sweetgreen

Sandwiches|

* Arby's
* Atlanta Bread
* Blimpie
* Capriotti's
* Charley's
* Così
* Cousins
* D'Angelo
* Daphne's
* Erbert & Gerbert's
* Firehouse Subs
* Great Wraps
* Jason's
* Jerry's Subs
* Jersey Mike's
* Jimmy John's
* Lee's Sandwiches
* Lenny's Sub
* McAlister's Deli
* Mendocino Farms
* Miami Subs
* Newk's Eatery
* Penn Station
* Port of Subs
* Potbelly
* Primo Hoagies
* Quiznos
* Rax
* Sandella's
* Schlotzsky's
* Steak Escape
* Subway
* Togo's
* Tubby's
* Tudor's Biscuit World
* Which Wich?

Seafood|

* Arthur Treacher's
* The Boiling Crab
* Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
* California Fish Grill
* Captain D's
* H. Salt Esquire
* Ivar's
* Joe's Crab Shack
* The Kickin' Crab
* Long John Silver's
* McCormick & Schmick's
* Mitchell's Fish Market
* Red Lobster
* Skippers Seafood & Chowder House

Other|

* Cava
* German Doner Kebab
* The Halal Guys
* Noodles & Company
* Pita Pit
* Skyline Chili
* TGI Fridays
* WaBa Grill

Defunct|

* Bresler's 33 Flavors
* Brigham's
* Burger Chef
* Carrols
* D'Lites
* Dawn Donuts
* Druther's
* Henry's Hamburgers
* Hot 'n Now
* Hot Sam Pretzels
* Naugles
* Nestlé Toll House
* Red Barn
* Sandy's
* Seattle's Best Coffee
* Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes
* Teavana
* T.J. Cinnamons
* Tully's
* Wetson's
* White Tower
* Zantigo

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