December 18, 2008

Busy but happy

Say hello to Jollibee, the mascot of the Philippines' largest fast-food chain of the same name. Back in July, I posted a photo of its interior, which looks just like any other fast-food restaurant in any part of the world. It serves burgers, of course—it started as a copy-cat McDonald's before McDonald's came to the country. But if you look at the poster behind it, you'll see one of its most popular dishes, which also identifies the chain as being very Filipino: pansit palabok. Palabok is made of rice noodles, a seafood-based sauce, and topped with more seafood, hard-boiled eggs, green onions and crunchy tsitsaron (fried pork rind). The orange color of the sauce comes from atsuete (annatto) from the shrub Bixa orellana. And in case you're wondering about the title of this post, it's the reason why Tony Tan Caktiong and his family chose the name Jollibee for the small ice cream parlor they opened in 1975. With more than 1600 stores worldwide in the entire chain, I'm sure they're all very busy and very happy.

Jollibee mascot

15 comments:

Lois said...

He's really cute!

Debbie Courson Smith said...

The bee would appeal to kids - do they have "kid meals" like McDonald's does?

Walker said...

Looks like a place I would really enjoy. I love pansit, all kinds. Cute picture.

NYD said...

pansit palabok sounds like my kind of eating. That bee looks way more appetizing than Ronald McDonald.

Do they have any other characters?

mouse (aka kimy) said...

do they deliver? if so I'll take an order of pansit palabok - sounds divine!

Knoxville Girl said...

whenever I visit your blog, I get the munchies. I wonder why...?
:) I'm going to look up pansit palabok recipes and see if I can make it at home.

Bergson said...

so cute

Layrayski said...

I think I'll order a palabok today. =P

Joe Narvaez said...

Wow Jollibee! I'll be visiting one when I come back home this weekend. I always do when I return for the holidays.

Jollibee should thank this blog for the nice free ad. I suggest they send a complimentary palabok or two to the author hehe.

nobu said...

When I visited to your country, I often went to jollibee to take a lunch.
I think it is especially popular among the families who have little child.

roentare said...

Through your photography, I am travelling through your city from your images

Hilda said...

BD:
Yes, they do — toy and all.

NYD:
Yes, they have other mascots too, but I don't remember what they are.

KG:
Good luck! I've never tried cooking it myself. So much easier to just buy from so many places that have it here.

Joe:
I wouldn't mind that at all! Hee hee. Have a safe trip home and enjoy your time here!

kuanyin333 said...

He's cute! Happy Holidays!

crittoria said...

He's so cute and cheerful!

 gmirage said...

3 jollyhotdogs please! I miss those!!!