BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Call it bad weather or ‘bed weather,’ either way, it’s hot soup season.

When sudden rains slow down the city or the air feels thick and heavy, a steaming bowl of soup is the kind of comfort that never fails. It warms the stomach, steadies the mood, and makes braving the day a little easier. In Araneta City, right at the center of transport, business, and commuter life, comfort comes in bowls that match the pace and pulse of the season.

Here’s a guide to where you can find the best steaming bowls, from Filipino classics to Japanese favorites.

Sinigang

A true Filipino classic, sinigang is known for its tangy tamarind broth, balanced with meat or seafood, vegetables, and just the right touch of saltiness. It’s the dish many Filipinos crave during rainy days.

Manam Comfort Filipino

Coliseum Plaza, Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2

Manam is beloved for its innovative takes on Filipino comfort food, and its Sinigang na Beef Short Rib & Watermelon is a crowd-pleaser. This dish combines slow-cooked beef short ribs with a refreshing hint of watermelon, softening the sourness of the broth while adding a subtle sweetness that feels both indulgent and new.

Abé Restaurant

Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2

Abé offers a treasure trove of sinigang variations, each drawing on different regions of the Philippines. Classics like Sinigang na Ulong Salmon sa Miso (salmon head in miso broth) and Sinigang na Bangus sa Bayabas (milkfish in guava broth) sit alongside more unexpected options, such as Sinigang sa Ube (purple yam broth), which gives the soup a vibrant color and a gentle, earthy sweetness.

Mangan Restaurant

Upper Ground A, Gateway Mall 2

Mangan celebrates Pampanga’s rich flavors with mapaling sabo (literally “variety of soups”) that reimagine sinigang. Choices range from classics like sinigang sa sampalok (tamarind broth) with pork ribs, beef ribs, bangus belly, or shrimp to regional staples such as sinigang sa bayabas (guava broth) and sinigang sa miso salmon belly (miso broth). For a playful twist, there’s also sinigang sa pakwan (watermelon broth) and creamy chicken coconut sinigang for a tropical touch.

Bulalo

Traditionally from the southern Luzon provinces of Batangas and Cavite, bulalo is a beef shank soup simmered for hours until the marrow-rich broth turns hearty and deeply flavorful. Best paired with rice, it’s a meal in itself.

Abé Restaurant

Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2

Best known for Kapampangan specialties, this restaurant also offers soul-warming soups that make it a worthy stop for bulalo enthusiasts. Its countryside-style boiled beef shank and vegetables deliver a light but savory broth, with a subtle sweetness from fresh corn and greens that balances the richness of the bone marrow.

Bulalo World | Level 3, Gateway Mall 2

Even the name evokes being immersed in a wide range of bulalo offerings. From the classic plain version to extra-marrow bowls paired with pork barbecue and crispy chicken skin, the broth is intensely beefy yet clean-tasting, with a silky mouthfeel from slow-simmered collagen.

Nilaga

Nilaga is one of the simplest Filipino soups, boiled beef or pork with clear broth, potatoes, and vegetables. Its straightforward flavors are comforting and familiar, especially for those who grew up with it at home.

Gerry’s Grill

Ground Floor, Ali Mall

Known for serving Filipino staples such as sisig (sizzling chopped pork), inihaw na pusit (grilled squid), crispy pata (deep-fried pork knuckle), and beef kare-kare (oxtail stew with peanut sauce), Gerry’s Grill also offers bowls of soulful soups. Among them is the flavorful Nilagang Bulalo (beef shank soup), a rich take on the beloved nilaga, along with other Filipino favorites like sinigang (sour tamarind-based soup) each one a reminder of the country’s culinary heritage.

Kansi

A specialty from Iloilo and Bacolod, kansi is often described as a cross between bulalo and sinigang. It has the hearty bone marrow of bulalo, but with a sour tamarind-like kick from batwan fruit, giving it a unique Visayan character.

Grace Park

Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 2

This farm-to-table concept by renowned Filipino chef Margarita “Gaita” Forés offers a Bacolod-style oxtail kansi topped with chicharon (crispy pork cracklings). Tender oxtail, a bright and sour-savory broth, and the crunch of smoky chicharon create a rustic yet elevated bowl that captures the depth of Visayan comfort food.

Ramen

Japan’s ultimate comfort food, ramen combines savory broth, noodles, and toppings that range from chashu pork to seasoned eggs. Each bowl is a balance of richness and umami.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

Level 2, Gateway Mall 2

This legendary brand from Japan has been serving the same cherished family recipe since 1988, earning worldwide recognition for its signature shio ramen. Its mild and creamy pork broth seasoned with salt highlights the subtle flavors of the noodles, while other offerings such as kara miso (spicy miso), miso ramen (soybean paste flavor), and specialty bowls showcase the brand’s versatility.

Ramen Nagi

Upper Ground Floor

One of the most popular Tokyo-based ramen joints in the country, Ramen Nagi is known for its bold flavors and vibrant atmosphere. Diners can customize their bowls by choosing spice levels, broth richness, and toppings, with options like the luscious Butao King tonkotsu, the fiery Red King, the aromatic jet-black Black King, or the limited-edition Scallop King for an indulgent treat.

Udon

Udon noodles are thick, chewy, and satisfying, often served in a light soy-based broth or stir-fried for heartier dishes. They’re a comforting Japanese staple that pairs perfectly with tempura.

Marugame Udon

Upper Ground A, Gateway Mall 2

One of Japan’s most popular fast-casual chains, Marugame Udon is celebrated for offering both quality and affordability. The restaurant features a cafeteria-style setup where diners can watch udon being freshly prepared and customize their bowls with toppings like freshly fried tempura. Signature options include Beef Ontama Bukkake Udon (cold noodles with sweet-salty sauce and soft-boiled egg), Sukiyaki Ninja Udon (udon with sweet soy-braised beef and vegetables), and Chicken Paitan Udon (rich, creamy chicken broth), alongside rice bowls and Japanese side dishes for a complete meal.

Tsurumaru Udon x Tempura

Upper Ground Floor, Gateway Mall 1

Specializing in Sanuki-style udon from Japan’s Kagawa Prefecture, known for its firm, springy texture, this restaurant delivers an authentic experience. Diners can choose from classics like Beef Bukkake Udon (chilled udon with savory sauce and beef), Niku Udon (hot broth with sliced beef), and Zaru Udon (cold udon served with dipping sauce), as well as innovative options like Kimchi Yaki Udon (stir-fried udon with kimchi) or Beef Curry Udon, all complemented by crisp, freshly fried tempura sides.

So, don’t let the weather dampen the appetite for comfort. Araneta City turns rainy-day routines into something worth looking forward to, a collection of warm, satisfying soups served in inviting spaces right at the city’s crossroads. It’s a destination where bad weather becomes the perfect excuse to pause, indulge, and savor comfort in style.

*All Photos from Foodie at Araneta City