(Tokwa’t squidballs. Better than tokwa’t baka.)
The first franchise of Goto King in Abu Dhabi opened in last quarter of this year. The menu is of course tailored to comply with UAE’s requirements. While pork is available in selected licensed stores (e.g. Spinneys), it is generally intended to be consumed at home only. Strictly, anything with pork is not allowed as part of the restaurant’s menu. Hence, it was no surprise that Goto King offers tokwa’t baka and tokwa’t squidballs as alternates.
Just like Chowking -UAE’s menu that almost resembles Max’s in the Philippines, Goto King in Abu Dhabi did the same with the inclusion of tom yum, steaks and salads. Obviously to cater the wider market.
Since this franchise opened, we’ve dined here at least five times and I can say that mami, arroz caldo, and special goto are consistently really good.
But as we frequent this, the special goto is becoming a favorite. There was never a hint of variation from the Filipino version. Would you believe that it’s only here that I learned the difference between a goto (with ox tail and egg) and arroz caldo (with chicken and egg)? I used to think that you can call both either way. Or plainly as lugaw (rice porridge or congee).
I think I’ve never mentioned in my previous food related posts that I’m not a fan of beef. But I instantly liked their spicy beef sisig (as an alternate to pork sisig). It’s even better than the chicken variation.
Since there’s no kalamansi in UAE, a lemon (which is in abudance) is the savior.
We also tried the (not boneless) bangus and I didn’t find it remarkable.
This branch is spacious, with flat screen TVs generously provided on the walls (I noticed they’re only subscribed to TFC and other foreign channels). There’s also a salad bar located near the entrance.
You will notice the several pieces of bamboo used as entrance design. Tatak Pinoy.
Goto King is at the 2nd level of Khalidiyah Mall, Abu Dhabi. Beside Cantina Laredo (Mexican Restaurant). Landline +9712 6581114, fax +9712 6581115. Credit cards are not yet accepted. Delivery not yet available.
0 thoughts on “When tokwa’t baboy is not possible”
cza
Wow.. ang sarap naman na may Pinoy food pa rin kahit nasa Abu Dhabi. 😀 really cool! Squidballs and tokwa is a pretty good combination… I APRUB! ;D
.-= cza´s last blog ..@ Felix =-.
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witsandnuts
You tried it na? Ako dito ko lang nasubukan. Ang sarap!
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kg
it’s amazing how they have adapted to the fact thaat no pork is allowed! 🙂
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witsandnuts
On my second week here, I remember trying tokwa’t baka. As in, turn off talaga. Siguro dahil na rin hindi ako mahilig talaga sa beef. Ewan ko ba, hindi ko man lang naisip na subukan magluto ng tokwa’t squidballs. Ang sarap pala.
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dyanie
tokwat’ squidballs pala diyan hehe 😛 anu lasa ng combination nila? O dba kung wala ka pa diyan eh di mo pa ma re realize ang difference ng goto sa arroz caldo hihi 😛
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witsandnuts
I liked much the tokwa’t squidballs. Parang tokwa’t baboy din, replace it by a seafood blend lang.
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BlogusVox
Kahit walang baboy, mukhang katakam-takam. Lalo na yung sisig.
Kelan kaya kami magkakaroon (restaurant) dito nyan. Karamihan dito imitation lang
ng sa pinas.
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witsandnuts
Nagclose na nga pala yung Jollibee dyan. We have here Barrio Fiesta, Chowking and Goto King + the Filipino Restaurants na hindi under franchising agreement. It’s surprising though that the franchisee of Goto King is not a Filipino, but a local.
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Nebz
Yummy! I really liked your photos. Very enticing. Kung nasa Dubai lang ako, kanina pa ako nasa Goto King.
Yah, tokwa’t squidballs really look delicious especially with lemon and toyo.
In Alkhobar, Saudi there used to be a Jollibee (which honestly didn’t taste like Jollibee’s) and Chow King (which somewhat tastes like Chow King). ‘Used to be’ dahil nagsara na ang Jollibee while Chow King, which has been in operation in Alkhobar for two/three years, was found to be unlicensed by Chowking Philippines. Funny, bukas pa rin ung resto pero ‘Chow’ na lang ang name nya, wala na ung King.
.-= Nebz´s last blog ..Pinoy in Blogger Blogs of Note =-.
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witsandnuts
Grabe, nakalusot sa Chowking yun for at least 2 years. Hahaha, sobrang natawa ako sa “Chow ” na lang sila ngayon. At least, operational pa rin.
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redlan
arroz caldo lang ang alam ko. goto dito ko lang nalaman. thanks. pinoy na pinoy ang goto king. may boneless bangus pa. Hindi nakaka-miss ang pinas dyan lalo na ang lutong pinoy.
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witsandnuts
We had dinner (again) here yesterday. I checked the rest of the items in the menu, ang daming Pinoy food. Mukhang mapapadalas ako sa Goto King. Haha.
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reena
i bet puno ng pinoy jan. 😀 enjoy! they all look so yummy.
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witsandnuts
Yes, ang daming kabayan diners. Surprisingly or not, ang dami ding foreigners.
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odette
awww yummy!
i’m drooling now for pinoy food…i badly want to eat too!
.-= odette´s last blog ..vintage find =-.
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witsandnuts
I feel you. 😉 Ganyan ako pag nagfood blog hop.
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Lawstude
pwede. the secret naman is in the sauce eh. parang ang sarap-sarap naman ng gotoking because of your photos.
.-= Lawstude´s last blog ..Bantayan Island – A Preview =-.
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witsandnuts
I agree, main factor nga yung sauce. 😉
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upto6only
wow tokwa at squidballs hmmmm ma-try nga yung combination na yun. hehehe lugaw din lang ang tawag ko whether goto cya or yung chicken & egg. pag nag-oorder ako ng goto, pinapaalis ko yung lamang luob hahaha.
dami na ding filipino resto pala dyan.
.-= upto6only´s last blog ..PHOTOHUNT: Birds =-.
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witsandnuts
Haha, hindi pala ko nag iisa sa pagtawag ng lugaw sa goto at arroz caldo. Masarap yung lamang loob, pero dapat may trust ka muna dun sa nagluto or sa restaurant. 😉
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docgelo
i’ll tell my wife this could be possible; try namin minsan, tokwa’t squidball, why not?!
nagutom ako bigla =)
.-= docgelo´s last blog ..THEIR SIXTH; OUR FIRST =-.
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witsandnuts
Try it. ; ) I hope your family will like it, too.
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Ping-i
I’ve never been to a Goto King restaurant. I assume they’re all over Pinas. Food looks delicious. 😀
.-= Ping-i´s last blog ..A Short Wedding Story =-.
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witsandnuts
I’ve never really dined inside a Goto King foodhouse (in Philippines) before. Dito ko lang sinubukan. Ganun yata pag malayo sa Pilipinas. Pag may nabalitaang bagong bukas na Pinoy na kainan/franchise, excited agad subukan. But their food are really delicious, based on personal experience here.
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Nomadic Pinoy
Tokwa’t Baka and Tokwa’t Squidballs look truly delicious as an alternative to the pork. From the photos, I can see the franchise owners didn’t scrimp on interior design.
.-= Nomadic Pinoy´s last blog ..The Pond =-.
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Rico
Galing nung version nila ng tokwa’t squidballs!
Funny how I also thought that arroz caldo and lugaw are the same thing!
.-= Rico´s last blog ..panna cotta love =-.
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maan
nagutom ako sa entry na ito! hahaha.
.-= maan´s last blog ..on reading. =-.
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mai
jo, it’s really interesting to note the really really good effects of Pinoy globalization (aside from higher income for the country). As our people become global, so does our cuisine. nakakatuwa makita ang pinoy food everywhere. next thing we know, may pinoy takeout na next to thai and chinese food stalls. 🙂
.-= mai´s last blog ..Homemade Longganisa =-.
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PM
i think the tokwa’t squid at baka is genius LOL but i think i’d like to stick with the pork thank you LOL
.-= PM´s last blog ..Hell Boy, Hell Cat =-.
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Angeli
hey wits, i noticed that you have a new tagline (subtitle?). i love it.
🙂
.-= Angeli´s last blog ..Small Talk =-.
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witsandnuts
Thanks. =)
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luna miranda
sosy pala ang Goto King jan ‘no?! kakaiba—tokwa at squidballs.:p the beef sisig looks appetizing!
.-= luna miranda´s last blog ..The transformation of Juan Tamad =-.
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bw
ingenious yang squidballs and tokwa – healthy pa. I’ll try to make one hehe 🙂
sarap ng pagkaing Pinoy. I’m hungry now 😉
.-= bw´s last blog ..What’s Your Time ? =-.
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anonimosity
i tried their chicken sisig..its bland..will not recommend to anyone..maxs’ chicken sisig is better.
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witsandnuts
I haven’t tried their chicken sisig yet.
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louie
you now what its from the chicken…may kunting problem ang chicken kc d un fresh gaya d2 sa pinas….frozen na kc yun..kaya malaki ang epekto
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JOHNNE NIKLAUS T. SARMIENTO
HI ALL THERE IN ABU DHABI GOTO KING HI I AM NIKKI MY COUNTRY IS NOT THERE BUT I ALL READY GO THERE GOTO KING THE FOODS ARE YUMMY I HOPE ALL OF YOU THERE IN ABU DHABI ENJOY GOTO KING. THANKS BY NIKKI SAUDI ARAIBIA
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JOHNNE NIKLAUS T. SARMIENTO
I DIDNT TRY THEIR CHCKEN YET BUT I TRIED CHOWKING
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JOHNNE NIKLAUS T. SARMIENTO
NEXT YEAR WE WILL GO AGAIN TO GOTO KING AND I WILL TRY THEIR CHICKEN
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Jim
this is so cool! goto king in abu dhabi! mabuhay ang lutong pilipino! – mga naglalakad na tv 🙂 http://bit.ly/bMw4Ed
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louie
iba talaga ang pinoy…..ang FILIPINO cuisine is a part na talaga ng INTERNATIONAL CUISINE pati ibang lahi pinag aaralan nila…..salamat sa pagiging part ng OPENING TEAM ng GOTOKING abu dhabi..im you PASTRY CHEF LOUIE PILAR
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