Eat anything edible. This is probably one of the tips taught in Subic jungle survival course. I can eat almost anything, except, well, many vegetables. Still, this doesn’t stop me from appreciating good food, specially those with good prices and ambiance.
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- Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac)
[See Map: Directions on how to get there]
These are the reasons why I appreciate the Isdaan Restaurant, located in Gerona, Tarlac — a perfect spot midway to Baguio from Metro Manila, not so much in distance, but in terms of, how do I say it, level of starvation? Isdaan is a big place and this floating restaurant is just beside the road (at the left side if you’re going towards the direction of Baguio), so you won’t probably miss it. You’ll see the big Isdaan signage, as well as the big, brown fox, er, fish sculptures and Mayan-inspired statues.
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- Platform at Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac)
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- Statues at Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac)
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- Huts and Tacsiyapo Wall at Isdaan Restaurant
Choose the single cottages in the middle of the floating restaurant, as it gives you precious space from the rest of the crowd and a great view of the plentiful fish swimming below. It’s after all a floating restaurant and there’s water under and around the cottage where you’re sitting down. You could ask for fish food and feed the fish while waiting for the food you’ve ordered. A welcome diversion for the kids.
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- Tacsiyapo at Isdaan Restaurant
Visit the Tacsiyapo wall (some spell it tacsiapo), to let off steam and release stress. The projectiles come in different shapes and sizes. There are plates, cups, or even TVs that could be thrown against the wall. Try throwing a ref if you could lift it. Shouting “tacsiyapo” (which, I was told, is a local expletive) while throwing the items against the wall is supposed to make you feel better. I wouldn’t know. I didn’t try it. I’d rather use the money to buy extra rice. By the way, the fish food is free, but the plates and TV are not.
There are freebies, one kilo of fish to be exact, although we haven’t tried it because: (a) we don’t want the car to smell like a one-kilo bag of fish in the 3-hour drive back to Manila; (b) you win the prize after going through, among other obstacles, a very narrow walkway framed by fishponds on both sides and we prefer going home dry; and (c) only once did we stop at Isdaan while the sun was still up, mostly it’s night time on the way back to Manila, and it’s naturally more difficult to navigate through the obstacles when it’s dark. We heard some have tried the Isang Kilong Isda challenge and if you’re one of them, do tell us what happened through the comment section below.
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- Innapoy at Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac)
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- Pancit Canton at Isdaan Restaurant
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- Sinigang na Baboy at Isdaan Restaurant
Now, let’s get back to the food. We had pork spare ribs, sinigang na hipon sa buho (cooked in bamboo) and innapoy (stuffed native rice rolls, which looks pretty much like the regular suman, except that the innapoy is a complete meal by itself). The pansit canton tastes good. There are more choices in the menu, but these are the ones we usually order every time we drop by Isdaan. That’s enough food to last you until Baguio (or Metro Manila, depending on which direction you’re going).
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- Posing with Erap at Isdaan Restaurant
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- Delectable spare ribs at Isdaan Restaurant
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- Floating dining huts and walkways at Isdaan Restaurant
[See Map: Directions on how to get there. See also reviews and ratings at Reviews.VisitPinas.]
Isdaan is like an oasis that beckons to the hungry traveler to take a break from the long drive and enjoy good food. Or perhaps pose for a photograph with Erap. Don’t worry about the stiff guard at the entrance because he’s always asleep and he’s, well, a statue, fitting welcome for guests who go in stiff and cramped after a long drive. Enjoy!
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[...] easy, something which would probably come in handy when I try the “sangkilo” bridge at Isdaan. We have a modest tract of ricefield, with produce sufficient to last the family, and some, until [...]
[...] with easy, something which would probably come in handy when I try the “sangkilo” bridge at Isdaan. We have a modest tract of ricefield, with produce sufficient to last the family, and some, until [...]
may mga offer bang rooms d2?
tnx
vanessa, if you’re asking if they offer rooms just like hotels, the answer, based on what I know the last time I was there, is “no”.
tnx fred for the info.
[...] The spare ribs dish tastes great and the fact that we argued if it tastes better than at Isdaan Restaurant means [...]
That place (Isdaan Restaurant (Gerona, Tarlac) was so great the food are so yummy…we been there last Feb 21 so guys try to visit there.
What ab0ut the price of the f0od?is this af0rdable or expensive?
does ISDAAN accpt credit cards? r d prices expensiv?
@Mari, thanks for sharing your experience.
@Rina/Ana, I believe prices are reasonable, although it’s not really comparable to fastfood prices (but the food in Isdaan is definitely way much more delicious, in my book, that is). As to credit cards, they do accept credit cards. In the number of times we’ve eaten there, only once did we experience being told that the credit card payment facility is “offline”. As a precaution, though, it might be prudent to ask if credit card payment is available when you go there (especially if you just came from Baguio or going home to Manila, and already drained of cash). Enjoy the food.
Hello, just want to know how to go to Isdaan restaurant from Manila. Thank you…
Hi guys.. i was searching about this place matagal na… i was wondering if makakapg reserve ka ng hut in advance and papaano? email me if you have info. about isdaan.. thanks, =)
hello there!GUSTO ko po sanang malaman papano ang reservation ng single nipa hut,and from bulakan how to get there and how many hours?TNX,GOD bless po
hi there…just want to know if they are catering occasion such as birthday party? or walk in will do… is it affordable? and i want t know their contact numbers…thank you!
open po b kau ngaun holy week?