Presenting the Lifestyle Team’s favorite food orders for busy workdays
In the hustle and bustle of the workday, there’s often a shared sentiment within the team: the anticipation of the lunch break. It’s that precious window of time when we can momentarily.
While in the office, ordering food becomes more than just a necessity—it’s an opportunity to turn an ordinary workday into an extraordinary culinary escape from writing to recharge, savor a meal, and indulge in our weekly catch-up experience and definitely one of the things we enjoy the most.
Here are some of the LIFESTYLE.INQ Team’s top restaurants to order from while in the office:
1. Angkan Coffee
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Opened by the same people who brought in the famed Japanese Coffee shop % Arabica, Angkan Coffee resides in the same location and with the same team of employees. However, this time, the brand highlights the best beans and brews from around the Philippines and partnered with a selection of well-loved local pastries.
Angkan offers beans locally sourced from Bukidnon, Mt. Apo, Sultan Kudarat while still offering single-origin beans from around the world. Choose between local and international blends depending on your preferred flavor notes and how you like to take your cup of joe. A personal favorite is their Spanish Latte with oat milk which combines the rich, bold flavors of espresso with the creamy sweetness of condensed milk and slightly nutty notes of oat milk.
2. Booyah Bagels
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If you’re on the hunt for a quick bite that’s both filling and tasty, Booyah Bagels is the perfect choice. Their bagels are made fresh daily and contain a perfectly chewy exterior together with a soft and fluffy inside. This matches up perfectly with the different flavors and ingredients featured in their curated sandwiches.
Try the Breakfast Bagel Sandwich for the perfect start to your morning with the tasty combination of bacon egg, cheese, and Pipperada maple-bacon schmear on a plain bagel. For a more classic bodega choice go for the Lox Bagel Sandwich which has the usual lox, cream cheese, capers, and dill on an everything bagel. And if you’re trying to curb a sweet tooth go for the PB&J Bagel Sandwich which has a caramel-macchiato peanut butter and a hibiscus-grape jelly filling in between a Cafe con-leche Bagel.
If those sound too heavy for you, they also offer bagels in traditional NY-style flavors and more adventurous ones like their Sana Ol Bagel which has pinipig, peanut, Kaffir lime, and dilis.
3. Crosta
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Best known for their sought-after Detroit-style pizzas, Crosta whips up mouthwatering and inventive creations with the finest ingredients over a thin and crisp crust that’s both slightly chewy and delightfully airy. Whether you’re savoring a classic Margherita or a gourmet brick oven creation, every bite tells a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and the irresistible charm of a culinary masterpiece (and they have vegan options too!).
They are known for their Roni Pizza which was inspired by Prince Street Pizza in New York. This particular pie has a mountain of curled-up pepperoni over homemade Italian plum tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese, and can either be done Sicilian Style (a pillowy crisp bottom) or Detroit-style (airy or porous crunchy dough and a perimeter of melted cheese around the edges).
For an unconventional choice go for the Morty and Ella 2.0 which features pistachio mortadella, black truffle bechamel, mozzarella, stracciatella, and roasted pistachio.
4. Kodawari
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Initially operating as an Instagram store over the pandemic, Kodawari has established itself as a go-to restaurant for mouthwatering Japanese dishes after opening its first brick-and-mortar dine-in restaurant in Makati.
They are best known for their Beef Gyudon which features tender and flavorful strips of beef, and soft-cooked eggs at precisely 63 degrees, ensuring a luscious, golden, and runny yolk, alongside steaming Japanese rice. The addition of fried talbos ng kamote provides a subtle crispness and an earthy dimension and an homage to the brand’s Filipino origins.
A must-try for vegetarians and even meat lovers is their Shroomdon—the vegetarian counterpart of Gyudon, featuring three varieties of mushrooms simmered until richly savory and tender (which tastes surprisingly meaty), accompanied by a crispy garnish of fried enoki mushrooms. And if you still have room for more, order the Chilimansi a dish reminiscent of the beloved merienda instant pancit canton but elevated.
5. Ono poke
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For the days when we just want something light, we always find ourselves ordering from Ono Poke. Established in 2017, they emerged with a mission to introduce genuine Hawaiian Poke to Manila and reimagine the “health-conscious” trend from a unique perspective.
Their physical store offers DIY bowls, but for office orders, we usually go for their signature offerings. These offer a symphony of flavors made with top-of-the-line ingredients—the seafood is of freshest quality, boasting a melt-in-your-mouth texture, and the array of toppings like the tempura flakes and wakame add layers of texture.
And while the signature bowls are specially curated, each dish is still customizable to your preference. They offer a range of house-made sauces, from the velvety miso to the traditional shoyu, and more to pair with either your choice of tuna or salmon. All bowls have the option to be served poke style or aburi style which is torced for those who are not so keen on raw fish. Different base for the bowls are also offered including brown rice, quinoa, adlai and soba noodles.
