Stop and Shop at Manila Mart

Update: Manila Mart is now open with an expanded dining area! 

If you’re on I-95 going north to New York or south to DC, and you’re craving for a hot meal, take Exit 27 to Powder Mill Road. And after a few turns, you will get to a tucked away strip mall off Route 1 in Beltsville. Next to a Korean restaurant is Manila Mart–a Filipino carinderia and sari-sari store. Back in the Philippines, a carinderia would be a long table set right outside a humble home, laden with a variety of viands to go with plain rice. Workers and day laborers frequent these home-operated food stalls for a taste of homecooked meals. In America, this would probably set off a slew of food safety violations, but at Manila Mart, with its glass-encased heat cages, the food is kept relatively free from outside germs and is kept at a warm temperature ready to be served to hungry customers.

Turo-turo at Manila Mart

If you make it early enough, you should be able to still grab a handful of skewers of barbecued meat. Marinated in soy sauce and vinegar, this handy protein-on-a-stick is a popular party food item that young and old enjoy. If you are not squeamish, the gelatinous fat at the end of each pork barbecue stick is probably (in my opinion) the yummiest piece of all. Another popular party fare is the lumpia shanghai–fried spring rolls with ground pork or beef inside. It is delicious finger food for the little hands and you can’t go wrong dipping it in the sweet chili sauce. It also comes with the tamarind-based house sauce for the more mature taste buds. If you can’t stay to eat as you want to get moving to your next destination, call ahead to get your lumpia ready to carry out. While you’re there, Manila Mart is also a grocery store where you can stock up and try new goodies from the Philippines. Craving some salt? Try the Nagaraya cracker nuts (I recommend the barbecue flavor). Another great option is the pork rinds or chicharron and the bags come in different flavors: from salted to those with added vinegar flavor and garlic. The baked goods section sell ensayamada–a fluffy cheesy pastry with sugar sprinkled lightly on top, or if you want something less sweet, try the pan de sal–Filipino dinner rolls. Grab some calamasi (Philippine key lime) soda from the refrigerated section or for the little ones, try any of the Mogu Mogu drinks–a delightful fruit-flavored juice with strips of coconut jelly at the bottom (I prefer the lychee flavored drink.).

mini-grocery store selling Filipino products and goodies

So whether you are in a hurry or you have time to stretch your legs and browse for a little bit, Manila Mart is worth the stop if you’re traveling on I-95 during the day time. Lunch is a good time to grab something hot. Don’t take my word for it. Check it out yourself.

To read more about Manila Mart from the same author, check out the article published in the local Beltsville News.