Parent's Choice
Good Places To Get Solo Packed Meals
As many of us are isolating at home because of COVID-19, sometimes, it’s better buy packed meals to minimize the spread.
Our usual style of cooking won’t do. We can’t share food with those who have COVID-19. But, we also can’t let them go hungry. Buying packed meals will not only minimize the mess but also contain the spread. Usually, these meals have a viand, some vegetables, and rice. Some restaurants may call them Bentos, others may call them rice meals. So that we won’t get tired of eating the same food every day, here are 10 good places to order packed meals from.
1. Kimono Ken
As a Japanese restaurant, Kimono Ken‘s probably used to making packed meals. They now have Bento Box meals which contain a meat dish with some rice and yasai itame or stir-fry vegetables. Kids would enjoy the Hamburger Bento Box Meal as it comes with fries and a fried egg. But we also recommend ordering the Beef Misono Bento Box or in Grab, it’s known as Bento Meal 7. They have other viands like Sakana Fry (Cream Dory), Chicken Teriyaki, and other viands to try out. If the family’s in the mood for steak, they have the Gyu Hirenyaku Bento Box.
2. Manam
Filipinos enjoy their meals in pairs which is what Manam‘s came up with their Benta Box meals. They have their Crunchy Pork Sisig, Watermelon Beef Sinigang, and different other meats that they put together with rice to make a packed meal. Before, they used to have an express where they sold their Kumpleto Meals. Their Benta Boxes are a remade version of that. Some of the favorites include their Beef Kansi and their savory Lamb Adobo.
3. Tim Ho Wan
Michelin-star Chinese restaurant Tim Ho Wan has some good packed steamed Chinese meals. They have two kinds of packed meals: one with rice and the other with Chow Mien — stir-fry egg with noodles. Their packed meals usually have some crispy, fried Spring Rolls, steamed dumplings like Hakaw, their signature Asado Bun, and then a viand. A personal favorite’s the Steamed Chicken with Chorizo and Mushroom. But they also have pork in the form of Steamed Tausi Spareribs Rice. The most enjoyable part of eating Tim Ho Wan’s packed meals is tasting the dripping from either the steamed chicken or spareribs after it flavors the freshly cooked rice.
4. Siam Yum
To satisfy our Pad Thai or Thai food craving, Siam Yum along Maginhawa has some packed meals with their Pad Thai. Their Pad Thai comes in a variety of flavors such as Tofu, Chicken, Shrimp, and even Bacon flavored! Once you’ve picked out your Pad Thai, you can choose whatever viand you want with it. Their Curry Puffs are for the adventurous and not faint of heart. Satay Chicken for those who want a basic Thai meal. And finally, the Thai Spring Rolls for those who want to hear that satisfying crunch in their mouths.
5. Ababu Persian Kitchen
Hidden from prying eyes in alleys of Xavierville, Ababu Persian Kitchen‘s been a long-time favorite Persian joint of many college students. Their packed meals are worth their price as they serve their signature Shawarma Rice Meal. Served with fresh rice with a fried egg and butter melting on top, the Shawarma Rice Meal has grilled sirloin beef and some carrots and corn to serve as veggies. You can even order an extra grilled tomato for the extra acidic taste to refresh your palette. For those who want more meat, get the Chelo Kabab Ghafghazi which is a combination of their charbroiled chicken and juicy beef tenderloin.
6. Soban K-Town Grill
Immerse yourself further into your K-Drama while eating a Dosirak Korean Boxed Meal from Soban K-Town Grill. Originally a Samgyupsal grill, Soban decided to make packed meals so that people won’t have to neglect their craving for Samgyupsal at home. For those who want more freedom in flavoring their beef, there’s the Woo Samgyup Dosirak (unmarinated beef). There’s also the Fresh Samgyupsal for unmarinated pork. But for those who want to increase their veggie intake, get their Baps. They have it in beef, chicken, and spicy pork and usually lay it on a bed of rice.
7. Kenny Rogers
Kenny Roger’s Solo A and Solo B packed meals have been feeding a lot of families during the pandemic. Their wide selection of sides that can range from garlic mashed potatoes to coleslaw lets you and your kids have more freedom in customizing your orders. They have their Classic Roast chicken but have limited-edition flavors like their latest Truffle Roast Chicken served with a butter sauce. They also have fish, burger steaks, and even plant-based meals if the family needs more greens in their diets.
8. Fat Fook
The kids might like Fat Fook because of the fried Chicken Chop or the Pork Chop. Unlike Chinese cuisine, Taiwanese food tends to be more on the fried side which is what Fat Fook has. Their packed meals consist of Noodle Sets and Chow Plates which are composed of a meat dish, rice, and some steamed veggies. They serve the all-time Filipino-favorite Chinese dish — the Sweet and Sour Pork Chow Meal with some eggplant and garlic. Fat Fook also has some fried snacks like the Sakura Shrimp or the Mushroom Meatballs the kids would like with their milk tea. Or, you can order the packed meals and then distribute 2 Xiao Long Bao per meal, assuming there are only 4 of you in the family.
9. Marina Seafood
For those who miss the seafood cuisine of Ilo-Ilo in the Metro, Marina Seafood is one of the closest ones you can get. They have a lot of solo combo-packed meals such as their Marlin Salpicao, Tuna Sisig Bowl, or their Krab with Pakbet. A lot of us are trying to avoid meat because of its being an inflammatory food and it can be quite expensive. For those who are trying to become more plant-based, seafood can help ease the transition before converting completely into plant-based since food weight-wise, seafood and veggies are similar.
10. Something Healthy
Going vegetarian? Something Healthy along Maginhawa has a few packed meals that are tasty and plant-based. They have their Tofu Bowl that resembles Sisig and Eggplant Katsu for those who want something fried. Since salads are a bit scary to have right now, Something Healthy can help address the problem of trying to fill our vegetable quota for the day. Their orders may be a bit more custom to students but they’re tasty nonetheless for some vegetarian meals.
Packed Meals, Boxed Meals help keep the exposure to a minimum
Especially if one of the family members tested positive, having packed meals keeps the exposure to a minimum. They come in their own boxes so there’s no need to plate. They’re also easy to stick in a microwave to soothe our doubts on whether the food is clean or not. Most of all, if one of our household help gets COVID-19, there’s nothing to wash or clean. Everything can just be disposed of. Don’t worry about where they’re located, a lot of them are easy to find on Grab or Food Panda. Enjoy!
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