Lugawan ni Ona's Must-Try Congee in Marilao, Bulacan
If you find yourself lost in the province of Marilao, Bulacan (though many will argue that it no longer considered a province due to close proximity to Metro Manila), there is this lugawan place I’d like you to visit. It goes by the name “Lugawan ni Ona” which is nested just at the entrance of Town and Country Executive Village.
The lugawan has this barrio-like feels with the Nipa huts scattered around the vicinity. There’s also a parking lot which makes it hassle-free for those who’ll bring their car. In my approximation, the lugawan can hold about 35 people at a time, yet despite this number, you’ll often need to wait for your turn. That’s how famous this place has become.
My younger cousin and I decided to have breakfast there at 8:30 AM, and it took us 10 minutes to be entertained. Since it's in the province, you can expect the "suki" being given priority, and it's normal here. Hence, if that ticks you off, better have the patience for it.
Anyway, for breakfast, we got lugaw as well as beancurd (“tokwa”) and egg waffle (“tokneneng”) to pair with the lugaw.
The first time I tried the lugaw (P14 per serving), which my mom brought home on one fine morning, I immediately was captivated. I loved how rich and malasa the lugaw was, suggesting long hours of boiling and prep. While there weren’t any visible meat in the lugaw, I certainly got to taste the essence.
It also had this richly seasoned and sweetened vinegar that went well with the lugaw. Leeks and toasted garlic were also available (you may request to have them either on the side or together in the lugaw).
The tokwa (P13) paired well with the lugaw, and blended harmoniously with the special vinegar sauce of the lugawan. As stand alone, the tokwa may seem bland, so you really have to eat it together with the lugaw and of course the sauce. Another addition to the experience was the tokneneng (P12). It added more protein to the dish, and the good cholesterol from the yolk gave the lugaw more texture and dimension.
Lugawan ni Ona - Overall Ratings and Summary
Note: Unshaded stars are equivalents of half-stars. The ratings reflect my personal experiences on the times I dine here.
Place ★★★★
Taste ★★★★★
Service ★★★★
Value for Money ★★★★★
Budget: at least P39 each for a lugaw with tokwa and tokneneng
No. of visits for this particular restaurant/branch - 6 || Date of last visit - December 29, 2018
Lugawan ni Ona brings more pride to Marilao as this place serves as one of the “food tourism spots” alongisde Ningnangan’s paluto (read more). They serve here a heartwarming lugaw that brushes through your buds! An affordable food for the soul which I highly recommended.
Lugawan ni Ona
Location: Narra St, Town and Country North, Marilao, Bulacan
Service Charge: NONE
