Tinapa Spring Rolls
I've read and heard about tinapa spring rolls but have never tasted one. So on a stopover in Manila recently, I decided to try these much talked about "lumpia" appetizers with a twist. MESA at Greenbelt 5 in Makati serves these lettuce wrapped delicacies. I could smell the tinapa (smoked fish) as the waitress approached my table. I dipped the roll in the vinegar sauce and mmmm, what a delight! I've missed eating tinapa, tiny fish with bronze skin you can peel open intact. The tinapa meat is delicious but it has bones. There were no bones in the tinapa rolls I tasted. The kitchen must have deboned the fish first before making them.
This plateful of tinapa spring rolls is only P140.00. And it's a generous serving for one person. There is also tinapa fried rice on the menu. I didn't try it because I ordered palabok (a noodle dish) instead.
Palabok
To make the tinapa spring rolls, try the recipe from the link below:
http://www.yummy.ph/recipe/smoked-fish-spring-roll
Greenbelt Catholic Chapel
Greenbelt is an upscale shopping and restaurant district. My other favorite restaurant here is John and Yoko Japanese Restaurant. Their chicken teriyaki and mango pizza is unique! The Ayala Museum is also in this complex. It's worth a visit to view paintings by famous Pilipino artists like Amorsolo which are on display.
Greenbelt 5
Dela Rosa Street and Makati Avenue
Makati City
Phone: 63 2 728 0886
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Images by Charie