Noodles. Soup. Noodle soup. Ahhhh, good ole’ noodle soup.
I can’t deny the fact that noodle soup of any kind is an absolute guilty pleasure of mine. Who could resist an infusion of flavors in a bowl, all topped with the right things? Living in the Philippines, I was never really that impressed nor satisfied by the local noodle delicacies here. I’m a sucker for strong flavors, and Filipino noodle soup tends to be simpler and a little bit more on the plain side. I’m also not too big on Chinese noodle soups, which makes a lot of sense since Filipino noodle dishes are basically inspired by Chinese influences. The neighboring countries on the other hand takes me on another level of noodle high. I’ve always loved pho, so you can imagine my delight when I traveled to Vietnam and did a bit of exploring with their different kinds of noodle soup. I could eat them all day! And I would do it here in the Philippines, but I feel that my choices are just too limited.
But that mentality changed when I finally found something I truly enjoyed! Last week, my husband’s family from California was over to lay his grandma to rest. I’ve been to Lipa, Batangas, my mother-in-law’s hometown, a countless of time, but there’s just never enough time to explore the city. So one day, Janine, a family friend of theirs, who happens to be living in Lipa, took us on an adventure to their best Lomi house.
A family owned restaurant, Corcolon Lomi House is located in the town of San Jose. It’s about 15-20 minutes away from SM City Lipa, and along the way you will pass by a few rice fields. It’s a humble little hole in the wall restaurant and I presume it’s the home of the owner. I got instantly excited, because hole in the walls usually have the best stuff. It’s basically in a garage covered with tin roof. It’s easy to spot, just look for the green warehouse looking spot, and there’s a small sign up front. We got there close to lunch time, so it wasn’t full yet, although a lot of customers are starting to fill up the place already. There were a lot of students coming in and I was told there’s a high school nearby.
Although the place is known for their Lomi, they also serve other types of noodle dishes such as Pancit Bihon and Miki. They also have other staple Filipino “pulutan” (drinking munchies) meals like sisig and lechon kawali. We ordered their famed Lomi, and boy was it a meal! We started seeing people’s orders coming in and I’m pretty sure all of our jaws dropped at the sight of the overflowing bowls.
Corcolon is not only known for their big servings, but their undeniably generous toppings has their customers coming back on a regular. It’s no surprise that they’re well known. For the price of 60 php ($1.50) for “double toppings”, which basically means extra good stuff, it’s quite a deal. If you want to avoid a quick rise in your cholesterol level, you can opt for the regular order, which is 40 php ($1). Either way, you’re bound to compromise your arteries if you eat here everyday.
What’s in a Lomi, anyway? I realize I’ve been blabbing on and on about Lomi and I didn’t really get to explain exactly what makes this noodle dish different. So here it is. Lomi is another noodle dish influenced by the Chinese. The noodles are thick, so expect this dish to fill you up fast because it could get quite heavy. As compared to most famous noodle dishes that are usually very soupy with a strong broth flavor, Lomi has a thick, sticky soup, almost like a sauce. The best part are the toppings. It’s topped off with amazing goodness! And as I’ve said, Corcolon gives you a pretty good amount of an artery-clogging variety such as chicharones, perfectly cooked lechon pieces (deep fried pork), liver, and kikiam (some kind of asian sausage).
It’s probably not the healthiest meal you’ll ever eat, but then again, the best ones usually aren’t either. As you can see, it can get quite messy eating this because of the overflowing toppings! It all worked out so beautifully though. Even the strong taste of the liver complimented the meal just right. It’s best eaten with the typical Filipino condiment mix— soy sauce with calamansi and chili (extra chili for me please!).
It’s a shame that I always come across Lomi houses and I realize now that I’ve been missing out for not knowing about it sooner! Although it’s still not something I can eat on the daily, it’s definitely something I see myself craving once in a while. But the thing is, I’m pretty sure I just had the best Lomi ever, and I’m afraid it’ll be pretty hard to top that. Oh well. On to the next food discovery, I guess?
Corcolon Lomi House
Pinagtung-Ulan,
San Jose, Batangas
0929 198 8436
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Wow! The food looks so filling and packed with flavors! There are so many toppings. I bet it tastes good.
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The flavor isn’t that strong but I like it!
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The food looks amazing, and seems to benefit from many flavors! I’d love to try these noodles one day 🙂
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Yup, it’s definitely worth a try.
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Oh my those look like some seriously good noodles. I’m a fan of the big hearty ramen flavours but would love to try these
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I love ramen, although my favorite noodle would have to be Bun Bo Hue from Vietnam or Tom yum!!
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Yu, I think I would enjoy Lomi a lot. I will make sure to look out for Lomi houses.
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Hope you like it too!
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Do they have vegetarian toppings??
I love noodles, but in Philippines was so hard to find vegetarian options…
Any way, they look delicious on the picture!
Enjoy! 😀
Nat
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Oh yeah no, Philippines really lack vegetarian options. The food is mostly fried and greasy hehe
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We’re going to Vietnam this month and I just felt more exciting knowing that they have different noodle dishes. Lomi is okay but I think I would still prefer Japanese ramen more. 🙂
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I was so happy about this discovery, although it doesn’t really top my list. Make sure you try Bun Bo Hue! My favorite!!
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I am a serious noodle soup fan myself. This looks like a wonderful guilty pleasure that I would happily indulge in!
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I won’t consider it my favorite but I definitely enjoyed it!
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I have been to Batangas a lot but shame on me, I haven’t tried this. We tried a similar one in Tuguegarao and we loved it. I think this is my type of meal… so good and I love all the condiments that adds to its flavor.
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I’m still learning about how to properly match your condiments Filipino style! It really makes such a big difference.
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Making me miss Philippines so much! Love your blog! ❤
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Thanks girl!
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I love me a good bowl of lomi! And I haven’t seen anything like that before!
Too bad, it’s so far though.
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A good reason enough to travel there 😉
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I preferred some other noodle soup than lomi because of its ingredients. A beef wonton soup will do for me or beef noodle soup.
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Me too, but I was really surprised that Philippines has the kind of noodles I actually enjoyed!
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Lomi noodle soup is my favorite. I usually make an order of this every time I enter a local fast food stall. I like the way it is prepared. – Gil Camporazo
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Hope the toppings you’re getting aren’t as generous as this or it’s bad for your health! hehe.
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I’m huge on noodle soup, but not really into the Chinese and Filipino versions sadly. The Japanese Ramen is more to my liking. Haven’t tried Lomi though, which I should. I might just like it, who knows right?
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Right?! I love ramen too, but my heart always goes out to Vietnamese and Thai noodle soups. Tom Yum, pho, and bun bo hue!!
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Wow! the place suits my taste. Pang-cowboy lang ang dating. I love Lomi so this is one place I should visit if ever magawi ako ng Lipa.
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This kind of places usually offer the best unknown food, right?!
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Mmmmm noodle soup! 🙂 Food is usually the biggest expense whilst abroad so it’s nice to se you got so much for such a good price!
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They really are very generous with their toppings! Those chicharon on top of the noodle soup just looks delicious! 🙂
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The sign board and the illustration board menu does not look inviting. However, your photo of their lomi and positive review make this an interesting place to try should we venture in that neighborhood. – Fred
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What I learned from my travels is that the ones with the most uninviting signs and place usually have the good stuff 😉 I love hole in the walls.
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artery cloaking indeed but it must be very tasty too!
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It’s good to be bad sometimes haha
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I agree with you saying about the vietnamese noodles. Our Vietnamese client commented on that as well, noodle soups in Vietnam is much tastier than here in the Philippines.
Reading this blog post made me want to try Lomi in Corcolon Lomi House, but that will take me a while because the place is far from where I’m living. I like the fact that the serving is big and the price is so affordable!
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I agree with you saying about the vietnamese noodles. Our Vietnamese client commented on that as well, noodle soups in Vietnam is much tastier than here in the Philippines.
Reading this blog post made me want to try Lomi in Corcolon Lomi House, but that will take me a while because the place is far from where I’m living. I like the fact that the serving is big and the price is so affordable!
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They are soooooo delicious! Foodgasm for sure. Don’t miss Bun Bo Hue if you go 🙂
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Lomi sounds like Chinese’s Lor Mee, althought the appearance don’t look the same, the noodles look similar. Will love to try out the dish one day to see if it’s the same or different!
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Omg Tiffany, I looked up what Lor Mee is and I realize it is pretty similar with Lomi when it comes to the starchy soup and the thick noodles. Lomi must have been inspired from that dish. I had it in Singapore once and I like it better than lomi! Thanks for telling me the name, I’ve been meaning to find out what it was called!
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They have really generous servings and affordable price. It loos so tasty especially the toppings. I would try this when I am in Batangas.
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It was so heavy I couldn’t finish it! But too delicious.
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Looks delicious. I have had the more popular Asian foods, but willing to try this Philippines dish.
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It was definitely a change from the usual food I’m used to!
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Batangas is popular with their lomi. I love eating lomi along the street when going to the church. Its not restaurant clean type but the taste is really goooooddd
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I don’t really like restaurant clean type of places when i travel. In other countries, the dirtier the place, the better. Haha. That’s why I love Chinatown in Binondo!
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What a quaint little place! seems it’s filled with locals, just the kind of place I’d love to sniff out on my travels!
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Oh exactly! The locals know all the good stuff.
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Small local places usually serve the best food 🙂 This place looks exactly as it should. I hope they also have some vegetarian noodles 🙂
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Much of a topping for a noodles soup but thay bowl is really full of goodness. I wanted to try that if given the chance.
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to be honest, I don’t rem any Chinese dish that looks like this.. but the Lomi does seem yummy! 🙂
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Right, it’s just influenced with Chinese elements but definitely Filipino. Someone in the comments suggest Lor Mee, which is Hokkien Chinese I believe, and it’s also a thick, starchy type of noodle. It miiiiight be inspired by that, but who knows! Lomi is quite yummy though 🙂
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I ate Lomi before, if know how to cook it is very tasty. I like lots of pork crackers on it and add some chilli.
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True. Lots of chili!
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