Karlo C.
Yelp
Balong - Seattle, WA
Stopped by Balong for some Filipino-style breakfast -- simple, old-school.
Started with the Pan de Sal Bacon, Egg & Cheese. Solid -- nothing mind-blowing, but comforting and done right. Soft bread, warm eggs, crispy bacon -- simple and satisfying.
Tried the Sausage, Egg & Cheese next, which uses a pork longganisa patty. This caught my attention -- not your typical sweet and garlicky longganisa you'd expect. It had a more savory, almost tangy twist -- kind of like a Vigan-style longganisa, with that salty, garlicky note and a hint of acidity. Not really my usual flavor, but interesting enough that I'd love to try a mix of both styles next time.
We also tried Nanay's Chicken Melt -- visually, it looked great, but taste-wise it felt more like a regular sandwich than a melt. Bread was soft and fluffy, but I was expecting that grilled, cheesy "melt" bite.
Now, the highlight -- the Ensaymada. This was bomb. Sweet, buttery, and cheesy with a nice crunch on the outside and an ooey-gooey center. Perfect balance of sugar and salt -- definitely something I'd come back for.
Service was friendly and quick, and the decor had a clean, simple look with that bold signature green -- tasteful and memorable.
Overall, would I come back? Maybe. For the Ensaymada -- absolutely, it's crave-worthy. The sandwiches felt a little pricey for what they were, but still worth a try, especially if you're into exploring different regional Filipino breakfast flavors.