Isdaan Fresh Catch plus Tacsiyapo! (Gerona Tarlac)

Located along Gerona, Tarlac Highway is "Isdaan Fresh Catch". Many travelers especially foreigners list this place as a "must visit" for it is remarkable to find this  hidden village surrounded in a large fishing pond.  There is a souvenir shop located by the entrance.  Inside each nipa hut is a dining area with bamboo tables and bamboo benches.  There are large aviaries located in every part.  There are also live cultural dance shows being performed.  While you eat, singing groups will also approach you and they are hoping that you give them a small token.  While we were eating we were approached by around 4-5 groups.=p

All customers are given fish pellets so they can feed the fishes as they wait for  their order to come.  Children are given life vests.  There are also ran carts that pass along the bamboo trails of the village.  There is a small store selling goats milk.  At the back end of the village is "Unggoy-unggoyan" where you can rent  bicycles and rubber ponies.  The village also extends to another restaurant called "The Singing Cooks & Waiters Atbp."

The place is also popular for "Tacsiyapo!".  It is an activity within the restaurant where you will purchase objects such as and throw it at a large statement wall while you shout "Tacsiyapo!"  Here is the item price list:

• cup - 15 php
• bowls - 18 php
• plates - 35 php
• pitcher - 100 php
• vase - 350 php
• broken TV - 2,000 php

Along the village, you could see they staffs grilling the food.  After a long journey from manila, we are so hungry so we got the menu and ordered.

Bulalo

Upon seeing the bulalo, we could tell it was somewhat concentrated since the color is quite dark.  Although we loved the large piece of bone marrow, the soup was undrinkable.  It had a strong peppery taste that we were not able to appreciate the warm, natural and soothing taste of the beef broth.

Adobong Pusit

To our surprise, the adobong pusit had a thick soy sauce base.  It was also too sweet that it felt like eating soy sauce and sugar.  We had to eat it with a lot of rice just to bare it.  

♥Manok sa Gata

The Manok sa Gata is the best among all the dishes we ordered.  It was roasted with the right timing as evidently show by its softness and juiciness.  The blending of the "gata" (coconut milk) along with the spices was done perfectly.  

Kare-Kare

The Kare-Kare was rich in ingredients.  It had large chunks of fresh vegetables which was naturally sweet.  However, I did not like the "bagoong" (shrimp paste) that came with it.  Had it been good, it could have enhanced the flavor of the Kare-Kare better.

Pinakbet

Like the Kare-Kare, the Pinakbet had a lot of vegetables.  It's natural fresh sweetness was brought out by the way it was cooked.

We also ordered the Tilapia assuming it would be sweet and delicious since we were in a fish pond.  However, we were disappointed since it taste like mud and we couldn't take another bite of it.   We also ordered their Watermelon Shake.  It was served fresh and sweetened.  Their serving size is large so its better to visit the place in groups.  Honestly, we've visited Tarlac on numerous times and we've tasted better tasting provincial dishes at a more affordable price.

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating
Ambiance	★★★★
Taste	★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Isdaan Fresh Catch
Business Address	MacArthur Highway, 2302, Gerona,Tarlac,  Philippines
Business Hours	10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Service Charge	None
Budget/Person	250-500
Tel	(045) 931-2196
Other

Isdaan Fresh Catch Map