Petsa de peligro is real!
It’s always a longer-than-normal walk during the days before payday. We all have our own tactics to survive the remaining days, but that shouldn’t mean we have to deprive ourselves of good food.
Read also – Metro Manila’s Best Eats: 20 Meals and Snacks Under P1,000
Read on to discover where you can eat before payday with menu items priced under P500, ranging from classic Pinoy snacks to Japanese cuisine, pasta, and more!
BEL Iloco
Celebrate the end of your sahod drought with BEL Iloco’s Ilocano treats. Their empanadas (starting at P95) are filled with eggs, beef, cheese, and other delicious ingredients that will energize you throughout the day.
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UG/F Palenque Food Hall, 255 Gen Araneta Ave, Gateway Mall 2, Cubao, Quezon City
Gustaco
For loaded tacos and other Mexican delights, Gustaco should be your first stop. They offer tacos for as low as P200, featuring flavors like fish (P209), quesa birria (P299), and chicken BBQ (P219) in hard shell tacos!
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33 Champaca St, Marikina Heights, Marikina, Metro Manila
Tio Paeng’s
Crawling to the next payday can be a struggle, so enjoy the warm embrace of comfort food from Tio Paeng’s. Try their best sellers like roast beef (P288), T-bone steak (P268), and buffalo wings (P279)!
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8227 Dr Arcadio Santos Ave, Parañaque, San Isidro, Parañaque
Mamang’s Pizzeria
Having a pizza party doesn’t have to break the bank at Mamang’s Pizzeria—all of their biggest pizzas at 13 inches cost less than P500. We recommend trying the New York-style pepperoni (P425), Hawaiian overload (P485), and classic cheese (P485)!
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40 Aguirre Ave, BF Homes, Parañaque, Metro Manila
Eggstop Jr.
For a grab-and-go meal, go to any of the Eggstop Jr. kiosks across Metro Manila. Their egg drop sandwiches cost only P99—perfect for anyone penny-pinching before payday. We recommend trying different flavors like sausage, bacon, spam, tuna, and more!
Dusadee Thai
Try Thai food at an affordable price when dining in at Dusadee Thai. Ordering the Thai spring rolls (P140), chicken kra-pao (P160), and Thai milk tea (P80) will give you a full meal under P500!
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40 Aguirre St, BF Homes, BF Homes, Parañaque, Metro Manila
Pim’s Roaster
For roasts at an affordable price, head to Pim’s Roaster at BF Homes Paranaque. We recommend the quarter-leg chicken inasal (P150), crispy pork belly (P260), and chicken satay (P270)!
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13 President’s Ave cor Tahanan Vill, BF Homes, BF Homes, Parañaque, Metro Manila
Chik’n Bang Bang
If Asian treats are your thing, then Chik’n Bang Bang. With grab-and-go snacks like rose tteokbokki—or Korean rice cakes—(P160), spam musubi (P95), and boneless fried chick with rice (P145), go on a little picnic all for under P500.
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Aventine Hills cor Abel Nosce St, Clutch Patrick Bldg, Las Piñas
Saboten
Fresh Japanese dishes need not be expensive when you dine at Saboten. From their katsu sets which start at P500 to their vegetable and udon a la carte, there’s a lot to try at this Japanese restaurant in BGC.
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G/F, 11th Ave, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Friends & Family
Perfect for a salo-salo, Friends & Family is a homey restaurant serving all the comfort food we’ve all come to love. Their lechon sinigang which costs P495 is worth the visit, as well as bangus inasal (P425), and the mushroom chicharon (P285)!
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Bonifacio High Street Central, 7th Ave cor 30th St, Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Romeo’s Spice and Steak
When craving classic Filipino food that’s less about flair and more about the flavors we know and love, head to Romeo’s Spice and Steak. We recommend trying their pork humba (P450), crispy dinuguan (P275), and chicken inasal (P325)!
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G/F, Sumulong Hwy, L Sumulong Memorial Circle, Robinsons Place Antipolo, Dela Paz, Antipolo
Meo Asia
Craving Korean barbecue and hotpot but not in the mood for an unlimited buffet? Head to Meo Asia for an a la carte KBBQ experience. Order the half-half pork and beef (P499), tuna sashimi (P275), and jjampong (P275).
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G/F , Sumulong Hwy, L Sumulong Memorial Circle, Robinsons Place Antipolo, Dela Paz, Antipolo
Crown Street Kitchen
If you’re around the Molito area and find yourself craving all-day brekkie, head to Crown Street Kitchen! Here, you can indulge with Toasty (P180), Ricotta Hotcakes (P450), Classic Benny (P320), and Shakshouka (P480).
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Unit 6 G/F Bldg 7, Madrigal Ave, Molito Lifestyle Center, Molito, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Myons Cuisine
Still on that all-day breakfast craze, Myons Cuisine has your back (or belly)! Get their Myons Cuisine has under P500 on their menu: Garlic Longganisa (P200), Angus Beef Tapa (P270), Beef Pares with Tendon and Bone Marrow (P350), and Bagnet Rice (P220).
Photo from MyonsCuisine
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390 Mayon Ave cor Calamba St, Quezon City, Lourdes, Quezon City
Medley Modern Mediterranean
You can still enjoy a medley of flavors in your mouth—even when under the budget—with Medley Modern Mediterranean. Try their Power Bowls (starts at P379), sandwiches (starts at P219), and sides (P99).
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B1, 8th Ave cor 36th St, Mitsukoshi Mall, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Chick’n Egg
For on-the-go goodness, Chick’n Egg’s sandwiches are the perfect snack. Taking inspiration from the world-famous LA stall Eggslut, try the Fairfax sandwich (P239), chicken parm (P309), and the Chick’n egg special (P309).
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G/F , Pedro Gil St cor Adriatico St, Robinsons Place Manila, Ermita, Manila
La Frontera Filmex Cantina
Perfect for Taco Tuesdays on a budget, La Frontera Filmex Cantina is a go-to spot for students in Espana. Try their Mexbowls for P99, along with chicken tacos (P80) and carne asada fries for sharing (P280).
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G/F , 1240 Asturias St, The Mills Bldg, UST, Sampaloc, Manila
Pablo’s Taqueria
Another taqueria near UST, Pablo’s Taqueria is as student-friendly as they come. They offer an extensive menu for hungry students, ranging from overloaded fries to quesadillas (P199), birria tacos (P120), and rice bowls like sisig (P179) and chicken adobo (P149)!
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G/F, 1254 Asturias St cor Laong Laan St, Fusebox Lifestyle Complex, UST, Sampaloc, Manila
Mijo Comfort Food
One of the higher-end restaurants in Poblacion, Mijo Comfort Food offers dishes that can be enjoyed by everyone, even during petsa de peligro. Their sisig rice bowl, asado bowl, smash burger, and spicy salmon tartare are all priced under P500!
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4987 P Guanzon St, Poblacion, Makati
Da Gianni Cusina Italiana
Owned by actor Matteo Guidicelli, Da Gianni is a representation of the welcoming nature of his family. With authentic Italian food fit for everyone, try the fried calamari (P399), aglio olio (P395), and carbonara classic (P485)!
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Westgate Hub Alabang, Westgate Alabang, Alabang, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Maiora Bistro
Another Italian restaurant proving that dining out doesn’t have to be expensive, Maiora Bistro is a great option for students in Katipunan. Try any of their paninis starting from P249, or split the bill when ordering the Maiora Pizza, which costs P689.
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L2 Wisco Compd, Katipunan Ave (in front of Blue Residences), Katipunan, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Tra Vinh
One of the first few Vietnamese restaurants in Quezon City, Tra Vinh at Banawe is timeless and affordable! We recommend trying fried spring rolls (P219), braised beef noodles (P319), and roast pork rice (P309)!
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Unit 3, 109 NS Amoranto cor Cordillera, Amoranto, Maharlika, Quezon City
Hermanos Taco Shop
For authentic Mexican cuisine at an affordable price, head to Hermanos Taco Shop in BGC during your lunch break. We recommend trying the surf n turf, shredded beef, and sisig tacos.
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Frankie’s
Always a classic restaurant or penny pinching professionals or students hanging out with their friends, Frankie’s is an affordable wings place with tons of flavors to choose from. We recommend trying the salted egg, garlic parmesan, and even honey sriracha.
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2/F Crossroads, 32nd St, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Items and prices are subject to change without prior notice.
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