The Frugal Adventures of Supa' Chai and Mighty John: The Savory Story of Batchoy: Ongpin to Legazpi

Special batchoy is sold for only Php 70.00 (you can request for additional broth if you want)

I remember myself telling my husband (John) that I am not a fan of “mami”, “batchoy” or anything that resembles a noodle soup that is SWEET. (Yes, you heard it right). I don’t like any food that is sweet besides dessert, chocolates and candies. (Period) I am a stereotype kind of foodie (not fun, right?). *this is the deadlock my husband and I are always having! All that he wants, I don’t-- especially when it comes to taste. But these huge differences between us have never put a gap in our relationship; instead, every time I discover new things from him, learned to appreciate his “quirky slash wild” ideas, and break my dull wall of expectations by not only nodding along his silly notion but (at least) trying to “go along”. (Yes! It’s called compromise... the "matrimonial compromise".)

One time, he asked me if we could eat a noodle soup for snack, I made no second thoughts of saying yes and suggested Kem’s Ongpin Batchoy House or colloquially known by Bicol University students as, the “Ongpin Batchoy or Batchoyan sa BU”. (Everybody who studied at BU knows this place—young and old, high-class or mid class, name them all… they know this place!)

Contrary to the modest look of their resto, they serve an extravagant pork noodle soup. Their batchoy’s ingredients are not rationed. Completely irresistible!

So we tried to eat there, and I tell you! He (Hubbie) fell madly, deeply in love with their “batchoy”. I know, I mentioned that I hate “sweet” noodles but this one comes differently. Its rich oriental flavors lingered in our taste buds. The owner, Ken Kho (who is by the way very friendly) is firm to not compromising the flavor of the dish with a cheap price. I remember him telling us that, “di bale wala nalang, kesa kulang ang rekado at hindi masarap…”

Ongpin Batchoy has stood for 16 years and is now recognized as an institution in BU.

*** Ken, the owner was originally from Binondo. He met his better half in Bicol and decided to stay for good in Legazpi City.

*this place was introduced to me by an office mate slash friend, “Tiagee Baby” (as we fondly call him).

Kem's Ongpin Batchoy also serves other value meals and sandwiches perfect for someone who is on a tight budget but wants to eat good food

So, if you want to have the same experience that we had, do visit them. for those who don't know it yet, they moved to a new place because their previous location posterior to the university oval is being renovated.
Their new place is now located at the back of the Nursing Building, Bicol University, Legazpi City.