I’d been curious about trying biryani for a while. While wandering the food stalls at the mall, I spotted Biryani Shaker. The owner was there, smiling and saying “masarap talaga,” and that little moment nudged me to finally give biryani a try. It felt like the perfect chance to experience something I’d been curious about for so long.
If you’re unfamiliar, like I was, biryani is a rice dish made with long-grain basmati rice and meat. The spices are layered in a way that fills the dish with a fragrant, slightly tangy aroma. Some versions have a bit of heat, and it often comes with yogurt or sauce on the side. Just having that little context made me appreciate the experience more, especially since this was my first time diving into it.
So, for my first experience, here’s what I ordered
I went with the Chicken Biryani from Biryani Shaker. The portion was just right for one, though if you have a bigger appetite, it might not be enough. It cost ₱120, which felt fair for a meal that was simple but tasty. It came in a paper bowl, which made mixing the rice and chicken easy and added a practical, convenient touch. It also came with a small container of sauce to pour over the rice, which allowed me to adjust the flavors to my liking.
I almost skipped it at first because there were so many tempting options at the food stalls that I couldn’t decide what to eat. I wandered around for about an hour, partly because I had decided not to get it and had already started exploring other sections of the mall. But the thought of leaving without ever knowing what biryani actually tastes like kept nagging me. Going back to the stall felt like a deliberate choice, a small moment of commitment after all that indecision.
My first impressions
By the time I finally dug in, I was starving and a little tired from all the wandering, so I wasn’t paying attention to every detail. But I noticed how the rice was fluffy, not mushy, and the chicken was tender and well-seasoned (I know the photo doesn’t look very appetizing). The sauce they gave on the side was a little mild for me, and they were not generous with the cucumber, so I added some pickled cucumbers I made at home. Even with just a little, it lifted the whole dish and made it feel brighter. It wasn’t fancy or complicated, but the combination of textures and flavors turned what could have been a quick snack into a solid, satisfying meal. By the end, I was genuinely glad I finally tried biryani for the first time.
After my first biryani, I grabbed a little extra snack
While wandering the food stalls, I spotted a soft bread topped with pork floss and immediately thought it was from the same stall as my biryani. The setup at the mall makes it easy to get confused because the mini stalls are packed so closely together that you can practically reach over and touch the neighboring ones. I even put the bread in the same plastic as my biryani, which confused the vendor for a moment. He quickly realized I thought it was from the same stall, and we both laughed. It was actually from a completely different stall, but I bought it anyway for ₱30, and it made for a perfectly unexpected snack. Eating it right after the biryani felt like an extra reward for all that wandering.
My thoughts and takeaway
This is a fun spot for first-time biryani eaters or anyone curious about exploring food pop-ups. I’d recommend trying it for lunch or a light dinner. If you’re visiting, consider bringing it home. You can also have a seat nearby so you can savor the flavors at your own pace. Full disclosure: I was so hungry when I tried it that my taste buds might have been extra impressed, but honestly, it was still a tasty first biryani experience.
The mini stall is near the entrance of Market! Market! in Taguig, Metro Manila. If you’re coming in, you’ll see Jollibee and Mercury Drug on the right and McDonald’s on the left. The food pop-ups are just around that area, so it’s hard to miss. I didn’t get a photo this time, but I’ll make sure to snap one next visit so you can see the setup for yourself.
If you want to check their latest pop-up updates or menu, you can visit Biryani Shaker’s Facebook page.
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