Zili’s Nasi Goreng Kampung and Other Flavorful Offerings

Nasi goreng kampung, literally, village (kampung) fried rice (nasi goreng), is a meal comprised of fried rice and the many possible ingredients it can have. Versions and ingredients vary depending on which village or province it originates from but in essence, it is fried rice made the way a particular village does it.

Zili’s fried rice composed of chicken chunks, ikan bilis (anchovies), and sambal (chili paste)—is a recipe Reyg learned and during her long stay in Malaysia. The sambal is home-made, guaranteed fresh, with its ingredients ordered from abroad. You can’t get more authentic than that!

If you are not into anything spicy, though, there is nothing to worry because their nasi goreng kampung also comes in varying degrees of spiciness. But what is life without a little spice?

They also have nasi lemak. It is considered to be Malaysia’s national dish. Imagine what happens when you combine coconut milk rice, sambal ikan bilis (chili shrimp paste), dried anchovies, roasted peanuts, chicken, boiled eggs, and cucumber in a plate? It literally is a mouthful of flavors and textures: Sweetness versus saltiness, soft versus crunchy!

The most recent addition to Zili’s menu, the Beef Rendang is no slouch either and has become another favorite among patrons. Reyg Linao, shares: “It is slowly cooked for hours in a special paste and coconut milk. We want to get the taste right, and make sure that the beef is really tender, there are no shortcuts to it.” Reyg’s husband, and Local Rock Royalty Jomal, adds, “Even though the restaurant opens at 6:00 PM, preparation starts around 2 or 3:00 PM to make sure everything is set.“

The Linao’s sure are serious and dedicated about maintaining the authenticity of their dishes.

Behind the awesome food offerings of Zili Asian Fusion Restaurant is a team who knows and loves what they are doing.

One of Zili’s owners, Jomal Linao of Kamikazee, one of OPM’s most respected rock bands, never imagined that Zili would be as big as it is now—both literally and figuratively. From a single commercial space inside Vista Verde in Cainta, they now have one floor to themselves along Imelda Avenue of the same city. Patrons and their clientele is growing steadily too. Indeed, it has come a long way. His work at the restaurant focuses mainly on marketing and in-house music/entertainment.

Zili is the brainchild of Jomal’s wife, Reyg, frontwoman of band Talata (where Jomal is also part of), who is a passionate cook and foodie herself. As mentioned earlier, Reyg learned the recipes of the restaurant’s main entrees while she was in Sabah, Malaysia—a stint she credits to her singing in a band there. Malaysian local chefs have taught her how to prepare and cook the Zili dishes people have come to love and patronize. She is still very much hand’s on when it comes to the food they want their clients to feast on despite having more staff now. She trains them too from time to time to ensure that each meal is true to its roots.

Also on the helm is Chef Adonis, a seasoned chef in charge of the many other dishes Zili has in store. From having only three offerings in their menu when they first started more than two years ago, they now have Filipino pulutan (appetizers taken with alcohol) staples. It’s no surprise too that the flavors are a notch up compared to what’s normally served even in well-known food establishments. They have their Zili Wings and Zizig to name a few. Other crowd drawers are their sumptuous Zili Classic Burger and Zili-Cheese-Stuffed Burger. Both come with a hefty serving of fries and the latter with additional spicy salsa. The restaurant is not called a fusion restaurant for no reason.

What better way to finish a meal in Zili but with Malaysia’s famous Teh Tarik or “pulled tea.” This tea is prepared by pouring the concoction into a glass and then to another (at a certain height while) repeating the process several times. This method ensures that the ingredients are mixed well and, most of all, to produce a distinct tea with thick froth. This kind of tea is traditional to Malaysian and Indian cuisine. Teh Tarik either served cold or hot, is a really wonderful palette cleanser and beverage in one. It perfectly contrasts with the generally spicy food of served in Zili.

Now you’d think that Zili would cut back on the tedious process of mixing tea that way? No, of course not. As they said, “(there are) no shortcuts in preparing their food, or drinks for that matter.” And they do this not just to stay true to the process of preparing this drink from Sabah, but because the process itself is essential to the taste and quality of the tea. Skipping this process would mean that Zili would be serving ordinary, foreign tea. That’s right, even the tea mixture itself is imported from Sabah. Reyg shared that the leaves are cultivated and harvested from the mountains of Kota Kinabalu. Considering their objective is to serve authentic pulled tea, ordering the ingredients from there is no stretch. No pun intended.

You’d be pleasantly surprised to know that aside from the many aptly provided descriptions for the resto like, “Home of the Spiciest Nasi Goreng Kampung” and “Asian Fusion Restaurant,” Zili is also known as the OPM Hub of the East. In other words, it is also home to many local bands and gigs. More than being a foodie haven, Zili is also a place where music lovers can have their fill.

Although Papa Joms (as the music scene fondly calls Jomal) sees the entertainment and music side of Zili as secondary compared to their food offerings, customers can attest that the performers who take center stage nightly (Tuesdays-Saturdays, with possible changes) are no-second rate musicians. Whether they’re from up-and-coming artists or established bands, the performances are always enjoyable and fun. That plus a bottle orbucket of beer or a glass of your favorite liquor is always a welcome treat to first-time diners and regulars alike.

What’s more, compared to bigger venues around, the performers do acoustics sets night in and night (or morning) out—A flavor that Zili Asian Fusion and Restaurant have been serving steadily to their clientele with much success. Moreover, with the homey and intimate vibe the place has, the crowd is never alienated even, or most especially, the first timers. On top of all these, the tandem of Jomal and Reyg can be also be expected to be occasionally jamming and bonding with guests and performers.

To know more about Zili Asian Fusion and Restaurant and their promos, visit their establishment in Realms Mansion, 2nd floor, Vista Verde Avenue, Vista Verde Executive Village, Cainta, Rizal.

Tel no.: (+63921) 610-8004

Website: www.facebook.com/zilieatery

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