The province of Pampanga is known as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. This has been proven and tested over time, for Pampanga’s cuisine is genuinely remarkable and mouth-watering. This is why it is no longer surprising that many restaurants in Pampanga place serve unique delicacies that one doesn’t usually find on a typical Filipino household menu. And if you’re looking for a fantastic restaurant where you can experience authentic Kapampangan goodness, look no further than Clark’s very own Matam-ih Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine!
Home of Pampanga’s one-of-a-kind dishes, Matam-ih Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine is an al fresco resto with a menu that is as diverse as it is satisfying. This restaurant in Clark offers authentic Kapampangan dishes that can surely make your local food trip twice as memorable. Now that the resto is operating under the new normal, a few safety guidelines were also rolled out to keep diners safe. Curious about what it has to offer? Read on!
Matam-ih Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine got its name from the Aeta word “matam-ih” which translates to “delicious”. True enough, the restaurant serves only the tastiest Kapampangan dishes that can take you on a gastronomical ride. Situated in the heart of Clark Freeport Zone, Matam-ih is a fusion of both Kapampangan and Aeta culture, arts, and crafts which can be seen through interiors made of antique-style wood and steel. Upon entering, you will be welcomed by a life-sized carabao statue with a cart illuminated with LED lights called “Dugang”. The food attendants of the place are also trained members of the Aeta and Abelling tribe of the Capas, so you are sure to get authentic Kapampangan goodness when you visit!
The resto has various outdoor dining areas to choose from. It has an open main hall named after Apu Namalyari and six safari-type tents named after Capas town’s major Aeta Sitios. Matam-ih also has Sitio Kalangitan Cafe, an al fresco veranda on the second floor that overlooks the restaurant. Here, you’ll never run out of places to dine in.
Besides a warm ambiance and exquisitely good food, this exotic restaurant in Pampanga also offers recreational activities that guests can enjoy. One of these is the “adiu-adiu,” which involves a person using a primitive bow and arrow to hit the target called “sana,” a replica of a “balon” or wishing well.
Unique Menu
What’s the most exotic food you’ve tasted? You’ll be surprised by the exotic food you can order at Matam-ih!
Matam-ih Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine specializes in Kapampangan dishes that can genuinely tickle your tastebuds. One of the restaurant’s exotic seasonal dishes is the Adobong Camaro (PhP290), a dish that presents a strange twist to Pampanga’s famous delicacy. Instead of the usual chicken and pork as the main ingredients, the Adobong Camaro is made with pure rice crickets. Nothing like trying out an insect dish while in Pampanga! You’d be surprised that crickets aren’t the unique recipe on the menu. Other exotic food items you can get at this restaurant in Clark are frogs, snails, ducks, ostrich meat, and beetles can be found here. It’s a good day to be an adventurous eater when visiting Matam-ih! Their exotic dishes range from PhP235 to PhP520 per order.
Safety Precautions in the Cafe
Well-ventilated al fresco dining spots are essential in maintaining social distancing among diners. Matam-ih ensures that guests strictly observe social distancing by using all the outdoor areas in the place, such as the tents and open veranda. The restaurant provides that employees and customers strictly follow minimum public safety health standards, including wearing face masks, temperature screening upon entry, regular washing of hands, and strict disinfecting of facilities. Matam-ih Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine’s operating hours are from 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM daily.
At Matam-ih Authentic Kapampangan Cuisine, you don’t only get to devour authentic Kapampangan flavors. Still, you can also experience the beauty of the culture of the Philippines’ very own natives.
Matam-ih Authentic Kapampangan Cuisineis located at MA, Manuel A. Roxas Hwy, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles, 2009 Pampanga. For inquiries, please contact 0939 9892382 or 0939 9882382.
Go toYoorekka Magazineto find more unique dining spots in Pampanga and Central Luzon!
Stay safe as you dine in! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions. For now, keep safe!
This article was initially published in Yoorekka on October 05, 2020.
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About Antonette Louise Guiao
Antonette is a writer, a night owl, an extrovert, and a BTS ARMY. Her spare time is consumed by drawing digital vector art, sleeping, binge-watching Netflix series, and learning how to cook. An adventurer by heart, she aspires to travel the world with her family, try extreme outdoor activities, and taste all sorts of food in different countries.
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