On The Tummy Spot: Chicken Inasal at JT Manukan Grille

The outside is nothing spectacular or eye catching. The place is not where you would like to dawdle over lunch or dinner because it is not that interesting. JT’s Manukan is actually located beside OSMAK (Ospital ng Makati) so that would be one of its landmarks. When you go inside, the one consistent thing are posters of old movies that actor Joel Torre has been in. JT’s Manukan is owned by him and as such his initials on the name of the chicken place.

Of course, I ordered the chicken pecho which is the drumstick plus a big part of the thigh if I’m not mistaken. We also ordered “atay” (chicken liver) and some pork liempo grilled. The basic condiments were offered at the table – soy sauce, vinegar, chilies and chicken oil (which you can slather all over your rice). When the chicken arrived, I eagerly wanted to sink my teeth into it so I can say for myself it is really as good as my friends have painted it out to be. The garlic rice was really good too. All garlicky with little garlic bits. This was really every penny’s worth of our money and it’s not that expensive as well.

The first bite is always the clincher and with this first bite, I wasn’t disappointed. Usually when we do a little bit of chicken inasal at home, I am always concerned that the chicken meat dries up during the cooking process and sometimes our chicken inasal at home does have that dried up feeling to it but this chicken from JT’s was another chicken altogether. The chicken meat was so plump and juicy with just the right amount of doneness to it. It kind of felt like Hainanese chicken which is all plump but this just had a barbecuey feeling to it. I think I had stumbled onto a great chicken place. This is even better than Mang Inasal’s chicken. I could taste a variety of flavors like lemongrass and some others. I wanted to eat and eat. It was that good. Not dried up but just really juicy.