Flavors of Pampanga: Samsaman, A Capampangan Boodle Fight with Chef Sau Del Rosario at 25 Seeds

From the very first bite down to the last, the Samsaman feast at 25 Seeds is one experience that will be remembered long after you leave Angeles City. And it's one more reason that will have you coming back to Pampanga...

Chef Sau del Rosario showcases the various and complex layers of authentic Capampangan cuisine with his version of a boodle fight at 25 Seeds with Samsaman, an elaborate communal feast featuring the best of Pampanga. Named after the Capampangan term for "to grab," Samsaman is exactly that, where everyone can simply grab anything and everything on the table. With the holiday season fast approaching, Samsaman at 25 Seeds makes any road trip home to Pampanga even more special for a gathering of friends and family. So grab a plate and dig in...

Located at one of Angeles City's many elegant ancestral homes, Chef Sau del Rosario goes back to his roots sharing his inspired take on heritage Capampangan cuisine with his modern and inventive spin at 25 Seeds. Acclaimed as one of the country's best, Chef Sau del Rosario brings his wealth of experiences to the table once more with a sumptuous feast in true Capampangan style (for more on Chef Sau del Rosario, see my previous posts, Local Flavors Shine at Diamond Hotel's Filipino Culinary Pride on his most recent collaboration, Flavors of Pampanga: The Kanyaman Food Festival by Chef Sau del Rosario at Novotel Manila's Food Exchange featuring some of my favorite signature dishes from Chef Sau, A Winning Pair of Filipino Flavors by Chef Sau del Rosario at Solaire Resort and Casino's Fresh Restaurant from three years back, From Page to Plate: Chef Sau del Rosario's 20 Years of Love + Cooking on his book launch and Simply Awesome: The LUZVIMINDA Filipino Festival of Flavors at F1 Hotel Manila on my first ever encounter with one of the country's noted chefs).

Inside the spacious interiors of 25 Seeds, the dark wooden floors and pristine white walls framed with rustic capiz-lined windows take you back in time. It's the perfect setting for a comforting feast of local flavors for a unique dining experience. The sliding doors to a private room were then opened...
 

...as Chef Sau del Rosario revealed a lavish spread for his Samsaman, his take on the classic boodle fight with a distinctive Capampangan touch. The long table draped in banana leaves featured familiar Capampangan dishes reflecting the richness of Pampanga's culinary heritage.
 

It was, to say the least, an impressive sight. Laid out end-to-end with Pampanga's very best, Chef Sau del Rosario's Samsaman at 25 Seeds first feeds the eyes before the palate.

From the local Paco Salad made with indigenous local ferns, fresh tomatoes, plump shrimps and edible squash blossoms...

...to the traditional Ensalada with green mangoes, tomatoes, red onions and salted duck eggs, the Samsaman at 25 Seeds covers everything from refreshing starters to savory mains and desserts.

At the table, an old childhood favorite triggers so many fond memories of carefree summers. Chef Sau del Rosario's Capampangan Buro, a traditional condiment made with fermented rice, tomatoes, salt and shrimps adds a uniquely local vibe to the feast best paired with boiled bitter gourd, okra and eggplant.

That familiar creamy sourness of the buro perfectly tempers the bitter gourd and complements the subtle sweetness of the okra and eggplant. A heaping mound of steamed rice, a side of ensalada, boiled vegetables and an equally generous portion of buro, your plate is then ready for the savory mains...

...including the day's freshest catch like plump and succulent Shrimps...

...and Rellenong Bangus or grilled milkfish stuffed with tomatoes and onions. You'll need more rice. And buro. And maybe some Lechon too.

Balance your feast with some vegetables, like the Pakbet or stewed vegetables with shrimp paste...

...and have another hearty bowl of Beef Bulalo, the traditional soup dish with tender beef, bone marrow, vegetables and sweet corn. The wide variety of dishes ensures there's something for everyone with the Samsaman at 25 Seeds.

No Capampangan feast is complete without the now iconic Pork Sisig, with fork tender pork mask and onions. It's a feast that can go on for hours, exactly the way they do it in Pampanga. End your feast with Chef Sau del Rosario's indulgent Leche Flan, perfect with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. If you're planning a sumptuous boodle fight Capampangan style any time soon, book your reservation and hit the road for 25 Seeds with the Samsaman feast for only P 1,250 per person with a minimum of eight hungry friends. If you want Lechon or any other dish as part of your Samsaman, just inquire from the staff at 25 Seeds for an advance booking and pricing details (contact details below).

After a satisfying meal, why not take a short walk around the property? The massive property also features the herb and vegetable garden, the inspiration behind the name 25 Seeds as well as Chef Sau del Rosario's Cafe Fleur. 

At Cafe Fleur, diners can enjoy more of Chef Sau del Rosario's classic Capampangan-inspired dishes, just a few steps below 25 Seeds.

Or you can enjoy a soothing Latte...

...and why not, go have a slice of the inventive Bibingka Cheesecake...

...or the Pandan Sans Rival to cap your trip to Angeles City. Just two to three hours north of Manila, 25 Seeds and Cafe Fleur are dining destinations that should be on any list.

The food, the place, the service, and the vibe, Chef Sau del Rosario brings it all together at 25 Seeds and Cafe Fleur in Angeles City. And if you're looking for a boodle fight, the Samsaman at 25 Seeds will have you going back for round after round of authentic Capampangan flavors. Mangan tamu!

25 Seeds and Cafe Fleur are located at the Dycaico Ancestral House, Barangay Sto. Rosario, Angeles City, Pampanga or call 0905-257-7149 for inquiries and reservations. You can also check out their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/25seeds/.

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