Photo: Klara Avsenik / Unsplash
Cover Photo: Klara Avsenik / Unsplash

Release your inner green goddess and take a bite out of these salads

Not all salads are boring. A great salad should entice you with textures, layers of flavour, and a variety of ingredients. Make sure you get your daily dose of vegetables in the most exciting (and satisfying) manner by picking out meals that will make you feel giddy, instead of obliged to eat them. 

We have listed out a range of salads that will add colour, taste, and nutrition to your otherwise possibly humdrum day. Order any of these for lunch, merienda, or dinner and rest easy knowing that you’ve treated your body to a wholesome feast of leafy greens (along with some decadent nibbles too).

See also: Meal delivery services to make your life easier

1. Corner Tree Café's quinoa salad or CTC raw salad

Known for its vegan and vegetarian options, Corner Tree Café has been a pillar in the community for those seeking out a healthier, plant-based lifestyle. Try their quinoa salad with grilled asparagus, feta cheese, toasted sunflower seeds, a hint of paprika and a cool citrus dressing for your next order for a meal that's filled with texture. For a vegan salad try the CTC raw salad, featuring carrots, red beets, jicama, raw walnuts and greens, plus your choice of lemon dijon vinaigrette (vegan) or tahini garlic dressing (non-vegan).

2. Kai's roasted grape and tomato salad

This roasted grape salad with tomatoes and sesame dressing is a must-try bite packed with umami and sweet notes which will have you coming back for more. Roasted grapes are sophisticated, let’s get that clear. This quick and easy trick of slightly blistering these beloved fruits adds so much more depth, flavour, and chicness to your meal, exposing a whole new side to the humble grape. Warning: the sesame dressing is addicting. 

3. El Born's burrrata or ensalada de gambas salad

El Born, a restaurant focusing on Catalan-Mediterranean cuisine, located in Mitsukoshi mall in BGC presents a luscious creamy burrata salad with fresh greens and a welcomed dash of pesto which makes for a light yet satiating lunch. If you are seeking out a a heartier salad with more protein, try their surf and turf option, the ensalada de gambas which features plump prawns and jamón Ibérico with a kick of mustard. 

See also: Colin Mackay on the importance of teamwork in the restaurant industry

4. Sala Bistro's warm seafood salad

Tatler Asia
Above Sala Bistro

You might be thinking...a warm salad? Do I want that? Well, the answer is a sure-fire yes. This warm seafood and roasted tomato salad with white beans hits all the right notes. Perfectly cooked beans that are just the right kind of mushy, with lightly spiced (not spicy) seafood and fresh leafy greens will set you on the right track for the rest of your day.

5. Saladstop Caesar

A much-loved classic all over the world, the Caesar salad is famous for its crunchy bacon bits, crumbled egg and of course that irresistible dressing; it may not be calorie-conscious, but it is oh so worth it. Get your hands on Saladstop’s chicken Caesar in wrap or salad form for an ideal office lunch. 

See also: Vegetarian vs Vegan: What's the difference and which one suits you best?

6. The Wholesome Table chicken dukkah salad

A restaurant helmed by Bianca Elizalde that is known for making healthy, organic food more mainstream and popular among Filipino diners, The Wholesome Table sure knows how to whip up unique and crave-worthy salads. Try their chicken dukkah salad and dig into dukkah spice-coated grilled chicken with roasted squash, tomatoes, sliced red onions, fresh cucumbers, crumbled feta cheese and some sunflower seeds which add a wonderful textural component. With each bite complemented by a contrasting balsamic vinaigrette, the salad is well-balanced and delicious to say the least. 

7. Wildflour's octopus salad

At one of the Metro’s most frequented corner cafes with a wide range of delectable buttery sweets or savoury sinful bites, opt for something lighter to help you get through a busy workday sans food-coma. On a bed of fluffy cabbage, chock-full of soft octopus, drizzle Wildflour’s bright orange mango-esque sauce plus the accompanying hummus-like dressing and enjoy the amalgamation of these two contrasting yet complimentary tastes. 

8. Pablo's goat cheese salad

This salad with fried goat cheese and mixed greens is both decadent and delightfully healthy. Drizzled with honey balsamic vinaigrette, the salad is well balanced with savoury and sweet notes. Pair this with a glass of white wine and you have the perfect lunch.

9. Juju Eats Chatuchak salad

This Thai inspired dish is filled with all sorts of goodies. Feast on this healthy treat featuring fresh local greens, chickcharon (chicken chicharon), tangy green mango, fragrant cilantro, green papaya, cashew nuts, red onion, refreshing basil and a zesty nam pla sauce. Juju Eats strives to help Filipinos live more health-conscious lives on the daily, by making the process as fuss-free as possible. Order up, and enjoy! 

See also: 5 Easy tofu recipes perfect for vegans and vegetarians

 

10. Blackbird's Vietnamese salad

Tatler Asia
Above Blackbird Restaurant

Blackbird's Vietnamese sweet shrimp and roast chicken salad, with nuoc cham dressing and a crisp sesame cracker makes for a wonderful starter to a meal, and can also serve as a lovely main. This surf and turf pairing works well together without one overpowering the other, and is jazzed up by the bold, punchy notes from the nuoc cham. Dig in with a nice chilled beer or a refreshing soda in hand, and you are all set.

11. Lusso seared foie Gras or soft-boiled egg salad

Snag an order of the soft-boiled organic egg salad with field greens, watercress, prosciutto di parma crisps, parmigiano-reggiano frico, pommery mustard glaze or their seared foie gras salad if you are looking for something a bit indulgent. It comes with fruit sorbetto, more fresh greens and a white wine vinaigrette. You honestly cannot go wrong with an order at Margarita Fores’ Lusso, so when in need of an elegant salad to add a little oomph to your day, why not try one of these out? 

12. Wild Flour Italian tricolore salad

Wild Flour Italian’s tricolore salad with arugula, radicchio, endives, olive oil, lemon and parmigiano is definitely a go-to order. As a fan of both radicchio and endives, I can attest to the freshness, and depth of flavour that comes with this seemingly simple, easy-going salad. Pair this with an arancini appetiser or some heartier mains and buon provecho. 

13. Zig's No Fig Deal

From wraps to salad bowls and sushi bowls, Zig has got your healthy habit covered. Try out their fun salad bowls with tongue-in-cheek like It's A Thai or I Don't Give A Crab. One that we like in particular is called No Fig Deal. With fresh juicy figs, crunchy pears, candied walnuts, lollo rosa lettuce, arugula, a bold gorgonzola cheese plus a drizzling of balsamic and olive oil, this salad makes for a delightful mid-day meal.

NOW READ

Where to order the best bibingka

6 cleanses to start the new year

Eggslut founder chef Alvin Cailan navigates what it means to be Filipino-American

Topics