Are you tired of eating tasteless, mass-market, store-bought bread that has about 30 ingredients, many of which are preservatives? If you are, there is no need to ever eat it again while you’re living in Manila. Just go to the popular Saturday morning market in Salcedo Village, and look for Mike the Breadman who is always manning his booth. Mike has longish, graying hair tied back in a ponytail, and he wears a Western type hat. Mike’s breads are made with no preservatives (so they have to be refrigerated), and with very little sugar – some of the breads have zero sugar. I highly recommend the 10-grain, which is without question, the best bread I have ever eaten, and I also strongly recommend the raisin bread, which is heavy, and loaded with cinnamon and raisins. Mike has a wide variety of other excellent breads, coffees, and desserts, but I go there for the 10-grain, which will not disappoint you. For those of you who frequent the Saturday market, you’ll probably read this and think about all the other decent breads on offer there - but trust me on this - try Mike’s breads and you’ll become a regular customer.
JOEL FISCHL
US Embassy
