Close to Bailey's Crossroads is this popular Filipino market. While it's small, you'll probably find everything you need to cook up a Filipino feast, with quarts of ice cream made from purple yam, maize, baby bananas, coconut, jackfruit and more or some coconut desserts to follow.

But you can stay in for your feast. The secret treasure of the market is right at the back, a carry-out counter with a few tables in case you can't wait to get home to tuck into mouthwatering dishes. Portions are extremely generous. If you don't recognize what you're looking at, ask. The owners are enthusiasts and happy to explain. Their adobes - spicy stews of bee, pork or chicken cooked in vinegar - are good, as is the rice that goes with them, and their pancit noodles. If you're a car park picnic-er get the barbecue beef and pork sticks. Everything is good value for money - three plantains wrapped in eggroll sheets and fried for $1.25 - and the food is delicious. A meal will lead you through some unfamiliar, to me, anyway, Filipino tastes and dishes and a filling lunch won't cost you more than around $6 - about the same as a regular bowl of Pho these days. The owners are cheerful and friendly and ready to dispense cooking advice. The cooked food area doesn't open till around 10.30 a.m.

Manila Oriental, 5509 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, 703 379 0595.

Posted on Wednesday 07th October 2009 in Americas & Caribbean, Markets