Filipino Boodle Fight and Lunch Excursion to FOB

Did you know that the famous Filipino boodle fight began as a military tradition during the American colonial period? Soldiers of all ranks would gather around a long table lined with banana leaves, where rice, meats, and seafood were piled high for everyone to eat together kamayan-style (with bare hands).

By removing utensils and rank, the boodle fight became more than just a meal—it was a symbol of equality, camaraderie, and unity that has since become a beloved Filipino way of celebrating.

Meanwhile, here's your chance to enjoy Filipino food in a highly-rated restaurant in Oakland, FOB. Ted has finally scheduled this after my suggestion based on the response from THD Residents at our last year lunch excursion. For Details on last year lunch visit:  

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/06/lunch-at-fob-kitchen-gastronomic-delight.html

For FOB Menu : https://www.fobkitchen.com/menu

Filipino Food is Best when Eaten Filipino Style ( Sharing)

If I remember last year: Sharing with 4, Approximate Cost

Appetizer ( 2 orders ) of Vegetable or Shanghai lumpia=26

Sinigang Na Baboy. ( 1 order ). ----------------------25

Pancit Sotanghon ( 2 orders) .................................................30

Dessert Turon and Suman..................................................... 24

Beverage Mango Ice tea ( 5 each)..........................................20

Bowls of Steamed Rices is 2 each ----------------------8

Total Approximate Cost------------------------------133

Plus $20 tip---------------------------------------------153

Divide by 4=$38 each approximately. 

You can order American Style If you wish ( No Sharing):

Finally, here are the top 12 Filipino Dishes

Filipino food is a diverse cuisine that combines indigenous flavors with influences from Spain, China, and America, resulting in a unique blend of salty, sour, sweet, and umami tastes. A staple of most meals is rice, served alongside dishes like Adobo (a vinegar-soy sauce stew), Sinigang (a sour soup), and Lechon (whole roasted pig). The cuisine emphasizes balance through contrasting flavors, textures, and a reliance on local ingredients like coconut, fish sauce, and a variety of tropical fruits.

Personal Note: I just read about the upscale Filipino Restaurant, Tropa Modern Filipino cuisine in Lafayette, CA. I looked at their menu, and I have hunger cravings for oxtail Kare-kare, ribs adobo and tortang talong as well as Turon for dessert. However the restaurant is only opened for dinner and Sunday Brunch only on Wed to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.     

 For Details visit the website: 

 

https://www.tropaeats.com/

Humba- One of My Favorite Pinoy Dish

💚I have Pinoy Food Cravings Today!

Origins: Humba is believed to have originated from the Chinese dish Hongshao Rou, introduced to the Philippines by Hokkien immigrants.

Flavor Profile: It's known for its sweet and savory taste, with a hint of tanginess. &

Key Ingredients: Common ingredients include fatty pork belly, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, garlic, black peppercorns, bay leaves, and fermented black beans (tausi).

Variations: Luzon humba often includes black beans, banana blossoms, or ripe saba bananas, while Visayan humba frequently includes whole peanuts.

Another Pinoy Dish I am craving for is Beef Bone Soup  ( Bulalo) with Vegetables.

💚Filipino cuisine is on the rise—ranked among the top global favorites and seeing a 50% surge in U.S. popularity, especially among Gen Z foodies. #Filipinosinthe6ix

Meanwhile, Did you know that.....

When Filipino pastry chef Nouel Catis Omamalin helped create the pistachio-knafeh “Dubai chocolate,” it was TikTok that catapulted it into global fame - millions of views, endless cravings, and long lines just to grab a bite.

The viral buzz sparked countless copycats and remakes, with bakers and brands around the world racing to recreate the magic. Yet behind the trend was the original artistry: a Filipino chef whose creativity proved that one inspired recipe could set off a worldwide wave.

Today, Chef Nouel continues that momentum with his own line of sweets and a new book, showing that what began as a viral moment has left a lasting lesson in innovation, passion, and the power of food to inspire.

Finally, My Word and Quotes of the Day:

“The mind is everything.  What you think you become.”

Buddha

 

“The first wealth is health.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Radioactive Contamination of Imported Shrimps from Indonesia via Walmart

This posting is inspired from the recent news on on the Radioactive Contamination( Cs-137) on Imported Shrimps from Indonesia via Walmart. After reading this news, I immediately inquire from THD management if the Shrimps we consumed here daily at Newston's Restaurant is supplied by Walmart.  The answer is Negative.   In my previous article, I discussed the various sources of shrimps imports. Indonesia only supplies about 15% OF Shrimps consumption in the US. India is the number one supplier ( almost 50%). In the article below, I also wrote that THD ( Newton's  Restaurant) consumed from 50 to 75 lbs per week as estimated by Chef Joel Torres. Personally, I eat shrimps dishes almost every other day here at THD.     

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/04/where-does-us-get-most-of-its-shrimps.html

MySA

'No glow-in-the-dark seafood': San Antonio market laughs off radioactive shrimp

Today

El País

Walmart retira camarones por posible contaminación radiactiva

Today

People.com

Raw Shrimp Sold at Walmart Recalled for Possible Radioactivity

Yesterday

Here’s the latest update (as of August 21, 2025) regarding the possible radioactive contamination of imported breaded shrimp from Indonesia being sold at Walmart:

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What Has Happened So Far

1. Detection of Radioactive Contamination

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detected cesium-137 (Cs-137)—a radioactive isotope—in shipping containers of frozen shrimp arriving from Indonesia at multiple ports (Los Angeles, Houston, Savannah, and Miami) Southern LivingDelishU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationEl País.

• The FDA then tested one sample of breaded shrimp processed by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS Foods), confirming the presence of Cs-137 U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSouthern LivingPopular MechanicsPeople.com.

2. Recall and Import Alert

• Even though no confirmed contaminated shrimp have entered U.S. commerce, the FDA recommended recallingother shrimp shipments from the same supplier as a precaution El PaísSouthern LivingU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationPeople.com.

• The FDA placed BMS Foods on a "red list", issuing an import alert (Import Alert #99-51 for chemical contamination) to block further imports until safety issues are resolved Southern LivingU.S. Food and Drug Administration.

3. Products and Locations Affected

• The recall includes three lots of Great Value frozen raw shrimp sold at Walmart, with lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, and 8005539-1, all carrying a best-by date of March 15, 2027 El PaísPeople.comU.S. Food and Drug Administration.

• Impacted states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia El PaísPeople.comU.S. Food and Drug Administration.

4. Health Risks

• Detected Cs-137 levels (~68 Bq/kg) were well below the FDA's Derived Intervention Level of 1200 Bq/kg, meaning they do not pose an immediate acute hazard U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSouthern LivingPeople.com.

• However, the FDA emphasizes that prolonged, low-dose exposure to Cs-137 can increase the risk of long-term health effects, including cancer, due to cumulative cellular DNA damage U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSouthern LivingPeople.com.

5. Walmart’s Actions

• Walmart has removed the affected products from its stores in the impacted regions, offered refunds, and is cooperating with the FDA and supplier to investigate further El PaísNew York PostAxiosMySA.

  
  

6. Ongoing Investigation

• The FDA investigation remains ongoing. The agency is working with CBP and Indonesian seafood regulatory authorities to trace the root cause of contamination and ensure no further tainted shipments enter the U.S. U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationNew York PostSouthern Living.

7. Public Messaging and Responses

• In San Antonio, Groomer's Seafood Market made a lighthearted social media quip: "No glow-in-the-dark seafood here!" to reassure customers about the safety of their locally sourced Gulf shrimp MySA.

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Summary

• Key Concern: Detection of Cs-137 in a shipment of frozen breaded shrimp imported from Indonesia triggered a FDA advisory and recall of specific Great Value shrimp lots at Walmart.

• Consumer Alert: If you have Great Value frozen shrimp with lot codes 8005540-1, 8005538-1, or 8005539-1, best-by March 15, 2027, do not consume it—either dispose of it safely or return it for a refund.

• Current Status: No immediate health threat documented, but potential long-term risks warrant precautionary removal from circulation. Investigations and import bans remain in place.

  Meanwhile, here's a recipe of one of My Favorite Sauce:

  
  
  
  Finally, Did you Know that ........

  

  Scientists at UC San Diego have discovered that the cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV)—a harmless virus that infects black-eyed peas can train the human immune system to attack cancer cells.
  When injected into a tumor, CPMV attracts immune cells to destroy the cancer and even creates long-term immune memory, helping the body fight cancer elsewhere.
  Proven in mice and pet dogs with spontaneous cancers. Safe, natural, and low-cost. Could revolutionize cancer treatment. Could this be the future of cancer immunotherapy?

Go To Got Plate Lunch for Hawaiian Food

Welcome to

​GOT PLATE LUNCH

💚​We are a family run business; husband, wife and daughter.  It all started out with wanting to share the taste of Hawaiian kine style food. We are inspired by the “Hawaiian style plate lunch”.  Growing up in Hawaii, we know first hand the flavors of the food,  “da kine” that you get from the islands. It's not just Hawaiian, Korean, Japanese, or Filipino, it's any kind food.  SPAM Musubi, Saimin, Kim Chee, Poke, Loco Moco and so much more. We’re talking about the unique bold flavors, the sauces, the spices, the smell and oh yes, the taste. After many years of sharing and making food for family and friends for parties, it finally dawned on us that there are more people that want to enjoy the island style food.

     Our Food Truck started in 2011 and then we opened a restaurant in 2013 in Benicia. We also launched a commissary for our Food Truck(s) in 2014. We are expanding and soon there will be several food trucks and opportunities for restaurant franchises. The name Got Plate Lunch might sound funny, but it's really simple, "you get plate lunch?", yah, we got plate lunch". So that's how we came up with the name Got Plate Lunch.  We can’t bring everything from Hawaii, but we sure can bring the food you’re used to eating in Hawaii.
​
        Come inside and enjoy our food, all made and served with Aloha.  Our meats are fresh, delivered 3 times a week.  Our patties are fresh ground beef, we use only Certified Ground Chuck 80/20.  We make our patties and gravy every morning. We use only the finest ingredients, top grades, and all authentic. S&S brand Saimin, Redondo brand Portuguese sausages, Hawaiian Sun juices, School Kine Cookies all delivered from Hawaii. Uncle Myk & Aunty Jamie

Last Friday, Ruth and I went to a quick Dinner at the Got Plate Lunch at the Water front in Benicia, prior to Dodie's " As You Like IT" Shakespeare Performance in Vallejo. This was my first time to this place. The food was great and the view of the Carquinez Bridge was beautiful.  I did not tell Ruth, that THD has its annual Luau Dinner the same day. As a result, I just requested a Take-Out dinner,💚 that I plan on consuming after Dodie's Shakespeare show.   

💚My Take-Out Dinner with Leftover from Got Plate Lunch Dinner(Kalua Pork)

Here are some photos I took.

I learned a Hawaiin word- Lolo mean crazy, But Lolo in Filipino is grand Father. A super Lolo ( I am twice this year) is great grand Father. 

Place Mats Decor of the Restaurant 

For Details visit: 
💚https://www.gotplatelunchca.com/

Lastly, 

Recent sightings of Southeast Asian mermaids are not supported by credible scientific evidence. Instead, these reports stem from a blend of local myths, folklore, entertainment, and viral social media content. No verified sources—such as scientific organizations, local authorities, or credible journalists—have authenticated any mermaid appearances in the region.

• Myths and Folklore: Southeast Asia is rich in mermaid legends, like the Malaysian "duyung," Indonesian "putri duyung," and Filipino "sirena." These stories are part of cultural heritage and are not based on scientific findings.

• Viral Social Media: Recent claims, including viral reels and posts about mermaids washing ashore, are either hoaxes or used for entertainment purposes.

• Modern Mermaiding: Underwater festivals and mermaiding subcultures, where people dress up as mermaids, are popular but involve human performers—not real creatures.

Conclusion: No recent sightings of Southeast Asian mermaids are based on credible evidence—they are modern hype or traditional myth, not reality.