Ugbo 2.0: Our Street Food Odyssey in Sampaloc, Manila Philippines

When we first heard whispers of FUSION ALLEY Food Park Sampaloc, famously dubbed “Ugbo 2.0,” we were in different parts of Manila—some in the University Belt, others just passing by on errands—but all of us curious about the hype. The original Ugbo in Tondo had long been a food pilgrimage for adventurous eaters and night market lovers alike, with its endless rows of stalls, grilled skewers, exotic soups, and cheeky sweet treats. Now, this spirited concept has been reimagined closer to campus life, right between P. Noval and P. Campa streets in Sampaloc, just a short walk from UST and the rest of the academic hustle.

From the outset, Ugbo 2.0 felt like a celebration of Filipino street food culture—but with its own Sampaloc personality. The streets come alive as the sun dips below the Manila skyline, and the aroma of sizzling grills and sweet fruit shakes fills the late-afternoon air. The first thing that strikes us when we walk along the vendors’ lane is the diversity of offerings: familiar Filipino favorites, inventive Asian-inspired snacks, and the kinds of budget-friendly eats that students have always loved.

We found that the heart of Ugbo 2.0 lies in its street food staples—those classic treats that make any food crawl feel complete. At one end of the lane, a grill station is hard at work with isaw (grilled chicken intestine), betamax (grilled pork blood cubes), and kikiam—all skewered and barbecued over charcoal, smoky and delicious. These are the quintessential Filipino snacks: addictive, savory, and perfect with a cold drink as the sounds of the neighborhood blend into evening chatter.

Nearby, we always make a beeline for the noodles and rice meals. There’s a popular yang chow rice stand that mixes fluffy rice, shrimp, vegetables, and savory sauce right before your eyes, while another stall serves up steaming bowls of tteokbokki, Korean-style spicy rice cakes that have quickly become a staple in this fusion scene. For us, these offerings are the perfect bridge between homegrown tastes and the global influences that Manila street food continues to embrace.

Of course, no Ugbo-style food crawl is complete without fresh fruit shakes and unique drinks. We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve queued for a refreshing dragon fruit juice or a thick, chocolate-rich Milo drink—both refreshing after a long walk through the crowded lanes. These beverages aren’t just thirst quenchers; they are also a shared experience, something we cheerfully sip while swapping impressions about which stall has the best noodles or the crispiest grilled meats.

A standout in every visit is the tofu squares—crispy on the outside, silky inside, drizzled with sauces that are salty, sweet, or spicy depending on your preference. They’re simple yet satisfying, a great way to start a food crawl or to break up heavier dishes with something light. Meanwhile, vendors selling cheesy corn, dragon’s breath ice cream balls, and tanghulu (candied fruit skewers) bring a playful, Instagrammable flare to the food lane, perfect for dessert after a savory feast.

While many of us are there for the eats, almost every visit turns into a shared memory: leaning over a makeshift table with friends, sampling a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and comparing spoonfuls of halo-halo or rice bowls. There is laughter over who managed to snag the last piece of grilled scallop and friendly debate over whose favorite snack reigns supreme (the tteokbokki crowd is loud, but the grilled skewers loyalists are persistent).

But we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that the area’s transformation into a food hub hasn’t been without growing pains. Some locals and students have mentioned the added noise, crowds, and smoke from grills filling the streets that were once quieter. There are times when we, too, have felt a bit overwhelmed by the bustling chaos, especially on weekends or after night classes, when foot traffic swells.

Still, for many of us, Ugbo 2.0 represents something more than just food. It has become a gathering ground, a space where the academic grind briefly fades, replaced by shared plates, animated conversations, and the thrill of discovering new flavors. Whether we’re sampling Korean-inspired delights one moment or savoring traditional Filipino grilled favorites the next, the energy is unmistakably local and undeniably memorable.

At its core, Ugbo 2.0 captures the essence of Filipino street food culture—creative, communal, affordable, and always delicious in its own right. We’ve walked its lanes countless times, and each visit feels like a new chapter in our Sampaloc food adventures. It’s not perfect and it’s sometimes messy, but that’s part of its charm. This vibrant corner between P. Noval and P. Campa has become a place we return to again and again—not just for the food, but for the stories and memories we cook up along the way.

Cheerio!