HOPIA Like It!

We all have that food from our childhood that we still look for even if we are adults. It may be a piece of candy, a bar of chocolate, chichirya or a slice of cake. Whatever it is, this food somehow makes us feel good and reminiscent of our childhood whenever we dig into its goodness.

My favorite childhood food is called Tipas Hopia. This tasty snack was first produced in 1988 by Belen Flores in Ibayo-Tipas, Taguig. They currently have different flavors such as mongo, baboy (pork), ube and pandan. Unfortunately, I have only tried mongo because I don't really like eating other hopia flavors.  Hehe! 

When I was a kid, you can buy this at any sari-sari store but now, it's very hard to find. Since new brands emerged, stores just sold the cheaper brands even if they are not as tasty as Tipas Hopia. This made it even harder to purchase Tipas Hopia.

During my pregnancy, I was craving for this. My husband even went to a market in Pacita, Laguna to look for it but he was never able to bring home my Tipas Hopia. I settled for a brand named Marby's because it was good and the taste was similar. After my pregnancy, I was still on the hunt for Tipas Hopia. I would sometimes buy Marby's just to satisfy my craving but it was never enough. Years went by without my beloved hopia and then last year, something happened. I was in Ayala MRT station (on my way to work), I saw this stall and a little red box was screaming my name! Hallelujah! There it was! A stall selling Tipas Hopia. It's not hard to recognize these goodies because the packaging is still the same (and like what I said, it was screaming my name! Hehe!) -- cardboard box with red polka dots and a man that looks mean but he's going to give you some lovin' if you buy the whole box. To my excitement, I immediately approached the stall and bought a small box (10 pieces) of mongo Tipas Hopia for only 35 pesos. Right now, they are selling the small box for 45 pesos which is still not bad considering it is very yummy. 45 pesos for 10 pieces of flaky crust filled with sweet mongo. YUMMERS!

For those of you, who share my fondness for Tipas Hopia and is having a hard time finding it, you can buy this in a stall at Ayala MRT Station or if you are in Taguig, you can get them at Ribbonette's - Traditionally Baked, INC. San Pedro St. Ibayo-Tipas, Taguig City. Please don't ask me for directions on how to get to the bakeshop because I haven't been there. :)

So, I've shared my favorite childhood food.. What's yours?

- Tel (one happy hopia loving girl)