This was my second lunch-time visit at Dobosala Cantina. The bright, contemporary and welcoming space was lively with groups of young people eagerly savouring various dishes of very innovative food. I noticed that the owner, Kunal Ghose (named 2018 Foodies of the Year by Western Living Magazine) was cooking in the kitchen.
I thought I would give the tempakora a second try as I had been underwhelmed the first time. The dish did not disappoint. Tender pieces of sweet potatoes, eggplant, zucchini and clusters of greens were fried to perfection. Both sauces served with the tempakora provided a nice contrast: the house made hot sauce was perfectly tangy and the tamari-tamarind ponzu complemented the taste and texture of the tempakora.
I also ordered the adobo chicken. The chicken adobo dish was very attractively served over a couple of tempakora sticky rice balls and garnished with shredded vegetables. The chicken was utterly moist and tender and very subtlely spiced. All the components of the dish brillantly came alive in each bite. The texture of the crispy rice balls was utterly perfect and a wonderful foil for the tasty sauce and succulent chicken. All in all a very harmonious marriage of different flavours, textures and spices. It’s a truly memorable dish.
My husband ordered the achiote-pineapple pork bowl. Served over pan-seared tender rice noodle and caramelized cabbage and garnished with greens and sprouts, the pork was meltingly tender and skillfully seasoned, if a tad salty. However, the pineapple and the other components of the dish provided a nice counterpoint, and the dish as a whole was perfectly balanced.
Both of us very much enjoyed the housemade mango hibiscus soda. The portions are generous and the prices reasonable. The service is very attentive and friendly and the ride-thru concept truly innovative.
On our next visit, we will make sure we leave room for dessert!
Any new restaurant needs some time to work out the kinks and provide a consistent guest experience. Dobosala Cantina provides an innovative dining experience and deserves the success it has garnered.
Delicious, sustainable, healthy, and a great price point. Really nice space too. Some of the best food in Victoria.
The Adobo chicken bowl was so good and great portion size for the $! The service helpul friendly and super quick. I walked in and out with a hot delicious meal in less than 10min. I'll be back!!
I had the adobo chicken bowl with a prawn gazpacho that was on special; my friend had a tuna belly and shrimp dish which was on special. All dishes were mind-blowingly good! There are few restaurants in Victoria that taste this fresh and innovative. Very impressed and will be back, and back, and back!
Stopped while riding for a quick bite. Brassica nagra was delicious. Service great. A definite add to our favorite eateries.
Of course Kunal Ghose has done it again! Everything at DoboSala is delicious and the restaurant has a very cool vibe. Perfect if you're biking by feeling lunchy.
Most amazing tastes.... fantastic food.
A MUST experience...
Better still.... be a regular..!!
Just F***ing eat it. It's the Bomb.
Beautiful bright open space with tables, bar and outdoor seating. Enjoyed and after-dinner snack and a couple of cocktails for our first visit. The food is definitely creative fusion with great flavours and colours.
The adobo chicken is fantastic and very generously proportioned. Great for a filling lunch on their patio.
Another great restaurant from the owners of fish hook. The tacones are huge and the menu is vast. Very casual setting but overall great food. There are many more things I want to return to try.
A high-concept yet low-key fusion of Filipino and South Asian alongside Mexican influences, Dobosala certainly seems like the brave new direction of Victoria's edgy but comfortable food offerings. Delicious Adobe chicken sits nicely with gluten-free chickpea battered veggie pakoras and chicken wings. Salmon tacones (taco cones) are right out of a West Coast-inspired high end eater, but this is much more casual and fun, with Reggae music and bicycle-centred decor. Delicious treats include the cardamom ice cream with palm hearts and mango. A culinary adventure that adults and kids equally loved in our visit. (Photos by my 7-year-old.)
Another great option for take-outs that is not your cheap fast foods. Good serving sizes and full of flavors!
The menu is very mouth-watering and too many delicious and different options to choose from! I
The adobo chicken or achiote-pineapple braised pork dobowls are very satisfying!
The adobo chicken with the rice balls is just out of this world and should probably be your pick for the first visit to this place!
Super delicious! Really thoughtful food. We came in with a group of 13 for lunch. Wait time was good, server was great! Everyone really liked everything they had.
What a refreshing new addition to the downtown restaurant scene. I have been a few times and the food is so delicately and beautifully presented - and tastes amazing! Highly recommended the experience!
Awesome food! The owner was so friendly and service was fast! Will definitely be back!
What a fantastic addition to downtown Victoria! I went for lunch with coworkers and was treated to some of the most flavourful food I've eaten in a long time. I had two tacones - salmon and chicken. Both were delicious, but the chicken was particularly yummy. Our server was very friendly and helpful. My only complaint is the tables are a little too close to one another, but I'll definitely be back!
This place is great. Food is well done and fresh. A small well appointed place, friendly and the special of Tacones are great $7 for a big tacone filled with fresh slaw and your choice of chicken, pork or vegetarian. We go often now as it cannot be beat! So fresh. Daily soups are worth the trip too. Full bar service as well and wine. Trendy, can get quite busy.
The fusion menu here is unique and imaginative. The hot and sour soup was really delicious. Service was friendly and attentive. This is a great place, glassed on three sides, to watch foot-powered riders on a crazy myriad of vehicles zipping by on the new Pandora Street bicycle, etc lane!
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