Jollibee vs Chowking: The Ultimate Filipino Fast Food Showdown
Filipinos are passionate about food. Men can’t live with hunger, whether at breakfast, lunch, supper, or tea time. When it comes to fast food there are two dominant brands namely Jollibee and Chowking.
Jollibee is uncontested in the Filipino fast food sector with more than 1,000 branches across the country and over 200 outlets globally. It is best known for Chickenjoy as well as Jolly Spaghetti, Yumburger, and Peach Mango Pie among others which appeal to the Filipino taste.
Chowking was responsible for introducing Chinese-style fast foods into the Philippines; it has over 500 branches in the home country and at least 20 sites in America. It serves Chao Fan, Siopao, Siomai, Halo-Halo, and Nido Oriental Soup that jumbles Chinese cuisine with Filipino flavors among other dishes.
However, which one is better? Which one has a better value for money (or offers more), a wider range of dishes, better quality, and greater satisfaction? In this article, we’ll compare Chowking and Jollibee menu price, their services as well as feedback from customers. Lastly, I’ll present my verdict on who truly deserves the title of “Philippine Fast Food Champion”.
Overview of Jollibee and Chowking
Jollibee and Chowking are two popular quick-service restaurants in the Philippines and are part of the same company called Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC).
In 1975, Jollibee was an ice cream parlor that later shifted to burgers, chicken, pasta, and other Filipino snacks. It is the most extensive fast food chain in the nation and overseas with multiple branches. One thing that Jollibee is also known for is its mascot, a happy red bee.
Chowking started in 1985 when Robert Kuan wanted to serve Chinese cuisine in a quicker way. It has more than 500 stores nationwide and over twenty others in Indonesia, the US, and the Middle East. Chao fan, siopao, siomai halo-halo among other dishes that merge Chinese and Filipino tastes are some of the foods that make chowking famous.
However, Jollibee and Chowking have different offerings on their menus but they still aim at satisfying their customers’ palates or wants. They also share common values like quality, service, cleanliness, and fun. That’s when JFC bought Chowking in 2000 since then they have been working together to grow and improve their businesses.
Also explore the exciting comparison of Jollibee vs McDonald’s Menu in 2024.
Jollibee’s Chicken vs Chowking’s Chicken
In the Philippines, there are two kinds of fried chicken that are popular: Jollibee’s Chicken and Chowking’s Chicken. Both are crispy, juicy, and tasty but each has its own characteristics.
Chickenjoy is the name of Jollibee Chicken which is the brand’s most selling product. It is marinated, breaded, and deep fried just to turn out a golden brown crust with moist meat. Typically it goes together with gravy which seems so presentable. The original and spicy versions of Jollibee Chicken are available in varying sizes or combinations. Usually, it is served with Jolly Spaghetti (sweet cheesy pasta) or rice.
Chao Fan Fried Chicken commonly referred to as Chowking Chicken is the main dish at Chowking; a pioneer Chinese fast food chain in the Philippines. The meat is detailed using special spices and coated with a thin flour layer then deep-fried until it is crispy and juicy.
It comes with a sauce that strikes a balance between sweetness and sourness. This gives the chicken’s hot flavor a sharpness. Chowking Chicken comes in just one size and variant which also includes Chao Fan rice dish with meat and vegetables.
Both Jollibee Chicken and Chowking Chicken are delightful and satisfying, but appropriate to different tastes or occasions. Jollibee Chicken is widely available and can be used in various situations as well as being more adaptable than the Chowking type.
Menu Prices: Jollibee vs Chowking
To compare the value of Jollibee and Chowking, we’ll look at their chicken meal prices to find out who has the best value for money. Let’s get started!
| Category | Jollibee Menu Item | Price | Chowking Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Chicken Meals | 1-pc. Chickenjoy | ₱82.00 | 1pc. Chinese Style Fried Chicken | ₱87.00 |
| Burgers | Yumburger | ₱40.00 | Big Mac | ₱123.00 |
| Sides | Jolly Spaghetti w/ Burger Steak | ₱110.00 | Chinese Style Fried Chicken Lauriat | ₱178.00 |
| Beverages | Pineapple Juice | ₱64.00 | Pineapple Juice | ₱64.00 |
Which has Better Taste? Jollibee vs Chowking
Jollibee and Chowking are among the most popular fast food chains in the Philippines, but they have varied tastes and styles. Jollibee is famous for Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, Palabok, and other Filipino-inspired dishes. On the contrary, Chowking is known for Chinese-influenced dishes like Chao Fan, Siopao, and Halo-Halo. Here are a few such factors that influence Jollibee’s taste:
Ingredients: In creating their dishes, Jollibee uses local and fresh materials like chicken meat, beef, pork meat, cheese as well as vegetables. As for Chowking, it uses imported processed constituents in its meals such as noodles, dim sum, tofu, and seaweed.
Cooking: For instance, a crispy moist texture is produced when most of Jollibee dishes are fried or baked while steaming or boiling methods soften Chow King’s foods to get a tender texture.
Sauce: Jollibee uses mainly gravy and cheese sauce for their dishes and gives them a rich and creamy flavor. In contrast to this, Chowking uses mostly sweet and sour sauce and chili sauce to accompany its dishes, this adds a tangy and spicy taste.
Customer’s Choice: Jollibee or Chowking?
Jollibee also has its followers as well as critics who prefer one over the other based on their personal preferences and tastes. Some may prefer Jollibee for its Filipino flavor while others may go for Chowking because it’s more towards Chinese.
Food enthusiasts in the Philippines like both brands because they offer a range of foods including different meals. Customers like both of the food franchises as they are different in tastes and use a variety of recipes to blend the Filipino flavors with the Chinese touch.
My Experience Over the Years
Ever since I was a kid, I have been eating at Jollibee and Chowking and until now I still find their food enjoyable. Chickenjoy and Peach Mango Pie are some of the things that make me happy whenever I go to Jollibee.
Chao Fan, Siopao, and Halo-Halo are some of the things I can never get enough of at Chowking. At times, I mixed up by ordering Jollibee’s chicken together with Chowking’s rice or Chowking’s siomai coupled with spaghetti from Jollibee.
In my view, both these Filipino fast food chains are fantastic places to have a taste of delicious meals within an affordable budget.
Contact Information of Jollibee and Chowking
After reading the detailed review, now you might have decided which one to order today for your next meal. So, let’s pick your phone and start ordering.
Order Chowking
You can use the contact information below to call Chowking.
- Website: https://www.chowking.com/contact-us-customer-feedback/
- Hotline for the Philippines: 28987777
Order Jollibee
Use the hotline number below to place an order from Jollibee
- Call #87000.
- Website: www.jollibee.com.ph
FAQs
Are Jollibee and Chowking the same?
No, they are different fast-food chains with different cuisines. But they are both owned by JFC.
Is Jollibee the largest fast-food chain in the Philippines?
Yes, it has over 1,000 branches in the country and over 200 abroad. It is also one of the largest Asian fast-food chains in the world.
Which is more expensive, Jollibee or Chowking?
It depends, but Jollibee seems to be slightly cheaper than Chowking for some products.
Who is the owner of Chowking and Jollibee?
JFC is a Filipino multinational company that operates many fast food brands. The founder and chairman of JFC is Tony Tan Caktiong, who started Jollibee as an ice cream parlor in 1975.
Jollibee vs Chowking Summed
Chowking and Jollibee are two fast food chains from the Philippines with different dishes and tastes. Jollibee is more flexible and famous, while Chowking has a unique niche. Both have loyal customers as well as debunking critics and both offer tasty affordable meals. So, the contest remains inconclusive. The best approach to them is through understanding their variations as well as resemblances, and assisting in their expansion as they serve Filipinos worldwide.
