Allyzza Kay Trinidad

What Is Dish? Melai and Chef Tatung guess mystery Bisdak ingredients on “Kuan on One”

Article (news)

Kyla Dennise Magbanua

<p>Proud Bisdak and Michelin-recognized restaurateur Chef Tatung joined fellow Bisdak Melai Cantiveros-Francisco in the August 4 episode of “Kuan on One.” Known for elevating traditional Filipino cuisine to international acclaim, Chef Tatung opened up about his culinary journey and the passion for cooking that has fueled his success. </p><p>In the &quot;Dakong Problema&quot; challenge, “What Is Dish?,” Melai and Chef Tatung put their food knowledge to the test. Blindfolded, one participant had to taste a secret ingredient and describe its flavor without revealing its name, while the other had to guess the ingredient correctly. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ftL9L4m9UWk" title="CHEF TATUNG: “Dili lang para sa may kwarta ang makaon og lami.” | KUAN ON ONE S5 EP9" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Chef Tatung was given star anise, or sangki, in the first round. He immediately recognized the spice and explained to Melai that it is one of the key seasonings in humba (braised pork), giving the dish its signature fragrant aroma. He also described its distinct licorice-like flavor, prompting Melai to guess that it might be some kind of leaf.  </p><p>Melai tossed out answers like sugar and vinegar, but Chef Tatung offered another clue, saying the spice is shaped like a Christmas lantern. The hint helped Melai figure it out, earning her the first point of the game.  </p><p>In the next round, Melai sampled the mystery ingredient and immediately noticed its salty flavor. She hinted that it is also used in humba, leading Chef Tatung to guess soy sauce. Melai then added that it had the texture of a crunchy nut, and Chef Tatung correctly identified it as tausi, or fermented black beans. </p><p>Chef Tatung&#x27;s next challenge was biasong, or wild lime. He described it as a citrus fruit, prompting Melai to guess lemon. He then clarified that it is native to Mindanao and is commonly used in kinilaw. Melai went on to guess calamansi, dalandan, and key lime, but none of her answers were correct. When the ingredient was finally revealed as biasong, Melai remarked that in some places it is referred to as calamansi, while in others, it is called suha.  </p><p>The next mystery ingredient was coconut. The moment Melai caught its aroma, she excitedly shared that it comes from a tree and is often paired with gata (coconut milk). Chef Tatung quickly identified it as coconut and added that it is also a perfect ingredient for kinilaw.  </p><p>For the next round, Chef Tatung was given batuan. He explained to Melai that the fruit is popular in Negros and is commonly used in dishes such as kadyos and kansi. Melai guessed that it was a citrus fruit, but despite Chef Tatung&#x27;s clues, she admitted she wasn&#x27;t familiar with batuan. </p><p>Melai was then given ginger, or luya. Confident that Chef Tatung would recognize it, she wasn&#x27;t surprised when he identified it correctly right away.  </p><p>For the final ingredient, Chef Tatung tasted tabon-tabon. He described it as slightly bitter and resembling the fruit chico. He also explained that it is another ingredient commonly added to kinilaw, helping make the dish gentler on the stomach. Despite the clues, Melai still couldn&#x27;t guess the answer. She eventually gave up and laughed as she discovered tabon-tabon for the first time. </p><p>In the bonus round, Melai and Chef Tatung both sampled danggit, or salted sun-dried rabbitfish, and raced to identify it. Chef Tatung was the first to name the ingredient correctly, wrapping up the game with both contestants gaining fresh appreciation for the featured ingredients and their culinary roots. </p><p>Get your weekly dose of fun and inspiring stories in “Kuan On One” Season 5, streaming fresh episodes every Tuesday, 8AM, on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel and on iWant. </p><div> </div><div><strong>More on this story: </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/31/iwa-moto-and-melai-cantiveros-show-off-their-live-selling-skills-with-a-hilarious-twist-kuan-on-one-0030" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Iwa Moto and Melai Cantiveros show off their live-selling skills with a hilarious twist | Kuan on One</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/27/watch-pitik-queen-and-melai-face-off-in-this-what-s-in-the-box-challenge-on-kuan-on-one-0045" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>“Long pitik!” Watch Pitik Queen and Melai face off in this “What&#x27;s In The Box?” challenge on Kuan on One</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/17/chanda-showcases-playful-side-acting-brilliance-as-melai-dares-her-acting-challenge-in-kuan-on-one-0029" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Chanda showcases playful side, acting brilliance as Melai dares her to a fun acting challenge in “Kuan on One”</u></strong></a> </div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/10/gazini-showcases-wit-and-charm-in-hilarious-pageant-challenge-with-melai-on-kuan-on-one-0045" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Gazini Ganados showcases wit and charm in hilarious pageant challenge with Melai Cantiveros on “Kuan On One”</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/3/melai-cantiveros-and-paul-jake-castillo-get-real-about-marriage-money-and-family-roles-0035" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Melai Cantiveros and Paul Jake Castillo get real about marriage, money, and family roles | Kuan On One</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/22/ellen-adarna-and-melai-cantiveros-fire-no-filter-questions-at-exes-and-frenemies-on-kuan-on-one-0005" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Ellen Adarna and Melai Cantiveros fire no-filter questions at exes and frenemies on “Kuan on One”</u></strong></a></div>

<p>Kuantie Melai and Chef Tatung blind-taste secret Bisdak ingredients in Kuan On One's Dakong Problema challenge called “What is Dish?”</p>

Kuantie Melai and Chef Tatung blind-taste secret Bisdak ingredients in Kuan On One's Dakong Problema challenge called “What is Dish?”