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Looking for something filling, flavorful, and fast after class?
Turks, located inside JY Mall, might be your next favorite discovery. Just a short walk from 3D Academy, it’s a popular food stall that serves Filipino-style shawarma — a warm wrap filled with tender meat, vegetables, and savory sauces.
Turks has become a go-to meal for students, office workers, and mall shoppers across the Philippines. It’s affordable, tasty, and easy to eat on the go. The JY Mall branch is a small counter near the grocery area, and you’ll often see locals lining up for a quick bite.
While shawarma originally comes from the Middle East, Turks gives it a uniquely Filipino twist — sweet garlic sauce, savory beef or chicken, and soft pita bread that’s lightly grilled. There’s even a rice meal version if you’re extra hungry!
For 3D students, it’s a perfect way to:
Practice real English while ordering (“One beef wrap, no onion, please!”)
Try something new and satisfying
Learn how locals enjoy international flavors
Turks is one of the most popular shawarma brands in the Philippines, known for its bold flavor, fast service, and affordable prices.
Although shawarma originally comes from the Middle East, Turks has become a uniquely Filipino version of this well-loved wrap.
Turks is owned and operated by Zenarosa Food Corp., a 100% Filipino company founded by Ferdinand “Xian” Zenarosa in 2007.
The first Turks outlet opened at SM City Manila, starting with just a small cart serving beef shawarma wraps. The founder’s goal was to bring high-quality, quick-service food to everyday Filipinos — something flavorful, filling, and affordable.
Since then, Turks has grown into a national brand with over 600 branches across the Philippines (as of 2024), including:
Malls like SM, Ayala, and Robinsons
Food courts and terminals
Standalone kiosks and carts
Franchise outlets in Visayas and Mindanao
Their slogan says it all:
“Turks. Love at First Bite.”
Turks serves Filipino-style shawarma — a soft pita wrap filled with:
Beef or chicken (grilled and sliced)
Cucumber and onion
Cheese, garlic sauce, and hot sauce
Sometimes with rice instead of pita
It’s not the same as traditional Middle Eastern shawarma. Turks adds a sweet-savory twist, using garlicky white sauce and creamy cheese, tailored to Filipino taste preferences. Many customers even say they prefer it over fast food burgers or chicken meals because it’s lighter but still satisfying.
Thanks to strong branding and franchising, Turks now has:
Over 600 branches nationwide
A presence in nearly every major city in the Philippines
A growing online delivery presence through GrabFood and Foodpanda
Occasional celebrity endorsements, such as Filipino actor Piolo Pascual
Despite its humble beginnings, Turks has become a go-to snack or lunch option for students, workers, and families alike.
For 3D Academy students in Lahug, Turks at JY Mall is just minutes away. Whether you’re craving a hot wrap after class, or just want to practice ordering food in English, Turks offers:
A quick, filling meal under ₱100
Clear menu options in English
Friendly staff used to student customers
A chance to try a Filipino version of an international dish
So next time you’re walking around JY Mall, take a break from the usual.
Try Turks — it’s fast, flavorful, and part of Filipino food culture.
And yes, don’t forget to say:
“One beef shawarma, less onion, extra cheese, to go, please!”
Turks is known for its shawarma – grilled meat wrapped in soft pita bread or served over rice, topped with vegetables and sauce.
Here are the must-try items for first-timers (or repeat fans!) at Turks JY Mall.
The classic. Thinly sliced grilled beef wrapped in pita bread, with cucumber, onion, garlic sauce, and optional cheese.
Taste: savory, juicy, satisfying
“One Beef Pita Doner, no onion, with cheese, please.”
Perfect for first-timers and hungry students after class.
A lighter option with grilled chicken instead of beef, but the same great sauce and wrap.
Taste: milder flavor, good with garlic sauce
“I’ll have one Chicken Shawarma, with everything.”
Great for those who prefer a less heavy meat.
No wrap here — just a bowl of rice topped with beef shawarma, cucumber, and lots of garlic and cheese sauce.
Taste: a full meal in a bowl
“Can I get Beef Shawarma Rice, spicy?”
Good choice if you’re extra hungry or need lunch, not just a snack.
Everything in the regular beef wrap, but with extra melted cheese — a popular upgrade among Filipino students.
Taste: rich, creamy, messy in a good way
“Cheesy Beef Doner, to go please.”
Warning: very addicting.
The spicy version of the chicken rice bowl, with red hot sauce on top.
Taste: bold and hot!
“Spicy Chicken Rice, no cheese, extra garlic sauce.”
For those who love strong flavors and heat.
You can customize your order at Turks:
Option | How to say it in English |
---|---|
No onion | “No onion, please.” |
Extra cheese | “With extra cheese, please.” |
Spicy | “Make it spicy.” or “With hot sauce.” |
For takeout | “To go, please.” |
Turks is not only tasty — it’s a chance to practice speaking natural English while getting a full meal.
Tip: Order with a friend and try different items to compare!
Shawarma, originally a Middle Eastern dish, has become one of the most beloved street foods in the Philippines. From small roadside stalls to big mall chains like Turks, it’s easy to find and even easier to enjoy.
But why do Filipinos love shawarma so much?
Let’s take a look at the cultural and culinary reasons behind this tasty trend.
Filipinos are always on the go — especially students, office workers, and commuters. Shawarma is a grab-and-go meal:
It’s portable (no spoon or fork needed)
It’s quick to prepare (ready in 2–3 minutes)
It’s filling but not too heavy
Just like rice meals and burgers, shawarma fits perfectly into the fast-paced Filipino lifestyle.
Even though shawarma came from the Middle East, Filipinos quickly adapted it to their taste:
The garlic sauce is often sweeter and creamier
The meat is grilled, not too oily
Cheese and rice are added — very Filipino!
It’s similar to how Filipinos love sweet-style spaghetti or Filipino-style burgers — international food, but with a local twist.
Many Filipinos in Mindanao and southern regions are familiar with Middle Eastern and Muslim dishes because of cultural ties and migration.
Also, many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have worked in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE — and they bring shawarma cravings home!
So, shawarma isn’t just a food — it’s part of modern Filipino identity.
Filipinos love food that’s:
Budget-friendly (under ₱100)
Customizable (no onion, extra cheese, spicy or not)
Saucy and flavorful (hello, garlic + hot sauce!)
Shawarma hits all these points. Whether you like it light or loaded, you can build it your way — which makes it perfect for picky eaters and foodies alike.
For 3D Academy students, shawarma is:
Close to campus (JY Mall)
A real part of Filipino food culture
A fun way to learn English through ordering
“One beef shawarma, with cheese and garlic sauce, to go, please!”
That sentence is both lunch and language practice.
Shawarma in the Philippines is more than imported food — it’s localized, loved, and now, legendary.
So next time you’re hungry after class, skip the fast food and try something different (but totally Filipino):
Shawarma from Turks — it’s love at first bite.
When you’re studying English in Cebu, your classroom extends far beyond your school. It includes the mall across the street, the people you interact with, and even the food you eat. That’s why Turks, located right inside JY Mall, is more than just a snack stand — it’s a perfect example of how food, culture, and language meet in your everyday 3D student life.
Turks is one of the most popular shawarma brands in the Philippines. Owned by Zenarosa Food Corp., it started in 2007 with a simple mission: deliver affordable, flavorful, and fast meals for Filipinos. Today, it operates over 600 locations across the country — including one right inside JY Mall, just a 3-minute walk from 3D Academy.
The star of their menu? Filipino-style shawarma — a soft pita wrap filled with grilled meat, cucumber, onion, cheese, and creamy garlic sauce.
They also offer shawarma rice bowls for bigger appetites, and you can customize every order to your taste.
Although shawarma came from the Middle East, it has been Filipinized over time:
Sweeter garlic sauce
More cheese
Optional shawarma over rice
Budget-friendly (usually under ₱100)
Its flavors fit the Filipino palate, and its convenience fits the Filipino lifestyle.
From students to office workers, people across the country enjoy Turks as a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a satisfying snack between errands.
Many Filipinos also have cultural exposure to Middle Eastern cuisine, thanks to:
Family members working abroad (OFWs in the Gulf countries)
Muslim cultural influence in the south
Globalization and food trends
Turks isn’t just delicious — it’s also a practical language learning opportunity.
While ordering, you can practice real-world English like:
“Can I get one Beef Shawarma with no onion and extra cheese, please?”
“Is this spicy?”
“To go, please.”
You also gain confidence talking to local staff, reading menus, and making polite requests — all part of building your communication skills outside the classroom.
And most importantly? You’ll enjoy it. That’s the key to lasting language learning.
Turks offers more than a meal — it offers a moment.
A moment to try something new.
A moment to speak in English without fear.
A moment to taste a little bit of Filipino culture wrapped in warm pita bread.
So next time you walk past that glowing Turks sign in JY Mall, don’t just think of food.
Think of it as your next mini English mission — tasty, fast, and full of flavor.
Because learning English is also about living it — one bite at a time.