I think there’s very little that’s been said about Filipino food.  If only Filipino food get enough exposure as the other Asian dishes, non-locals would definitely flip with how delicious Filipino eats are and would travel all the way to the Philippines just to taste authentic Filipino food made by Filipinos. 

There are two ways to go, discover the restaurants that offer new and modern twist on Filipino food that elevates the usual Pinoy palette to an international level OR revisit the old favorites that consistently cook up straightforward Filipino dishes –no bending of cooking techniques here… whichever way, Filipino food should positively be on the cuisine map by now.

Between Bites TOP 10 BEST Filipino Eats

10. C2 Classic Cuisine

C2 Classic Cuisine offers Filipino dishes in a slightly modern way.  Check out their deconstructed Kare-Kare where they first crisp up the boneless pork knuckles, drizzle it with a bit of sauce and then serve it with rich peanut sauce on the side for those who would want more of the flavor.  The vegetables also remain crunchy since it’s served on the side and don’t shrivel in the sauce.

It’s C2 Classic Cuisine’s Bibingka Souffle that makes the restaurant memorable.  Don’t visit without ordering their famous Bibingka Souffle.

What to Order:

Bibingka Souffle

Merienda or for dessert, don’t let it escape your food radar!

Dilis Rice PHP 95

Crispy dilis, toasted garlic and rice in chicken oil

Crispy Kare Kare PHP 640

Crispy boneless pork drizzled with rich peanut sauce –it’s combining two of local favorites, Crispy Pata and Kare Kare.  There’s a separate serving of peanut sauce on the side if one prefers the meat to be fully covered in sauce.

Crispy Chicken with Tamarind Ketchup PHP 295

Golden brown chicken served with vegetable relish and tangy tamarind ketchup.  For variety, order their Crispy Chicken which Bubba likes a lot.

READ MORE:

C2 Classic Cuisine

C2 Classic Cuisine

The Ledge, 6L Shangri-la Mall

Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

(632) 636 1510

9. Mesa Filipino Moderne

Mesa Filipino Moderne adds a modern class to Filipino dishes.  If you want a celebratory meal with your family that has quick lechon on the table without ordering ahead of time, Mesa Filipino Moderne in Greenbelt is the place to go.

What to Order:

Crispchon (1/4) PHP 1,099

Their crispchon consistency could be better and tastier at times when in its crispy lechon form but the fact that they serve it three ways makes the trip worthwhile.  Other than the deep-fried lechon, they also serve it with pandan crepes, wansuy cucumber, leek garnishes and a choice of three sauces from a roster.  Ours was served with spicy pork liver, Rikki’s Choice and garlic.  Rikki’s choice reminds me of the hoisin sauce used in ducks while my sister Joanne liked the spicy pork liver sauce, which is the usual pair with lechon.

–

The wait staff asked if we wanted the leftover lechon tossed in garlic and chili to which we happily obliged.  The lechon was made more flavorful with the garlic and chili.

Crispy Boneless Tilapia PHP 290

It’s so crispy that you can actually eat even the bones of the Tilapia.

River Shrimp (Swahe) PHP 280

Rikki’s favorite swahe is cooked on top of hot rocks right in front of you which adds a little flair to the whole dish.   We tried the stir fried, salted and spicy shrimps.  It was served salty and crispy with a hint of garlic and chili. 

READ MORE:

Mesa Filipino Moderne

Mesa, Filipino Moderne

G/F Greenbelt 5

Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

(632) 728 0886

8. Sabroso Lechon

Sabroso Lechon is so small and unassuming in its location along E. Rodriguez that you might just pass by it without giving a second look.  But after your first visit, that location will mark in your mind since Sabroso Lechon is one good source of best-tasting lechon in Manila.

What to Order:

Lechon Meal PHP 120

The only thing on the menu chalkboard was the Lechon meal at PHP 120, where you get soup, rice and a drink to go with the single serving of Lechon.  The soup was made of sinigang broth, which is a lovely hot sour broth, ideal to start the meal with.

The Lechon was so flavorful and surprisingly tasted close to a Cebu lechon!!!  The meat was excellently tasty and aromatic even without the sauce.  The perfect skin was extremely crispy that it crackles when you bite into it.  But the meat, oh, the meat had herbs and spices infused in it.  Sabroso maintains that the distinct flavor is from the herbs and spices unique to Western Visayas.

Make sure though that you visit during the day.  I’ve heard of reviews that when you visit during dinner, lechon might not be as crispy and meat as moist as it is during the day.

READ MORE:

Sabroso Lechon

Sabroso Lechon –Incredibly Flavorful Lechon 

E. Rodriguez corner T. Morato, 

Quezon City, Metro Manila 

(632) 515 8259 

Operation Hours: 9AM – 9PM 

#7 is a toss-up between Chic Boy and Kainan Au Gusto 

tied at the same number. 

7. Chic Boy

Looking for easy on the pocket Filipino meals?  Thank your wallet for bringing you to Chic Boy where you’d find out how well they know how to cook Chicken and Baboy (Pork) –thus the name Chic Boy. 

What to Order:

Lechon Liempo

Chic Boy’s Lechon Liempo is the highlight of the whole dinner for Bubba and me.  It really stole the show.  Both lechon manok and lechon liempo are marinated and stuffed with herb and spices and charcoil broiled to juicy and tasty perfection.  It’s like eating lechon Cebu with crispy “liempo” style fat and skin. 

Lechon Manok PHP 210

If you want to order one whole Lechon Manok, it’s available for a very affordable price of PHP 210.  I think it is more bang for your buck if you order one whole chicken instead of the meal package.  I’m sure you’d finish it off anyway.

Salmon Sinigang PHP 49

WOW!  I did a double take when I saw the price.  PHP 49 bucks for Salmon Sinigang??? Get out!   Where else can you see that kind of price in Makati?  And the best part about it is, it actually tastes good!!!  It is one soup bowl, personal size of sinigang with some strips of salmon   This is really a steal.  Bubba and I both liked the “creamy” sour soup with the delicious salmon meat.

READ MORE:

Tasty Lechon Liempo at a Cheap Price at Chic Boy

Chic Boy 

Jupiter St., Makati City 

7. Au Gusto

A Carinderia (side-street eatery) cannot get as artsy and eclectic as this.  Kainan Au Gusto reflects the environment owner Dr. Boy Vasquez, same owner as the famous Café Juanita, grew up with at his home in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.  The straightforward Filipino dishes will make you eat with gusto at Au Gusto without breaking the bank.

What to Order:

Nilagang Baka PHP

Kainan Au Gusto’s nilagang baka looked so appetizing that Bubba just had to order one and taste for himself even if he wasn’t normally a big fan.  The warm clear soup had a lot of the beefy broth taste and a tinge of sweetness from the banana that balances everything off well.

Beef Caldereta PHP

This was a surefire winner for me.  Beef Caldereta is a kind of Filipino beef stew (sometimes goat meat) that’s tomato-based and loaded with potato and carrot chunks.  Some variants can be on the really spicy side but Au Gusto’s version just had the right heat in it. 

I like how their caldereta sauce is thick and rich.  It’s one of the most flavorful caldereta I’ve tasted around. 

Tulingan

I haven’t tried this but this looks like a good bet too that I’ve already made a mental note to try this next time I’m at Au Gusto.

READ MORE:

Au Gusto

Kainan Sa Au Gusto

21 United Street,

West Kapitolyo, Pasig City

6. Bagoong Club

Bagoong, also known to some as shrimp paste, is a common ingredient used in Philippine dishes particularly in Northern Ilocos.  It is made by salting and fermenting fish or shrimp, which gives its fishy odor. 

Bagoong is usually used as a condiment but in Bagoong Club, you’d find that there is more variety of Bagoong than those we already know of.  Bagoong here is not merely a condiment but it’s incorporated in the actual dish, enhancing the familiar Filipino cuisine to a different height

What to Order:

Turnip with Two Kinds of Bagoong Free

Sinigang na Salmon Belly sa Miso at Bagoong PHP 260

Crispy Pata PHP 360

Poki-Poki

Laing Espesyal PHP 180

READ MORE:

Bagoong Club

Bagoong Club

122 Sct. Dr. Lazcano Sacred Heart

Quezon City

(632) 929 0544

Operation Hours: Everyday 11am –3pm, 6pm-11pm

#5 is a toss-up between Sentro and 1521 Restaurant 

tied at the same number. 

5. Sentro

I’ve known Sentro since many years back when I frequented their Greenbelt branch.  I was one of those vocal fanatics of their famed Sinigang na Corned Beef, Rated GG, Roast Chicken and Sentro Garlic Steak.  Clearly, these are what made Sentro as one of the places to go for the tastiest Filipino dishes. 

Unbeknownst to me until just recently, Sentro also serves breakfast offerings from as early as 7AM until onset of brunch hour at 1030AM.  Contrary to how the Westerns take their first meal of the day, we Filipinos know that we take breakfast seriously and eat it heartily… most often than not, with rice.  Sentro has a wide selection of rice dishes that’s close to a Filipino’s heart.

What to Order:

Pritong Paksiw Bangus Belly PHP 370

The Milkfish Belly was very lightly fried and then poached in vinegar and garlic blend.  The delicate taste of the fish was very light with undertones of acidity and the glassy belly portion practically melts in the mouth making the breakfast dish overall delectable.

Adobo Flakes PHP 350

A staple dish in a Filipino family table, the usual Adobo (pork/chicken soy-vinegar stew) was deep fried to a crispy perfection and flaked into crunchy bits that echoes strong garlicky flavor.  It’s highly flavored and even the thin garlic peels are hard to resist. 

Dried Beef Sirloin Tapa PHP 350

Tapa or dried beef is what garners my critical eye usually.  Very few achieve to cook it tenderly as it easily dries out leaving the meat awfully tough that requires a lot of chewing.  Sentro’s dried beef sirloin tapa succeeds in keeping the beef’s freshness intact retaining a sketch of its natural juice which makes it exceptionally tender.  Beef is obviously of quality, resonating superbly with the seasoning.  A bite will prove so but it won’t be enough. 

READ MORE:

Breakfast at Sentro

Sentro 1771

Serendra, Bonifacio Global City,

Fort, Taguig City

(632) 856 0581/ (0917) 814 7794

Serves breakfast from 7am-10:30am

5. 1521Restaurant

How important are the numbers 1521 to Filipinos?  Your high school and grade school Philippine History classes might come in handy –it was the year that the Philippines was discovered by the Spaniards.  1521 Restaurant is the tribute of the owners to their own heroes in the kitchen.  The restaurant showcases their families’ recipes and culinary heirlooms.

1521 Restaurant is so likeable and holds a prime spot since they have a variety of original creations of Filipino dishes.  Quite creative taste and a gourmand’s culinary take is evident on their food concepts.

What to Order:

No See Sisig PHP 215

Generous serving of fried crisp empanaditas filled with crunchy minced pork and liver pate.  Served with sinamak, cream cheese and sweet chili sauce.  It whets the appetite perfectly and readies your desire for more gastronomic experience.  It had just the right saltiness of the pork and I love how easy it was to eat the sisig filled empanada.  Enhance the flavor with the sweet chili sauce and it gives you a totally different essence on how to take your sisig. 

Swak na Swak Chicharon Bulaklak PHP 210

Deep-fried savory pork intestines that’s crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside.  The dark chicharon bulaklak wasn’t really looking appetizing and there wasn’t any “flower/fan” chicharon that one’s accustomed to seeing when ordering this dish.  It was mostly big pork intestines. 

Trying their version left me to forget the fan-like crispy chicharon and take pleasure in its salty and savory goodness.  The dish comes with burong kamias and sinamak.  The sweet and sour play of sinamak and the kamias buro blends perfectly with the tad saltiness of the appetizer.  Smack your lips in a cholesterol delight!

Bonggang Bonggang Binagoongan PHP 240

My mom followed shortly so I had to order an extra viand.  I perused on their “Anyhow Liempo,” their take on one of my favorite grilled dishes but decided to get the Binagoongan since my mom likes Bagoong.  Their version is deep-fried super crunchy pork sitting on top of local shrimp paste.  Garnished with strips of manibalang mango.  Alongside the appetizers, this was also a winner.  The pork had crunchy skin but very soft velvety meat.

Other orders should include Tom Yum Inasal (PHP 230), which is Grilled Teriyaki Chicken (deboned quarter leg) in reduced Tom Yum Soup, Satay Kang Bata Ka (PHP 230) –young chicken in a lechon-Davao marinade and smothered with Satay sauce, and Spritely Squid Adobo (PHP 245) -tender cuttlefish or squid rings cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, peppercorns and Sprite.

READ MORE:

Heroic Food at 1521 Restaurant

1521 Restaurant  

547 Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City 

(Same strip as Pan de Pugon and Mr. Poon) 

(632) 794 0433 

4. Kanin Club

Arriving at half past 8pm, I was surprised to still see a queue by the door.  The place was packed and there was not an empty table in sight.  More than the reviews, this is a good sign that great dishes wait behind that door marked Kanin Club.  It wasn’t too long (barely 15 minutes in fact) and our group of 6 was seated comfortably in adjoined tables.

The first few pages of the menu help you decide what to get, mentioning their bestsellers.  There are so much appetizing dishes to try, you’d have a heartache snubbing those left unuttered to the wait staff.

What to Order:

Sinangag na Sinigang P200

Sinigang inspired fried rice complete with pork liempo and vegetable tempura –a rice version of dry Sinigang.  This is what piqued my interest the most.  I love Sinigang and sour dishes –and sinangag, in fact when we have leftover of Sinigang na Baboy, I usually have it with my sinangag or I usually save sinangag rice from breakfast and reserve it for a Sinigang na Baboy lunch.  KC’s idea of marrying the two is definitely my cup of tea –or tamarind broth!  The vegetable tempura at the peak of the rice surprisingly complements the entire rice.  It was a complete meal on its own.

Aligue Rice

Since Rice is their strongest suit, you might want to order more than one kind.  I absolutely love their innovative take in Sinangag na Sinigang but their Aligue Rice is also a must-order.

Vegetarian Curry P140

All the vegetable you like in Pinakbet with flavorsome curry sauce.  Between chicken and vegetable, I opted to get the vegetarian kind because we’ve had so many meats throughout the day.  This curry dish made me remember a bit of Japanese curry I tried in Japan and the Filipino curry version I like.

Crispy Dinuguan P233

It is KC’s most copied signature dish, which is pork heavenly deep fried to a crisp then set in a semi-dry stew of pork blood.  Menu says it’s proven to have convinced non-dinuguan eaters to like the dish.  The group seemed to be excited to try this dish and was very much satisfied at the innovative take on the unthinkable pork blood stew.  They would have enjoyed this tremendously if the Crispy Pata wasn’t on the table. 

Be careful not to order too much crispy stuff on the table –it might get you overwhelmed and easily tired with the texture.

Sigarilyas Express P133

Wing beans cooked the bicol express way, spicy!  It was okay, nothing overly special but trying something new always makes up for a refreshing break of the mundane.

KC’s promise to give a grand time satisfying your “lutong bahay pinoy cravings” was very much kept.  Kanin Club –truly a Filipino kitchen whipping up Filipino specialty dishes with a brilliant twist.  You have to experience it.

READ MORE:

Kanin Club- Sign Me Up as a Member

Branches:

Kanin Club Kusina Filipino –Laguna

Paseo de Sta. Rosa, Sta. Rosa Laguna

(049) 544 0332 

Kanin Club – Alabang

Westgate, Filinvest Corporate City,

Alabang, Muntinlupa

(632) 771 1400

Kanin Club – Quezon City

UP Ayala Techno Hub

Diliman, Quezon City

#3 is a toss-up between Café Juanita, Bistro Filipino

and Palaisdaan Tarlac tied at the same number. 

3. Café Juanita

The elegance and Filipino-Spanish charm are displayed in the interior elements of the restaurant, Café Juanita.  This refined place serves wonderfully creative dishes, which is a unique mix of cuisines and offers service that is professional and attentive.  Illuminated only by soft lighting, the restaurant might just be owned by a gypsy.  It had several items like lamps that are up for sale –some looked antique.  The distinct pieces feel like it has heritage. 

There is not one dish yet that I’ve tried in Café Juanita that I did not love.  It is one of the top three Filipino restaurants that I’d go to in a heartbeat.  They use combinations of ingredients that complement each other and open the senses to something new and magical. 

Must Order:

Beef Rendang PHP 232

I know it’s not Filipino but a Malaysian dish but a Filipino can do it well.  It’s the best tasting Beef Rendang in Manila.  Deviating from the usual version of a saucy dish, this one is like dry beef rending where all the flavorsome sauce is seeped by the tender meat.  There’s a shredded version of beef on top that’s crispy which gives a nice contrast to the texture of the soft meat.

Catfish and Mango Salad PHP 175

The catfish meat was crunchy and meaty and it wasn’t oily at all. 

Peppercorn Steak PHP

Steak was cooked perfectly accompanied with Peppercorn gravy that gives the right peppery taste uplifting the taste of the meat

Bicol Express PHP

Crispy Pork Binagoongan PHP 254

Stuffed Laing Bicol  PHP 162

READ MORE:

Mystified at Café Juanita

CW Birthday at Café Juanita

Café Juanita

Café Juanita

No. 2 United St. cor. West Capitol

Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

(632) 632 0357/0916 554 8107

Operation Hours: 530-10pm

3. Bistro Filipino

In Bistro Filipino, Executive Chef and Owner, Chef Laudico has created a diverse menu and brings his own cooking mastery to a selection that infuses the local fares that we have come to love through tradition.  Bistro Filipino has such an interesting bend on Filipino-loved dishes which are original and genius.

What to Order:

Fish “Ball”

Served the same way as the Ubod Spring Roll, each fish ball was placed inside a shooter glass with the sauce inside.  When you bite into “ball”, you automatically hear a crunch followed by oozing cheese and filling.

3 Kinds of Mangoes and Fresh White Cheese PHP 300

Meslun Salad tossed in Dijon Bagoong Vinaigrette topped with dried green and ripe mangoes, tomatoes and kasuy crusted kesong puti.

Foie Gras with Adobo Overload PHP 750

Seared Foie Gras on steamed pork adobo sticky rice in banana leaf topped with chicken adobo crisps and adobong kangkong

One of these days, I’m planning to try their Sunday Brunch Buffet that cost about PHP870 per head.

READ MORE:

Twist it at Bistro Filipino

Bistro Filipino

Net One Building, The Fort

8560634

3. Palaisdaan at Gerona Tarlac

This is one of those entries that is burning a hole in my backlog.  Palaisdaan at Gerona, Tarlac is definitely worth a stopover whenever you’re passing through Tarlac’s general high way going to La Union or Baguio from Manila or vice-versa. 

Palaisdaan is a diamond in a ruff –a quirky ruff that is.  The sprawling place of the restaurant is decorated with giant statues of fishes and what nots.  There are so many things ongoing in the place that makes it so alive and brimming with energy and activity.  They even have the Tacsiyapo Wall that can get rid of your deepest angst.

But what highlighted the trip to Palaisdaan for me were their Filipino dishes that are certainly mouth-watering.  The dishes that Palaisdaan kitchen whip up is absolutely delicious!  They have the best adobo liempo I have ever tasted in the Philippines. 

The pork liempo is first marinated in adobo mixture and simmered until meat is exceptionally tender and fat almost melts in your mouth then grilled to give it a smoky flavor.  I LOVE THEIR ADOBO LIEMPO.  I kept dreaming about it for weeks! 

If anyone reading this is going there, please PLEASE tag me along.  I’m good company, I swear!

Palaisdaan Restaurant

Gerona, Tarlac Province

Philippines

2. Ugu Bigyan

Augusto “Ugo” Bigyan, is a celebrated pottery artist who opens the door of his house-cum-workshop-cum-restaurant to the rest of us looking for a relaxed getaway with a bit of ceramic artistry. Stepping into the world of Ugu is like stepping into an old world.  Earthy.  Unpretentious.  Al-fresco.  Makes you feel that Metro Manila is hundred hours away… and your mind also leaves behind whatever occupies it in bustling Manila.

–

–

Escape into this beautiful countryside home that showcases pottery artwork and clayware that contains scrumptious food… Leave with a satisfied tummy and relaxed mind.  It reminded me of Bali, but it is definitely a class of its own. 

What to Order:

Barbecued Spareribs

Interestingly, each dish builds a different layer of flavor and ultimately, the smoky barbecue ribs reconnect the taste of the Kulawo, linking the overall taste.  There’s a thick sheet of fat accompanying the chunk of meat and it melts in the mouth almost surreptitiously.  The barbecue sauce coating is lip smacking that you’d want to scrape off the charred BBQ sauce and nick the bones with your teeth.  Or maybe that’s just me *shrugs*

Lapu Lapu with Mango Relish

Clean and light fish meat accompanied by sweet and slightly tangy mango relish

Kulawo (Puso ng Saging or Banana Palm Heart)

One taste of Kulawo and Bubba and I were both impressed.  The smoky flavor emerges on top of the flaky dish.  The grilled (tad bit tangy) taste is very delish and we couldn’t quite get enough of it.

Sauteed Shrimps

Big size succulent shrimps in sautéed tastefully

Tortang Tahong

“Torta” is the Philippine version of omelette.  This particular torta was made with mussels and onions. 

Ensaladang Pako (Fern Salad)

The fern salad tasted fresh with a faint hint of citrus –the bits of green apple slices add a natural and easy sweetness to the dish.

READ MORE:

A Potter’s Paradise at Ugu Bigyan

Ugu Bigyan 

Brgy. Lusacan, Tiaong, Quezon 

(042) 545 9144 

1. Claude Tayag’s Bale Dutung

Stepping into Claude’s abode is a footstep towards serenity as a lush of greens welcomes you while a food paradise beckons you to the table as there are different flavors to discover. 

If Willy Wonka had a chocolate factory, Claude has a Filipino-Pampangueño food haven.  Lounge back in your chair or feast your eyes at the lovely pieces of wood, rock, cement, glasses that he has built his home with while he freshly whips up Lechon delights and other food feastings inside the kitchen.

What to Enjoy:

Ensaladang Pako

Ensaladang Pako is a Filipino term for Fern Salad.  This fresh Fern salad was complemented brightly with slices of fresh tomatoes and onions as well as halved quail egg.  It was drenched lightly with brown-colored and salty shrimp sauce.

Not a lot of people appreciate fern salad but it’s really a pleasing crunch of unsavory greens that opens your taste buds to something refreshing and clean-tasting. 

Inasal na Pakpak ng Manok at Talangka Rice

Packing the most flavors in the range of appetizers that whet our desire for food is the grilled chicken wing on a stick, “inasal” style, served with a teacup size of rice cooked splendidly in crab fats. 

Along with the other guests who wanted a snapshot, I took a peek at the backyard where they did the roasting.  The roasted pig also known in Filipino as “Lechon” was already resting peacefully in a cutting table. 

The 1^{st –} Lechon as Lechon

Of course, Claude had to start with lechon in its pure naked glory.  Purists would appreciate the evenly cooked lechon meat with the right amount of fat and the skin that crackles together with my unadulterated joy.  Heaven has no bounds.

There are four more ways that Lechon was glorified in its splendor.

READ MORE:

Claude Tayag’s 5 Ways Lechon

Of course, this Between Bites TOP 10 Best Filipino Eats entry can be improved on and I’d definitely add on this list or create an updated one when I unravel more Filipino/Pinoy dishes in town.  I have yet to do UP Ikot where I know I’d be discovering more great Pinoy chows.

If you got any suggestions on where to go, just point me to the direction and I’d be happy to try it out and visit 😉

For now, discover these restaurants and find out what they can offer for you! 

Make sure you BRING AN APPETITE!

Happy Peddling! 😉

Love is love,

Janey

 —