An often underrated cuisine compared to that of its Southeast Asian neighbours, we’re here to give Filipino food the recognition we feel it so rightly deserves.
There’s so much more to Filipino cuisine than the popular staple of adobo (though we love this dish too). There are hundreds of regional recipes that don’t get much of a look-in outside the nation, with Spanish, Chinese, American, and other international influences making for a melting pot of rich, savoury, tangy flavours.
These are Foodie’s recommendations for where to head to get a taste of the Philippines in Hong Kong.
The best Filipino restaurants in Hong Kong
DARA
We’re starting off strong with the Foodie Forks 2024 Best Filipino Restaurant, DARA. This stylish restaurant ticks all the right Foodie boxes with its creative interpretations of authentic Filipino dishes. Try the tuna kinilaw (HKD128) to start, followed by either the sinigang dagat (HKD168), sizzling sisig (HKD128), or lechon kawali (HKD148), rounding out with the divine halo halo (HKD78) for dessert. If you have room, one of DARA’s Filipino-inspired cocktails will set you over the edge; we’re partial to the pucker-inducing calamansi margarita (HKD118).
DARA, Shop 3, 5-6, G/F, Soho 189, 189 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 5107 4474, book here
Bedaña’s Filipino Restaurant
Bendaña’s has been a fixture of the Filipino dining scene in Hong Kong since 2008. The kind and attentive staff here simply can’t be beat, a testament to the warmth of Filipinos in general. Our dish recommendations include the lechon kawali (HKD98), chicken inasal (HKD108), sinigang (HKD118) with either shrimp or beef, lumpiang shanghai (HKD78), and plenty of Red Horse to wash it all down. Our favourite-ever Filipino recipe – Bicol Express (HKD98), a spicy coconut milk and pork belly stew – is also dished out here.
Bendaña’s Filipino Restaurant, G/F, 113 Woosung Street, Jordan, 2542 3088, book here
Junels Restobar
For fuss-free Filipino friendliness in Sai Ying Pun, Junels Restobar is where it’s at. In addition to slinging some of the best Pinoy fare around, the eatery is a prime spot for karaoke (and if you know your stuff, you’re well aware that Filipinos have karaoke in their blood). Whilst you’re soaking in the fun vibes, you should be digging into meaty dishes like sizzling pork sisig (HKD145), beef kaldereta (HKD148), and chicken afritada (HKD135). Craving vegetables? Junels has a whole menu page devoted to veg-based dishes (just be sure to check if shrimp paste is added to the mix).
Junels Restobar, G/F, 7 On Ning Lane, Sai Ying Pun, WhatsApp 5182 8725
HOLY GAW
In 2020, Cebu-born chef Marvin Gaw brought this cosy and contemporary Filipino fusion restaurant to Wan Chai. HOLY GAW’s garlic-heavy moo salpicao (HKD258) is a fan favourite, featuring savoury US tenderloin served along with a healthy touch of cauliflower rice. The quirky pasta dishes also shine here, particularly Gaw’s pasta (HKD158), a slightly spicy, umami amalgamation of sautéed pork and pâté enrobing spaghetti. However, if there’s one dish that keeps us coming back to HOLY GAW, it’s the ube ice-cream sandwich (HKD58); the pleasantly bitter flavour of the ube coupled with the sweetness of the pandan pandesal is a glorious combination.
HOLY GAW, Shop 4, G/F, 15 Swatow Street, Wan Chai, 2782 3988, WhatsApp 5182 4804
Cinta-J
Also located in Wan Chai, Cinta-J shakes things up with its awesome live band rocking out each night. During the daytime, the wallet-friendly weekday lunch sets are extremely sought after by those seeking affordable authenticity; we usually go for the lechon kawali (HKD88) or tapsilog (HKD88), which come complete with pickles, garlic rice, free-flow soft drinks, and coconut sago. This restaurant showcases Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thai specialities too, if you’re keen to mix and match your Southeast Asian flavours.
Cinta-J, Shop G4, G/F, Malaysia Building, 69 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, 2529 6622
TAMBAYAN
TAMBAYAN specialises in Filipino-style BBQ; diners rave about the shop’s isaw, a street food made from grilled chicken (HKD10) or pork (HKD16) intestines. All the other BBQ skewers here are just as tasty, from the chicken feet (HKD16) to the chorizo (HKD20). For heartier eats, there’s a silog set (HKD60) option featuring the likes of longganisa, tapa, or tocino alongside the standard accompaniments of garlic rice, pickles, and fried egg. In terms of seating, TAMBAYAN has just a few cramped outdoor tables, so we recommend getting your grilled goods to go.
TAMBAYAN, G/F, 34 Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei
