5 Places to Eat with a Filipina That You Will Enjoy
Strange Foods in a Strange Land
How many times have you heard anyone ever say: “Let’s go out for Filipino food tonight!” Probably never. Filipino food is an eclectic culinary mix of strange foods to the Westerner. It ranges from simple and easy dishes like barbecue chicken to complex creations like Sisig (just about every part of a pig’s head and liver with garlic and onions) that may turn your stomach. It’s not all bad, but most Westerners shy away from establishments that serve Pinoy food. This is unfortunate because there are numerous Pinoy restaurants that are cheap, good and will satisfy both you and your Filipina date.
East vs. West
Unfortunately, your Filipina is probably not too interested in eating Western style foods and it can be a challenge to figure out where to eat together. If the places you choose do not have a Filipino foods section she’s not going to be happy. She’ll order something, but in all likelihood will only pick at her meal and politely ask for a doggy bag, discarding it later out of eye-shot of you.
If the establishment of your choice does have Pinoy food, she will probably end up ordering a dish that will be two to three times more expensive than she would normally pay and since it’s not a strictly Pinoy restaurant, she may be disappointed. How do you balance eating the food that she is accustomed to and find a place that serves something you can stomach?
Where to Eat When Cultures Clash
The good news about this is that there are several places in the Philippines that are Filipino food based that are perfectly acceptable, and often times delicious, to a Westerner. You’ve probably seen these chain establishments in malls or as stand-alones all over the Philippines but never ate there due to a lack of other foreigners present and your pre-conceived notions about Filipino food.
Below is a listing and review of several restaurant chains that can be found all over the Philippines that she will be more than happy to eat at and that you will find very satisfactory to your Western palate. Choosing these places is a win-win situation for you on many levels:
- The food is good (often delicious).
- She will be extremely happy to eat at any of these establishment since they are a part of her culture, and you’ll garner some points for being open and trying something new.
- The prices are extremely reasonable and a much better option than paying a premium at places that cater to Westerners or fancy places that she won’t appreciate.
The restaurants below are in no particular order and based on my experiences they can be found in just about every major city that has a mall. Stop wasting your money on restaurants that she won’t enjoy and give these places a try. Most of the food in the Philippines is not appealing to Western eyes or palate, but there are places and items in these locations that will expand your culinary horizons while making her happy.
The Gambler Is Alive and Well in the Philippines
If you thought Kenny Rogers Roasters died after the famous Seinfeld episode, then you haven’t been to the Philippines. Kenny Rogers Roasters are alive and well in malls and as free-standing restaurants all over.
The chicken is delicious and the prices are right. You can get a 1/2 chicken meal with 2 side dishes and a drink for around $6 — $7USD. Your girl will be completely familiar with this establishment (but strangely not the Seinfeld episode) and in her mind it will be a step up from your typical fast-food joint.
They also have ribs, fried chicken, fish dishes and other items that are geared towards the Filipino palette. The side dishes are much like you remember from the US franchises, with some subtle, yet noticeable differences. The bottom line here is that you will find a meal and side combination that you will be completely happy with and so will she. All in all, two of you should be able to eat a complete meal for under $10USD and you’ll be back again many times.
The Panda Express of the Philippines
Surprisingly there are not a lot of fast food Chinese restaurants like Panda Express in the Philippines. This is even more perplexing since many Filipinos are of Chinese decent. Chowking specializes in fried rice bowls with toppings or sides like pork siomai, wontons, siopao, beef or chicken. They also have vegetable dishes and fried chicken meals.
Like Kenny’s, you’ll find this chain everywhere you go and if you like Chinese food like Panda Express then you can’t go wrong here. Prices again are extremely reasonable and you can expect to pay $6 — $8USD maximum for two filling and completely delicious meals.
The House That Fried Chicken Built
Max’s is a long-time staple in the Philippines having been around since 1945. This sit-down style restaurant is a Pinoy favorite for special occasions and celebrations. You’ll spend slightly more at this non-fast food establishment (probably $12 — $15USD for 2), but you’ll find plenty of choices that will satisfy both you and your girl.
The house special here is fried chicken, but it’s not your typical Western style breaded or batter dipped affair. It’s literally a lightly seasoned, fried chicken with a delicious crispy skin. There are many other Filipino style foods on the menu and Max’s is a great place to try out some dishes you’re not entirely sure about. Other delicacies on the menu include fish, crispy pata (fried pork knuckle), salmon belly, vegetable dishes, noodle and rice dishes (don’t miss the crab fried rice), soups and salads. 
The Clown Has Nothing on the Bee in the Philippines
Billions of people worldwide love McDonald’s but make no mistake: Jollibee rules in the Philippines. You cannot go wrong in suggesting taking your date to Jollibee. Filipinas LOVE eating here. Don’t get me wrong, nothing beats a McDonald’s burger and fries and it’s a great reminder of the influence and popularity of American culture, but this Filipino company has a stranglehold on the 90 million-plus population.
The Spicy Chickenjoy is some of the best fast food fried chicken I’ve eaten. They cut their chicken pieces strangely in the Philippines. The wing portion includes a generous bite or 2 of white meat. The thigh and leg portions are Filipino favorites. If you’re a Westerner, ask them for the breast portion if available. Skip the included rice and offer it to your Filipina; order yourself one of their flavored french fries, cheese or sour cream & onion.
This is not just a burger and fries place. If you’re a fan of your old high school cafeteria burgers that had that unique “soy” based taste, then Jollibee burgers are for you. There are 3 or 4 burger options with the largest one weighing in at 1/3 lb.
The chain also offers:
- Hot Dogs
- Filipino Style Spaghetti (sweeter than Western style)
- Burger Steak
- Crispy Bangus (fried fish)
- Palabok
- Ice Cream
They serve breakfast and most locations are open 24hrs. a day. You will never have problems finding a Jollibee that is open in the Philippines. The two of you should easily be able to eat a full meal with deserts for less than $6 to $10USD and she’ll be as happy as can be that you took her to her country’s unofficial National restaurant.
BBQ Meat on Sticks, Served on Banana Leaves
Impressing your Filipina and embracing her culture is easy to do if you take her to Mang Inasal for lunch or dinner. If this place isn’t packed with Filipinos eating barbecued chicken and pork skewered on sticks then you may not be in the Philippines.
Mang Inasal is purely Pinoy food, but some menu items are well suited for Western tastes. The chain is extremely popular due to delicious barbecued meats, low prices, unlimited rice servings and other favorite Pinoy dishes and deserts. I would recommend Westerners get their first taste of Filipino food at this restaurant. You cannot find a better or cheaper way to try a few dishes and have a positive experience.
Order a barbecue chicken meal which will include rice and a generous piece of marinated, barbecued chicken skewered on a stick and served on a banana leaf. The barbecue pork sticks for $1 are also a nice addition and delicious. If you love rice with you meal, Mang Insal has you covered and will let you eat all you can. The chain has many other Pinoy dishes for those who wish to expand their palate to include Filipino foods. At less than $5USD per person for a complete meal you can afford to be adventurous and try some other dishes or side dishes that you may be wary of from the a la carte menu which will set you back anywhere from $.50 to $2USD each item.
Forming Friendships Over Food
Assimilating to a culture unfamiliar to you can be a difficult feat to overcome. Sharing a meal at a restaurant that is a favorite with the locals is an easy way to bridge the cultural gap. Filipino food has never really taken off in the Western world and most people have never experienced it. Those that have often have had terrible experiences, are ruined for life and will never give it another chance. While the restaurants above are not all strictly Pinoy-based food establishments, they are places that for the most part all people of the Philippines are familiar with and dine at. They are excellent choices for Westerner to try out that will satisfy you and will certainly impress your Filipina who will appreciate not only being treated to one of her favorite restaurants, but will also show her that you are willing to experience and embrace her culture and taste.
Category: Filipina Girls
