10 places where you can find Filipino food in Singapore

There’s much to love about Filipino food, from savoury and tangy adobo, to crispy lechon, sisig and more

By Ho Guo Xiong - 31 Dec 2023

@juliuslim,@therealisticfoodblog/Instagram

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When you think of Southeast Asian food, the usual suspects such as Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese come to mind. The Phillippines too, is another country with great food but perhaps hasn’t gotten the attention and fanfare here it deserves yet, with just a handful of places serving Filipino food in Singapore.

Some classic dishes include adobo, a dish of protein stewed in soy sauce and vinegar, and Sinigang, a soup made sour with tamarind. Then there’s Sisig, chopped meat flavoured with calamansi and onions served on a hotplate, and Halo-Halo, a chendol-like cold dessert topped with ube (purple yam) jam. There’s so much more to Filipino food and we are barely scratching the surface. Here’s where to check out.

Jollibee

1/10

One of the fastest ways to understand a country’s food country is to have a taste of its fast food options. Jollibee is the largest fast-food chain in the Philippines and has been around for over 40 years. Besides burgers, try the Chickenjoy fried chicken and Jolly Spaghetti, which has a sweeter taste that Filipinos enjoy. Rice lovers can have rice with their fast food here too.

Jollibee has multiple locations in Singapore. Visit its website for more information.

Kubo

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Kubo is helmed by Philippines-born chef Kurt Sombero, who has worked at the likes of Restaurant Andre and the one-Michelin-starred Burnt Ends. With this restaurant, he aims to showcase his Filipino heritage through a range of wood-fired barbecue dishes. Favourites here include grilled proteins such as Sombero’s rendition of Pork Longanissa the traditional pork sausage, Smoked Beef Tongue, Sisig and Quail Egg and Bistek. Finish with desserts such as Halo-halo with earthy ube ice cream, Leche Flan Bonbon and Caramel Blueberry.

Kubo is at 80 Mohamed Sultan Rd, #01-12 The Pier at Robertson, Singapore 239013. Visit its website for more information.

Max’s Restaurant

3/10

The history of Max’s Restaurant goes back to 1945 when Maximo Gimenez first served fried chicken to the American soldiers stationed in Quezon City post-war. Max’s Restaurant has since grown into a chain where the famous fried chicken is still a staple dish. Beyond that, try other classics such as Pork Binagoongan, Lechon Sisig, and Beef Caldereta.

Max’s Restaurant is at 14 Scotts Rd, #01-07 Far East Plaza, Singapore 228213. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Gerry’s Grill

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Gerry’s Grill is another international chain that got started in Quezon City, the Philippines. It was founded by Gerry Apolinario in 1997 and prides itself on serving up authentic Filipino favourites. These include various types of Inihaw (or grilled dishes), Sisig, Garlic Adobo Shreds, Crispy Pata (deep-fried pig trotters) and Beef Kare-Kare (beef stew with peanut sauce).

Gerry’s Grill is at 51 Cuppage Road, #01-12 Starhub Centre, Singapore 229469. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Konyo

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Konyo is another Filipino food option along Cuppage Road. Here, the focus is on creating quality food that remains affordable. Start with grilled fresh oysters, or Grilled “Talaba” with Kesong Puti, before tucking into Filipino staples such as Spare Ribs Sinigang, Chicken Inasal, Liempo Inasal and Pancit Canton.

Konyo is at 29 Cuppage Road. Cuppage Terrace, Singapore 229456. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Kabayan Restaurant

6/10

In case you didn’t know, Lucky Plaza is a popular gathering spot for the Filipino community in Singapore. So it shouldn’t be a surprise to find authentic food there. Kabayan Restaurant is one of them. It serves up Filipino-style economic rice, which means that there are many options — adobo, sisig, lechon and more — to choose from while having wallet-friendly prices too.

Kabayan Restaurant is at Orchard Rd, #03-25 Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863.

Lechon Republic

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Lechon refers to roasted suckling pig and it is the star dish at casual eatery Lechon Republic. Enjoy the contrast between crispy skin and tender juicy meat simply on its own or have it made into Sisig, Kare-Kare or Paksiw. Then round out the meal with some Lumpiang Shanghai, Pancit Bihon and Sinigang.

Lechon Republic is at 275 Thomson Rd, #01-09 Novena Regency, Singapore 307645. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Don Lechon

8/10

If you can’t get enough of lechon, then head over to Don Lechon, which has two branches, next to have your fill of the beloved roasted suckling pig. Other lechon preparations available here include Lechon Sinigang and Lechon Bicol Express. There’s also Milkfish Sisig and Beef Tapa as well as Leche Flan and Halayang Ube for desserts.

Don Lechon is at 511 Guillemard Rd, #01-52 Grandlink Square, Singapore 399849 and 430 Upper Changi Rd, #01-08 East Village, Singapore 487048. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Kuya’s Kusinang Pinoy

9/10

Kuya’s Kusinang Pinoy is a quaint family-run operation in Bugis headed by duo Raymond and Sandra. Bulalo Special, Sisig and various Silog dishes are what keep people coming back as well as Lechon Kawali, Chicharon Bulaklak and Halo-Halo. The cosy diner isn’t too big, so come early or you’ll have to wait for a table to become available.

Kuya’s Kusinang Pinoy is 420 North Bridge Road #01-06 North Bridge Centre, Singapore 188727. Visit its Facebook for more information.

Iskina Cebu Restaurant

10/10

The Phillippines has over seven thousand islands that resulted in hundreds of regional cuisines. Consequently, Iskina Cebu Restaurant wants to celebrate southern Cebuano food at its location in Timbre+ One North. Lechon underscores the dishes here, which are available in spicy and non-spicy iterations. There’s also Sisig and Roasted Chicken.

Iskina Cebu Restaurant is at 73A Ayer Rajah Crescent, #01-27 Timbre+ One North, Singapore 139957. Visit its Facebook for more information.

This article was originally published in Singapore Women's Weekly.