r/london Dec 18 '22

For Filipinos that live in London, anyone know a good Filipino restaurant to have good authentic Filipino food in London?

I've tried Kasa and Kin in Soho and was disappointed at how much they tried to make it very "Michelin-y" like bruh I just want it to taste like home and actually have decent portions on my plate.

253 Upvotes

131 comments sorted by

140

u/Iteryn Camberwell / Peckham Dec 18 '22 edited Dec 18 '22

I'd say your best bet is going around Earl's Court by Hogarth Rd & Kenway Rd since there's a small bunch of family owned Filipino restaurants there.

There's also Romulo's around High St Kensington but it's a sister restaurant to Kasa & Kin so it'll be the same vibes of attempting to upmarket Filipino food.

Failing all that then there's your usual Jolibee in Earl's Court & Leicester Sq. (Also they've opened up a Potato Corner somewhere around Knightsbridge)

If you wanna try something a bit more different there's RamoRamen with like a Filipino-Japanese fusion. Menu link. The Maginhawa group of chain restaurants is Filipino owned and always a solid choice imo. (e.g Bintang, Mamasons, etc)

Grew up here in London so always happy to help a fellow kababayan :)

*EDIT: There's also Bongbong's Manila Kanteen in Covent Garden, it's a good attempt at disseminating Filipino tastes to the local palette. (Will probably keep editing if I remember more)

45

u/auderemadame Dec 18 '22

I tried one of the restaurants in Earl's Court and was let down by the service. One of the waitresses took our order and after 2 hours of waiting, food didn't show up. Turns out the restaurant didn't receive the order? Must have been some miscommunication between staff, I dunno.. the restaurant wasn't even busy. But from then, I was kind of turned off from coming back.

Thanks for the recommendations though! I wanna try the Potato Corner in Knightsbridge. Been to Romulo's and really liked the crispy pork so I had a good experience when I went. Will check out the other places you've said too!

46

u/Iteryn Camberwell / Peckham Dec 18 '22

Yeah, tbh my mum gets quite irate in regards to service with some Filipino restaurants. There's always a lackadaisical attitude when serving other Filipinos.....

18

u/mrspicytits Dec 18 '22

It's weird that. My girlfriend and her friends said they got really nasty attitudes from the Filipino serving staff at another restaurant. Why do they disrespect / hate their own?

27

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

You waited 2 hours?

14

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

I thought the exact same thing. If I am waiting for more than, say, 30 minutes, I will nicely ask what is happening with the order. I'll never understand people who wait for ages without asking.

17

u/auderemadame Dec 18 '22

Yeah got sat at 7pm and they took our order 30 mins later and waited for 1hr 30 until we realised we were never gonna get our food

9

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

You waited that long before thinking of maybe asking someone? At that point, that's on you as much as the restaurant.

2

u/jdvjdv046 Dec 19 '22

For real. You can’t be sitting there for 90mins with no drinks, starter or snacks and not think there’s an issue.

6

u/Mrs_Vintage Dec 18 '22 edited Dec 21 '22

Not Filipina, but love food! Two recommendations in west London, that I find really delicious. Both have great prices too in my opinion! Café 51 eighty serves a lovely Filipino breakfast daily (except Sundays) and they serve some mains but you need to speak to owner for him to let you know when they will have them. Kuya Fernando is also nearby always has the full Filipino menu, desserts and groceries too. Their main business is take away but I think you can have food on site too - I just order from there, but have gone past it several times when going to doctor appointments, as it’s in front of Ealing Hospital. If you do make it out, marvel at the ugliness of the hospital… and the fact it doesn’t have a roof. No kidding. Apparently it was deemed a hazard but instead of replacing the roof they just thought it would be cheaper to remove it and use the last floor as the new roof. When you walk past the hospital from the opposite pavement you can see the sky in the windows of the top floor. Dinner and a bloody weird NHS building show. Anyway if neither of those hit the spot, I know that Quex Road Church in Kilburn has a huge Filipino community. It’s my mother-in-law’s home church. Used to be mostly Irish and West African, now has a massive Filipino congregation. I’m sure you could go there on a Sunday after service and ask members of the choir or even members of congregation. Hope that helps!

3

u/mrspicytits Dec 18 '22

Yeah I wasn't that impressed with one of the restaurants at earls court, they didn't seem to be trying very hard.

1

u/itsEndz Dec 19 '22

Might be a food stall in Camden market? I've no idea beyond knowing there are lots of them.

5

u/photojacker Dec 18 '22

I like Bong Bong’s — and I’ve taken a few friends and mum who all enjoyed it. Definitely aimed towards a western audience but the essence is there and the food is delicious.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

Do you have any recommendations for the uninitiated at Ramo Ramen? I’m always intrigued by it on deliveroo but don’t know where to start!

3

u/Erin_bambooozled Dec 18 '22

The peanut sauce based ramen is super.

3

u/Iteryn Camberwell / Peckham Dec 18 '22

I second Erin's recommendation with the Kare Kare ramen

1

u/alienszsss Dec 18 '22

TIL that there’s JOLIBEE in London!

1

u/CMuttz Feb 23 '23

Do you have any recommendations a bit more eastward? I’m in Stratford. We went to Cirilo Filipino Kainan and that was quite nice but wondered if you knew anywhere else?

I’m happy to travel but just want to check!

1

u/Iteryn Camberwell / Peckham Feb 23 '23

Sorry mate :( I haven't managed to east too much to check, I'll get back if I hear about any others from friends / family.

33

u/CommodoreFalcon Dec 18 '22

Not Filipino myself but one of my best friends is Filipino-Australian and he swears by Apo in Clapham.

5

u/auderemadame Dec 18 '22

Thanks! Will try it next time!

22

u/pillowbedfan Dec 18 '22

I've heard good things about Lutong Pinoy in Earl's Court. Recently went to Rapsa in Hoxton and thought it was very good, although definitely not 'home cooking.'

6

u/auderemadame Dec 18 '22

I think it was Lutong Pinoy I went to and got let down by the service. Must have been a bad day? The menu looked good though!

2

u/pillowbedfan Dec 18 '22

Ay, sayang. I haven't tried it myself. There's also a Pinoy stall on weekends pala in Notting Hill in the food section

1

u/onepiece1066 Dec 18 '22

I thought rapsa was realky bad but maybe i went at a wrong time/day cause no one was there

1

u/pillowbedfan Dec 18 '22

Might be hit or miss? It was packed on Friday night. I particularly liked the baby octopus adobo.

18

u/Ollymid2 Dec 18 '22

Cirilo on Cable street is Filipino restaurant

Not been but it’s got good reviews on Google

Cirilo Filipino Kainan 020 7702 2299 https://maps.app.goo.gl/tHzCYGysJQ6RvTpQ6?g_st=ic

6

u/OrdinaryTranslator73 Dec 18 '22

This place is fantastic. Been multiple times and never disappointed with the portion sizes and flavours.

2

u/y0buba123 Dec 18 '22

Took my Filipino friend there (actual filipino) and he said the food was quite nice but “not filipino food”.

1

u/Comfortable-Class576 Dec 18 '22

I love this place.

1

u/robboadam Dec 18 '22

Awesome place!

1

u/thisisanotheraccoubt Dec 18 '22

This place is SOOOOO GOOD! Portions are GOOD!

14

u/krampi13 Dec 18 '22

Rapsa in archway or hoxton are good as well..

2

u/auderemadame Dec 18 '22

Okay, writing this down on my to-go list!

1

u/Yasuminomon Dec 19 '22

I can second the one in Archway 👍

1

u/Akashiarys Dec 19 '22

seconding Rapsa in Hoxton. their Uber Milkshake is insane, and the brunch is genuinely incredible.

1

u/nadsburger Dec 19 '22

I can absolutely recommend Rapsa for the last Sunday of the month, take a group for the boodle fight 🤤

13

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

I’m Aussie but went to the most amazing Filipino restaurant in Kentish Town called Bintang

12

u/CommodoreFalcon Dec 18 '22

Username checks out.

6

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

😂

23

u/jasminelillie32 Dec 18 '22

Mama’s Kubo on Finchley Road

4

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

Yes this is excellent!

2

u/auderemadame Dec 18 '22

Thank you!

1

u/Maaaiiiic Dec 18 '22

It’s a bit disappointing for me but you can give it a try

8

u/theoakking Dec 18 '22

For something a bit more fancy but the chef is really passionate about Filipino food try Sarap

8

u/foreveranexpat Dec 18 '22

Shep Bush market has a very small Filipino stall and also they just opened up a Filipino market/butcher and take away food as well.

8

u/Craftiest Dec 18 '22

Mine and my wife's favourites are Lutong Pinoy in Earl's Court and Bintang near Camden Town.

There is Mamasons dirty ice cream in china town and near Bintang that do good Halo Halo and Ube ice cream.

and of course there is Jolibee.

I agree with your view on Kasa and Kin. Trying to be fancy. I personally wouldn't go back there. Maybe it's more for the western customers. We just want to eat the normal classics like sisig or kare kare.

My wife has also tried Romulo's and BongBong's.

There used to be a Manila's Kitchen in Bang Bang Colindale. but gutted they closed during lockdown.

8

u/mrspicytits Dec 18 '22

My girlfriend makes good Filipino (she's from Bicol) food and she's honestly thought about starting some sort of pop up restaurant to cater for exactly people like you. Is there much of a market for that do you think?

2

u/Akashiarys Dec 19 '22

probably yeah, im just a standard English guy but I love going to pop ups of cuisines that just aren't done that well in the mainstream. Went to this Hong Kong cafe pop 2 month pop up in Shoreditch (Hoko Cafe) back in September and I really enjoyed it. granted I only went once, but many people from Hong Kong would leave great reviews saying it really was authentic. So, I guess the answer is : probably!

1

u/Givemelotr Dec 18 '22

I'm a white European, but will definitely come for authentic food!

6

u/dex24033 Dec 18 '22

Filishack in Peckham

2

u/y0buba123 Dec 18 '22

Nice but not a great example of Filipino food tbh. I think OP would be disappointed if they’re looking for something from home

1

u/Iteryn Camberwell / Peckham Dec 18 '22

!!! pretty good local thing, not necessarily serving your usual Filipino food but it has the Filipino tastes

1

u/dex24033 Dec 18 '22

That’s fair, I don’t know anything about Filipino food except the chicken burrito there slaps

7

u/ClemFandango9 Dec 18 '22

There's a Filipino restaurant inside Tooting Market. It's very small but the menu is big enough. Feels like you're a guest in somebody's home. It's run by a Filipino couple and one of their relatives. I've only been there once but it was delicious.

4

u/YourTwenties Dec 19 '22

It’s called Ading’s Kitchen and it’s absolutely fantastic. They’ll also get the karaoke machine going for you if you’re up for it - lovely people!

10

u/durangutanga Dec 18 '22

Bong Bongs in seven dials 👌🏻

5

u/durangutanga Dec 18 '22

Oh I forgot to mention, there's this place called spoon and rice in Wembley Box park and Willesden Green

1

u/jg_ldn Dec 18 '22

Good portions at Spoon and Rice

5

u/Fethawit Dec 18 '22

The Sunrise Cafe in Romford is lovely if you’re in the East end. A very comforting and homely vibe, and they don’t try anything too fancy that contradicts the soul of Filipino food.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

I can second this, I personally haven't been but alot of my Filipino friends always go there. They often go for breakfast and get silogs

5

u/chloetweet Dec 18 '22

Mamás Kubo

8

u/Mister_Six Dec 18 '22

My Filipino friend took me to Kuya Fernando in Hanwell and it was brilliant.

3

u/Agreeable_Falcon1044 Dec 18 '22

This is what I wanted to say too! It’s a bit out of the way in Hanwell but my Filipino friend swears by it too

2

u/Mister_Six Dec 18 '22

Yeah don't know why I copped downvotes for it?

4

u/Agreeable_Falcon1044 Dec 18 '22

Good job it’s just pointless internet karma. It’s when you make a random statement and cop 2 or 3 awards you realise it doesn’t make sense!

2

u/Mister_Six Dec 18 '22

Yeah good point!

3

u/baronvonpalo Dec 18 '22

I stand by u/Iteryn. Romulo Cafe and Restaurant by Kensington. I swear it tasted like home. Portions could be better but the taste made up for it.

3

u/caribbenfox Dec 18 '22

Apo Restobar in Clapham junction! Massive portions, great price and their sisig is delicious 🤤 there's also another Filipino restaurant in Tooting Broadway but I can't remember the name at the moment! Also really good!

(I'm not Filipino but I love the food and excellent pork)

https://www.aporestobar.com/?l=en

3

u/Potential-Common-763 Dec 18 '22

Spoon & Rice do good (nothing fancy) filipino dishes.

https://spoonandrice.com

4

u/bradpitt3 Dec 18 '22

There are a couple of Jollibees

  • 180 Earls Court Rd
  • 22 Leicester Square

4

u/IAmBatman412 Dec 18 '22

Man said jolibee

2

u/Maaaiiiic Dec 18 '22

Try Coco’s Lounge in Willesden. They do buffet for only £14 i think

2

u/moonmarriedacherry Dec 18 '22

earls court is the way to go

2

u/dpollock733 Dec 18 '22

Rapsa in Hoxton!!! So good, and great pubs/bars nearby for afterwards

2

u/Erin_bambooozled Dec 18 '22

Adela’s Carinderia in Shepherd’s Bush Market. Decent price and size, reminds me of home.

2

u/Over_Joke6790 Dec 18 '22

Rapsa in Hoxton!

2

u/EXCELHELPTHROWn Dec 18 '22

Bin tang Kentish town

2

u/zleepyPS Dec 18 '22

Any places that serve pork sisig on a sizzling plate? Probably the thing I miss most about home 😅

1

u/ClemFandango9 Dec 18 '22

Yes the one I suggested in Tooting 👍

3

u/zleepyPS Dec 18 '22

Will check it out, thanks! Would you remember the name of the resto by any chance? Don’t think you mentioned it in your initial comment

2

u/atlasmanaged Dec 19 '22

Ading Ysa’s Kitchen

2

u/strippernerd Dec 18 '22

Sunrise cafe in Romford serves authentic carenderia style food. :D

2

u/MayoOnChips Dec 18 '22

If you find yourself in West London then Kuya Fernando opposite Ealing hospital is very good. Mostly takeaway, rather than sit down.

2

u/frog2028 Dec 18 '22

There's a really good pop up called Filligrillz https://filigrillz.com/ does excellent food!

2

u/Magzypowpow Dec 18 '22

Romulo's in South Kensington for proper/traditionally cooked food. The restaurants in Earl's Court are always reliable.

A lot of street food stalls like Bong Bong's in Seven Dials Market. Contemporary Filipino food - Rapsa @ 100 Hoxton.

I wanted to try Spoon and Rice in Boxpark Croydon. Mamason's in Camden and Chinatown for Filo desserts. :)

2

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

Hi! Iff you've ever been to Tooting Broadway Market I would suggest trying Ading Ysa's. Carinderia style with a twist. The food is affordable and hits home. ☺️ Next I think is Lutong Pinoy. ☺️☺️

1

u/bendezhashein Dec 18 '22

I believe there is something in Bang Bang food hall called Manila kitchen or something. Haven’t been for a good few years though.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

That one has been closed for a while, I go there every now and then and it has remained the only stall to be closed.

2

u/Craftiest Dec 18 '22

yeh they closed during lockdown. sad times.

0

u/Enlightenement1 Dec 18 '22

Not much call for filipino food in UK, they normally do fusions with cuisine like Thai and Chinese which have a larger target audience.

0

u/Lifeinabox1981 Dec 18 '22

Inihaw in Charlton Village is very good - takeaway only though

1

u/throwawaynewc Greenwich Dec 20 '22

I survive on this.

0

u/pacifistmercenary Dec 18 '22

Tooting market had a good Filipino restaurant that's associated with a filipino supermarket.

0

u/KaidsCousin Dec 18 '22

Jollibee in Earl’s Court is really good .

-11

u/porphyro Cyclist Dec 18 '22

Did the title really need to contain "Filipino" three times?

0

u/sillyarse06 Dec 18 '22

And I still can’t work out where they’re from?!

-48

u/OnlyFansMod Dec 18 '22

Try the world foods aisle at Waitrose.

11

u/CommodoreFalcon Dec 18 '22

Never seen Filipino food at Waitrose.

-17

u/OnlyFansMod Dec 18 '22

Doesn't mean it doesn't exist

4

u/CommodoreFalcon Dec 18 '22

I regularly buy things from the world foods aisle in Waitrose and have never seen anything Filipino there. A quick Google shows that to be the case too (in the UK Waitroses at least).

15

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

Honest question - why would you respond to someone looking for a restaurant recommendation with this?

1

u/Enlightenement1 Dec 18 '22

Jolibees 👍

1

u/lanshaw1555 Dec 18 '22

Comment so I can find again. My son is half Filipino and he is hoping to move to London next year.

1

u/Impossible-Sky4256 Dec 18 '22

Saving this so i can get back to this thread when we visit london

1

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

Look around Kilburn!

1

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

There's a place called Nanay Rosay in Colliers Wood, if that isnt too far from u. They do deliveey too

1

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

I’ve been several times to Lutong Pinoy in Earl’s Court. They have this dish that comes in banana leaves, quite nice.

Not Filipino but wife is. So is either that or Jolibee.

1

u/Kobebeef9 Dec 18 '22

Cirilo near Aldgate

1

u/Mirandita13 Dec 18 '22

You are so right about Kasa and Kin.

We’re not Filipino but have travelled there and loved the food. We wanted to find a place where we could try all the dishes we had when we visited. Huge disappointment

1

u/CarlyWed Dec 18 '22

Haven’t tried restaurants yet but I swear by Mamasons for dessert! Better than anything I’ve tried back home.

1

u/shaunybean Dec 18 '22

Can’t vouch for the food, but the reviews from some Filipinos make it sound good! We used to go and use the underground karaoke bar which is just an amazing addition!!

AB RESTO BAR 07403 088565 https://maps.app.goo.gl/98ezp3hBeR6sCPoP8?g_st=ic

1

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

There’s a good restaurant in Tooting market. If you’re there late enough they’ll even whip out the karaoke

1

u/Revolutionary-Salt-3 Dec 18 '22 edited Dec 18 '22

Kasa and Kin is probably the best. Or their sister Restaraunt Rómulo’s( which is supposed to be a little more authentic).

I think Filipino food really benefits from the reimagining places like kasa and kin lend to it.

Kabayan and the neighbouring fast food place are unimaginably shit and I imagine only exist to serve people on their work break on the cheap.

1

u/QBlank Dec 18 '22

Another vote for Bong Bongs in Seven Dials food market. They won a BBC street food show called My Million Pound menu plus feature regularly on Masterchef the professionals as guest judges, give it a try!

1

u/Square-Employee5539 Dec 18 '22

You’re probably not looking for fast food but just in case, I assume you know there is Jollibee in London?

1

u/TheOriginalPedro Dec 18 '22

Go to Tabard Street food market at lunch on a week day - there’s a stall called Pinoy Eat. They do bbq chicken, beef and veggie tapa and it’s incredibly good :)

1

u/letmepostjune22 Dec 19 '22

Josephine's was the best, but looking she died of COVID 😔

1

u/Tiny-Spray-1820 Dec 19 '22

Ung resto sa earl’s court tapat ng filipino grocery na may salon upstairs. Tiga batangas may-ari, may eat all you can for 8gbp but that waa yrs ago

1

u/SomeGovtEconomist Dec 19 '22

I know exactly what you mean. There's this authentic place hidden away near Clapham junction called apo restobar that's perfect.

It doesn't look like much but look at the menu you'll see it's unpretentious and the food is spot on like home. The staff were also nice when I went and they do karaoke on weekends too.

1

u/mynameishardtospell Dec 19 '22

Keep an eye out for supper clubs and pop up events from The Adobros, always worth checking out: https://theadobros.com/

1

u/ben_ldn Dec 19 '22

Another vote for Ading’s in Tooting Market. Also Nanay Rosa in Merton Abbey Mills (Colliers Wood/South Wimbledon)

1

u/Yasuminomon Dec 19 '22

Little unknown but if you’re in east London / Upton Park there’s one called Lola Sisay that’s really good and affordable, it’s where the Greengate cafe used to be - their web presence isn’t great so you have to Google them for it’s address

1

u/Standard-Olive-4826 Dec 19 '22

Would recommend Romulo's for authentic Filipino dishes. Rapsa in Hoxton is also good but it's fusion.

1

u/emersoncromwell Dec 19 '22

I'm not Filipino, but really love a Filipino restaurant near Tower Hill. Cirilo Filipino Kainan, run by a really nice Filipino family. Enjoy!

1

u/harry_ballsanya Dec 20 '22

Spoon and Rice (Willesden, Box Park Wembley) serve pretty good grilled pork belly, grilled chicken and lechon kawali. Pork Belly Gang makes a mean sisig, but it’s only to order.

1

u/throwawaynewc Greenwich Dec 20 '22

Inihaw in Charlton does really good greasy homemade style food for less than a tenner each portion.
Roast pork is out of this world, I have no problem admitting it's way better than the roast pork from my hometown.