magna kusina was awesome! best filipino dinner spot in pdx the crab fat noodles were soooo good! the calamansi marg hit the spot! the service was awesome! they got to know their locals even better the ambiance felt familiar! the bathroom extra filipino, if youre not filipino, here would be a good place to start read more

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Really great Filipino food in Portland! The restaurant itself was cool. It had a mural of the Philippines & the word "Mabuhay" on the wall. It handful of tables inside with a nice covered patio outside. The vibes were great... until they weren't. We greeted our waiter with "Mabuhay" in which he replied, "What?" confused- it's literally painted on the wall my guy. Crazy way to start dinner. Food came out impossibly slow. The restaurant wasn't full so I'm not too sure why it took as long as it did. They didn't mention coursing it out so we assumed they did. Drinks were all on point, everyone loved the Filipino inspired cocktails. Ube Colada was the table's fave. We ordered a bunch of things: 2 Skewers of the Bistek [$12 each], 4 Skewers of BBQ Pork [$10 each]. Bistek could have used a little more lemon/citrus as Bistek is known to be a little sour but the steak was amazingly juicy and tender. BBQ Pork always hits, super good! Did the Pancit Bihon [$17], it was "okay," have had better. Sisig [$17] was good as well, like the "pork bits" different way of prepping the dish. Diniguan [$27] as my most favorite part of the meal. I was sooo impressed with how that one came out. Loved that dish so much. Such an innovative way of presenting the dish. It was pork chop (cut up) with diniguan sauce on top (not drenched) with shishito peppers. OMG mouthwatering. LOVE that dish. Vibes were high until we asked where the other dish was which was the Lechon Manok [$27]. Our waiter kind of gave us an attitude saying that it was coming & that it took a while to prep. Mind you we ordered everything at the same time. That wasn't even it. The chicken came out we were cutting it, and then he saw us kind of struggle a bit, so he took the chicken and started tearing it apart with his hands... That should have already been a red flag. He said his hand were clean. Then he comes back like literally 10 minutes later asking if we wanted a box. Bro, the chicken barely came out give us time to enjoy the chicken you tore apart. He asked if it was good & we said it was 'alright.' Cause it was. Wasn't impressed with that dish at all. He left us alone for a bit and then came back saying, "I feel like I'm not doing enough, do you guys need anything?" If you were bored, just say that. Whatever, he lost us at that point. We saw him smoking outside, so hopefully his hands were clean. The food was great, the service was whatever. read more

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Friendly welcoming homey vibes. Drinks were definitely on the stronger side but it was good. I would say we enjoyed every dish but the scallops with arugula stood out. Dishes were more on the salty side so getting garlic rice or white rice helped. We enjoyed the music that was playing in the background :) read more

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We came to Magna Kusina for our 24th anniversary and had some of the best food I've had at a restaurant that I'd unfortunately never return to. The sisig and garlic rice were absolute standouts that were deeply flavorful and the dishes I'd come back for if this review were based on food alone. The Mama's crab noodles also left a huge impression. The coconut greens were close to excellent, though they felt just a little thin or underdeveloped compared to the other dishes. I'd probably pass on the skewers next time. Cocktails were incredible across the board. The reason I wouldn't return is the experience around seating. We made reservations far in advance and even accommodated a requested time change because we specifically wanted to celebrate inside. Instead, we were bumped outside, where we ended up eating next to the neighboring bar with a steady stream of chain smokers all evening. It was frustrating to have such exceptional food paired with an anniversary experience that felt like an afterthought. read more

Magna Kusina - Filipino Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I was at a Kamayan feast at the restaurant. I was greeted by Chef Carlos and the workers. They were super friendly for my first time at a Kamayan feast. Chef Carlos explained what will be on the menu from chicken to seafood. It was a variety. The service was very quick and easy. The ambience brought me to the homeland of the Philippines. The food was amazing and sarap delicious. I cannot wait to come back and experience another Kamayan feast. There was a lot of food being taken home too. read more

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Food, service and ambiance were incredible. The hardest part was finding parking. Overall everything is great read more

Magna Kusina - Filipino dessert Tupig - Filipino Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Holy one of the better meals I've had in the last few years. Cool Filipino joint, I'm from Seattle and it was cool talking to the owner who knows all the Seattle Filipino owners well. Everything we ordered hit the spot, the place was rocking with good energy, not too loud, but when food is this good it makes people happy and that in turn makes a vibe. Soft shell crab on those mom's crab fat noodles were last meal worthy. read more

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Magna Kusina - Portland, OR I came in with really high expectations for Magna Kusina, and I have to say, the experience was a bit of a mixed bag. The Positives: First off, the staff is impressive. They were professional, attentive, and very friendly--easily a 5/5 for service. The atmosphere is also on point; from the exterior to the interior décor, it feels unique and very much rooted in Filipino culture. Drinks were also excellent, fun & intentional. Now; the food. Here's where I felt a little let down. We ordered quite a few things- Sisig - decent, but it really could've used just a pinch of salt and seasoning. A touch on the egg would've gone a long way. Crab & Squid Ink Pasta - beautiful presentation, but the sauce didn't cling to the noodles. The dish looked great but lacked depth & lacked actual crab. Chicharon (chicken skins) - crunchy and fun & the shishito peppers were killer. Sauce was killer too. Laing (LAH-ING)- not creamy at all; the coconut milk tasted watered down, and the greens lacked flavor. Laing should have a little "creamed spinach" texture, they felt like roughly chopped kale, so it wasn't really a laing. Fried Chicken - solid Filipino "style" fried chicken like Max's fried chicken. The skewers were good and I can see how they'd appeal to a foreign tongue, but as a Filipino they could've been better-- they were just lacking heart, like I expected soul in those skewers..& lastly, I'd definitely add chicken isaw, that's mandatory. I'd even consider giving the people some liver ! Overall, the flavors just felt muted--like every dish could've benefited from an extra pinch of salt and pepper or even patis (fish sauce) & for desert, Turron ice cream. Light, sweet, perfectly balanced take on traditional turon. Final Thoughts? The food wasn't bad--it just wasn't as mind-blowing as I hoped, or even nostalgic, especially given how amazing everything else about the place is. That said, I'd still encourage EVERYONE to give Magna Kusina a try. Maybe I just caught them on an off day. Big respect to the chef and staff for bringing Filipino culture to Portland in such a bold way, much love. I know this might read as harsh, but this all comes from a place of admiration & respect. I really wanted to love it. Blessings Magna Kusina ! Kaibigan. Karlo Cuesta read more

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I wasn't sure what to expect since I hadn't had Filipino food in Portland before (and I can be particular about my Filipino food sometimes), but friends spoke highly of Magna Kusina so a group of us went while we were in town -- and I'm so glad we did! We had a reservation and were seated outside. It was a busy Saturday night, and it was especially busy indoors, and I think most of us were relieved to have some fresh air. Our server was friendly and helpful, walking us newbies through the popular food and drink options. It was great to be in a group of foodies who were only too happy to share family style -- we got to try a ton of dishes, among them: chicken skewers, lumpia, sisig, crab fat noodles, pancit bihon, pork rib adobo, garlic rice, and of course can't forget that halo-halo at the end. There were cocktails and other drinks too, like ube grasshopper shots and San Miguel beer. Everything was delicious! They describe their food as a modern take on Filipino cuisine, which feels accurate -- not strictly traditional, not fusion, but creative and upscale. I'd happily return on a future trip to Portland! read more

Magna Kusina - Filipino Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Magna Kusina is widely known as one of the best Filipino eateries in Oregon spearheaded by a James Beard Award finalist. This spot is located in the Southeast Portland area where street parking will be your best. Reservations are highly recommended as spots do tend to fill up fast. Wifey and I pulled up with some of our friends with a dinner reservation for 7pm. They have about 4-5 tables inside with some additional seating outdoors in their patio as well. For their menu, they have a nice selection of skewers, appetizers, and entrees to choose from. Our group ended up doing a family style spread consisting of the Chicken Inasal, Isaw (Pork Intestine), and Baka (Steak) Skewers, Ginataan Kalabasa, Mom's Crab Fat Noodles, Pork Rib Adobo, Garlic Rice, and some Calamansi Sodas. Overall, everything that we had tasted delicious and we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience here. All of the staff are very friendly and welcoming. Definitely book your next reservation here and come check them out! read more

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This was an amazing dining experience! From the moment we arrived, the service was awesome! We got a table and the server gave us the run down on the menu. We tried 1/2 a dozen different dishes and every one of them was a different level of amazing. From the simplicity of the rice noodles, to the crispy chicharon, there were so many great things about the meal. The lumpia was one of my favorites. The pork and mushroom combination was bursting with beautifully prepared flavors. Inside is small, so you can see all the action taking place in the kitchen. If you have a small group, you might want to get a seat very close to the action. Great service, amazing meal! Thank you!!! read more

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Came here for the first time for lunch! Nestled in a cute little closed-off street. They recommend making reservations, as seating is limited. If you decide to walk-in, make sure you take note of their business hours. The lunch menu is also different than their dinner menu! The crab fat noodles were just the right amount of crabby and fatty. Super rich seafood flavor and the squid ink noodles make for distinctive plating. Super delicious! Our waiter recommended the pork rib adobo over the chicken inasal. I found that the pork rib was nothing special, but the garlic rice was pretty solid. Lumpia was super crispy and the crunch factor was satisfying. They do currently have halo halo on the menu, which is seasonal! Perhaps I'll be back to try it next time! read more

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I heard about this restaurant since they won a James Beard award awhile back so wanted to try it out. My friends and I had a reservation and were seated at the bar. The service here was great and I appreciated the bartender making recommendations and explaining what certain dishes were like. We got sisig with garlic rice, crab fat noodles, Brussels sprouts and halo halo along with some beverages. The Brussels sprouts side dish came with more tofu than it did sprouts. Next time, I'll try some of their skewers. read more

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First time being here cause my friend recommend it. Trying to come in multiple time, but they either close, or have private event. Things I like: pretty flavorful. Friendly waitress. Good drink selections Potential to improve on: portion is really small compared to the price. Very limited tables so you need to reserve before coming in. I feel like it's a bit over priced for what I got. read more

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Came here a few nights ago and was let down. This place was recommended by friends and coworkers. I was severely disappointed. The food was not good. I don't think I enjoyed a single thing but the garlic rice. I had a couple of the skewers ( beef tongue, mushroom, and pork intestine) and they were flavorless and pretty boring. The lumpia were a little dried out and felt like they were sitting out. The sisisg was not my favorite either. Just plain disappointing. The crab fat noodles that I was highly anticipating. I wouldn't come here again. read more

Wow. Wow. Wow. What a fabulous experience at Magna Kusina. This was my first visit to this spot on Clinton Street. On a chilly but clear winter night, stepping into this cozy spot with its gorgeous decor and windows looking out was so welcoming. The staff was super friendly and had great suggestions for our orders. Everything was delicious and had a very obvious freshness and brightness to it. Even heavier dishes such as the lumpia and crab noodles were surprisingly well balanced. Perhaps it should not be a surprise given the accolades Magna Kusina has received. In addition to the dishes above, we had a great tofu and Brussels sprouts appetizer and a veggie noodle dish, along with some stellar cocktails and n/an options. Would highly recommend this place for something delightfully different on a chilly evening. read more

A very unique Filipino food experience in Portland! My friend and I tried multiple things including the crab fat noodles, duck mumba, sisig, lumpia, and a few skewers. Everything was so good and full of flavor but my two favorite things were the crab fat noodles and the sisig. I could not stop eating the two of them. The space is pretty small so I do recommend making a reservation! read more

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My evening at Magna Kusina was so good! Start to finish the staff was great & their menu recommendations were really spot on. I settled on the Tanglad Sour, shrimp skewers & Sisig. The dipping sauce served with the shrimp was so good, the tart kick was the perfect pairing to the rich sticky pork in the Sisig. Yum! read more

Magna Kusina - Tanglad Sour - Filipino Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Loved the food and I would order the moms crab fat noodles and chicken liempo again if I eat here again. The interior was very welcoming and I enjoyed the Philippine island artwork. Only issue I had was the gratuity/service charge when I had a party of 3. Would've given them a 5 star but I have to take a star away due to unnecessary gratuity/service charge. But if I had to rate them on their food, I'd definitely give this 5 star because all the dishes were yummy! read more

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This place is incredible! I visited with my partner and friend who was visiting from out of town. We ordered several dishes and loved every one. I didn't take any photos because I was too busy devouring everything. The squid ink spaghetti with soft shell crab was my favorite. It's a dish I dream about. And don't sleep on the chicharones or pig intestine skewer--both were surprising and delicious. Service was extremely friendly, and I'm already excited to go back. read more

We recently came here for a late lunch and glad that we made the choice to dine here. The service was nice and hospitable. We were welcomed immediately and offered a seat. We ordered a few things to share and everything we had was great. I really like their Pancit Bihon and Willie's Pork Rib Adobo. The meat was very tender and easy to chew. Overall, we had a great time here and left satisfied. read more

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Dined at Magna Kusina for the first time and all that was left at the end were smiles and good memories. Carlo was the first face when we entered into the restaurant, full of energy, friendliness, and humor. The restaurant and atmosphere felt instantly like home before we were even seated. For dinner, we ordered: - Chicken and mushroom skewers: chicken was made so tender and juicy; mushroom skewers were such a creative spin! - Crab fat noodles: this was absolutely both of our favorite dishes of the night. The crab flavors were bold and powerful; the sauce was portioned just right so it was not a soupy dish; seasoning was so on point and not too salty. The soft shell crab added another fun to the dish, so yummy! A must order. - Laing (coconut collard greens): I personally enjoyed this dish, however my friend did not like the coconut flavor. The crispy shallots added to the texture which I thought was a nice touch. - Pork ribs adobo: a solid dish and meat was cooked tender, although not fall-off-the-bone. The sauce was also seasoned well, not too overpowering and salty. I also loved the bok choy and scallions garnish! My friend ordered the drink special and loved it. All in all, it was a fantastic experience dining here. I will for sure be back and recommend it! read more

There's so much good Filipino food in Portland but this is a place I would come back over and over again! I can see why this place won a James beard award because the experience was amazing. My party of 4 had made a reservation and we were quickly seated - I'm not sure how easy walk-ins are but it's a pretty small (but intimate) restaurant. Our waiter was very kind and prompt with getting our orders. I started off with a butterbeer cocktail which was so cute! It was a warm drink but I loved the cool whipped cream to balance things out. All the food was delicious and in perfect shareable portions - some of the standouts were the lumpia, sisig, and the crab fat noodles. The sisig had the perfect crispiness and I cannot wait to go back for that again! read more

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Cute and small spot with tasty Filipino food. Nothing seemed overly inventive at lunch, but the crab noodles were the clear standout with a soft shell crab on top. The homemade hot chili sauce was great and the lumpia and pork adobo were both very good. Nothing blew me away unfortunately. I do wish they had cocktails at brunch because that would have been a nice addition but we'll have to come back for dinner. The menu seems to have a few more inventive dishes during dinner time and exciting cocktails. All in all a solid spot with kind service. read more

Magna Kusina - Lumpia - Filipino Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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The food and drinks were amazing! We got crab fat noodles, sisig, lumpia, Pancit Molo Talong, laing. All met or exceeded my expectations and the best one in my opinion was the sisig! Reminded me of being in the Philippines. We also got the hot butterbeer and (non alcoholic) pandan dreams for drinks, which were both delicious. The house made ube ice cream was delectable! Our server was so attentive, but not overbearing. He was pleasant with good energy, took the time to answer our questions and check in, and make us feel welcome. The ambiance was nice as well- the lighting was warm and not harsh. The beautiful plants also brightened up the place! read more

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This is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. The food always blows me away it's so good! I've probably ordered 1/3 of the menu by now and everything has been amazing. After finishing the meal I sat there so dang happy it was that good. read more

Magna Kusina - The ribs melted off the bone and were full of flavor. A must! - Filipino Near Me - Portland, Oregon

It's taking the traditional Filipino food and leveling it up!! My new favorite place!

Small intimate venue in the Clinton St neighborhood. You will definitely need a reservation here, so plan accordingly, but it will be worth it! It is a Cozy restaurant with seating for ~30 and a few outdoor heated pods. Service was great, very much a laidback Portland feel. I ordered the pork belly skewer and the crab fat noodles. Both were delicious and flavorful. Being my first time in a Fillipino restaurant, I was unfamiliar with the flavor profiles, and I still don't know how to describe it.... But it was tasty! read more

Magna Kusina - Crab fat noodles - Filipino Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is a small cozy Filipino restaurant along the cool vibe of Clinton St. I were lucking to get a table on a Saturday night, so reservations is recommended. The group behind us had to wait 40 minutes or more. I went in not quite knowing what to expect, but the limited menu works in their favor, letting the kitchen focus on doing a few things really well. The indoor seating area had an easygoing and local feel, but was a little noisy at times. I ordered the pork rib adobo with a savory flavor, although the meat was a little tough to pull off the bone. Added a side of garlic rice and a cold beer rounded out the meal nicely. read more

Magna Kusina - Pork Adobo with a side of Sinangag (garlic fried rice) - Filipino Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Stopped here for lunch and I'm glad we did because the food was delicious. There was a street fair going on but we were able to get seated inside right away. They also have outdoor seating. The lunch menu has a few dishes on it, all sound delicious and we loved what we got. I do wish that we came for dinner though. A lot of the stuff I saw on the Yelp page and reviews were dishes off the dinner menu. Also they only serve liquor and cocktails at dinner; beer and wine only at lunch. Service was great! Super friendly and explained the menu well. read more

So glad we made a reservation for 4 at 5pm on a Saturday because this place filled up fast! The tables are a little close together, but it kind of adds to the vibe. Felt like we were at a lively Filipino house party, with lots of convo, the smell of food in the air, and you can hear the kitchen doing its thing. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share and honestly loved almost everything: The sisig and lumpia were good starters. The sisig comes with a soft boiled egg which was a nice touch. We ordered 2 orders of lumpia, they are like mini lumpia. The mushroom adobo and pancit bihon were flavorful and comforting. You couldn't even tell there wasn't any meat in the mushroom adobo. The pancit was pretty traditional. Mom's crab fat noodles (we added the soft shell crab) were rich and super satisfying. If you like crab, this is the one for you. Noodles were a little soft in my opinion but I prefer a more Al dente noodle. Garlic rice was a must on the side. It had fried garlic pieces topped/mixed in so it wasn't overly garlicky. The grilled steak kare kare was the favorite. It comes with bone marrow and a delicious savory peanut sauce. Not super saucy like the usual stew but more like you should dip the meat in the sauce, but still sooo good. For drinks, the Pinoy daiquiri was strong (in a good way) and great to sip throughout the meal. The Bahala Na Cream Fizz was beautiful and balanced. Service was great, friendly and efficient. Food came out in waves so we had time to enjoy each dish, and they cleared plates as we finished which kept the table from getting crowded. Loved the little detail of the check coming in a Spam can it was such a fun touch! Portions are good for sharing (2 people per dish), but if you're with a bigger group, maybe double up on favorites. Parking is street-only, so give yourself a little extra time in case you have to walk a bit. Overall, an awesome modern take on Filipino food. It was playful, delicious, and super homey. read more

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Had dinner 2nites ago with 2 friends. The crab fat noodles were very tasty,2 appetizers were delicious,the chicken dish was salty and dominated taste,and a fish entree that we ordered was forgotten by the friendly waiter whose services were efficient and pleasant. So on This occasion things could have been better. read more

There's a reason why The Oregonian has Magna Kusina in their top 40 restaurants of 2025, and I think it's very well deserved. I was able to get a reservation for my boyfriend and his cousins family pretty easily online, but they do charge a little bit for a larger party. The place is a bit small and at some point I had to wait for two people before me to use the bathroom, but honestly not a problem. The food was absolutely amazing. From the lumpia, to the skewers, to the crab noodles, to the pancit, absolutely amazing and I can't even remember a lot of what we ordered. Our server was super nice too which was a plus! read more

Crab. Fat. Pasta. If you know, you know. I got it to-go and it was still ok after a 30 min drive, so I'm betting it's fabulous when it's fresh out of the kitchen. Also, the halo halo is great for sharing! read more

I've been wanting to go here for a while and I'm glad I finally did. You'll want reservations; seating is pretty limited, especially indoors. Everything we ordered was delicious: crab noodles, mushroom skewer, and fish in sweet and sour sauce. My husband had the steak and enjoyed it too. We also tried desserts: a nice use ice cream and another thing (I forget the name) with parmesan and a caramel sauce. It was different from anything I've had before and we liked it. My butter beer cocktail was tasty too. Service was friendly without hovering. Most things are served family style, so you have a chance to try lots of different dishes. I'll definitely be back. read more

On a Saturday , it's truly exciting to be here. Seating for one , at the bar . Learned Philippine history from staff member working the bar . Ginger and vinegar play a major role in flavour , Spanish and Chinese influence . I wanted to explore the Brazilian side , and I ordered the Picanha steak with bone marrow , and as a side , I choose garlic rice . Time is short , and my meal is just a great memory . For my beer that is pictured , I went full fillippino , and drank "Red Horse " , a strong lager made there . Outside seating and in , it was crowded . The kitchen never rested . A fun place to eat exquisite food . read more

Magna Kusina - Pichana steak , bone marrow, Red Horse lager , and bourbon cocktail. - Filipino Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My husband and I were visiting Portland and our friends told us Magna Kusina was a must visit! We were excited because we know Portland has an amazing food scene and we love Filipino food. We ordered to share: the lumpia, sisig, garlic rice, and the crab fat noodles. Every dish was so flavorful and delicious! My favorite was the crab fat noodles because i've never seen this elsewhere. Loved the savory and pungent sauce with the sweet corn & crab! Service was quick and friendly and we loved sitting at the chef's counter watching the chefs cook! Please come to the Bay! :) read more

A perfect dining experience in all ways. I made reservations for Thursday night two days prior and was lucky to snag an outdoor table with heat offered. . . and accepted as temps had dropped. Our server, Megan, was informative, friendly and attentive throughout our meal. Two other gentlemen also pitched in to take care of us and were all smiles. My husband and I felt like a definite part of the Magna scene even sitting streetside. People-watching at that corner is a non-stop show. Food you ask? Special and utterly well-prepared and delicious. My previous experience with Filipino cuisine consisted of lumpia and chicken adobo. Everything we gobbled up including their lumpia expanded my whole concept of Filipino food! We had the beef and salmon (fish of the day) skewers) grilled octopus , the veggie curry veg dish of the day and a new and highly recommended dish called Sisig. Ooh, crispy pork bits with a nice egg on top! For dessert, their version of flan with a nice caramel sauce and sugary crumbs for toppings. Did I love it? We are bringing two food-loving friends back this Saturday. That pretty much says it all. read more

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Made a reservation during lunch hours and got seated right away at 12pm. If you're walking in, please keep in mind that majority of the tables inside are reserved aside from the bar and obviously outdoor seating with the patio. We ordered the lumpia, the crab fat noodles, and the pork adobo. Lumpia was good, crispy, and hot (but $10 is pricey for 6 small pieces). The crab fat noodles were overcooked and had too much of a citrus forward (maybe lime) flavor - kind of reminded me of Maruchan cup of noodles. The pork adobo, unfortunately, was salty and dry. The lunch menu was pretty limited on what we could order so I wouldn't rec it, especially considering how we ordered arguably the more popular items on the list and they weren't up to my personal standard. Cute and cozy inside though! read more

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I have always wanted to come here but it's hard to book a reservation in OpenTable, and if there's availability, it always states your reservation is going to be outdoors. Today, we are in the area, checked OpenTable, reservation is for outdoor only, so instead of making a reservation, we just walked in, and there was only one couple seated at the bar, so we were seated inside. Our order was taken immediately, and food was served right away. I had their Dimsum Week '25 item. Menu states Sinigang na Baboy at Hipon (translated: pork and shrimp in tamarind soup). If you're a Filipino, you'll be very surprised to be served steamed dumplings in tamarind soup. I know they did a twist because that's what chefs do. And I guess it did say "dimsum week menu". I would rate this 2/5. Hubby ordered their Beef Pares. IT IS VERY SALTY! He did not enjoy his food either. Rated 1/5. Not sure where all the hype came from. FYI: There's only 1 bathroom for men and women. So if you're like me who's not comfortable with this, make sure you do your business before coming here. PS: The serving is small for the price. We ended up stoping at Uwajimaya to eat their Pork Humbow before coming home. read more

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