Follow us on
Best Eats + Restaurants
8 Restaurants That Take Lechon in the Philippines to the Next *Putok Batok* Level
These places give us something new from classic Filipino food!
By: Patricia Marie Prado | December 07, 2022
Feel heaven with every bite of this creative lechon in the Philippines!
Images: Cabalen Restaurant (L); Lechon Diva of Pepita’s Kitchen (R) Facebook pages
Lechon (roasted pig) is a must in every Filipino celebration, whether a birthday party or a wedding. The preparation of this classic lechon in the Philippines is one Filipinos know and love. Still, lately, more and more restaurants are giving lechon a twist, thus providing us with different versions we didn’t know possible. So whether you’re a traditional Filipino food lover or an adventurous foodie, check out these restaurants that gave a new taste to the old favorite.
1. Cabalen
Where: Various branches nationwide
Lechon Specialties:
Crispy Pritchon (PhP298/200g)
Paksiw na Lechon (PhP290)
You can have lechon as an appetizer with Cabalen’s Pritchon.
Images: Cabalen Restaurant Facebook page
Cabalen is a buffet restaurant that offers Filipino and Kapampangan food for only PhP458 (weekdays) to PhP478 (weekends). Their main star is the classic lechon in the Philippines, but aside from the roasted version, this Filipino restaurant also offers other lechon-centric dishes.
Their Pritchon (PhP298 per 200 g) is a surprising reinvention of classic Filipino food. Cuts of lechon meat and skin are fried until crispy and then enclosed in a tortilla wrapper with slices of cucumber and coriander. This fresh twist makes Pritchon a great appetizer. Other versions of lechon in Cabalen include Paksiw na Lechon (PhP290 per order).
2. Leonard’s Lechon
Where: 89 J. Basa, San Juan, Metro Manila
Lechon Specialties:
Lechon Tagalog (starts at PhP9,000 per 6 kg)
Lechon Gallena (starts at PhP9,400 per 6 kg)
Carnivore Lechon (starts at PhP9,800 per 6 kg)
Leonardo’s Lechon will unleash the carnivore in you.
Image: Leonardo’s Lechon Facebook page
Traditional lechon in the Philippines is already a scene-stealer. Still, foodies who look for something more can head to San Juan and try the Lechon Tagalog (starts at PhP9,000 per 6 kg), Lechon Gallena (starts at PhP9,400 per 6 kg), and Carnivore Lechon (starts at PhP9,800 per 6 kg), of Leonardo's Lechon.
A normal lechon in the Philippines is usually stuffed with various vegetables. Still, Leonardo’s Carnivore Lechon is loaded with three types of sausages (Kielbasa, Hungarian, and Spanish chorizo), thick cuts of bacon, garlic, herbs, and potatoes. It’s a meat-on-meat platter that will satisfy a foodie’s beastly hunger.
The price of a Carnivore Lechon ranges from PhP9,000 to PhP18,800), depending on the size.
3. Lydia’s Lechon
Lydia’s Lechon has some tricks up its sleeves, too!
Image: Lydia’s Lechon Facebook page
Lydia’s Lechon is deemed one of the authorities in the food industry regarding lechon in the Philippines. Besides their classic roasted pig, their Lechon de Leche (starts at PhP11,000 per 5 kg) also gets rave customer reviews.
This Filipino food features a meat-seafood-rice combo, as the boneless lechon is stuffed with seafood paella. This is not a new offering, but it is still fit for those who want to give a party or celebration a twist.
The price of a Lechon Paella ranges from PhP9,800 to PhP22,800, depending on the size.
4. Pepita’s Kitchen
Where: Magallanes Ave, Makati City
Lechon Specialty: Truffle Rice Lechon de Leche (PhP11,800/5 kg)
Looking for a more upscale lechon? How about the one with truffle rice as a filling?
Image: Lechon Diva of Pepita's Kitchen Facebook page
Pepita’s Kitchen offers a different lechon in the Philippines and a different dining experience. Its owner, Dedet de la Fuente, offers degustation meals wherein diners are treated to courses of expertly crafted Filipino food served in small portions.
Although the 12-course dinner inside this Filipino restaurant is strictly for reservation, you can still order the signature Truffle Rice Lechon de Leche (PhP11,800 per 5 kg) dishes. Its famous lechon stuffing includes lemongrass and garlic with a sweet and sour sauce made from sugar, vinegar, and pig's liver.
Prices at Pepita’s Kitchen start at PhP16,998, suitable for 15 pax.
5. Prado Farms
Where: Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga
Lechon Specialty: Lechon con Pato (PhP7,500 for 20 pax)
Who says organic lechon is impossible?
Image: Prado Farms Official website
Prado Farms isn’t a Filipino restaurant but a beautiful farm and eco-resort in Pampanga. The farm prides itself in being an advocate of recycling and serving only organic dishes, including their Lechon con Pato (PhP7,500 for 20 pax). Visitors can stay here for a night or two, or they can also host significant events.
Diners will get lechon and they’ll also get Filipino food, like lechon manok (roasted chicken), which has absorbed all the juices of the lechon. In addition to the significant organic twist of this dish is the chicken stuffed inside the lechon. The chicken serves as a support for the pig so its ribcage won’t collapse.
6. Locavore
Where: 10 Brixton Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Lechon Specialty: Lechon and Oyster Sisig (PhP520/order)
Locavore’s Lechon and Oyster Sisig (L) and Boness Lechon Belly (R) have become one of the Metro’s lechon flavor obsessions.
Images: Locavore Kitchen and Drinks Facebook page
Locavore is not just a Filipino restaurant but also an advocate for local farmers. They use only locally-grown and locally-produced products to create their menu of innovative Filipino foods.
One of their reinventions is the Lechon and Oyster Sisig (PhP520). This bestseller is served with fresh fried oyster and lechon instead of the usual pork ears. To complete this Filipino food, they top it with a creamy chicken liver sauce instead of an egg, thus creating a unique medley of flavors.
7. Café Enye
Where: 116 Eastwood Ave, Bagumbayan, Quezon City
How about some crunchy lechon bits with your pasta?
Image: Café Enye
Café Enye serves Spanish cuisine with influences from Northern Morocco, Argentina, Central America, and the Philippines. This restaurant also offers its creative take on lechon.
Although you won’t see a classic lechon in the Philippines being roasted in the kitchen, you’ll taste it in one of their pasta dishes. Lechon Carbonara (PhP250) is Café Enye’s take on the classic carbonara, topped with yolk and sprinkled with cuts of pork lechon-ed to perfection. This dish will give you creamy and savory pasta on one plate.
December 2022 Update: Café Enya is temporarily closed. Follow them on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Cafe, to be the first to know when they resume operations!
8. Alab by Chef Tatung
Where: Scout Rallos, Diliman, Quezon City
Alab’s Honey Lechon is a good combination of sweet and savory.
Image: Madel Martin
Another Filipino restaurant that serves unique, delicious dishes is Alab by Chef Tatung. Alab deviates from other trendy Filipino restaurants by offering lutong bahay (home-cooked) dishes while giving them a modern touch.
A visit to Alab wouldn’t be complete without their Honey Lechon (PhP390). It contains choice cuts of roasted pork belly cooked in a bed of lemongrass and garlic for six hours. The succulent, melt-in-your-mouth belly is then topped with honey sauce, tying the savory and sweet flavors of the dish.
December 2022 Update: Alab by Chef Tatung is permanently closed.
Excited to taste these versions of lechon in the Philippines? Let us know which one you’ll try first!
Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more restaurants and Filipino food options in Metro Manila!
This article was initially published in Yoorekka on September 13, 2017.
Prices may change without prior notice.
Check out this video:
About Patricia Marie Prado
Patricia came from the field of business and accounting but is now pursuing her dreams of being a writer. She is a self-confessed introvert and is passionate about reading, travelling, writing, movies, coffee and God. When she's not writing, she loves discovering new coffee shops/cafe and doing TV-series marathons.
Learn more stories on:
Location Tags:
Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are
for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although
careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not
make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all
information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended
to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
ALSO READ
CATEGORIES
VIDEO MARKET PLACE
FOLLOW US ON
MORE STORIES AROUND THE PHILIPPINES
