E_deliciou_S

Filipino food finally heats up in Sydney! Gone are the days when you have to travel to the West to find a decent Filipino feed, they’re sprouting up everywhere, gradually permeating the Sydney food scene. This is good news, the taste from the 7,000 islands is emerging and becoming part of the Australian mainstream. 

For those of you who are not aware of Filipino food, it’s a combination of Eastern and Western taste and strongly influenced by Spanish, Chinese, American and South East Asian flavours. 

I’ve compiled a list of Filipino restaurants that I’ve visited in Sydney in the last few months – PART 1

Mate Burger / Mate Burger Food Truck 1B Mount Druitt Road Mount Druitt NSW 2770 Tel 0451 744 644 

For a taste of a Filipino burger there’s no better than the Ensaymada Burger! This insanely delish burger consists of smashed beef patty, creamy Kraft cheese, sriracha maple bacon, rocket in a mildly sweet Filipino cheese bun (ensaymada) with grated cheese. Mate Burger also serves up classic American burgers, rice bowls, fries and sides. Make sure to try out the Adobo fries they are yum!   

You don’t need to drive to Mt Druitt, Mate Burger’s Food Truck does pop up around Sydney where you can taste their offerings, check out their Instagram or website for details. Trading Hours: Mate Burger Shop: Wed – Sat 12 – 8 Sun 12 – 6 

Mate Burger: https://www.mateburger.com.au/order-online

IG: @mateburger @mateburgertruck 

Mama Lor Restaurant  Shop 5/ 39-45 Rooty Hill Rd North Rooty Hill NSW 2766 Tel 02 8809 7778 

We had lunch here with my foodie buddies and I must say my tastebuds were transported in the Philippines, the venue instantly conjures a “I’m back home” feeling. Traditional Filipino selections on the menu including a Turo-Turo (ready to eat) and grill section. You can also buy Filipino cakes and bread. The restaurant is dedicated to the family’s mother and grandmother where the name ‘Mama Lor’ came from. Trading Hours Mon – Thurs: 10am to 8:30pm Frid – Sun: 10am to 9:00pm

Mama Lor: https://www.mamalor.com IG: @mamalor_au

Sizzling Fillo Restaurant36 Railway St. Lidcombe NSW 2141 Tel 02 9649 7939

One of Sydney’s pioneer Filipino restaurants serving Western Sydney is Sizzling Fillo. I have been here loads of time. In a very handy location just opposite Lidcombe train station. Must order here is their Boodle Feast! Taste the flavours of the Philippines with unimaginable amounts of food spread over banana leaves and eaten with bare hands, dare? and prepare for a food fight for the last food on the table. For non-boodle feast order, a regular menu offers all the Filipino favourite dishes! Be sure to leave room for dessert, Chef Nina’s decadent desserts are to die for (cover photo). Trading Hours: Tue to Fri: 5:30pm to 9pm Sat and Sun: Lunch 11:30am to 3:30pm Dinner 4:30pm to 9:00 

Sizzling Filo: https://www.sizzlingfillo.com IG: @sizzlingfillo 

Lazza Filipino Restaurant & Bar246 Marrickville Rd Marrickville NSW 2204 Tel 02 8021 3208

Over the years, Marrickville has always been my favourite destination when it comes to Filipino grocery shopping and the opening of Lazza Restaurant makes it even more exciting than ever. Menu is simple yet all the dishes that I’ve ordered to date were tasty. I recommend the Maxsilog for lunch, consists of beef tapa, pork adobo, longanisa (Filipino sausage), deep fried bangus (milkfish), fried rice and 2 eggs. For dinner, go for their crispy pata (deep fried pig knuckles) and pork sisig (finely chopped pork dish)! Trading Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri Lunch 10:00am – 2:00pm Dinner 5:00pm – 10:00pm Sun Lunch 10:00am – 2:00pm Dinner 5:00pm – 9:00pm

Lazza: IG @lazza_marrickville

Kapamilya Grocery and Eatery 28 Walts St. Rockdale 2216   Tel 02 9599 9788

From its humble beginnings, Kapamilya Grocery has thrived to become one of the most popular grocery and eatery Filipino stores in the South of Sydney.  I remember when it opened years ago, it was only groceries and customers would queue to check out what the exchange rate was for remittance or drop off their balikbayan boxes. Today, it’s a very popular hub for Filipinos. Close to Rockdale Train Station and opposite the Rockdale Catholic Church so after Sunday mass, it’s fiesta time! Winter is a food bonanza at Kapamilya, discover the wonderful world of Filipino street food where you can taste some of the most vibrant and exciting Pinoy street favourites. Branches located in Marrickville and Campbelltown. Trading Hours Mon-Sun 9:00am – 8:00pm

IG: @kapamilya2216

Kapamilya Grocery and Eatery 324A Marrickville Rd Marrickville NSW 22014 Tel 9560 5264

It may have changed management a few times over the years, but this shop has survived the test of time. It started as a Filipino grocery store with occasional cooked food for sale in the fridge, like leche flan, cassava cake, puto (steamed cake) and dinuguan (dark stew). Kapamilya Rockdale took over and has extended the business with a hot food counter, ready to eat repast serving a Turo-Turo style (Filipino term of just point the food you want to eat). Food can be eaten in the premises or taken away. They also act as an agent for money remittance to the Philippines. Trading Hours Mon-Sun 9:00am – 6:00pm

IG: @kapamilya2216

Panlasang Pinoy Kogarah 26 Regent St. Kogarah NSW 2217 Tel 02 9593 2066

It’s very true, if there is a hospital expect Filipinos around, yes we have lots of Filipino nurses working around the globe. Panlasang Pinoy is only stone’s throw from Kogarah Station and in close proximity to the St George Hospital in Kogarah, so expect a mix of regular customers, business people, students and hospital personnel. Operating as a grocery store and restaurant at the same time. All you can eat starts from $15 dollars, add some extra dollars and you have a choice to include special dishes. We’ve tried their Boodle feast for four, it was a jaw dropping spread of Filipino food, it ticked all the right boxes.  Trading Hours: Mon-Tue 8:00am – 8:00pm Wed 8:00am – 8:30pm Thurs/Fri 8:00am – 9:00pm Sat 8:00am – 10:00pm Sun 8:00am – 9:00pm

IG: @panlasangpinoyau

To be continued