LECHON WITH A TWIST: Eight Restaurants that Reinvented Lechon Lechon (roasted pig) is a must in every Filipino celebration, may it be a birthday party or a wedding. The classic roasted preparation is one Filipinos know and love, but lately more and more restaurants are giving lechon a twist, thus providing us different versions we didn’t know possible. So whether you’re a traditionalist or an adventurous foodie, check out these restaurants that gave a new taste to the old favorite.
CABALEN
Various branches
You can have lechon as an appetizer with Cabalen’s Pritchon. (Image: Cabalen Restaurant Facebook Page) Cabalen is a buffet restaurant that offers Filipino and Kapampangan food for only PhP398. Their main star is the classic lechon, but aside from the roasted version, they also offer other lechoncentric dishes.
Their Pritchon is a surprising reinvention of the classic. Cuts of lechon meat and skin are fried until crispy and then enclosed in a tortilla wrapper together with slices of cucumber and coriander. This fresh twist makes pritchon a great appetizer. Other versions of lechon in Cabalen also include Sinigang na Lechon and Paksiw na Lechon. Read: Newly Opened Buffet Restaurants in Metro Manila
LEONARDO’S LECHON
89 J. Basa, San Juan, 1500 Metro Manila
Leonardo’s Lechon will unleash the carnivore in you. (Image: Leonardo’s Lechon Facebook Page) Traditional lechon already is a scene-stealer, but foodies who look for something more can head to San Juan and try the Carnivore Lechon of Leonardo's Lechon. A normal lechon is usually stuffed with various vegetables, but Leonardo’s Carnivore Lechon is stuffed with three types of sausages (Kielbasa, Hungarian, and Spanish chorizo), thick cuts of bacon, and 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 PhP5,300 to PhP10,800 depending on the size.
LYDIA’S LECHON
Various locations
Lydia’s Lechon has some tricks up its sleeves, too! (Image: Lydia’s Lechon Restaurant) Lydia’s Lechon is deemed as one of the authorities in the food industry when it comes to lechon. Other than their classic roasted pig, their Lechon Paella also gets rave reviews from their customers. This dish features a meat-seafood-rice combo, as the boneless lechon is stuffed with seafood paella. This is not a new offering in their menu, but it is still fit for those who want to give their party or celebration a twist. The price of a Lechon Paella ranges from PhP 9,300 to PhP 16,800 depending on the size. Read: Manila’s Newly Opened Restaurants for Seafood Lovers
PEPITA’S KITCHEN
Magallanes Ave, Makati City
Looking for a more upscale lechon? How about the one with truffle rice as filling? (Image: Lechon Degustacion at Pepita's Kitchen) Pepita’s Kitchen offers not only a different lechon, but also a different dining experience. Its owner, Dedet de la Fuente, offers degustation meals wherein diners are treated to courses of expertly crafted food served in small portions. Although the 12-course dinner inside Dedet’s home is strictly for reservation only, you can still order her signature Lechon de Leche dishes. Some of her famous lechon stuffing include binagoongan (shrimp paste) rice, truffle rice, Japanese curry rice, and herbs with garlic bulbs and marble potatoes. Prices at Pepita’s Kitchen start at PhP2,250 per head for the dinner and PhP8,500 to PhP9,000 if you’re only ordering the lechon.
PRADO FARMS
Prado Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga
Who says organic lechon is impossible? (Image: Prado Farms Official Website) Prado Farms isn’t really a restaurant but rather a beautiful farm and eco-resort in Pampanga. Visitors can stay here for a night or two, or they can also host big events. The farm prides itself in being advocates of recycling and serving only organic dishes, including their Lechon con Pato. In addition to the major 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. Diners will not only get lechon, they’ll also get a lechon manok that has absorbed all the juices of the lechon. Check out our list of eco resorts in Pampanga or browse the Travel & Transportation category in the Shoppersguide Directory.
CAFÉ ENYE
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 own creative take on lechon. Although you won’t see lechon 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 a yolk and sprinkled with cuts of pork lechon-ed to perfection. This dish will give you a creamy and savory pasta in one plate.
LOCAVORE
10 Brixton Street, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
Locavore’s lechon and oyster sisig is becoming the Metro’s newest obsession. (Image: Locavore Kitchen and Drinks Facebook Page) Locavore is not just a restaurant but also an advocate of the local farmers. They use only locallygrown and locally-produced products to create their menu of innovative Filipino dishes. One of their reinventions is the Lechon and Oyster Sisig (PhP360). This bestseller is served with fresh fried oyster and lechon instead of the usual pork ears. To complete the dish, they top it with a creamy chicken liver sauce instead of an egg, thus creating a unique medley of flavors.
ALAB BY CHEF TATUNG
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, scrumptious dishes is Alab by Chef Tatung. Alab deviates from other trendy Filipino restaurants by offering lutong bahay dishes while also giving it 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. Excited to taste these versions of lechon? Let us know in the comments section which one you’ll try first!