#cheftatung

Tatung's is a place where families can get together to enjoy classic Filipino food with a Chef Tatung twist. Built around the tagline "Home, remembered," it is a restaurant rooted not in trend, but in inheritance. The slow-cooked wisdom of lolas’ kitchens, the flavors of the regions, and the conviction that Filipino food, cooked with honesty and served with pride, needs nothing more to be extraordinary.

Aside from the main dining hall, they also have a small VIP room for more private events. This is the most personal restaurant yet from Chef Tatung because, unlike his other restaurants, he funded the entire project himself without any other partners. The restaurant gives the feel of Filipino old world charm. Every dish on the menu is an act of remembrance: of lolas, of provinces, and of the Filipino table at its most generous and true.

The name Tatung carries deep personal history. Long before the cookbooks, the television appearances, and the platform that reached millions, Chef Tatung ran a small private dining space in Sikatuna Village, Quezon City — a converted home simply called Tatung, where he cooked for people without pretense or performance.

You can feel the Filipino warmth and touch all around the restaurant, from its interiors all the way to the menu. Even the restroom signs carry that Filipino charm.

This location actually used to house the Palenque Food Hall, a culinary hub which showcased regional Filipino dishes and concepts. Tatung’s also carries forward the spirit of its predecessor with its dedicated Tindeli corner, reimagined as a deli and pasalubong center, allowing guests to bring a piece of the experience home.

They also have a bar right near the entrance showing off their unique Filipino beverages and creations.

I wanted to try some of their Signature Cocktails so we ordered the Ube Colada (P378). This is a Filipino twist on the Pina Colada with its combination of house made ube halaya, pineapple, coconut, dark rum, and orange liqueur

There's also the Kinutil (P428) which combines coconut wine and tablet chocolate into one amazing concoction. This is virtually a Visayan ritual in a glass, finished with milk and orange liqueur.

They also have some signature coolers you can try like the Hiraya (P228) with its refreshing mix of muddled orange, lime, lemon and mint. You can also go for the classic sago't gulaman or other fresh juices, coffee, hot chocolate and beers for your beverage.

Chef Tatung then served us some of his tasty appetizers and small plates. I loved having a bite of the Okoy (P380), a beloved Filipino street food which has deep fried shrimp and vegetable fritters served with fresh tomato and cucumber salsa. Chef Tatung's version is thick and extra crispy.

We also got to try the Relyenadong Hipon (P480), deep fried shrimp rolls served with sweet chili sauce and pickled vegetables. I could eat these appetizers all day.

The Gambas sa Latik (P450) was a standout dish. Everyone loves gambas and Chef Tatung prepares these bite-size shrimp with garlic, chili, and toasted coconut curds served with bread.

One of the mow interesting dishes was the Bibingkang Talong (P490). This is a very creative dish which presents a tortang talong reimagined as a casserole. It comes with layers of ground pork, tomatoes, béchamel, and salted egg baked until golden brown.

The Pancit Guisado (P520) is a favorite Chinatown style noodle dish prepared with mixed meats, market vegetables, and comes with homemade kikiam sausage prepared in-house. We loved this upgraded version of the pancit and that kikiam is really a great addition.

Filipinos love eating rice so the Bagoong Fried Rice (P420) is a great companion to all the main dishes we will be having. This is a shrimp paste fried rice mixed with caramelized pork, scrambled eggs, and burong mangga.

One of the signature dishes at Tatung's is Lola's Pampano sa Gata (P760) which follows his Lola Juanita’s recipe. A whole pompano is braised in coconut milk and cooked gently and patiently, carrying her memory with every plate that leaves the kitchen. This is the first time we have eaten pompano cooked this way and we love it.

Another one of my favorites that afternoon was the Corned Beef Singing (P680). This soup comes with house-cured corned beef and seasonal vegetables cooked in a tangy tamarind broth enriched with taro. The beef was absolutely tender and meaty while the broth had that perfect level of sourness.

There are so many fantastic dishes at Tatung's and here's another one. The Calderetang Baka (P690) is enriched with Queso De Bola which transforms this festive food into something meant to be enjoyed every day. The slow-braised beef is cooked in a rich tomato and liver sauce that is also prepared in house. That is what makes it taste different from all the other Calderata dishes I have tried.

The Twice-Cooked Humba (P550), on the other hand, is inspired by Lola Natividad and is the southern Filipino version of the Chinese style braised pork belly. This is prepared with soy, vinegar, garlic, and served with Saba bananas.

For seafood lovers, there's the Pinais na Gindara (P1380). This is a delicate black cod wrapped in banana leaves and cooked with coconut milk, ginger, native herbs.

There's also the Wood-Roasted Beef (P750) with its beef short plate slow roasted over Santol wood for several hours. This is served with pan gravy and mushrooms.

For our dessert, Chef Tatung proudly presented his New York-Cubao Bibingka Cheesecake (P280/slice or P1900 Whole) which bridges two culinary traditions in a single indulgent plate. 

New York meets Cubao with this creamy and coconut-kissed cheesecake crowed with salted egg, fresh grated coconut, and a dusting of muscovado. This is honestly one of the best cheesecakes I have ever had.

We would like to thank Chef Tatung for taking time to show us his newest restaurant venture and serving us his specialty dishes that have been in his family for generations. Tatung's is a great venue to bring your family and friends where you can experience classic and elevated Filipino cuisine at a very charming venue. I will surely be back here with my family.

Tatung's

Upper Ground Floor B, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City

(0945) 844-8853