Port of Manila Restaurant

Hidden gem in Hammersmith. Good restaurants are rare in Hammersmith and this is one of the best.

Best Filipino resto in London. The resto is not big but the décor is welcoming and not tacky. I’d recommend the lechon kawali with plain rice for the main course and the world-​renowned halo-​halo for dessert.

Yes ! I finally found a Filipino restaurant that doesn’t involve a bakery or just a buffet style meal. Nothing against those style of restaurant, but I’ve always wondered why Filipino cuisine has never been on any Asian list people consider when they want Asian Food. Most go for the Japanese (Sushi), Thai (Pad Thai,) Chinese (You name it), Vietnamese (Phở– Bun Mi’s), Indian (Curries), and Heck even Korean (BBQ). No one ever says lets get some Filipino food except filipinos. I think part of reason for that is it is very rare to find a «proper» (as they say it here in London) Filipino restaurant. Well here is a restaurant worth going and taking people to for those who want to introduce their friends to Filipino cuisine. I’m all for cooking my native dishes, but I’m still refining my filipino dishes without using a mix to get it more authentic so it is take away or dining in if I’m craving Filipino Food. For those unsure of Filipino food its as bright and lively as the Filipino people that you know. Dishes will have influences from our Spanish, Chinese, and even Native Filipino Indian roots that give Filipino cuisine its variety and flavor.
This little gem is located a short walk from the Hammersmith Tube/​Bus Station in a cute neighborhood. They have an adorable front patio and apparently a banquet room for those special occasions. The restaurant is decorated tastefully and modern with simple Filipino charm. They do serve a buffet on Sundays which they recommend calling ahead to let them know your coming as they mostly serve only a la carte during the rest of the week and ensures that they have a good amount of what your craving for. Large groups are also recommended to call in advance and to even order ahead if they like. However if your on «Filipino» time please be considerate as they are cooking for other guest as well so arrive at your requested reservation slot. (This is my restaurant experience in me talking.) I do hope they bring in some high chairs which would have made it easier to have my little one eat with out having to corral her in to a corner.
Now that I’ve given you most of the facts let get down to the nitty gritty of the yummyness I had for lunch today. We had the Lumpiang Shanghai and Lumpia stuffed with vegetables only (Eggrolls). Both were crisp and fried to perfection served with a sweet chili sauce. My recommendation is to have one of those trays or mini connected plates that has the typical condiments Filipino put on everything (Vinegar, Fish Sauce, Soy Sauce, Shrimp Paste). We also had the Kare Kare which is a oxtail in a peanut sauce, with green beens, eggplant, pak choi, and annatto oil served with shrimp paste on the side. This was what my friend Carmen and I was craving that initiated this hunt for some good Filipino cuisine. We also had Tortang Talong which is an eggplant pan fried with an egg batter and stuffed with ground beef and spring onions. This was new to Carmen, but one my favorites. The edges were crisp and the cooked perfectly. We were too full to have any dessert, but will come again for sure to get some more home cooking.

Sa isang taon na nakatira ako sa London, ito ang paborito kong restawran na Pilipino. Ang paboritong kong ulam nila ay ang Lechon Kawali, palaging malutong ang balat ng baboy, at minsan dinadagdagan nila ng mga chicharon. Ang kanilang Palabok ay ang pinakamasarap na palabok na natikman ko mula pa sa pag-​alis ko sa Pilipinas, labing-​apat na taon na ang nakaraan. Gusto ko rin ang kanilang Bistek Tagalog. Masarap ang Sinigang na Baboy, pero mas gusto ang luto ko :). Palagi rin silang nagsasama ng mga sawsawan na bagay sa mga ulam na kinuha mo. Sa kabuuan, masarap at magaling ang pagluto ng lahat ng pagkain na nasubukan ko, at nasasabik akong bumalik para makasubok ako ang iba nilang mga luto.
Kung meyron akong reklamo, ito ay ang katagalan ng paghain ng pagkain, kasi (siguro) lahat ay lutong sariwa.
Medyo nahirapan akong hanapin ang restawran sa una kong bisita, pero sulit talaga.
(Pasensya na kung mahirap akong maintindihan, matagal na akong hindi nagsusulat sa Tagalog)