Cover Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Fogo De Chon)
Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Fogo De Chon)
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Welcome to Foodie Finds! This is an article series by Tatler, chronicling where and what to order according to the food-obsessed
I’ve never quite understood non-foodies. How can one resist the pull of layered spices, familiar aromas and the memories that surface with every bite? Dining is not merely about eating—it is an experience meant to be savoured, discussed and shared. Around the table, we connect: we pass plates, trade stories and learn about one another in ways words alone cannot capture.
A single dish can reveal a person’s roots, a culture’s values, even a nation’s history. Food is heritage and artistry intertwined—shaped by skilled hands honed through years of training, instinct and devotion. From celebrated chefs and rising talents to home cooks and grandmothers who cook from memory and heart, these makers fill our plates with emotion. And in doing so, they remind us why, for food lovers, the search for what and where to eat next is never-ending.
Here, we speak with chef Edward Bugia, a Filipino chef and entrepreneur with close to two decades of experience in the local F&B industry, known for building approachable yet well-loved dining concepts across Metro Manila. He is the chef and part-owner of the quaint coffee shops Bean & Yolk in Alabang and Easter Coffee Club in Antipolo, and the founder of Flipside Burgers, an Oklahoma smashed burger concept with multiple locations around the metro. Beyond his restaurants, Bugia is an active culinary educator and content creator, sharing practical kitchen tips through his YouTube channel and on social media.
Read on to learn about his Foodie Finds:
See also: January 2026 Dining Radar: new restaurants and bars in Metro Manila
Above Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Chairman Fu Hotpot Bar)
Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Chairman Fu Hotpot Bar)
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What restaurants do you enjoy going to on your day off?
Honestly, I love going to different hotpot places! Haidilao and Good Luck Hot Pot are two of my favourites. Chairman Fu also has an excellent selection of sides, while Chao Shan Beef Hotpot is a great option for the bovine lovers out there.
What is a new find you’ve recently discovered and enjoy?
Oh wow, I have to go with Fogo De Chao. Never got to try it in other countries, so this was a revelation for me. My last Brazilian BBQ experience was years ago, so I really appreciated this.
Where do you get your favourite dessert?
I’m an ice cream guy. I used to consult for one of the top ice cream brands in the country, so it became second nature for me to always have a pint in my freezer. Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia is my staple flavour. Big Al’s chocolate cake is also very comforting for us, and we usually have a tin at home.
See also: Modern plates with regional roots: Indian restaurant Agni by Mantra opens in Comuna
Above Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Common Man Coffee Roasters)
Above Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of The Grasshopper Bar)
Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Common Man Coffee Roasters)
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Where is your favourite café? What is your coffee order?
We recently opened our own café called Easter Coffee Club, and it became our mission to try as many cafés in the metro as possible so we could figure out which flavour profile we would be serving in ours. We gravitate towards Common Man and H Proper in Ayala Triangle, while Chapter Coffee in Antipolo became a nice hideaway for us too.
What is your go-to spot for a nightcap?
As a whisky guy, I like going to Lit for a flight of their Japanese selection. For cocktails, you will most probably find me at The Curator or getting a Grasshopper at... Grasshopper (laughs).
What is your favourite restaurant for breakfast or brunch?
I’m a rice and eggs guy. Can’t go wrong with Tapsi ni Vivian or Rodic’s. If I want to be fancy about it, Apero Neo-Bistro along Corinthian Hills is a nice, quiet spot and bonus, they serve Intelligentsia Coffee.
See also: Why Asia does hot desserts better than anyone else
Above Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Apero Neo-Bistro)
Above Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Key Coffee Kissaten)
Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Apero Neo-Bistro)
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What is your favourite restaurant for late-night eats?
You might be sensing a pattern here...I actually like eating in places where you can just go in shorts and tsinelas. I love hunting down the best beef pares spots all over the metro. The Original Pares Mami House in Retiro is definitely up there, while Goto Tendon is also a very good option. There's also a congee place called Yonghe Congee inside a spa along Arnaiz in Makati that's open 24 hours. The selection is fantastic, but just ask them to reheat the food.
Where do you order your favourite Filipino food from?
I have three stand-out Filipino restaurants that I know I can recommend: Lola Ote in QC (get their pork BBQ); Recipes in Podium (order the gising gising!); and Kanin Club in Sta. Rosa (their whole menu is full of bangers!)
Where do you order your favourite bread from?
Masa Madre has some of the best laminated breads in town. I like going to roadside panaderias for my pandesal. My favourite sourdough, though, is from Key Coffee Kissaten! The balance of tart and wheat is just excellent.
See also: 7 knife skills every home cook should master for faster, safer cooking
Above Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Hapag)
Above Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Wolfgang's Steakhouse)
Foodie Finds with chef Edward Bugia (Photo: courtesy of Hapag)
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Where do you go for your favourite steaks or meats?
It really is a toss-up between Mamou and Wolfgang’s Steakhouse. I celebrate in both of these restaurants all the time.
Where do you go for your favourite seafood fix?
Dampa most definitely! Huey Ying, along Macapagal to be exact. They're known for their tempura, but the garlic-butter anything is also excellent.
Where do you go for date night?
When we want to go fancy, my wife and I try to do the various tasting menus across the Metro. Inatô was a revelation. Hapag is our go-to. Seriously though? She’s my hotpot partner-in-crime, so we’re probably eating that too!
Where do you go for your favourite noodles?
Va Bene is really up there when it comes to pasta. Their al nero really opened my eyes to enjoying seafood with my noodles. Sicilian Roast also has a revamped menu and does a really good bottarga pasta. For ramen, I love the Hanamaruken 2.0 that’s located at the Grove by Rockwell. It’s a special branch and their Happiness Ramen has the perfect balance of umami oomph and salinity.
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