A Taste of Home: What’s on Rowena Romulo’s Foodie Bucket List in the Philippines?

The vast menu offering spans morning bites like ube-coconut pandesal to hearty classics, casual barbecue picks, and artisanal Pinoy cocktails, creating that welcoming come-as-you-are atmosphere any time of day. The celebration of Filipino culture seeps through to the restaurant’s lively interiors, with a colourful rainforest mural as its centrepiece—inspired by the epic poem, Ibong Adarna. Whereas Romulo Café & Restaurant serves as a treasured artefact of traditional Filipino dishes perfected by the Romulo family, the restaurateur elucidates that Kasa and Kin serves “contemporary Filipino flavours, inspired by our collective experiences growing up in Manila and living abroad.”

Although F&B may not have been her first pursuit, Romulo’s ever-growing passion for championing our cuisine is undeniable. “By offering both traditional and contemporary takes on Filipino dishes, I hope to make the food as approachable as possible, whilst honestly showcasing the unique flavours of the Philippines,” she declares.

Find out what she yearns for the most from the Philippine food scene, below:

See also: The Food Evangelists: Meet The People Promoting Filipino Cuisine Across The Globe

What do you miss most on the food/drink front when you are away from the Philippines or haven’t been back for a while?

Owning two Filipino restaurants in London has its perks, as my chefs are able to prepare both classic and contemporary dishes that I crave from time to time. So what I miss the most would be our fruits like santol, mangosteen, guava, lanzones, siniguelas, pomelo to name a few, which are hard if not impossible to find in London.

What is the first dish you want to eat when you return, and where do you go for it?

I am not a breakfast person, but when I return home I wouldn’t mind a hearty Filipino breakfast consisting of my sister’s ribeye tapa, homemade chorizo, suman sa ibos from Dumaguete, garlic rice, and hot chocolate.

Do you have a favourite restaurant in the Philippines? For fine dining and for more casual experiences?

It goes without saying that Romulo Café is one of my favourite restaurants in the Philippines. I will always get my fix of good old fashioned Filipino food that I enjoyed growing up in our family home called Kasiyahan. Other than this, our consistent go-to spots are Colin Mackay’s concepts: Sala Bistro, People’s Palace, and Blackbird [at the Nielson Tower].

See also: A Love That Lasts: F&B Tastemakers Share Why They Love The Philippines

If you have visitors/guests with you, where do you go to give them a real taste of the Philippines?

We tend to entertain visitors and guests at my sister’s restaurant, Romulo Café. This way we can always have an intimate affair and can tailor the menu based on our guests’ preferences or dietary requirements.

Where do you like to meet up with old friends for food/drinks in the Philippines?

When I come to visit the family and we stay in Manila, I tend to hang out at the Manila Polo Club. It’s close to where I live, and I like to spend the day at the swimming pool and the gym and then relax and meet with old friends at the Cogon Village or the Polo Club East Terrace.

Do you have a favourite bar and/or café in the Philippines?

I always enjoyed spending an evening at Strumm’s listening to my favourite band 8Track, but sadly they are currently closed. Otherwise, it would be the Salon de Ning at The Peninsula, Manila or Raffles’ Long Bar in Makati.

See also: A Taste of Home: Chef Jay Tugas Reminisces About the Philippine Nightlife

Any other must-visit food/drink spots when you are back?

There are always new and trendy foodie spots opening in Manila and hopefully, I will be able to try at least some of these new places when I am next back. I have been meaning to try Denlim’s Kitchen in Pampanga. I heard good things about this private dining destination. I would also love to go back to Antonio’s restaurant in Tagaytay.

Do you take any food or treats back home with you from the Philippines?

My daughter likes dried mangoes, so I always try to bring back some for her. Other treats may include polvoron, piaya, pastillas de leche, and various ube products.

Where do you go to find authentic flavours of home where you live?

With two restaurants in London, I am able to find the most authentic flavours of home from our various Asian suppliers. Otherwise, there are always the supermarkets in Earl Court that carry a range of Filipino products.

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