3 restaurants serving Nilaga
Bergenfield, NJ
“Asian American Food Mart has earned legendary status in Bergen County for serving what many consider the best turon in New Jersey. This family-run establishment combines a traditional Filipino turo-turo with a small grocery section, offering customers the chance to point to their favorite dishes from a selection of authentic Filipino fare. The mart's signature turon�"deep-fried banana wrapped in spring roll wrapper and glazed with caramel�"is so beloved that customers drive from as far as Massachusetts and order 30 to 50 pieces at a time for parties and gatherings. Operating as a typical turo-turo where customers point to their preferred dishes, the establishment offers comfort foods like adobo, sinigang, nilaga, pansit noodles, and fried fish in a warm atmosphere that feels like eating at grandma's house.”
Oakland, CA
“Tipunan has earned recognition as the Bay Area's best authentic Filipino comfort food restaurant, operating from Oakland Food Hall's ghost kitchen facility while maintaining exceptional quality that rivals dine-in establishments. Founded by wife-and-wife team Jojo Cansino and Executive Chef Kai-Torres Cansino, this woman-owned restaurant emerged from a pandemic-era pivot when Chef Kai began sharing her home cooking commercially. The name "Tipunan" references the revolutionary organization that fought for Philippine independence, suggesting the restaurant's mission to bring authentic Filipino food to prominence. Chef Kai, who hails from Pampanga (the Philippines' culinary capital), brings generational cooking knowledge and a perfectionist's palate to every dish, earning comparisons to customers' own family recipes-the highest compliment in Filipino food culture. Their signature dishes include perfectly soured pork rib sinigang, crispy pork belly kare-kare with peanut sauce served separately to maintain crispiness, and pork sisig that captures authentic Filipino flavors without fusion compromises. The menu spans classic Filipino comfort foods from hearty nilaga beef soup to sweet Filipino spaghetti, chicken inasal, and breakfast silogs. Desserts like turon (caramelized banana lumpia) and bilo-bilo showcase traditional Filipino sweets. Featured by KQED as the best Filipino restaurant in the Bay Area, Tipunan earned this distinction through unwavering commitment to classic preparations that honor Filipino culinary traditions. Chef Kai stresses she's "not a fan of fusion," instead focusing on the authentic flavors that connect the Filipino diaspora to their heritage while introducing others to genuine Filipino home cooking at its finest.”
Hamilton Township, NJ
“Kusina Ni Inang honors the memory of Ising Jordan (Inang), a beloved cook from La Paz, Tarlac Province, whose passion for authentic Filipino cuisine lives on through family recipes perfected over generations. Founded to share Inang's cherished cooking traditions with Hamilton Township and Central Jersey, the restaurant serves traditional Filipino favorites including BBQ pork, sweet and sour cod fish, and sweet plantain rolls in a cafeteria-style setting with quick, friendly service. The restaurant's name translates to "Inang's Kitchen," reflecting its mission to deliver home-cooked Filipino meals that feel like dining with family. With generous portions, reasonable prices, and a welcoming atmosphere, Kusina Ni Inang has become a destination for both Filipino families seeking authentic tastes of home and adventurous eaters discovering nilagang baka, pork binagoongan, and other regional specialties. The restaurant also features a small retail section with Filipino snacks and ingredients.”
