Feast of Dishes Coming to Filipino Food Week Starting Oct. 15

Chicken inasal, short rib cansi, pancit molo and plenty of ube: 18 restaurants are creating Ilonggo specials Oct. 15 to 21.

October 7, 2024

Eric Baranda,

assortment of dishes for Filipino Food Week

Basalt’s Filipino Food Week dinner prix fixe. Photo: Courtesy of Basalt

Hawai’i’s 6th Filipino Food Week happens just in time to celebrate Filipino American History Month in October, with 18 restaurants serving up special dishes around a new theme. This year’s spotlight is on Ilonggo cuisine, focusing Iloilo in the Visayas region of the Philippines.

This is no random choice. Iloilo is known as the “Festival Capital of the Philippines” and hosts the Dinagyang Festival, where vivid costumes and dances fill the streets of Iloilo City each January. During Filipino Food Week, restaurants and chefs will bring this same energy to your plates with dishes that celebrate Ilonggo culinary traditions and Filipino ingredients, including Chicken Inasal and Short Rib Cansi.

Chicken inasal is a specialty that’s marinated in a blend of calamansi, pepper, coconut vinegar and annatto, then grilled over hot coals as it’s basted with the flavorful marinade. After Iloilo City was named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2023, the city listed Chicken Inasal as one of its offerings. Merienda Maui, Roy’s Hawai‘i/Eating House 1849, Shen-J Restaurant, and Tiki’s Grill & Bar will all serve their own versions of this favorite.

Cansi is a savory Iloilo beef soup made with beef shank and bone marrow that are slow-cooked until tender and flavorful. Joey Macadangdang’s Maui restaurants Balai Pata and Joey’s Kitchen will be putting their own spin on this classic, with Short Rib Cansi as their highlight.

Twelve of the 18 restaurants in the weeklong event by the Philippine Consul General in Honolulu are on Oahu, five are on Maui, and one is in American Samoa. Here’s what each one is featuring from Oct. 15 to 21. We’ll add the final specials when those restaurants send them in. Prices are included when available.

Balai Pata

Kahului, Maui

Short Ribs Cansi with rice noodles and bok choy, $25

425 Koloa St., (808) 727-2230, balaipatahi.com, @balaipata

Basalt

Waikīkī

Dinner Prix Fixe for 2, available 5 to 9 p.m. for dine-in only, $90

Hamachi Kinilaw: Filipino-style ceviche with onions, tomatoes, cane sugar vinegar, chiles
Ginaatang Kalabasa Nicoise Salad: Poached shrimp, crab meat, chicharon, local tomatoes, kabocha, green beans, coconut pumpkin vinaigrette
Chicken Inasal with Garlic Fried Rice: Filipino-style barbecue chicken marinated in lemon grass, citrus, vinegar and achiote, served with atsara
Kakanin and Flan Sampler: Ube Flan, Basalt Charcoal Puto with Cheese, Brown Sugar Biko

2255 Kūhiō Ave., (808) 923-5689, basaltwaikiki.com, @basaltwaikiki

Chef Chai

Kaka‘ako

Family-Style Dinner for Two or More, minimum 2 people, seatings at 5 to 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., $65 per person

Grilled Talaba
Grilled Oyster with Garlic Butter and Cheese
Pinirito na Bawang Pusit
Squid with Garlic, Shallot, Ginger and Tomato
Pancit Molo
Chinese Dumpling with Pork Broth, Shredded Pork, Scallions and Fried Garlic
Filipino Nilaga
Braised Beef Shank, Tendon, Heart and Tripe with a touch of citrus and Chili
Crispy Fried Pampano Served with Spicy Banana Ketchup Sauce
Steamed Rice
Dessert: Turon a la Mode with vanilla ice cream, apple banana and jackfruit wrapped with lumpia wrappers, fried and coated with caramel

1009 Kapi‘olani Blvd,. (808) 585-0011, chefchai.com, @chefchaipacifica

Joey’s Kitchen

Lahaina, Maui

Short Ribs Cansi with rice noodles and bok choy, $25

2435 Ka‘anapali Parkway, (808) 727-2230, joeyskitchenhimaui.com, @joeyskitchenhi

Magnolia Ice Cream & Treats

Kalihi

Macapuno Ice Cream topped with kūlolo and Rice Krispies

1210 Dillingham Blvd., (808) 845-4063, magnoliatreats.com/home

Max’s Restaurant

Kalihi

Chicken Binakol

801 Dillingham Blvd., (808) 793-5512, maxsrestaurant.com/dillingham, @maxshawaii

Merienda Maui

‘Aiea

Chicken Inasal and Ube Horchata

98-1005 Moanalua Road, meriendamaui.com, @merienda.maui

MW Restaurant

Kaka‘ako

Upscale filipino dish for filipino food week

Photo: Courtesy of MW Restaurant

Crispy Pork Chicharron with garlic fried rice, onion and tomato salad, $42

888 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 955-6505, mwrestaurant.com, @mwrestaurant

Obake

Chinatown

TBD

1112 Smith St., (808) 583-3092, obakehonolulu.com, @obakehonolulu

‘Ōlena by Chef Ron Simon

Iwilei

Adobo pork bowl with white rice, pineapple coleslaw and Filipino lemonade, $20

Dole Cannery Food Court, 650 Iwilei Road, (808) 745-7777, olenahi.com, @olenahi

Eating House 1849

Waikīkī

Chicken Inasal with garlic compound butter, calamansi soy, natural jus
Halo Halo with pandan panna cotta, strawberry + pineapple ice, Dave’s Ube Ice Cream
Ube-lieve in Paradise: Hamakua ube, coconut cream, pineapple juice
Tagay Tai: Especia Spiced Rum, ginger elixir, dark rum float, pineapple juice

2330 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 924-1849, royyamaguchi.com/eatinghouse1849-waikiki, @eatinghouse1849