Our first time to have lunch at Lechoneria!
It’s 25 days before Christmas, and with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season starting to set in, we finally found the time to gather as a family for a much-needed Sunday Famday. The day was extra special because we also celebrated Ykaie’s birthday! November has been a whirlwind of activities, and it’s only now that we managed to catch a breather and spend some quality time together. And of course, the highlight of any Famday is always the food!
It was a bit tricky deciding where to eat. Twinkle was, as usual, pushing for Samgyupsal. She has this obsession with Korean BBQ and insists it’s her “favorite food daw” (as if she hasn’t said that a thousand times before). So, we started our search with Fantastic Baka, a place we’ve been to before for that endless lettuce and tasty grilled meats. However, much to our disappointment, they’ve changed their policy! Instead of the usual unlimited lettuce, now they only serve one serving. Talk about a bummer, right? Not sure how we were supposed to survive on just one serving of lettuce with all that BBQ, so we quickly scratched that off the list.
Next up, we tried Sumo Niku, hoping for a good yakiniku experience. But there was a catch – the restaurant only had tables that seated four people, and since our group had six, it didn’t quite work out. After a bit of back-and-forth, we realized that Ykaie had been eyeing Lechoneria as we passed by. “How about lechon?” she suggested. We all agreed that lechon sounded like a great idea, and so off we went to satisfy our cravings.
Starting Strong with Appetizers
We kicked off the meal with a couple of appetizers that got everyone excited for what was to come. First, we had Dynamite Lumpia. If you haven’t tried this before, it’s a must! These spring rolls are made from chili peppers stuffed with a savory meat filling. They’re crunchy, tasty, and pack quite a spicy punch, making them a perfect snack or appetizer to start off our meal. The balance of spice and crunch was perfect, and it definitely got our appetites going.
Next up was the Lumpiang Ubod Duo (₱285). If you’re a fan of fresh and light flavors, this one’s for you. Lumpiang Ubod is made from the heart of palm (ubod ng niyog), and this dish came with a twist – one was fresh and the other fried. The fresh lumpia was served with a sweet sauce, while the fried one came with a garlic vinegar dip. The contrast between the fresh, slightly sweet flavor and the savory crunch of the fried lumpia was a real treat.
Lechon, the Star of the Show
By this point, we were all pretty hungry, and the main event was finally here – Lechon! If there’s one thing that will make any Filipino meal special, it’s lechon, right? We couldn’t resist the Lechon Baka (Beef Belly). A quarter kilo set us back around ₱700++, but it was worth every peso. The beef belly was tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection with that irresistible, fatty cut that we all love. It was smoky, flavorful, and packed a punch – everything you could ever want from a lechon.
We also tried the Lechoneria Lechon Belly Tanglad Espesyal (S – ₱460), and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The tanglad (lemongrass) infused the lechon with a fresh, fragrant aroma that perfectly complemented the rich, savory flavors of the belly. The meat was so soft, it almost melted in your mouth, and that crispy skin? Simply divine!
Sides and More Sides
No lechon meal is complete without some good sides, and we made sure to add some variety to our table. We had Laing (₱375), a classic Bicolano dish made from dried taro leaves cooked in coconut milk. It was creamy, spicy, and utterly comforting – the perfect foil to the richness of the lechon.
We also ordered Papaitan (₱435) , a traditional Filipino stew made with beef innards and a mix of bitter flavors. For those who love bold, unique flavors, Papaitan is an acquired taste that’s hard to beat. It was savory with a slight bitterness that balanced out the heaviness of the lechon and gave us something different to savor.
To wash all that down, we had the House-Shaken Iced Tea (₱130), which was refreshing and just the right amount of sweetness to balance the bold flavors of the meal.
Twinkle was very happy with her new set of Littlest pet Shop toys and they get a photo with the iced tea.. LOL!
A Feast to Remember
It was definitely one of those meals where you leave the table feeling completely satisfied but already planning your next visit. There’s something so comforting and enjoyable about sharing a big, delicious meal with the people you love, and Lechoneria really made this Sunday Famday extra special.
As the Christmas season approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos and forget to take a moment to enjoy the simple pleasures in life – like family, good food, and great conversations. And on this Sunday, with Mama Lucy, Papa Sony, and everyone else gathered around the table, it was the perfect reminder of what truly matters.
So, if you’re ever in the mood for some mouthwatering lechon, delicious sides, and a cozy family atmosphere, I highly recommend you give Lechoneria a try. It’s a gem for sure! And hey, it might just become your new go-to spot for future Famday celebrations!
Lechoneria is located at Lower GF, Parkway Bldg SM Fairview, Quezon City.
