Filipino Cuisine: Turo-turo
your way through NYC and Jersey City

Food from the Philippines is a spicy blend of cuisines that the country has come in contact with through the centuries. Dishes are now a mix of Malay, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and American flavors. For example, the use of coconut milk as a cooking ingredient is of Malay origin. Lumpia or lumpiang shanghai (similar to spring rolls) and pancit (noodles mixed with pork, shrimps and vegetables) are Chinese in origin. And several Filipino traditional dishes still retain their Spanish names such as mechado (beef with pork fat), menudo (diced meat and potatoes stewed in tomato sauce), and pochero (a blend of pork, cabbage, green beans and other vegetables).

However, according to Asian Food expert Charmaine Solomon, "when families get together their favourite food will be those dishes which owe little, if anything, to outside influences. Even if they were originally borrowed they have been 're-composed', adding new flavours and generally acquiring a new personality."

A popular style of Filipino restaurants is called Turo-turo. Turo-turo is derived from the Tagalog verb turo meaning "to point." Turo-turo is a slang expression for fast food restaurants where customers point to the dish they want to order. Trying Turo-turo is a quick and easy way to taste your way through a wonderful variety of dishes. Here are some great Turo-turo restaurants to try in New York City, Woodside and Jersey City.

The New Manila Foodmart
A small Turo-turo is tucked in the back of this grocery store.

Stasi Pastry Shop

Krystal's Cafe / Stasi Pastry Shop
This place has a small cafe downstairs and a large dining room upstairs. It has both table service and a lunch buffet. A large selection of pastries are featured behind the counter.

Ihawan
"Home of the Best Barbeque in Town," you can buy uncooked food to bring home, or stay and eat in the upstairs dining room.

Perlas ng Silangan
A large restaurant space with table service.

The New Little Quiapo Restaurant
A very friendly little Turo-turo in the back of the shopping center.

Philippine Bread House
This pastry/bread house also serves a few traditional entrees with a small dining room. It is a lot like a local version of Goldilocks, the popular chain restaurant.

Christine's Bake Shop

Monica's Restaurant
"Home of Pancit Palabok," this is a very friendly place. This sit down restaurant has a large dance floor, where the owner Monica holds various events like auditions or flamenco dancing.

Chicken Holiday (was Casa Fernando)
A Turo-turo restaurant.

Fiesta Grill
A large Turo-turo with a dining room.

Maynila
A large Turo-turo with a dining room.

Rowena's Delight and Cakehouse
A nice family Turo-turo near local Filipino churches.

Kabalen

Blue Ribbon Kitchen

Cafe Manila