Good food, guaranteed!
San Juan, as a food haven, may not be as popular as Maginhawa, Kapitolyo, or even Legaspi, but it holds some of the most interesting and delicious eats you can find in the metro.
As much as we like to keep these gems our dirty little secret, everyone deserves to know where to get good food. Without further ado, here are some of San Juan’s best-kept secret finds.
Hai Chix & Steaks – Missouri St.
Hai Chix & Steaks is a dining concept where East meets West. It is an Asian fusion restaurant specializing in steaks and Hainanese chicken. It’s for everyone craving some Asian and American specialties without having to visit 2 different restaurants. It’s not for vegetarians. We recommend their bestselling U.S. Angus Ribeye and the Hainanese Chicken Rice. Our insider tip: Have your steaks cooked medium.
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#6 Missouri St., Northeast Greenhills, San Juan
(02) 696-3358
Tori Tori Kushiyaki Bar – Addition Hills
Tori Tori Kushiyaki Bar is an affordable Japanese place that is mostly known for their yakitori and kushiyaki – skewered meat and vegetables. They’re all about simplicity and authenticity for they want customers to experience a taste of real Japan.
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197 Wilson St, Addition Hills, San Juan
(0977) 795-0010
HotBox Kitchen – Wilson St.
HotBox specializes in Canadian rustic comfort food, with their homemade smoked bacon and sausages. Recommended dishes include Double Smoked Candied Bacon Crisps, Apple Wood Smoked Sausage Skillet, and Poutine.
No reservations accepted
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450 CP Guevarra cor Wilson St, San Juan
(02) 275-4577
Thirsty Barber – Wilson St.
Thirsty Barber is a new neighborhood barbershop and speakeasy bar that serves bar chow, rice meals, specialty cocktails, beer, and more. Read our full feature here.
Reservations are accepted
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G/F Promenade Building, Wilson St., cor P. Guevarra St., Addition Hills, San Juan
(0977) 360-8130
Darwin Dimsum – Little Baguio
Darwin Dimsum is a hole-in-the-wall Chinese place that serves a wide variety of affordable dimsum, noodles, and a few rice meals. What makes them different than the others is that they have specialty Hello Kitty hakaw, panda vegetable buns, and Mickey Mouse radish cakes! Read our full feature here.
No reservations accepted
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2/F TNA Building, #17 J. Abad Santos St, Little Baguio, San Juan
(0917) 810-1347
Flavors of Taiwan – Little Baguio
Flavors of Taiwan is one of Little Baguio’s hidden gems, offering authentic and affordable Taiwanese cuisine. Some of their must-tries include xiao long bao, five-flavored squid, fried pork chop, beef noodle soup, and more.
Also read: 11 Most Underrated Taiwanese Restaurants in Metro Manila
No reservations accepted
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20 General Vicente Lim St cor General de Jesus St, Little Baguio, San Juan
(02) 547-8593
CO/OP Manila – A. Mabini Street
Co/Op, short for “cooperation”, is a collaborative project by cousins Polly Caragay, Christine Lee and Michelle Chan. This converted house is a lifestyle cafe and a hipster’s haven for imported and local kitschy items, furniture and home decor, and more importantly, coffee and desserts.
No reservations accepted
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189 A. Mabini Street, San Juan
(02) 925-5885
Cafe Sanso – Little Baguio
Cafe Sanso is a small cafe serving Spanish specialties such as chorizo platters, paella, callos and churros. It serves as an ode to Juvenal Sanso, an internationally-renowned painter. Check out the Sanso Museum next door!
No reservations accepted
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32 V Cruz St. Little Baguio, San Juan
(0922) 894-6144
Choi Hung Roasts – Little Baguio
Choi Hung Roasts is one of Little Baguio’s hidden gems, specializing in roast duck and pork asado.
No reservations accepted
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243 J. Abad Santos Street, Little Baguio, San Juan
(02) 925-3553
Little Store on the Hill – Little Baguio
Not many are familiar with this place, but Little Store on the Hill is a specialty shop that offers unique delicacies like sauces, canned goods, spices, and also has a small dining area inside. Expect good and affordable Asian eats here like maki mi, dimsum, lumpia, and more.
No reservations accepted
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2 Jose Abad Santos St, Little Baguio, San Juan
(02) 721-9174
Wu Xiang Restaurant – Little Baguio
Wu Xiang is a Chinese chicken specialty restaurant that serves some of our Chinese favorites, but takes pride in their chicken dishes. Try the sincerity fried chicken, 3 cups chicken, frog legs, and more.
No reservations accepted
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213- A Ebanez St. cor Abad Santos, Little Baguio, San Juan
(02) 722-5438
Mien San Noodle House – Greenhills
Mien San is a classic noodle house serving Taiwanese specialties. Must tries include their beef noodles, fried siopao and spicy wantons.
No reservations accepted
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Unit C, Fox Square Bldg, 53 Connecticut St, Greenhills, San Juan
(02) 532-6368
Mala Tang – Little Baguio
Mala Tang is a Chinese spot specializing in Hong Kong Roast and Shabu-Shabu. Must-try dishes include their Roasted Duck, White Chicken, and their Make Your Own Shabu-Shabu.
No reservations accepted
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207 Jose Abad Santos St, Little Baguio , San Juan
(02) 503-3550
For more options, search for ‘SAN JUAN‘ on the Booky app to view the complete list of restaurants with their corresponding menu, location, and contact details. Celebrate your best food moments with us by tagging us on Instagram @bookyapp and by using our hashtag, #bookymanila for a chance to be featured on our page and on the blog.
