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The Sisig Experience
Makati City, Quezon City, Pasig City
Sisig is a quintessential Filipino fare that traditionally consists of a pig’s face (yes, including the snout and ears) and chicken liver, seasoned with calamansi (“kah-la-man-see,” Philippine lime) and chili peppers. It is customarily served on a sizzling plate to make the meat crispier and crunchier, a technique introduced by the late “Sisig Queen” Lucia Cunanan. Nowadays, sisig comes in many variations. Restaurants and even street-side lunch vendors swap out the usual base ingredients for more familiar ones, like pork, chicken, fish, and tofu. Metro Manila offers plenty of options, but we’ve narrowed down some of the city’s best takes on sisig and where to get them. Take this list with you, and prepare for some sisig goodness!
Manam’s House Crispy Sisig is the ideal introduction to the sizzling delicacy. You get all the original scrumptiousness, sans the challenge of eating pig’s face and offal. Every spoonful is packed with chicharon (pork cracklings), garlic, onions, ginger, and chili peppers, making for a flavorful and well-textured bite. Pair it with a cup of steaming hot garlic rice, and you’ve got a dangerously addictive combo!
- +63 2 7625 0515
Level 1, Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City, Philippines
- https://momentgroup.ph/brands/show/manam
Whether you’re at Gerry’s Restaurant and Bar for a family gathering or for drinks with friends, one thing’s for certain: there must be plate of Sizzling Sisig on the table. Gerry’s utilizes the traditional recipe, incorporating chopped pig’s cheeks and ears in their sisig. They also do a sprinkling of soy sauce and calamansi for extra flavor, guaranteeing a balanced, well-seasoned mouthful.
- +6324159514
Tomas Morato corner Eugenio Lopez Street, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- https://www.gerrysgrill.com/ph
Here’s a little secret: Commune Coffee+Bar dishes out a mean off-the-menu sisig! Perfect for non-meat eaters, the cafe uses bangus (“bah-ngoos,” Philippine milkfish) in lieu of pork. The delicious twist is a break from the typically pig-centric fare, yet provides the same satisfaction—or dare we say it, it may even be better!
- +6322756324
36 Polaris corner Durban Streets, Poblacion, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- https://www.commune.ph/
It’s possible to enjoy sisig even when you’re on the go, all thanks to Sisig Hooray’s multiple branches, quick service, and extensive sisig options! Choose between Pork, Chicken, Bangus, Tuna, Squid, or Smokey Steak for your sisig base; and remember to ask for extra chicharon or chili peppers to enhance the flavor. They also have big servings for all variants, so go ahead and order to share with your family or friends!
- +6329421033
Unit 015, Lower Ground Level, Main Wing, Shangri-La Plaza, EDSA corner Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- http://sisighooray.com.ph
Locavore has made a name for itself through innovative takes on classic Filipino food. True enough, their versions of sisig live up to the hype! Try the Fresh Oyster Sisig or the Lechon (suckling pig) and Oyster Sisig, doused in a signature creamy sauce that will have you licking the skillet clean—after checking that it’s not hot anymore, of course.
- +63 917 574 2017
Forbes Town Center, Burgos Circle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- https://www.locavore.ph/
Local celebrity chef JP Anglo brings his Western Visayas roots to the table at Sarsa. Its must-try Inasal Sisig, for example, features roast chicken that’s cooked using a recipe native to the city of Bacolod (the secret ingredient—annatto oil). Sarsa also has Brainy Pork Sisig and Tuna Sisig on the menu, in case you’re up for more sizzling goodness!
- +6326255166
122 Joya Lofts & Towers, Rockwell, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- https://sarsa.ph/
Hear the tantalizing crunch of pork as you gorge on Aysee’s traditional Sizzling Pork Sisig. The joint deep-fries their meat twice to reach crackling perfection; but remember to have your sisig topped with egg for a balance of texture. We’re positive you’ll join Aysee’s cult following as soon as you take that last bite!
- +6326340443
5 Citylane Townhouse, St. Martin, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- http://www.aysee.com
Mesa does one of the best Filipino cuisine spreads in the country, so it’s imperative that you try their remarkable line-up of sisig dishes. Tease yourself with Sisig in a Pouch (deep-fried pork sisig in a wonton wrapper) then move on to the star of the show—Sisig with Egg. Your vegetarian friends won’t feel left out, since Mesa also serves a superb Tofu Sisig!
- +63 917 852 6372
Ground Floor, Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
- https://www.facebook.com/MesaPH/
Crack open a cold one to pair with Dencio’s Krispy Sisig! The classic sizzling dish is made of crisp pork jowl, then generously garnished with red onions for a sweet tang. For a heartier option, order the Macho Sisig Nachos— tortilla chips topped with sisig, and a drizzling of cheese sauce!
- +6324156366
24 Scout Borromeo Street corner Tomas Morato, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- http://www.dencios.com.ph
Head to the jolly jeep (food truck) on Rada Street in Makati City for the best cheap sisig in the metro! For only USD 1, you get a helping of tasty, chewy, crunchy traditional sisig mixed with scrambled eggs and topped with mayonnaise, along with a cup steamed rice. The lines here get pretty long come lunchtime, so start queuing early to get first dibs on a fresh plate!
- +63 917 822 9630
102 Rada, Legazpi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
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