Filipinx food isn’t the *most* vegan-friendly of international cuisines (many traditional dishes like adobo and lumpia are made with meat), but things are changing slowly. In the US, for example, plenty of incredible chefs and restaurateurs are making traditional dishes plant-based, infusing them with culturally relevant ingredients and flavors, and showing that skipping out on animal products doesn’t mean giving up familiar foods and traditions. Find some of our go-to vegan-friendly Filipinx restaurants below.
Chef Reina
1 Chef Reina
Brisbane, CA
Chef Reina Montenegro was the force behind the San Francisco vegan mini-chain Nick’s Kitchen, but while the three restaurants in that company have now closed, Montenegro is still going strong. The Filipina chef now runs another popular eatery called Chef Reina, where she specializes in delicious “Filipino favorites” made vegan. Check out options like the Sizzling Sisig, Ube Pancakes, Tocilog with mock pork, and so much more.
Find it here
San & Wolves
2 San & Wolves Bakeshop
Long Beach, CA
These eye-catching baked goods from Kym Estrada have been popping up all over our Instagram feeds. From ube mochi butter bars to cheez putos (traditional Filipinx steamed rice cakes topped with a strip of vegan cheddar) and halo-halo turon (a sweet take on spring rolls), there is no shortage of dreamy sweets at this Southern California-based bakeshop.
Find it here
No Worries Vegan Cuisine
3 No Worries Vegan Cuisine
Bay Area, CA
This family-owned catering company and food truck has operated out of the Bay Area for over 10 years. The menu is inspired by Chef Jay-Ar Pugao’s mother, Rebecca Pugao, and features family recipes for dishes such as lumpia, pancit, vegan fried shrimp, and sarciado (deep-fried soy fish in a thick sauce of sautéed tomatoes, onion, crumbled tofu, soy sauce, pepper, and lemon juice).
Find it here
Instagram/@noella.jpg
4 OG Lola’s
Pensacola, FL
This Las Vegas-based pop-up and catering company is owned and operated by queer women of color and dishes up some seriously tasty eats. From lumpia and crispy mushroomsto mango chia pudding—you won’t want to miss its weekly pop-ups! The truck now has a permanent spot at The Pensacola Liberation Center.
Find it here
Salamat Vegan
5 Salamat Vegan
Los Angeles and Orange County, CA
Keep an eye on Salamat Vegan’s socials to find out where this top-quality vegan Filipinx pop-up is going to be next. Operating between Los Angeles and Orange County, expect to feast on delicious plant-based versions of traditional dishes like lumpia and siopao (a fluffy steamed bun usually filled with meat).
Find it here
BigBoi
6 BigBoi
Los Angeles, CA
This Filipinx hotspot might not be totally vegan, but you should still add it to your must-visit list. The menu includes outstanding plant-based versions of Filipinx classics, including Beyond Longanisa (a traditional Filipinx smoked sausage made with Beyond Meat) and Plant-Based Spam.
Find it here
Senor Sisig
7 Senor Sisig
Multiple locations
Senor Sisig has multiple restaurants and food trucks across California, all of which specialize in serving up the diner’s next-level Filipinx food. Again, it’s not a vegan spot, but it does have a plant-based option for all of its menu items, including the California Sisig Burrito. Just make sure to ask for the vegan version (which comes with tofu) when you order.
Find it here
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Shop
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahmclaughlin) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food.
