The Soul of Filipino Cuisine
A culinary tradition shaped by centuries of trade, culture, and celebration — brought to Wellington at 24 Allen Street.
What is Filipino Food?
Filipino cuisine is one of Asia's best kept secrets. It is a vibrant tapestry woven from Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American influences, creating a flavour profile unlike anything else in the world. Every dish tells a story of island life, family gatherings, and the Filipino spirit of generosity.
At its heart, Filipino food is about balance. Sweet meets sour in adobo. Rich coconut milk tempers the heat of chillies in Bicol Express. Tangy tamarind broth cuts through the richness of pork belly in sinigang. These are flavours designed to be shared around a table, family-style.
For many New Zealanders, Filipino cuisine is a new frontier. That's exactly why we opened Fiesta Capital on Allen Street: to share the dishes we grew up with, the ones that remind us of home, and to invite you into a culinary tradition that will surprise and delight you.
"In the Philippines, food is love made visible. Every meal is a fiesta."
The Five Pillars of Filipino Taste
Filipino cuisine dances between these bold flavours, often layering several into a single dish.
Vinegar and citrus are the backbone of Filipino cooking. From adobo to kinilaw, sourness brightens and preserves.
Caramelised sugars, tropical fruits, and coconut cream bring a lush sweetness to beloved desserts and mains alike.
Fermented fish paste, soy sauce, and bagoong add layers of savoury umami depth to every meal.
From labuyo chillies to vinegar dipping sauces, heat is used as an accent, not an assault.
Slow-braised meats, fermented shrimp paste, and toasted garlic create a deep, satisfying richness.
Start Your Filipino Journey
Not sure where to begin? These iconic dishes are the perfect introduction for first-timers.
Chicken Adobo
Adobong Manok
The unofficial national dish. Chicken braised in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves until meltingly tender. Every Filipino family has their own recipe.
Sinigang
Sinigang na Baboy
A soul-warming tamarind sour soup with pork belly and fresh vegetables. Often called the "Filipino hug in a bowl," perfect for Wellington winters.
Lechon Kawali
Crispy Pork Belly
Deep-fried pork belly with impossibly crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. Served with a vinegar dipping sauce that cuts through the richness perfectly.
Kare-Kare
Peanut Stew
A rich oxtail and vegetable stew in a velvety peanut sauce, served with fermented shrimp paste. Celebratory, comforting, unforgettable.
Pancit Canton
Stir-Fried Noodles
Egg noodles stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and a savoury soy-citrus sauce. A staple at every Filipino gathering, symbolising long life.
Halo-Halo
Mix-Mix
The ultimate tropical dessert: shaved ice layered with sweet beans, jellies, ube ice cream, leche flan, and more. A joyful celebration in a glass.
Filipino Food by the Numbers
Islands
The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,641 islands, each contributing unique regional specialties to the national cuisine.
Years of Spanish Influence
Over three centuries of Spanish colonisation shaped dishes like caldereta, mechado, and the beloved lechon.
Next Big Cuisine
Filipino food is consistently named by global food critics as the "next big Asian cuisine" to break through worldwide.
Ways to Adobo
There's no single adobo recipe. Every province, every family, every lola has their own version, and every single one is the best.
Your First Filipino Fiesta Awaits
Whether you're a seasoned Filipino food lover or trying it for the very first time, we'd love to welcome you to our table at 24 Allen Street.