Vlad Bunoan

Glai Frederick, owner of Perley Express, stands in front of her Filipino food truck, which brings traditional flavors to communities across Arizona

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772530730895Photo 1.jpeg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Customers gather at Halo-Halo Kitchen, enjoying a variety of Filipino dishes as the restaurant continues to attract diners from diverse cultural backgrounds"/>Customers gather at Halo-Halo Kitchen, enjoying a variety of Filipino dishes as the restaurant continues to attract diners from diverse cultural backgrounds</div>ARIZONA — Filipino cuisine is steadily gaining recognition across the United States, introducing bold flavors and rich culinary traditions to diners from diverse cultural backgrounds. From longtime food enthusiasts to curious newcomers, more Americans are discovering that Filipino dishes offer not just comfort, but a deeper appreciation of the culture behind every meal.In Arizona, that growing interest is evident inside Filipino-owned restaurants welcoming customers from various communities.<div>Halo-halo and home-style flavors</div>Halo-Halo Kitchen, one of the more established Filipino restaurants in the United States, continues to attract diverse diners exploring the cuisine.“Halo-Halo Kitchen is family-owned, and we’re especially known for our halo-halo. We have different kinds of customers — Filipinos, Africans, Americans, Vietnamese and more. Our customers are halo-halo now, just like the name of our restaurant,” said Susan Bulos, owner of Halo-Halo Kitchen.The restaurant is widely known for halo-halo, a colorful shaved-ice dessert layered with sweet beans, fruits, leche flan, and ube, often serving as an introduction to Filipino cuisine for new diners.Customers say both the food and atmosphere keep them coming back.“The food is very good. I tried the beef steak, menudo, tapsilog, and of course the halo-halo. Unbelievably delicious. I’ll be back for sure,” said Bill, a customer.“I love coming here, especially now that it is newly renovated. It’s very spacious, and I love the atmosphere. It’s a great place to bring family and friends to enjoy Filipino food,” said Don Lee, a customer.“Over the past years, my favorites have been the pork adobo, pancit, halo-halo, and cassava cake. It’s a beautiful culture,” said Eren, who often visits the restaurant.Bulos added that their customer base reflects a wide mix of cultures.“We have Filipinos, Americans, Africans, Vietnamese, and Mexicans. Our customers really love the halo-halo,” she said.For Filipino-Americans, the flavors evoke authenticity and nostalgia.<div>“Delicious &#x27;yung mga food. Parang Pilipinas lang talaga,” another customer shared. <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772530790933Photo 2.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Owners, staff, and customers of Kusina Cuisine pose together inside the restaurant, highlighting the growing community support for Filipino cuisine."/>Owners, staff, and customers of Kusina Cuisine pose together inside the restaurant, highlighting the growing community support for Filipino cuisine.</div><div>Buffet favorites and weekend dining</div>When it comes to Filipino buffet dining, Kusina Filipino Cuisine has become a go-to destination on weekends, drawing families and groups eager to sample a variety of traditional dishes.“We welcome customers from many different backgrounds to experience Filipino heritage through our food,” said Sophia Cueto, a representative of Kusina Filipino Cuisine.Buffet favorites include lechon kawali, palabok, lumpia, sinigang, and other classic Filipino offerings.“We really like the lechon kawali and palabok,” one diner said.“The lumpia and sinigang are really good. Everything is good,” another added.For many non-Filipino diners, the buffet format makes Filipino cuisine more approachable, allowing them to explore multiple dishes in one visit.<div>Cebu-style lechon draws customers from across the Valley</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772530844435Photo 3.jpeg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="ABS-CBN News correspondent John Saavedra with Lutong Bahay owner Grace Go as they showcase and sample the restaurant’s well-known lechon."/>ABS-CBN News correspondent John Saavedra with Lutong Bahay owner Grace Go as they showcase and sample the restaurant’s well-known lechon.</div>Meanwhile, Lutong Bahay is best known for its Cebu-style lechon, a signature dish that continues to draw customers craving authentic flavors.“We started in 2007, and Cebu-style lechon is our specialty. Through our lechon and other dishes, customers from Romania, various Asian communities, Micronesia, and many other backgrounds have discovered Filipino food,” said Grace Go, owner of Lutong Bahay.Customers say the dish is worth the drive.“I drove all the way from Glendale just to get lechon. It’s so crunchy. It tastes like home,” said Neri, who traveled across the Valley for the specialty.Traditionally paired with vinegar, though some prefer liver sauce, lechon has gained popularity beyond the Filipino community and remains one of the most recognized Filipino dishes among new diners.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772530874737Photo 4.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Glai Frederick, owner of Perley Express, stands in front of her Filipino food truck, which brings traditional flavors to communities across Arizona"/>Glai Frederick, owner of Perley Express, stands in front of her Filipino food truck, which brings traditional flavors to communities across Arizona</div><div>Filipino flavors on wheels</div>Beyond brick-and-mortar restaurants, Filipino cuisine is also reaching new audiences through food trucks like Perley Express.“We travel all over the Valley bringing Filipino favorites like lumpia, pancit, and barbecue. We’re proud that more Americans are loving Filipino food,” said Glai Frederick, owner of Perley Express.Kevin, who was picking up food for coworkers, said the growing interest reflects a willingness to try something different.“They don’t usually go out of their way to try something new, so the fact that they’re getting this today shows it must be really good,” he said.<div>A growing culinary presence</div>As Filipino cuisine continues to expand its reach across the United States, it reflects a broader openness among American diners to explore global flavors and cultural traditions.From adobo and lechon to halo-halo, Filipino dishes are increasingly becoming part of America’s evolving culinary landscape.For many in the Filipino community, that recognition carries quiet pride. Recipes once shared primarily within Filipino households are now being embraced across cultures — a sign that Filipino food has secured a meaningful and respected place at the American table.

Filipino cuisine is steadily gaining recognition across the United States, introducing bold flavors and rich culinary traditions to diners from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Filipino cuisine is steadily gaining recognition across the United States, introducing bold flavors and rich culinary traditions to diners from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Arizona diners are embracing the bold flavors of Filipino cuisine

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Arizona diners are embracing the bold flavors of Filipino cuisine

ABS-CBN News,

John Saavedra

Published March 03, 2026 06:09 PM PHT

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Updated March 03, 2026 06:16 PM PHT

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