Joanna Marie O. Santos
June 30, 2022

Do you believe lugaw is essential?   Before becoming an internet meme/trend during the pandemic, lugaw has always been a part of Filipino food culture as comfort food that you can eat during the rainy season or even on days when you’re feeling down. A bowl of lugaw will definitely cheer you up with its nostalgic flavor. Some restaurants in the Metro take this comfort food to the next level by adding toppings that are unique in a way that you’ll want to come back for another bite.   That said, here are five of the best places in Metro Manila to get your lugaw fix for when you’re feeling the blues or if you’re looking for a piping hot bowl amid the rainy season.  

5 Best Places in the Metro to Get Your Lugaw Fix

Goto Tendon

  Goto Tendon is the brainchild of Jenny and John Peñaloza, who wanted to share their heritage with the public. The recipe that they use that sets their goto apart from others is from John's grandmother, a Xiamen native named Nena Peñaloza, who passed it on to Jenny in 2002. Their steaming bowls of yumminess use the best local ingredients alongside imported beef and US tendon, making for the best combination.   Photo from Goto Tendon[/caption] Goto Tendon is one of the Metro's newest gotohan and paresan that not only offers rainy day favorites such as goto and pares but also has other Filipino meals including a variety of silogs, barbeque, sisig, and desserts.   Locations: Araneta Avenue | Boni Avenue | Promenade Greenhills | Crossroads Bonifacio Global City | Scout Borromeo  

Goto Monster

  Goto Monster is best known for serving elevated goto, transforming "plain lugaw" into sumptuous dishes with smoked fish, bagnet, tofu, beef tripe, chicharong bulaklak, and other toppings.   Photo from Goto Monster[/caption] Apart from that, Goto Monster is also known for its desserts and its take on Vietnamese Spring Rolls. It's also open 24 hours, so you can get your lugaw fix from them anytime.   Locations: Primo de Vera St., Makati City | Salo Park, Manila  

Lugaw Manila

  Lugaw Manila is yet another restaurant that serves your favorite goto with various toppings. It also serves other Filipino eats and they're open 24 hours. It's one of the best places to stop by in Poblacion if you're in the area to sample some quality comfort food.  Photo from Lugaw Manila[/caption] Don't forget to try their Goto Fiesta - it has everything you might want on your goto in one convenient dish. Whether it's tofu, lumpia, bagnet, or chicharon bulaklak - Goto Fiesta is a dish to try if you want to sample all of that.   Location: Poblacion, Makati City  

Goto Believe

  Do you believe in magic? Well, you GOTO believe in it now!   Goto Believe adds a modern twist to goto by adding street food staples such as isaw, bagnet, chicharon bulaklak, chicken skin, and more. They have a variety of topping combinations that'll surely give a unique taste to their goto. Adding to that, you'll have a good time vibing to the restaurant's friendly atmosphere while dining on their eats.    Photo from Goto Believe[/caption] Goto Believe serves wet and dry goto, the latter being their own twist on fried rice. You'll also have a field day ordering at the restaurant with their unique dish names that range from playing on celebrity names to the funniest puns. A trip to this restaurant is definitely worth trying out if you’re looking for something fun.   Locations: San Rafael, Mandaluyong | Kapitolyo, Pasig | Shoe Avenue, Marikina | Cainta, Rizal | P. Sanchez, Manila  

Lugawan Republic

  Lugawan Republic is another popular name if you're looking for lugaw and goto. Their best seller is the Pilugaw that's comprising sotanghon, ox tripe, and mushrooms. Apart from that, their signature spicy goto, GOTO HELL, is one that you'll want to try if you're up for the challenge.   Photo from Lugawan Republic[/caption] Apart from lugaw, Lugawan Republic also has a variety of Filipino favorites that include Caldereta, Bistek, and Sinigang that you can feast on if you're looking for something different. But really, in a place like Lugawan Republic, it's the lugaw that really shines.   Location: Sct. Rallos, Quezon City   Lugaw is a comfort food that transcends generations. We may all know lugaw differently, but there’s just something about it that brings people together when it's served. It’s comfort food that you’ll definitely be craving beyond the rainy season. It’s a splendid companion when you’re feeling blue and need a warm pick-me-up to make things better. That’s why lugaw is essential, in more ways than we’d care to admit.