Overview

Nestled in the bustling streets of Binondo, Manila, Chef Monklong stands out as a vibrant spot for traditional Filipino dishes served with generous portions and heartfelt flavors. This restaurant, located at 1080 Dela Reina St, offers a compelling menu that highlights the richness of local cuisine, with specialties like Ube Sinigang, Sisig Lechon Kare Kare, and their renowned Lechon Kare-Kare.

The experience begins with authentic ingredients and well-balanced flavors. Their Kare-Kare, featuring real beef and pork cuts simmered to tender perfection, draws praise for its generous peanut sauce that’s both hearty and nuanced. While some diners find the sauce slightly runny, it carries the essence of a classic Filipino stew enriched by fresh vegetables and savory meat. The Lechon Kare-Kare, combining the crispy appeal of lechon with the creamy peanut sauce, offers a layered texture and taste that brings traditional comfort to the table.

Chef Monklong’s dishes are designed for sharing, making it an ideal destination for friends or family who appreciate communal dining. The servings are substantial, often enough for two people to enjoy comfortably without straining the budget. This makes the restaurant an accessible option for working professionals and students in the area seeking hearty meals without sacrificing quality.

Although the dining space is modest and a bit tight, it adds to the authentic neighborhood charm. The intimacy of the location reflects a place where food takes center stage over ambiance. The popularity has inspired the opening of an additional branch to accommodate the growing demand.

Customer feedback consistently highlights both the food’s satisfaction and affordability. Dishes like the beef pares pair well with the main courses, giving guests a well-rounded taste of Filipino comfort food. Capturing moments with Chef Monklong himself has also become a delightful part of the experience, emphasizing the personal touch behind the kitchen.

Overall, Chef Monklong presents a rewarding and genuine taste of Filipino culinary heritage. It’s a space where bold flavors meet generous servings, appealing to those craving traditional meals that resonate with home-cooked warmth in the heart of Metro Manila.


Amenities & Services

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Quick bite
Small plates
Atmosphere
Casual

What Customers Say

Angelica Mae Go
Mar 25,2026
5/5
One of the best kare kare I’ve ever had And the beef pares is a must. I didn’t had the chance to take a photo of the food because it didn’t stay too long on our table. A picture with Chef Monklong is a must as well.
Sunny Bhuiya
Mar 25,2026
5/5
135 PHP for Lechon Kare Kare with rice. Quantity was enough for 2 people to share. You can order extra rice for the 2nd person and share the dish. Delicious food and affordable too.
Elmo B
Mar 25,2026
4/5
The price range of the food in this joint is not far from our office canteen in BGC. The food is worth the price with real beef and pork meat, veggies and peanut sauce. (Referring to Kare-Kare) The place is cramped so we know the reason why chef opened another branch. We will visit that newer one.
Biyaheng Kolehiyala
Mar 25,2026
4/5
Chef Monklong offers a cheap yet price-worthy Filipino meal with generous servings. We tried their lechon kare-kare, beef kare-kare, and pork sisig, all flavorful, rich, and very satisfying. A great spot for hearty Filipino dishes that won’t break the bank.
Anthony Bautista
Mar 25,2026
4/5
I ordered pata kare kare rice. I noticed that the serve generous amount of alamang which i find sayang because for me i didnt finished it all, may 70% pa natira. When my ordered arrived, its served in a big bowl. Pata meats were mostly meat and less bones which is good, its good enough to bite but not really that tender and falls apart from the bone. The sauce is a bit runny which is okay lang. the peanut flavor is there but i cant say its the best kare kare out there. For its price point, its really sulit for a generous serving of 100 pesos kare kare with rice.
Percival Javier Jr. (Perci)
Mar 25,2026
4/5
Not so authentic but still good taste, still lacking a bit of peanut taste just for me, and the space of dining room is small but still highly recommended to try
Tes_ Geee
Mar 25,2026
4/5
Food: Kare Kare Lechon Kawali serving is good for 2-3 pax. Every order comes with one serving of rice, you can always order an extra as needed. Nothing special, medyo nakakaumay I think they used peanut butter the commercial one. Over all the food is OK. Service: cashier is not attentive. I ordered two of the kare kare but only one order came. I tried to follow up thrice and just waited for none because the cashier just list down one order. Atmosphere: the place is literally situated in the back alley of Lucky Chinatown Mall there's nothing to expect about the place. The road is greasy and the smell of pork and beef meat is all over the place.
John-Karl Jimenez
Mar 25,2026
4/5
Monklong Fast Food Lechon Kare Kare (9/10) An absolute standout. The lechon was perfectly crispy, providing a satisfying crunch that paired beautifully with the rich, nutty kare kare sauce. The flavors were well-balanced. The taste is easily one of the best versions of this dish I’ve tried. Lechon Ube Sinigang (8/10) An interesting and modern twist on a classic Filipino ulam. The lechon remained crispy even in the broth, and the subtle ube taste added a unique depth. However, the signature asim of traditional sinigang was subtle. Still, the overall flavor was enjoyable and creative.

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Tuesday 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
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