Chef Tatung’s tapestry of Filipino flavors

The delicious a la carte options at Lore by Chef Tatung —Margaux Salcedo

I had the pleasure of finally dining at Lore by Chef Tatung. It was one of the brave ones to open during the pandemic.

I had the impression that it was a fine dining space, with a degustation menu of regional cuisine as interpreted by the very talented chef Myke Tatung Sarthou. It seems that this was an identity it once had but it has since kicked off its stilettos for family-style a la carte servings.

This setup worked for our party of four, who ordered enough for a fiesta and tried everything.

While it’s a slow and steady climb to wow—the starter of lumpia is a little basic and the kinilaw is good but too prim to be signature Tatung—the mains do showcase the winning personality of this celebrity chef who has endeared himself to audiences and fans through his television shows and YouTube channel.

I confess that I have personally been a fan since he opened his very first Chef Tatung restaurant over a decade ago, featuring Asian cuisine. He has a keen sense of balance and an excellent sense of flavor that always hits the spot.

He was especially impressive when he showcased Mindanaoan cuisine at an event I hosted around a decade ago for a Filipino food campaign series called Mission: Manila. So, it was a joy to see that he has carried some of these Mindanaoan items into the menu at Lore.

There is a long list of Filipino favorites in the menu. Of course, Tatung adds his own twist. The adobo uses lengua and the sisig uses chicken.

But the standouts not to be missed are the following: The kansi na baka hits just the right amount of sourness and the beef is divine. Here Chef Tatung pays tribute to the Hiligaynon culinary culture. The pianggang is an ode to the Tausug and is a very flavorful chicken in burnt coconut sauce. The balbacoa is another hit as it is generous with the aptly-described “collagen-rich” stew of slow-cooked oxtail and tendon.

This is a great restaurant to hang out with friends and family. It is beautiful without being stiff, elegant without losing its warmth, and best of all, the food is delicious and can be shared amid kwentos and cackles.

The menu says, ‘Discover the tapestry of Filipino flavors.’ Indeed, Chef Tatung takes you on a wonderful journey around the country. There’s a lot to love!

Lore. 3rd floor, West super block retail, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, 3rd Ave, Taguig. Contact 88044739 or 09778049888. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.