From humble beginnings as a food truck in 2017, Spoon & Pork has grown into a modern Filipino comfort food haven in Los Angeles. Founded by childhood friends Ray Yaptinchay and Josemari “Jay” Tugas, the restaurant quickly earned a loyal following and even caught the attention of the Michelin Guide. This Michelin-recognized spot has long been on my must-try list, and I was thrilled to visit the Sawtelle location before it closes for good this weekend.

Patita

Walking in, the simple vibe and minimilistic décor set the stage for a culinary adventure. I started with the Patita—a slow-cooked, deep-fried pork shank glazed with a zesty chili garlic sauce. The pork was perfectly crispy on the outside while remaining tender and bursting with flavor inside. It was everything I’d hoped for and more!

Big Breakfast

Next up was the Big Breakfast, a hearty plate that offered a delightful medley of Filipino classics. Featuring tapa (beef sirloin strips), chori (Bacolod-style pork chorizo), and tocino (apple-cured pork belly), this silog dish came complete with garlic rice, eggs, fresh tomato, and atcharra. Everything on this platter was wonderful and delicious! 

Adobo Tofu

I also sampled the Adobo Tofu, where organic tofu met a rich adobo sauce and garlic confit for a dish that was both comforting and innovative. 

Pancit Canton

Rounding out my meal here was the Pancit Canton. The wheat noodles tossed with snow peas, carrots, jicama, and a splash of toyomansi, offered a refreshing, tangy contrast to the richer dishes.

Spoon & Pork’s journey—from a food truck to a Michelin-recognized modern Filipino gem—truly embodies the spirit of innovation and heart in every dish.  I’m super sad to see the Sawtelle location close. The meal definitely made it to the top of my list of favorite Filipino meals. I may just may need to make the trek out to their Silver Lake location in the future for more of their comfort food goodness.

Please check out my latest Yelp Review on Spoon and Pork to learn more. 

Exciting update! Just a day after writing this blog post, Spoon & Pork announced that their Sawtelle location isn’t closing just yet! They’ll be launching a two-month concept called Spoon & Pork Express, featuring a modern take on turo turo — the beloved Filipino cafeteria-style dining — with budget-friendly options. I’m excited to see how this new concept brings even more delicious Filipino flavors to the Westside!