The Lechon Factory at Isetann Cinerama Complex, C.M. Recto Manila, Philippines

One rainy afternoon, while we are looking for something to buy somewhere at the Quiapo area, we found ourselves inside the Isetann Cinerama Complex at C.M. Recto trying to look for a decent meal. One particular restaurant caught our attention and their menu is really something, not to mention they are all affordable.

The Lechon Factory was established 2016, it was all brand new. Their meals are of course everything about Lechon, and as tempting as it is and having a lot of guilt that we might endure later on, we decided to indulge ourselves and try their best sellers.

Lechón is a pork dish in several regions of the world, most specifically Spain and its former colonial possessions throughout the world. The word lechón originated from the Spanish term lechón, referring to a suckling pig that is roasted. Lechón is a popular food in the Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, North Sulawesi province of Indonesia, other Spanish-speaking nations in Latin America, and Spain. The dish features a whole roasted pig cooked over charcoal. Additionally, it is a national dish of the Philippines with Cebu being acknowledged by American chef Anthony Bourdain as having the best pig, and also being the national dish of Puerto Rico. Nowadays in most of Latin America, the original use of a suckling pig has given way to a medium-sized adult pig.

In most regions, lechón is prepared throughout the year for any special occasion, during festivals, and the holidays. After seasoning, the pig is cooked by skewering the entire animal, entrails removed, on a large stick and cooking it in a pit filled with charcoal. The pig is placed over the charcoal, and the stick or rod it is attached to is turned in a rotisserie action. The pig is roasted on all sides for several hours until done. The process of cooking and basting usually results in making the pork skin crisp and is a distinctive feature of the dish.

Needless to say, you can’t go wrong with Pork, it’s delicious nonetheless, especially, if it is Lechon. With all due respect to all our Muslim comrades.

The place, The Lechon Factory located at Isetann Cinerama is not that big, for my assessment, they can’t accommodate more than 30 people at once. But once you get there, it somehow feels cozy. Maybe because almost all their equipment, tables, chairs and even decors are all brand new.

We have tried both the Lechon Sinigang and Lechon Noodle Soup. Sinigang is a Filipino soup or stew characterized by its sour and savoury taste most often associated with tamarind (Filipino: sampalok). It is one of the more popular viands in Philippine cuisine, and is related to the Malaysian dish singgang.

While present nationwide, sinigang is seen to be culturally Tagalog in origin, thus the versions found in the Visayas and Mindanao may differ in taste (mainly ginger is an additional ingredient). Fish sauce is a common condiment for the stew.

Besides the famous Sinigang, they also offer Lechon Dinuguan, one of their specialty Lechon Belly, Lechon Paksiw and Lechon Pakbet, I will really come back for that!!! They also have both Merienda and Desserts.

They are currently offering a unli-Lechon rice and soup, meaning, you can have both Lechon rice and soup as much as you can. Their Lechon rice is really something, I think it (the rice) was fried with some Lechon fillings!

So, if you came by the area say Quiapo or C.M. Recto or Avenida or U-Belt or decided what-the-heck-I’ll-just-come-by, try to visit The Lechon Factory located at ground floor Isetann Cinerama Complex. The food is great, the ambiance is good, and it is really affordable.

Cheerio!