Filipino foodie fans get excited, Little Manila has opened its Abu Dhabi branch. Dubbing itself as the “first-ever Filipino food-court style restaurant”, the chain has had considerable success in Dubai.
A survey conducted by the Al Ahli Holding Group found that more than 70 per cent of expats in the UAE are interested in Filipino food.
Among the popular dishes to try were: adobo (meat stew with a marinade of soy sauce, vinegar and garlic), sisig (a sizzling, crispy dish made of meat, liver and other innards seasoned with lime and chillies) and pancit (stir-fried noodles).
“Authentic Filipino dishes are very tasty, include a lot of various spices, and are inspired by other international cuisines; hence its appeal to people, no matter the nationality, is undeniable,” said Parvez Naqvi, General Manager of Food and Beverage Department at Al Ahli Group.
There has been a rapidly growing demand for authentic Filipino dishes and delicacies, and the restaurant has responded to it by flying in popular home-grown food brands straight from the Philippines.
“People are embracing the authentic Philippine cuisine, and the success of Little Manila’s first shop in Al Rigga, Dubai, is proof of that," he said. "As the food hub now expands its presence in the country, more and more people will get to enjoy local Filipino flavours. We are confident that everyone’s going to love it."
Little Manila is opposite Yas Academy School on Najda Street, Al Dhafrah, Abu Dhabi.
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Read more:
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Our guide to the best Filipino restaurants in the UAE
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