It’s hard to be a non-meat eater in Manila, especially if you’re just starting. One might say that it’s not practical because more often than not, the healthier the food, the pricier. But it’s 2017 and thankfully more restaurants are becoming more flexible by including vegetarian and vegan options in their menus. One particular place that comes to mind is Pipino.
Pipino first started out as a six-item line under Pino Restaurant back in 2010, in celebration of Earth Day. Soon after, the menu evolved into a full-blown restaurant at Teacher’s Village in Quezon City, serving 100% vegan food.
What made Pipino so attractive to the local market is their “veganized” Filipino favorites like kare-kare with black bean bagoong, Portobello inasal, and pinakbet risotto. They even offer vegan desserts such as cookies, cupcakes, and ice cream. These may be plant-based, but I bet my next paycheck that even meat-lovers will enjoy this restaurant, too.
This month, Pipino has churned out six new items on their menu, all made by chef Edward Bugia. Joining the original lineup are their tofu sisig, sizzling laing, pochero, sinigang, halo-halo, leche flan, and saba and camote chips.
Pipino’s vegetarian menu is available in both Pino Restaurant and its independent store on the second floor. They deliver in Metro Manila via foodpanda, twoanyone.com, and 2121212.
Writer: BEA LLAGAS
