By Leila Molitor.
Listen, if you have the time and the miles to fly to Manila, do it. It’s an unforgettable, beautiful, chaotic food city. But if your soul is craving those specific, deep-umami flavors tonight and you aren't ready to spend a full day of your life cramped in a middle seat, you head to Woodside.
Roosevelt Avenue is the spine of "Little Manila," and it’s where the community goes when they want a taste of home that hasn't been "concepted" or watered down for a TikTok trend. We’re talking Tagalog menus, crowded family tables, and smoke-heavy kitchens. No fusion, no shortcuts—just the real deal.
Here is your blueprint for a Manila-style crawl through the heart of Queens.
You can’t talk Filipino food without Sisig, and at Kusina Pinoy Bistro, they treat this dish like the high art form it is. We’re talking pork chopped fine and seared on a screaming-hot platter until the edges turn into crispy, fatty gold.
It hits you with garlic, heat, and a serious hit of smoke. If you’re just looking for a handheld starter to kick things off, grab a few of their Pork BBQ Skewers straight off the grill. It’s the quintessential street food experience, minus the jet lag.
In the Philippines, food is a communal sport. Kabayan is the place that captures that "Quezon City home kitchen" energy perfectly. This isn't about dainty portions; it’s about massive, savory spreads designed to be shared.
Dive into a plate of Pancit Bihon (rice noodles) or the Kare-Kare, a rich peanut-based oxtail stew that’ll make you want to call your own grandmother. The flavors are deep, earthy, and exactly how someone’s Lola would make them. It’s comfort in its purest form.
Every great crawl needs a "walking snack" to bridge the gap between sit-down spots. Raja Sweets might sound like a curveball, but their fast-food counter is a local secret for quick Filipino bites.
Snag some Lumpia (spring rolls) or other fried snacks from the counter. They’re hot, crunchy, and perfect for munching while you navigate the bustle of the 7-train roaring overhead.
You can’t do Woodside without Ihawan. This place is a neighborhood institution—the kind of spot where families have been celebrating birthdays and milestones for decades. The name literally means "grill," and they don't disappoint.
Go for the Pork Belly or the legendary Chicken BBQ. If you’ve got a crew, this is the spot to inquire about a Kamayan feast—eating with your hands off banana leaves. It’s smoky, charred, and carries that specific sweet-savory glaze that defines Filipino barbecue. It’s the anchor of Little Manila for a reason.
You finish the night at Red Ribbon. While it’s a beloved staple back in the Philippines, in Woodside, it serves as the ultimate dessert sanctuary after a long day of salty, savory eating.
You’re here for a proper Halo-Halo. It’s a towering, beautiful mess of shaved ice, evaporated milk, flan, jellies, and sweet beans, all topped with a massive scoop of purple Ube ice cream. It’s cold, sweet, and structurally impressive. It’s the only way to end a Queens crawl.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Woodside isn't just a neighborhood; it’s a time capsule of Manila flavor. The recipes here crossed an ocean and landed on Roosevelt Ave without losing an ounce of soul. Skip the airport. Walk Woodside. Eat like a local.
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