COCHI in BGC: Where Spanish Cochinillo Meets Filipino Soul
COCHI began with a quiet, formative moment in Madrid. In the summer of 2014, Filipino actor and chef Marvin Agustin stumbled upon Casa Lucio, a hidden spot down a narrow alley, and tasted cochinillo for the first time.
IMAGE from COCHI’s Facebook page
Years later, during the stillness of the COVID-19 lockdown, that memory returned. He began recreating the dish in his garage. What started as a personal tribute soon evolved into COCHI, which today stands as a full-fledged restaurant on a corner of Bonifacio Global City, carrying with it the story of where it all began.
IMAGE from COCHI’s Facebook page
IMAGE from COCHI’s Facebook page
The restaurant presents familiar Filipino flavors through a contemporary lens, offering a well-balanced menu of meat, seafood, and vegetables.
At its heart is the namesake Cochinillo, a roasted suckling pig from Spain marinated in a blend of 12 herbs and spices and slow-roasted for three hours. Served in generous, celebratory portions, it arrives with a touch of tableside theater.
Cochinillo (Php 13,998/Whole; Php 8,488/Half; Php 5,488/Rib-Leg; Php3,788/Leg-Head) / IMAGE from COCHI’s Facebook page
To complement the roast, three house-made sauces add contrast and lift: a creamy toum, a bright kamias marmalade, and a gently sweet bell pepper sauce.
Comfort classics anchor the rest of the menu. Kare Kare ni Lola leans into tradition, with peanuts roasted and ground daily, simmered with beef and oxtail, and paired with grilled vegetables and homemade bagoong for depth.
Kare-Kare ni Lola (Php 788) / IMAGE from COCHI’s Facebook page
Seafood is equally considered, as seen in the Escabeche, a crispy lapu-lapu set against vegetables and a sweet tomato sauce that balances crunch and tang.
Escabeche (Market Price) / IMAGE from COCHI’s Facebook page
For more intimate gatherings, COCHI offers a private room that seats up to 12 guests, available for a Php 30,000 food-consumable minimum with three hours of use.
Whether for a festive feast or a quiet celebration, this Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant mirrors the restaurant’s ethos: rooted in memory, elevated by craft, and designed to be shared.
