Rekdi in Makati: Modern Filipino Dining Destination
Rekdi is a three-story modern karinderya located at Poblacion in Makati, owned by acclaimed filmmaker Director Erik Matti.
Designed as a place where guests can eat, drink, and gather, the concept draws inspiration from the Filipino karinderya, much like how an izakaya functions in Japan or a bistro in France.
IMAGE from Rekdi’s Instagram account
The space offers a multi-level experience, with cocktails on the ground floor, dining areas across the upper levels, and a menu centered on Filipino flavors interpreted through contemporary techniques.
Rekdi describes itself as a modern karinderya where diners can mix and match dishes with their choice of starches, whether bread, noodles, or rice.
IMAGE from Rekdi’s Instagram account
Behind the scenes, Rekdi operates with both a commissary kitchen and an on-site restaurant kitchen. While ingredients, stocks, sauces, and preparations are handled in advance, every dish is finished to order over fire and grill during service.
The restaurant emphasizes that dishes are cooked fresh rather than reheated, with the final cooking process taking place in the dining kitchen.
IMAGE from Rekdi’s Instagram account
Among its must-try dishes offerings is the Black Sesame Dandan Noodles, made with black sesame paste, vinegar, ginger-scallion oil, sriracha, and the restaurant’s house chili crunch.
Rekdi uses taochiam noodles rather than traditional pasta, drawing inspiration from noodle dishes commonly found in Bacolod resulting to a distinctive texture that complements the restaurant’s approach to Filipino comfort food.
Black Sesame Dandan Noodles/IMAGE from Rekdi’s Instagram account
The restaurant also introduces limited-run specials such as The Black Goat, a char-grilled goat patty made with a blend of goat meat and pork back fat, paired with mackerel kimchi velouté, mascarpone sumac onion salad, and mulberry jam.
IMAGE from Rekdi’s Instagram account
Complementing the food menu is a cocktail program that includes playful interpretations of Filipino favorites. One example is the Jack-Coke Boba Gulaman Highball, a combination of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, Coca-Cola syrup, vanilla, and chewy sago and gulaman inspired by classic Filipino party drinks.
IMAGE from Rekdi’s Instagram account
Combining Filipino comfort food, contemporary cooking techniques, cocktails, and communal dining, Rekdi presents a modern take on the traditional karinderya experience.
