Un Cuenca in Alabang: Offering Spanish-inspired Filipino Cuisine
Filipino and Spanish cuisines share a deep and flavorful history, blending centuries of culinary traditions and techniques. When Spain colonized the Philippines, they brought with them lots of secrets, ingredients, and recipes. This melding of cultures gave way to over 300 years of culinary exchange, where traditional Filipino dishes were infused with Spanish techniques, and vice versa. Today, Filipino cuisine is peppered with Spanish influences, as seen in popular dishes like adobo, lechon, and mechado. Speaking of this delightful fusion, if you find yourself wandering in Alabang, you should check out Un Cuenca, a place where the flavors of those two countries do the salsa on every diner’s palate.
IMAGE from Un Cuenca Restaurant
Helmed by veteran chef Ariel Manuel, Un Cuenca is a Spanish-inspired Filipino restaurant located in Molito Commercial Complex, Alabang that is popular for its unique offerings that fuses Filipino and Spanish flavors and culinary techniques.
Ribeye / IMAGE from Un Cuenca Restaurant
Perfect examples of this concept are the pugon lechon, which is cooked in a brick oven for over three hours to get that crispy skin and tender meat, and the aligue paella that brings a Filipino twist to the Spanish classic rice dish.
IMAGE from Un Cuenca Restaurant Facebook page
In addition to these signature dishes, the bisteca, lamb kaldereta with dried mangoes, callos, duck adobo, gambas, and callos are praised for their flavors. The kesong puti and tomato basil on lettuce ensalada, despite being relatively simpler, is enjoyable too.
IMAGE from Un Cuenca Restaurant Facebook page
For dessert, the churros, especially when accompanied by the in-house chocolate dip, come highly recommended, although some find the chocolate a bit on the bitter side.
The atmosphere at Un Cuenca adds to the dining experience, thanks to a relaxing ambiance that makes it ideal for both casual meals and special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
By blending Filipino and Spanish cooking techniques, flavors, and ingredients, Un Cuenca serves food that are simple, yet flavorful and memorable that makes this place a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an extraordinary dining experience in Alabang.
