Kumba in Parañaque: Creative Asian Cuisine by Chef Tina Legarda
Established in February 2025, Kumba introduces a dining concept rooted in the concept of both creativity and humility. Owned and led by Chef Tina Legarda, the restaurant takes its name from “kumba,” derived from mapagkumbaba, the Filipino word for humble.
This philosophy shapes not only the restaurant’s identity but also its approach to food, grounded, thoughtful, and quietly expressive, allowing flavors and ingredients to speak for themselves. This same dedication to honest cooking and well-executed flavors has earned the restaurant the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand distinction.
IMAGE from Kumba
At its core, Kumba’s menu is centered around vibrant Asian flavors, drawing inspiration from the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Japan.
Chef Tina’s cooking is known for being fun and inventive, weaving together diverse regional influences while making a conscious effort to highlight local ingredients and promote the richness of Philippine produce. The result is a menu that feels familiar yet refreshingly reimagined, playful in execution but anchored in culinary respect.
IMAGE from Kumba’s Instagram account
Among its notable dishes is the DanDan Dumplings, a flavorful combination of duck and shiitake mushroom dumplings served with mandarin ponzu, spicy satay, and pickled radish.
DanDan Dumplings (Php 488) / IMAGE from Kumba
Equally compelling is the Burnt Cabbage (Php 560), basted in date butter and paired with muhammara sauce, walnuts, and whipped feta.
For those seeking something more robust, the Black Pepper Crab Noodles (Php 650) delivers bold flavors through black pepper squid ink sauce enriched with crab cream and finished with garlic cereal.
Black Pepper Crab Noodles (Php 650) / IMAGE from Kumba
Behind Kumba’s evolving menu is Chef Tina’s solid culinary foundation. A graduate of De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, she honed her craft under esteemed mentors including Chef Jessie Sincioco, Chef Moreno Mattei, and Chef Billy King.
In 2013, she opened her first restaurant, Bamba Bistro, which has been included in the Tatler’s Best List since 2015. Her culinary reach extended further in 2022 through a four-month collaboration with Philippine Airlines, where she developed a full in-flight menu for Business Class passengers.
Chef Tina Legarda / IMAGE from Kumba
Designed to accommodate 50 to 60 guests, Kumba also serves as a versatile venue for gatherings and private celebrations. The space may be booked for private parties, with minimum spend requirements ranging from Php 45,000 to Php 60,000 depending on the day of the week.
Whether for intimate dinners or larger social occasions, the restaurant’s warm, welcoming atmosphere aligns seamlessly with its humble ethos.
IMAGE from Kumba
Kumba accepts walk-ins and reservations, as well as takeout orders and private events. It is pet-friendly and offers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and cocktails.
True to its creative spirit, the restaurant regularly introduces new dishes—guests are encouraged to ask for the specials menu, where fresh ideas and seasonal inspirations continue to unfold.
